His Holiness Pope Shenouda discusses the meanings of the word “brother” in the Holy Bible and mentions that it falls into five different meanings ranging from blood kinship to general senses.
Meaning 1 — Full brother: A brother who is of the same father and the same mother, for example Cain saying “your brother Abel” meaning from the same father and mother.
Meaning 2 — Half-brother (non-full sibling): Sisters or brothers who share only one parent, as referred to Sarah when Abraham said “she is my sister… but not from my mother” (thus she became his wife).
Meaning 3 — Close kinship: A strong kinship where the title brother is given to a closely related relative like the relationship of Lot to Abraham, or a cousin considered a brother because of close relation.
Meaning 4 — Brother by human nature or Christian relationship: It is applied to someone who has become of the same human nature, as Christ considered the disciples “his brothers” after the Incarnation, and told Mary Magdalene “go and tell my brothers,” meaning those who became like him in human nature.
Meaning 5 — Brother in general or for a particular people: The word “brother” may be applied to all humans because they are descendants of Adam and Eve, or to a particular people such as when a whole people are considered “his brethren” according to the flesh as Paul indicates.
Conclusion: The word carries levels of meaning: from blood relation to spiritual and general human sense, and it highlights the unity of man in one origin and in God’s care.
For better translation support, please contact the center.
Biblical Terms – Brother
His Holiness Pope Shenouda discusses the meanings of the word “brother” in the Holy Bible and mentions that it falls into five different meanings ranging from blood kinship to general senses.
Meaning 1 — Full brother:
A brother who is of the same father and the same mother, for example Cain saying “your brother Abel” meaning from the same father and mother.
Meaning 2 — Half-brother (non-full sibling):
Sisters or brothers who share only one parent, as referred to Sarah when Abraham said “she is my sister… but not from my mother” (thus she became his wife).
Meaning 3 — Close kinship:
A strong kinship where the title brother is given to a closely related relative like the relationship of Lot to Abraham, or a cousin considered a brother because of close relation.
Meaning 4 — Brother by human nature or Christian relationship:
It is applied to someone who has become of the same human nature, as Christ considered the disciples “his brothers” after the Incarnation, and told Mary Magdalene “go and tell my brothers,” meaning those who became like him in human nature.
Meaning 5 — Brother in general or for a particular people:
The word “brother” may be applied to all humans because they are descendants of Adam and Eve, or to a particular people such as when a whole people are considered “his brethren” according to the flesh as Paul indicates.
Conclusion:
The word carries levels of meaning: from blood relation to spiritual and general human sense, and it highlights the unity of man in one origin and in God’s care.
For better translation support, please contact the center.