Bible Dictionary
KINDRED
Kindred means relatives connected by birth, family, tribe, or race. Biblical usage includes both immediate family relationships and wider ancestral or tribal connections.
Definition
Kindred means persons related by birth, family, tribe, or race. The term may refer to an immediate relative, a wider family group, a tribal connection, or people belonging to the same race.
Biblical Usage
Biblical usage includes family and ancestral relationships, a member of the same tribe or family, and the wider families or tribes of the earth. In the New Testament it may mean kindred by birth, family, tribe, or race.
Historical Background
Several Hebrew words are translated “kindred,” including terms meaning brother, related by birth, and family. New Testament terms likewise distinguish birth-kindred, family, and tribe.
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>kin'-dred: Several words are rendered "kindred" in the King James Version. 'ach, "brother," was used loosely among Hebrews for a member of the same tribe or family, a relative; and is once translated "kindred" (1Ch 12:29 the King James Version). Once also somewhat loosely as the translation of modha`ath, literally, "acquaintance" (Ru 3:2; compare same root in 2:1, rendered "kinsman"); once, for the, figurative expression, "men of thy redemption" (ge'ullah, referring to the law of the redemption of land by kinsmen, Le 25:25). The two most common words for kindred are: (1) moledheth, "related by birth" (Ge 12:1; 24:4,7; 31:3,13; 32:9; 43:7; Nu 10:30; Es 2:10,20; 8:6); (2) mishpachah, "family" (Ge 24:38,40,41; Jos 6:23; Ru 2:3; 1Ch 16:28; Job 32:2; Ps 22:27; 96:7).</p><p>In the New Testament (several times), genos, "kindred by birth," so, of same family, tribe or race (Ac 4:6; 7:13,19 the Revised Version (British and American) "race"); so also suggeneia (Lu 1:61; Ac 7:3,14). In the King James Version phule, "tribe," rendered "kindred" (Re 1:7; 5:9; 7:9; 11:9; 13:7; 14:6), but better "tribe" as in the Revised Version (British and American). patria, rendered "kindred" in Ac 3:25, is better "families," as in the Revised Version (British and American).</p><p>Edward Bagby Pollard</p>