5737 sisters
Dictionary of Bible Themes

The daughter of one's parents, or of either mother or father. The relationship with a sister is a close one, especially with an unmarried sister.

Ezekiel 44:25

The relationship with a sister was a close one

See also

Leviticus 21:1-3
Numbers 6:6-7
Job 1:1-4
Songs 8:8-9

A brother had some measure of responsibility for his sister

See also

Genesis 24:28-60
2 Samuel 13:19-20
Genesis 20:12

Sexual relationships with sisters

Marrying a sister was permissible in pre-Mosaic times

Leviticus 18:9

See also

Sexual relationships with a sister were later forbidden in Mosaic law

Leviticus 18:11-13,18; 20:17
Deuteronomy 27:22
Ezekiel 22:11
Genesis 34:1-31

Rape

2 Samuel 13:1-19

Dinah's rape was avenged by her brothers

2 Samuel 13:23-36

Tamar was raped by her half-brother

Absalom avenged Tamar's rape.

Genesis 20:13

Sometimes the wives of the patriarchs posed as their sisters

See also

Genesis 12:10-20; 20:1-7; 26:1-10
Genesis 30:1

Examples of the behaviour of sisters

See also

Jealousy

Genesis 30:7-8
Luke 10:38-42

See also

Criticism

Numbers 12:1-15
2 Chronicles 22:11

Kindness and concern

See also

Exodus 2:1-8

pp 2Ki 11:2

Job 42:11
John 11:1-3,17-32
Deuteronomy 25:5-10

Sisters-in-law

See also

Marriage to a sister-in-law was allowed in specific circumstances

Genesis 38:6-11
Leviticus 18:16

See also

Sexual relationships with sisters-in-law were forbidden under normal circumstances

Leviticus 20:21
Mark 6:17-20
Luke 3:19-20
Songs 4:9-10

Sister used as a term of affection

See also

By a husband

Songs 4:12; 5:1-2
Romans 16:1

See also

In the church

1 Timothy 5:1-2
Philemon 1:1-2
James 2:15-17
2 John 1:13
Job 17:13-16

The metaphorical use of sister

Of death

Proverbs 7:1-5

Of wisdom

Jeremiah 3:6-10

See also

Of nations

Ezekiel 16:44-63; 23:1-49
Matthew 12:46-50

Sister as a theological term

Describing the relationship of believers to Jesus Christ

Luke 14:26

pp Mk 3:31-35

See also

Jesus Christ requires his followers to put him before family ties

Matthew 19:29

See also

pp Mk 10:29-30

5661 brothers
5674 daughters
5680 family
5744 wife
5746 youth
6236 sexual sin
Dictionary of Bible Themes
© Martin H. Manser, 2009.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       


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