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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Abram said to Lot: Let us not have any quarreling between you and me, or between your herdsmen and mine, for we are brothers.
Then he brought back all the goods. He also brought back his nephew Lot and all the men and women.
I grieve for you, my brother Jonathan. You were dear to me! How wonderful was your love for me. It was better than the love of women.
Abraham was the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers.
When making an offering at the altar and you remember your brother has something against you,
When you are kind only to your friends [and brothers] what makes you different from anyone else? Even people of the nations do that.
Why do you see the speck in your brother's eye? Do you not consider the beam in your own eye?
While Jesus was yet speaking to the crowds, his mother and his brothers stood nearby. They wanted to speak to him. Someone told Jesus: Look, your mother and your brothers stand nearby seeking to speak to you. read more. But he answered: Who is my mother? Who are my brothers? He stretched out his hand towards his disciples, and said: Behold, my mother and my brothers! For everyone who does the will of my Father who is in heaven is my brother, and sister, and mother.
Is this man the carpenter's son? Is his mother called Mary? Are his brothers James and Joseph, Simon, and Judas?
Is this man the carpenter's son? Is his mother called Mary? Are his brothers James and Joseph, Simon, and Judas? Are his sisters all with us? Where did he get all these things?
Included among the women were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.
His mother and his brother were standing nearby. They sent for him. A crowd was sitting around him. They said to him: Look your mother and you brother are outside looking for you. read more. He answered them: Who is my mother and who is my brother? Looking at the people who sat around him he said: Behold, my mother and my brother! For whoever does the will of God, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.
Simon, whom he also named Peter, and Andrew his brother, and James and John, and Philip and Bartholomew, and Matthew and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon who was called the Zealous one, read more. And finally there was Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.
His brothers said to him: Leave here and go to Judea. That way your disciples also may see the works that you do.
His mother stood by the stake of Jesus, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.
They all continued united in earnest prayer. The women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers were also there.
Moses said to the fathers, 'Jehovah will raise up for your brothers a prophet like me. You must listen to all the things he speaks to you.' (Deuteronomy 18:18)
The disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brothers in Judea.
The descendants of Levi who receive the priestly office have a commandment in the Law to take tithes from the people. This is from their brothers, for these are descended from 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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I will require your lifeblood as an accounting. I will demand an accounting from every animal. I will demand an accounting from each man for the life of his fellow man.
Abram said to Lot: Let us not have any quarreling between you and me, or between your herdsmen and mine, for we are brothers.
Then he brought back all the goods. He also brought back his nephew Lot and all the men and women.
I grieve for you, my brother Jonathan. You were dear to me! How wonderful was your love for me. It was better than the love of women.
Then Jeshua, the son of Jozadak, and his brothers the priests, and Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, with his brothers, got up and built the altar of the God of Israel for burned offerings. This was according to the Law of Moses, the man of God.
Jehovah continued: For the many transgressions of Tyre I will not withdraw punishment! They captured all the people and delivered them to Edom. They did not remember the brotherly covenant.
Abraham was the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers.
He did not have marital relations with her before she gave birth to a son. Joseph named the child Jesus.
Now I tell you that everyone who is angry with his brother [without cause] shall be guilty before the court. Whoever speaks to his brother with words of contempt shall receive condemnation before the Sanhedrin [Supreme Court]. Curse your brother and you will be guilty enough to be destroyed by fire, with the burning trash, at the Valley of Hinnom, outside of Jerusalem (Greek: Gehenna). When making an offering at the altar and you remember your brother has something against you, read more. leave your gift at the altar and go make peace with your brother. Then return and make your offering.
When you are kind only to your friends [and brothers] what makes you different from anyone else? Even people of the nations do that.
You hypocrite! First remove the beam out of your own eye. Then you can see to remove the speck out of your brother's eye.
While Jesus was yet speaking to the crowds, his mother and his brothers stood nearby. They wanted to speak to him.
While Jesus was yet speaking to the crowds, his mother and his brothers stood nearby. They wanted to speak to him.
For everyone who does the will of my Father who is in heaven is my brother, and sister, and mother.
The King will answer: 'To the extent that you did it to one of the least of my brothers, you did it to me.'
His mother and his brother were standing nearby. They sent for him. A crowd was sitting around him. They said to him: Look your mother and you brother are outside looking for you.
It was the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar. Pontius Pilate was governor of Judaea. Herod served as tetrarch of Galilee. Herod's brother Philip was tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis. Lysanias was tetrarch of Abilene.
John reproved Herod the tetrarch for all the evil things he had done for he took his brother Herodias' wife.
His brothers said to him: Leave here and go to Judea. That way your disciples also may see the works that you do.
They all continued united in earnest prayer. The women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers were also there.
Moses said to the fathers, 'Jehovah will raise up for your brothers a prophet like me. You must listen to all the things he speaks to you.' (Deuteronomy 18:18)
Therefore brothers select seven men who have a good reputation. Men who are full of spirit and wisdom that we may appoint to take care of this business.
The disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brothers in Judea.
But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord's brother.
But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord's brother.
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, and Timothy our brother,
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, and Timothy our brother,
Both he who sanctifies and they who are sanctified are all from one. For this reason Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers. He says: I will declare your name to my brothers; in the middle of the congregation I will sing praises to you.
This means that he had to become like his brothers in every way, in order to be their faithful and merciful High Priest in his service to God, in order to offer a propitiatory sacrifice (pay atonement) (to make reconciliation) for the sins of the people.
The descendants of Levi who receive the priestly office have a commandment in the Law to take tithes from the people. This is from their brothers, for these are descended from 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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Abram said to Lot: Let us not have any quarreling between you and me, or between your herdsmen and mine, for we are brothers.
Abram said to Lot: Let us not have any quarreling between you and me, or between your herdsmen and mine, for we are brothers.
Then he brought back all the goods. He also brought back his nephew Lot and all the men and women.
Then he brought back all the goods. He also brought back his nephew Lot and all the men and women.
Remember, I am with you. I will watch over you wherever you go. I will also bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I do what I have promised you.
Remember, I am with you. I will watch over you wherever you go. I will also bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I do what I have promised you.
After Moses had grown up, he went out to where his own people (his brothers) were hard at work. He saw an Egyptian beating one of them.
After Moses had grown up, he went out to where his own people (his brothers) were hard at work. He saw an Egyptian beating one of them.
Consecrate (appoint) (sanctify) all the first-born males to me. Every first-born male Israelite and every first-born male animal belongs to me!
Consecrate (appoint) (sanctify) all the first-born males to me. Every first-born male Israelite and every first-born male animal belongs to me!
Never hate your brother in your heart. Be sure to correct your neighbor so that you will not be guilty of sinning along with him.
Never hate your brother in your heart. Be sure to correct your neighbor so that you will not be guilty of sinning along with him.
Moses sent messengers from Kadesh to the king of Edom. He said: This is what your brother Israel says: 'You know all the hardships we have had.
Moses sent messengers from Kadesh to the king of Edom. He said: This is what your brother Israel says: 'You know all the hardships we have had.
When brothers live together and one of them dies without a son the wife of the deceased shall not marry outside the family to a strange man. Her husband's brother shall marry her and perform the duty of a husband's brother to her.
When brothers live together and one of them dies without a son the wife of the deceased shall not marry outside the family to a strange man. Her husband's brother shall marry her and perform the duty of a husband's brother to her. The firstborn son she bears will assume the name of the dead brother. That way his name will not be blotted out from Israel.
The firstborn son she bears will assume the name of the dead brother. That way his name will not be blotted out from Israel.
After the death of Joshua, the children of Israel asked Jehovah (YHWH), saying: Who will go first to fight against the Canaanites for us?
After the death of Joshua, the children of Israel asked Jehovah (YHWH), saying: Who will go first to fight against the Canaanites for us?
You are my relatives, my own flesh and blood. Why should you be the last to reinstate the king?
You are my relatives, my own flesh and blood. Why should you be the last to reinstate the king?
I am a brother to jackals and a companion of ostriches.
I am a brother to jackals and a companion of ostriches.
He did not have marital relations with her before she gave birth to a son. Joseph named the child Jesus.
He did not have marital relations with her before she gave birth to a son. Joseph named the child Jesus.
Are his sisters all with us? Where did he get all these things?
Are his sisters all with us? Where did he get all these things?
The King will answer: 'To the extent that you did it to one of the least of my brothers, you did it to me.'
The King will answer: 'To the extent that you did it to one of the least of my brothers, you did it to me.'
Included among the women were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.
Included among the women were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.
Then Jesus told them: Do not fear. Go tell my brothers to travel to Galilee. I will see them there.
Then Jesus told them: Do not fear. Go tell my brothers to travel to Galilee. I will see them there.
The women watching from afar included: Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome,
The women watching from afar included: Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome,
Desiring to justify himself, he said to Jesus: Who is my neighbor?
Desiring to justify himself, he said to Jesus: Who is my neighbor? Jesus answered: A man traveled from Jerusalem to Jericho. He fell among robbers. They stripped him, beat him and left him half dead.
Jesus answered: A man traveled from Jerusalem to Jericho. He fell among robbers. They stripped him, beat him and left him half dead.
For his brothers did not express active faith in him.
For his brothers did not express active faith in him.
His mother stood by the stake of Jesus, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.
His mother stood by the stake of Jesus, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple whom he loved. He said to his mother, Woman, look, your son!
Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple whom he loved. He said to his mother, Woman, look, your son!
Jesus said: Do not touch me for I am not yet ascended to the Father. Go to my brothers, and say to them, I ascend to my Father and you're Father, and my God and your God. (Revelation 3:12)
Jesus said: Do not touch me for I am not yet ascended to the Father. Go to my brothers, and say to them, I ascend to my Father and you're Father, and my God and your God. (Revelation 3:12)
They all continued united in earnest prayer. The women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers were also there.
They all continued united in earnest prayer. The women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers were also there.
They all continued united in earnest prayer. The women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers were also there.
They all continued united in earnest prayer. The women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers were also there.
When he found him, he brought him to Antioch. They met with the congregation for a whole year. They taught many people. The disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.
When he found him, he brought him to Antioch. They met with the congregation for a whole year. They taught many people. The disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.
The disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brothers in Judea.
The disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brothers in Judea.
Then Agrippa said to Paul: In a short time you would persuade (convince) me to become a Christian.
Then Agrippa said to Paul: In a short time you would persuade (convince) me to become a Christian.
I wrote you not to keep company with any man who is called a brother who is a fornicator, or who is greedy, or who worships idols, or constantly gets drunk, or cheats people. Do not even eat with such a person.
I wrote you not to keep company with any man who is called a brother who is a fornicator, or who is greedy, or who worships idols, or constantly gets drunk, or cheats people. Do not even eat with such a person.
But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord's brother.
But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord's brother.
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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Abram heard that his nephew had been taken captive. Abram led his trained men, born in his house, three hundred eighteen of them, in pursuit as far as Dan.
After Moses had grown up, he went out to where his own people (his brothers) were hard at work. He saw an Egyptian beating one of them.
Moses called Mishael and Elzaphan, the sons of Uzziel, Aaron's uncle. He said: Come here and carry your cousins' bodies away from the sacred tent and put them outside the camp.
I am a brother to jackals and a companion of ostriches.
He is lazy in his work. His brother destroys.
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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Abram said to Lot: Let us not have any quarreling between you and me, or between your herdsmen and mine, for we are brothers.
Then he brought back all the goods. He also brought back his nephew Lot and all the men and women.
After Moses had grown up, he went out to where his own people (his brothers) were hard at work. He saw an Egyptian beating one of them.
Never hate your brother in your heart. Be sure to correct your neighbor so that you will not be guilty of sinning along with him.
Moses sent messengers from Kadesh to the king of Edom. He said: This is what your brother Israel says: 'You know all the hardships we have had.
Say to Amasa: 'Are you my flesh and blood? May God strike me dead unless you are given Joab's place to serve me always as the commander of the army.'
He said: What sort of towns are these you have given me, my brother? So they were named the land of Cabul, to this day.
He saves people from the sword (slander) of their mouth. He saves the needy from the power of the mighty.
God has cast me into the mire. 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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King Herod was troubled when he heard this. Jerusalem was also troubled.
He saw two other brothers, James, the son of Zebedee, and John his brother. They were in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets. He called them.
Is this man the carpenter's son? Is his mother called Mary? Are his brothers James and Joseph, Simon, and Judas?
Is this man the carpenter's son? Is his mother called Mary? Are his brothers James and Joseph, Simon, and Judas?
He made an agreement with the workmen for a penny a day. Then he sent them into his vineyard.
Included among the women were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.
Is this the carpenter, the son of Mary, brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? Are not his sisters here with us? He offended them.
and Matthew and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon who was called the Zealous one, And finally there was Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.
His mother stood by the stake of Jesus, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.