His Holiness Pope Shenouda III explains in this lecture the multiple meanings of the word “brother” in the Holy Bible, showing that the term is not limited to the biological brother but covers various levels of human and spiritual kinship.

1. The biological brother

This is the brother from the same father and mother, as in the story of Cain and Abel.

2. The half-brother

This refers to what is called Half Brother, as in the example of Abraham and Sarah, about whom he said: “She is my sister… but not from my mother.”

3. The close relative

The word brother is used to express very close kinship, such as Lot being described as Abraham’s “brother” even though he was his nephew, and Jacob referring to Laban in the same way.

4. Spiritual brotherhood

The Lord Jesus described His disciples as His brothers because they share with Him the human nature that He took in His incarnation, and He said to Mary Magdalene: “Go to My brothers.”

5. Universal human brotherhood

The word brother may apply to all humanity as descendants of Adam and Eve, or to a specific people, as St. Paul referred to the Jews as “my brothers according to the flesh.”

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