Sister
Culture & SocietyWhat is the meaning of Sister in the Bible?
The term 'sister' refers to a female sibling sharing one or both parents, a female member of the same clan, tribe, or religious community, and appears in extended figurative senses within biblical literature.
SIGNIFICANCE
Recognizing the broad semantic range of 'sister' illuminates the complex kinship networks, tribal affiliations, and communal identities that underpin the social structures and relationships depicted throughout the biblical text.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Ancient Cultural Lens: Avoid applying 21st-century Western assumptions to Sister. Examine how first-century or Near Eastern listeners understood this practice within their daily social dynamics.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Sister in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Sister clarify?
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Sister." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/sister/