sis'-ter ('achoth): Used repeatedly in the Old Testament of a female
(1) having the same parents as another; or
(2) having one parent in common, with another, half-sister (Ge 20:12;Le 18:9), and also
(3) of a female belonging to the same family or clan as another, so a kinswoman (Ge 24:60;Job 42:11);
(4) also of a woman of the same country (Nu 25:18).
(5) Figuratively, the two kingdoms, Israel and Judah, are sisters (Eze 23:7).
(6) Confederate cities are conceived of as sisters (Eze 16:45).
(7) 'Achoth is used of objects which go in pairs, as curtains, each `coupled to its sister' (Ex 26:3,6), and of wings in pairs (Eze 1:9;3:13);
(8) of virtues or conditions, with which one is closely related: "Say unto wisdom, thou art my sister" (Pr 7:4; compareJob 17:14);
(9) of a lover concerning his spouse, as a term of endearment (So 4:9f; 5:1f; 8:8).
In the New Testament, adelphe, used
(1) in sense of physical or blood kinship (Mt 12:50;13:56;19:29;Lu 10:39f; 14:26;Joh 11:1 ff;19:25;Ac 23:16);
(2) of fellow-members in Christ: "Phoebe, our sister" (Ro 16:1; see also1Co 7:15;1Ti 5:1;Jas 2:15);
(3) possibly, of a church, "thy elect sister" (2Joh 1:13).
See RELATIONSHIPS, FAMILY.
Edward Bagby Pollard