A Biblical and Theological Dictionary
Dictionary entry
in the style of the Hebrews, has equal latitude as brother. It
is used not only for a sister by natural relation from the same father
and mother, but also for a sister only by the same father or by the same
mother, or a near relation only. Sarah is called sister to Abraham, Gen.
xii, 13; xx, 12, though only his niece according to some, or sister by
the father’s side according to others. In the law, Lev. xviii, 18, it is
forbidden to take to wife the sister of a wife; to marry two sisters;
or, according to some interpreters, to marry a second wife, having one
already. Literally, “Thou shalt not take a wife over her sister to
afflict her;” as if meaning to forbid polygamy. In the Gospels, the
brothers and sisters of Jesus Christ are his cousins, children of the
sisters of the holy virgin, Matt. xiii, 56; Mark vi, 3.
is used not only for a sister by natural relation from the same father
and mother, but also for a sister only by the same father or by the same
mother, or a near relation only. Sarah is called sister to Abraham, Gen.
xii, 13; xx, 12, though only his niece according to some, or sister by
the father’s side according to others. In the law, Lev. xviii, 18, it is
forbidden to take to wife the sister of a wife; to marry two sisters;
or, according to some interpreters, to marry a second wife, having one
already. Literally, “Thou shalt not take a wife over her sister to
afflict her;” as if meaning to forbid polygamy. In the Gospels, the
brothers and sisters of Jesus Christ are his cousins, children of the
sisters of the holy virgin, Matt. xiii, 56; Mark vi, 3.
Source: A Biblical and Theological Dictionary · View data sources