Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  5000 Humanity  »  5650 Human relationships  »  5737 sisters

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.

The relationship with a sister was a close one

Ezekiel 44:25 See also Leviticus 21:1-3; Numbers 6:6-7; Job 1:1-4

A brother had some measure of responsibility for his sister

Songs 8:8-9 See also Genesis 24:28-60; 2 Samuel 13:19-20

Sexual relationships with sisters

Marrying a sister was permissible in pre-Mosaic times

Genesis 20:12

Sexual relationships with a sister were later forbidden in Mosaic law

Leviticus 18:9 See also Leviticus 18:11-13,18; Leviticus 20:17; Deuteronomy 27:22; Ezekiel 22:11

Rape

Genesis 34:1-31 Dinah's rape was avenged by her brothers; 2 Samuel 13:1-19 Tamar was raped by her half-brother; 2 Samuel 13:23-36 Absalom avenged Tamar's rape.

Sometimes the wives of the patriarchs posed as their sisters

Genesis 20:13 See also Genesis 12:10-20; Genesis 20:1-7; Genesis 26:1-10

Examples of the behaviour of sisters

Jealousy

Genesis 30:1 See also Genesis 30:7-8

Criticism

Luke 10:38-42 See also Numbers 12:1-15

Kindness and concern

2 Chronicles 22:11 pp 2 Kings 11:2 See also Exodus 2:1-8; Job 42:11; John 11:1-3,17-32

Sisters-in-law

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

Deuteronomy 25:5-10 See also Genesis 38:6-11

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

Leviticus 18:16 See also Leviticus 20:21; Mark 6:17-20; Luke 3:19-20

Sister used as a term of affection

By a husband

Songs 4:9-10 See also Songs 4:12; Songs 5:1-2

In the church

Romans 16:1 See also 1 Timothy 5:1-2; Philemon 1-2; James 2:15-17; 2Jn 13

The metaphorical use of sister

Of death

Job 17:13-16

Of wisdom

Proverbs 7:1-5

Of nations

Jeremiah 3:6-10 See also Ezekiel 16:44-63; Ezekiel 23:1-49

Sister as a theological term

Describing the relationship of believers to Jesus Christ

Matthew 12:46-50 pp Mark 3:31-35

Jesus Christ requires his followers to put him before family ties

Luke 14:26 See also Matthew 19:29 pp Mark 10:29-30

See also

5661  brothers
5674  daughters
5680  family
5744  wife
5745  women
6236  sexual sin