King James Bible Dictionary

1. In the natural and common sense (Matthew 1:2; Luke 3:1, 19).

2. A near relation, a cousin (Genesis 13:8; 14:16; Matthew 12:46; John 7:3; Acts 1:14; Galatians 1:19).

3. Simply a fellow-countryman (Matthew 5:47; Acts 3:22; Hebrews 7:5).

4. A disciple or follower (Matthew 25:40; Hebrews 2:11, 12).

5. One of the same faith (Amos 1:9; Acts 9:30; 11:29; 1 Corinthians 5:11); whence the early disciples of our Lord were known to each other as brethren.

6. A colleague in office (Ezra 3:2; 1 Corinthians 1:1; 2 Corinthians 1:1).

7. A fellow-man (Genesis 9:5; 19:7; Matthew 5:22, 23, 24; 7:5; Hebrews 2:17).

8. One beloved or closely united with another in affection (2 Samuel 1:26; Acts 6:3; 1 Thessalonians 5:1). Brethren of Jesus (Matthew 1:25; 12:46, 50: Mark 3:31, 32; Galatians 1:19; 1 Corinthians 9:5, etc.) were probably the younger children of Joseph and Mary. Some have supposed that they may have been the children of Joseph by a former marriage, and others that they were the children of Mary, the Virgin's sister, and wife of Cleophas. The first interpretation, however, is the most natural.

Signifies a:

Relative
Genesis 14:16; Genesis 29:12

Neighbor
Deuteronomy 23:7; Judges 21:6; Nehemiah 5:7

Any Israelite
Jeremiah 34:9; Obadiah 1:10

Mankind
Genesis 9:5; Matthew 18:35; 1 John 3:15

Companion
2 Samuel 1:26; 1 Kings 13:30; 1 Kings 20:33

Love of
Proverbs 17:17; Proverbs 18:24; Song of Solomon 8:1

Unfaithful
Proverbs 27:10

Reuben's love for Joseph
Genesis 37:21-22

Joseph's for his brethren
Genesis 43:30-34; Genesis 45:1-5; Genesis 50:19-25

A fraternal epithet, especially among Christians

Instituted by Christ
Matthew 12:50; Matthew 25:40; Hebrews 2:11-12

Used by disciples
Acts 9:17; Acts 21:20; Romans 16:23; 1 Corinthians 7:12; 2 Corinthians 2:13

Used by Peter
1 Peter 1:22

Used among the Israelites
Leviticus 19:17; Deuteronomy 22:1-4

Brother's widow, law concerning Levirate marriage of
Deuteronomy 25:5-10; Matthew 22:24; Mark 12:19; Luke 20:28

The Hebrew word is used in various senses in the Old Testament, as,

1. Any kinsman, and not a mere brother; e.g. nephew, (Genesis 13:8; 14:16) husband, (Solomon 4:9)
2. One of the same tribe. (2 Samuel 19:13)
3. Of the same people, (Exodus 2:11) or even of a cognate people. (Numbers 20:14)
4. An ally. (Amos 1:9)
5. Any friend, (Job 5:15)
6. One of the same office. (1 Kings 9:13)
7. A fellow man. (Leviticus 19:17)
8. Metaphorically of any similarity, as in (Job 30:19) The word adelphos has a similar range of meanings in the New Testament.

BROTHER, noun plural brothers or brethren. [Latin frater.]

1. A human male born of the same father and mother. A male by one of the parents only is called a half-brother, or brother of the half blood.

2. Any one closely united; an associate; as a band of brothers.

3. One that resembles another in manners.

He that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster. Proverbs 18:9.

In scripture, the term brother is applied to a kinsman by blood more remote that a son of the same parents; as in the case of Abraham and Lot, Jacob and Laban. Persons of the same profession call each other brother as judges, clergymen, professors of religion, members of societies united in a common cause, monks and the like.

Kings give to each other the title of brother address their congregations by the title of brethren. In a more general sense, brother or brethren is used for man in general; all men being children of the same primitive ancestors, and forming one race of beings.

BROTHER-german is a brother by the father's and mother's side, in contradistinction to a uterine brother or by the mother only.

BROTH'ERHOOD, noun [brother and hood.] The state or quality of being a brother.

1. An association of men for any purpose, as a society of monks; a fraternity.

2. A class of men of the same kind, profession, or occupation.

BROTH'ERLESS, adjective Without a brother.

BROTH'ERLIKE, adjective Becoming a brother.

BROTH'ERLOVE, noun Brotherly affection.

BROTH'ERLY, adjective Pertaining to brothers; such as is natural for brothers; becoming brothers; kind; affectionate; as brotherly love.

Shakespeare uses this word as an adverb. 'I speak but brotherly ' But the use is not authorized.

See Brother; Charitableness; Fellowship; Fraternity; Friendship; Love
Brother; Charitableness; Fellowship; Fraternity; Friendship; Love