Reference: Brother
American
Signifies in Scripture the son of the same parent or parents, Mt 1:2; Lu 6:14; a cousin or near kinsman, Ge 13:8; 14:16; Joh 7:3; Ac 1:14; one of the same stock or country, Mt 5:47; Ac 3:22; Heb 7:5; a fellow-man, and equal, Mt 5:23; 7:3; one beloved, 2Sa 1:26; Christians, as sons of God, Ac 9:30; 11:29. In Mt 12:46-50; 13:55-56; Mr 3:31-35, the brothers of Christ are so mentioned, in connection with his mother and sisters, as almost to require us to believe they were children of Joseph and Mary, younger than Jesus. Yet this is not quite certain, as it may be that the James, Joses, and Judas in Mt 13:55, are the nephews of Christ alluded to in Mt 27:56; Lu 6:15-16; Joh 19:25; Cleophas and Alphaeus being probably the same.
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And Abram said to Lot, I pray thee let there be no contention between me and thee, and between my herdsmen and thy herdsmen, for we are brethren.
And he brought back all the property, and brought again his brother Lot and his property, and the women also, and the people.
I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan: very pleasant wast thou unto me; Thy love to me was wonderful, passing women's love.
If therefore thou shouldest offer thy gift at the altar, and there shouldest remember that thy brother has something against thee,
And if ye should salute your brethren only, what do ye extraordinary? Do not also the Gentiles the same?
But why lookest thou on the mote that is in the eye of thy brother, but observest not the beam that is in thine eye?
But while he was yet speaking to the crowds, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, seeking to speak to him. Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren are standing without, seeking to speak to thee. read more. But he answering said to him that spoke to him, Who is my mother, and who are my brethren? And, stretching out his hand to his disciples, he said, Behold my mother and my brethren; for whosoever shall do the will of my Father who is in the heavens, he is my brother, and sister, and mother.
Is not this the son of the carpenter? Is not his mother called Mary, and his brethren James, and Joseph, and Simon, and Judas?
Is not this the son of the carpenter? Is not his mother called Mary, and his brethren James, and Joseph, and Simon, and Judas? And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then has this man all these things?
among whom was Mary of Magdala, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.
And his brethren and his mother come, and standing without sent to him calling him. And a crowd sat around him. And they said to him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren seek thee without. read more. And he answered them, saying, Who is my mother or my brethren? And looking around in a circuit at those that were sitting around him, he says, Behold my mother and my brethren: for whosoever shall do the will of God, he is my brother, and sister, and mother.
Simon, to whom also he gave the name of Peter, and Andrew his brother, and James and John, and Philip and Bartholomew, and Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon who was called Zealot, read more. and Judas brother of James, and Judas Iscariote, who was also his betrayer;
His brethren therefore said to him, Remove hence and go into Judaea, that thy disciples also may see thy works which thou doest;
And by the cross of Jesus stood his mother, and the sister of his mother, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala.
These gave themselves all with one accord to continual prayer, with several women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.
Moses indeed said, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up to you out of your brethren like me: him shall ye hear in everything whatsoever he shall say to you.
And the brethren knowing it, brought him down to Caesarea and sent him away to Tarsus.
And they determined, according as any one of the disciples was well off, each of them to send to the brethren who dwelt in Judaea, to minister to them;
And they indeed from among the sons of Levi, who receive the priesthood, have commandment to take tithes from the people according to the law, that is from their brethren, though these are come out of the loins of Abraham:
Easton
(1.) In the natural and common sense (Mt 1:2; Lu 3:1,19).
(2.) A near relation, a cousin (Ge 13:8; 14:16; Mt 12:46; Joh 7:3; Ac 1:14; Ga 1:19).
(3.) Simply a fellow-countryman (Mt 5:47; Ac 3:22; Heb 7:5).
(4.) A disciple or follower (Mt 25:40; Heb 2:11-12).
(5.) One of the same faith (Am 1:9; Ac 9:30; 11:29; 1Co 5:11); whence the early disciples of our Lord were known to each other as brethren.
(6.) A colleague in office (Ezr 3:2; 1Co 1:1; 2Co 1:1).
(7.) A fellow-man (Ge 9:5; 19:7; Mt 5:22-23,24; 7:5; Heb 2:17).
(8.) One beloved or closely united with another in affection (2Sa 1:26; Ac 6:3; 1Th 5:1). Brethren of Jesus (Mt 1:25; 12:46,50; Mr 3:31-32; Ga 1:19; 1Co 9:5, etc.) were probably the younger children of Joseph and Mary. Some have supposed that they may have been the children of Joseph by a former marriage, and others that they were the children of Mary, the Virgin's sister, and wife of Cleophas. The first interpretation, however, is the most natural.
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And indeed your blood, the blood of your lives, will I require: at the hand of every animal will I require it, and at the hand of Man, at the hand of each the blood of his brother, will I require the life of Man.
And Abram said to Lot, I pray thee let there be no contention between me and thee, and between my herdsmen and thy herdsmen, for we are brethren.
And he brought back all the property, and brought again his brother Lot and his property, and the women also, and the people.
I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan: very pleasant wast thou unto me; Thy love to me was wonderful, passing women's love.
Then stood up Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and his brethren the priests, and Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and his brethren, and built the altar of the God of Israel, to offer up burnt-offerings on it, as it is written in the law of Moses the man of God.
Thus saith Jehovah: For three transgressions of Tyre, and for four, I will not revoke its sentence; because they delivered up the whole captivity to Edom, and remembered not the brotherly covenant.
and knew her not until she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name Jesus.
But I say unto you, that every one that is lightly angry with his brother shall be subject to the judgment; but whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be subject to be called before the sanhedrim; but whosoever shall say, Fool, shall be subject to the penalty of the hell of fire. If therefore thou shouldest offer thy gift at the altar, and there shouldest remember that thy brother has something against thee, read more. leave there thy gift before the altar, and first go, be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
And if ye should salute your brethren only, what do ye extraordinary? Do not also the Gentiles the same?
Hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine eye, and then thou wilt see clearly to cast out the mote out of the eye of thy brother.
But while he was yet speaking to the crowds, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, seeking to speak to him.
But while he was yet speaking to the crowds, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, seeking to speak to him.
for whosoever shall do the will of my Father who is in the heavens, he is my brother, and sister, and mother.
And the King answering shall say to them, Verily, I say to you, Inasmuch as ye have done it to one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it to me.
And his brethren and his mother come, and standing without sent to him calling him. And a crowd sat around him. And they said to him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren seek thee without.
Now in the fifteenth year of the government of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judaea, and Herod tetrarch of Galilee, and Philip his brother tetrarch of Ituraea and the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene,
But Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him as to Herodias, the wife of his brother, and as to all the wicked things which Herod had done,
His brethren therefore said to him, Remove hence and go into Judaea, that thy disciples also may see thy works which thou doest;
These gave themselves all with one accord to continual prayer, with several women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.
Moses indeed said, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up to you out of your brethren like me: him shall ye hear in everything whatsoever he shall say to you.
Look out therefore, brethren, from among yourselves seven men, well reported of, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we will establish over this business:
And the brethren knowing it, brought him down to Caesarea and sent him away to Tarsus.
And they determined, according as any one of the disciples was well off, each of them to send to the brethren who dwelt in Judaea, to minister to them;
but I saw none other of the apostles, but James the brother of the Lord.
but I saw none other of the apostles, but James the brother of the Lord.
Paul, apostle of Christ Jesus, by God's will, and Timotheus the brother,
Paul, apostle of Christ Jesus, by God's will, and Timotheus the brother,
For both he that sanctifies and those sanctified are all of one; for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren, saying, I will declare thy name to my brethren; in the midst of the assembly will I sing thy praises.
Wherefore it behoved him in all things to be made like to his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things relating to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people;
And they indeed from among the sons of Levi, who receive the priesthood, have commandment to take tithes from the people according to the law, that is from their brethren, though these are come out of the loins of Abraham:
Fausets
Includes, besides sons of the same parents, cousins and near relatives, as a nephew (Ge 13:8; 14:16; De 25:5-6 margin). One of the same tribe (2Sa 19:12). Of the same or a kindred people (Ex 2:11; Nu 20:14). A friend (Job 6:15). A fellow man (Le 19:17). "A brother to (i.e. a fellow on a level with) the dragons" or "jackals" (Job 30:29). As the outer pagan world knew believers by the name "Christian," so they know one another by the name "brethren" (Ac 11:26; 26:28; 1Pe 4:16; compare Mt 25:40; Ac 11:29). The Jews distinguished a "brother" as an Israelite by birth, and a "neighbor" a proselyte, and allowed neither title to the Gentiles. But Christ applied "brother" to all Christians, and "neighbor" to all the world (1Co 5:11; Lu 10:29-30). The arguments for the "brethren" of Jesus (James, Joses, Simon, and Judas) mentioned in Mt 13:56 being literally His brothers, born of Joseph and Mary, are:
(1) their names are always connected with Mary, "His brethren" is the phrase found nine times in the Gospels, once in Acts (Ac 1:14);
(2) nothing is said to imply that the phrase is not to be taken literally. But:
(1) "My brethren" is found in the wide sense (Mt 28:10; Joh 20:17).
(2) If Joseph had been their father, they would have been some one time at least designated in the usual mode "sons of Joseph." The statement that. His "brethren did not believe in Him" (Joh 7:5) may refer to His near relations generally, excepting the two apostles James (who is expressly called "the Lord's brother," Ga 1:19) and Jude (Jg 1:1). In Ac 1:14 His "brethren," as distinct from the apostles, may refer to Simon and Joses and other near relatives. It is not likely there would be two pairs of brothers named alike, of such eminence; James and Jude. His brethren are, most probably, the writers of the epistles.
(3) It is expressly stated that Mary, wife of Cleophas and sister of the Virgin Mary (Joh 19:25), had sons, of whom James and Joses are named (Mt 27:56; Mr 15:40). How unlikely that two mothers of the same name, Mary the Virgin and her sister, should have sons also bearing the same names.
(4) If the Virgin had had sons of her own, Jesus would not have given her in charge to John (Joh 19:26), who was not a relative.
(5) It is a fitting thing that in Jesus the line of David should have its final consummation. The naming of Jesus' brethren with His virgin mother so often may be because Jesus and she took up their abode at the home of Mary, the Virgin's sister, after Joseph's death; for that he soon died appears from his name being never mentioned after Luke 2. Hence the cousins would grow up as brothers. The very difficulty implies the absence of collusion or mythical origin in the gospel narrative.
Firstborn son (Mt 1:25) does not imply that any sons were born of the Virgin afterwards, but that none were born before Him. Ex 13:2 defines "the firstborn" "whatsoever openeth the womb": whether other children followed or not. "Knew her not until" does not necessarily imply he even then knew her; compare Ge 28:15, "I will not leave thee until I have done," not meaning He would leave Jacob even then. The main truth asserted is the virginity of Mary up to Jesus' birth. What was afterward is not dearly revealed, being of less consequence to us.
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And Abram said to Lot, I pray thee let there be no contention between me and thee, and between my herdsmen and thy herdsmen, for we are brethren.
And Abram said to Lot, I pray thee let there be no contention between me and thee, and between my herdsmen and thy herdsmen, for we are brethren.
And he brought back all the property, and brought again his brother Lot and his property, and the women also, and the people.
And he brought back all the property, and brought again his brother Lot and his property, and the women also, and the people.
And behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places to which thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee until I have done what I have spoken to thee of.
And behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places to which thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee until I have done what I have spoken to thee of.
And it came to pass in those days, when Moses was grown, that he went out to his brethren and looked on their burdens; and he saw an Egyptian smiting a Hebrew, one of his brethren.
And it came to pass in those days, when Moses was grown, that he went out to his brethren and looked on their burdens; and he saw an Egyptian smiting a Hebrew, one of his brethren.
Hallow unto me every firstborn, whatever breaketh open the womb among the children of Israel, of man and of cattle: it is mine.
Hallow unto me every firstborn, whatever breaketh open the womb among the children of Israel, of man and of cattle: it is mine.
Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thy heart; thou shalt earnestly rebuke thy neighbour, lest thou bear sin on account of him.
Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thy heart; thou shalt earnestly rebuke thy neighbour, lest thou bear sin on account of him.
And Moses sent messengers from Kadesh to the king of Edom, Thus says thy brother Israel: Thou knowest all the trouble that hath befallen us,
And Moses sent messengers from Kadesh to the king of Edom, Thus says thy brother Israel: Thou knowest all the trouble that hath befallen us,
If brethren dwell together, and one of them die, and have no son, the wife of the dead shall not marry a stranger abroad: her husband's brother shall go in unto her, and take her to him as wife, and perform the duty of a husband's brother unto her.
If brethren dwell together, and one of them die, and have no son, the wife of the dead shall not marry a stranger abroad: her husband's brother shall go in unto her, and take her to him as wife, and perform the duty of a husband's brother unto her. And it shall be, that the firstborn that she beareth shall stand in the name of his brother who is dead, that his name be not blotted out from Israel.
And it shall be, that the firstborn that she beareth shall stand in the name of his brother who is dead, that his name be not blotted out from Israel.
After the death of Joshua the people of Israel inquired of the LORD, "Who shall go up first for us against the Canaanites, to fight against them?"
After the death of Joshua the people of Israel inquired of the LORD, "Who shall go up first for us against the Canaanites, to fight against them?"
Ye are my brethren, ye are my bone and my flesh; and why will ye be the last to bring back the king?
Ye are my brethren, ye are my bone and my flesh; and why will ye be the last to bring back the king?
My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a stream, as the channel of streams which pass away,
My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a stream, as the channel of streams which pass away,
I am become a brother to jackals, and a companion of ostriches.
I am become a brother to jackals, and a companion of ostriches.
and knew her not until she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name Jesus.
and knew her not until she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name Jesus.
And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then has this man all these things?
And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then has this man all these things?
And the King answering shall say to them, Verily, I say to you, Inasmuch as ye have done it to one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it to me.
And the King answering shall say to them, Verily, I say to you, Inasmuch as ye have done it to one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it to me.
among whom was Mary of Magdala, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.
among whom was Mary of Magdala, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.
Then Jesus says to them, Fear not; go, bring word to my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there they shall see me.
Then Jesus says to them, Fear not; go, bring word to my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there they shall see me.
And there were women also looking on from afar off, among whom were both Mary of Magdala, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome;
And there were women also looking on from afar off, among whom were both Mary of Magdala, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome;
But he, desirous of justifying himself, said to Jesus, And who is my neighbour?
But he, desirous of justifying himself, said to Jesus, And who is my neighbour? And Jesus replying said, A certain man descended from Jerusalem to Jericho and fell into the hands of robbers, who also, having stripped him and inflicted wounds, went away leaving him in a half-dead state.
And Jesus replying said, A certain man descended from Jerusalem to Jericho and fell into the hands of robbers, who also, having stripped him and inflicted wounds, went away leaving him in a half-dead state.
for neither did his brethren believe on him.
for neither did his brethren believe on him.
And by the cross of Jesus stood his mother, and the sister of his mother, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala.
And by the cross of Jesus stood his mother, and the sister of his mother, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala. Jesus therefore, seeing his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, says to his mother, Woman, behold thy son.
Jesus therefore, seeing his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, says to his mother, Woman, behold thy son.
Jesus says to her, Touch me not, for I have not yet ascended to my Father; but go to my brethren and say to them, I ascend to my Father and your Father, and to my God and your God.
Jesus says to her, Touch me not, for I have not yet ascended to my Father; but go to my brethren and say to them, I ascend to my Father and your Father, and to my God and your God.
These gave themselves all with one accord to continual prayer, with several women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.
These gave themselves all with one accord to continual prayer, with several women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.
These gave themselves all with one accord to continual prayer, with several women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.
These gave themselves all with one accord to continual prayer, with several women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.
And having found him, he brought him to Antioch. And so it was with them that for a whole year they were gathered together in the assembly and taught a large crowd: and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.
And having found him, he brought him to Antioch. And so it was with them that for a whole year they were gathered together in the assembly and taught a large crowd: and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.
And they determined, according as any one of the disciples was well off, each of them to send to the brethren who dwelt in Judaea, to minister to them;
And they determined, according as any one of the disciples was well off, each of them to send to the brethren who dwelt in Judaea, to minister to them;
And Agrippa said to Paul, In a little thou persuadest me to become a Christian.
And Agrippa said to Paul, In a little thou persuadest me to become a Christian.
But now I have written to you, if any one called brother be fornicator, or avaricious, or idolater, or abusive, or a drunkard, or rapacious, not to mix with him; with such a one not even to eat.
But now I have written to you, if any one called brother be fornicator, or avaricious, or idolater, or abusive, or a drunkard, or rapacious, not to mix with him; with such a one not even to eat.
but I saw none other of the apostles, but James the brother of the Lord.
but I saw none other of the apostles, but James the brother of the Lord.
Hastings
Morish
Besides the ordinary use of the word in its literal sense, it is applied to cousins and nephews, Ge 14:14; Le 10:4; and to kinsmen generally. Ex 2:11; 2Ki 10:13; 2Ch 22:8. Also employed where there is a moral likeness. Job 30:29; Pr 18:9. See BRETHREN.
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And Abram heard that his brother was taken captive; and he led out his trained servants, born in his house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued them as far as Dan.
And it came to pass in those days, when Moses was grown, that he went out to his brethren and looked on their burdens; and he saw an Egyptian smiting a Hebrew, one of his brethren.
And Moses called Mishael and Elzaphan, the sons of Uzziel the uncle of Aaron, and said to them, Come near, carry your brethren from before the sanctuary out of the camp.
I am become a brother to jackals, and a companion of ostriches.
He also who is indolent in his work is brother of the destroyer.
Smith
Brother.
The Hebrew word is used in various senses in the Old Testament, as,
1. Any kinsman, and not a mere brother; e.g. nephew,
husband,
2. One of the same tribe.
3. Of the same people,
or even of a cognate people.
4. An ally.
5. Any friend,
6. One of the same office.
7. A fellow man.
8. Metaphorically of any similarity, as in
The word adelphos has a similar range of meanings in the New Testament.
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And Abram said to Lot, I pray thee let there be no contention between me and thee, and between my herdsmen and thy herdsmen, for we are brethren.
And he brought back all the property, and brought again his brother Lot and his property, and the women also, and the people.
And it came to pass in those days, when Moses was grown, that he went out to his brethren and looked on their burdens; and he saw an Egyptian smiting a Hebrew, one of his brethren.
Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thy heart; thou shalt earnestly rebuke thy neighbour, lest thou bear sin on account of him.
And Moses sent messengers from Kadesh to the king of Edom, Thus says thy brother Israel: Thou knowest all the trouble that hath befallen us,
And say to Amasa, Art thou not my bone and my flesh? God do so to me and more also, if thou be not captain of the host before me continually instead of Joab.
And he said, What cities are these which thou hast given me, my brother? And he called them the land of Cabul to this day.
And he saveth the needy from the sword, from their mouth, and from the hand of the mighty.
He hath cast me into the mire, and I have become like dust and ashes.
Watsons
BROTHER. 1. A brother by the same mother, a uterine brother, Mt 4:21; 20:2. A brother, though not by the same mother, Mt 2:3. A near kinsman, a cousin, Mt 13:55; Mr 6:3. Observe, that in Mt 13:55, James, and Joses, and Judas, are called the ???????, brethren, of Christ, but were most probably only his cousins by his mother's side; for James and Joses were the sons of Mary, Mt 27:56; and James and Judas, the sons of Alpheus, Lu 6:15-16; which Alpheus is therefore probably the same with Cleopas, the husband of Mary, sister to our Lord's mother, Joh 19:25.
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But Herod the king having heard of it, was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him;
And going on thence he saw other two brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the ship with Zebedee their father, mending their trawl-nets, and he called them;
Is not this the son of the carpenter? Is not his mother called Mary, and his brethren James, and Joseph, and Simon, and Judas?
Is not this the son of the carpenter? Is not his mother called Mary, and his brethren James, and Joseph, and Simon, and Judas?
And having agreed with the workmen for a denarius the day, he sent them into his vineyard.
among whom was Mary of Magdala, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.
Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, and brother of James, and Joses, and Judas, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended in him.
and Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon who was called Zealot, and Judas brother of James, and Judas Iscariote, who was also his betrayer;
And by the cross of Jesus stood his mother, and the sister of his mother, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala.