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sis´tẽr (×חות, 'aÌ„hÌ£oÌ„th): Used repeatedly in the Old Testament of a female (1) having the same parents as another; or (2) having one parent in common, with another, half-sister (; ), and also (3) of a female belonging to the same family or clan as another, so a kinswoman (; ); (4) also of a woman of the same country (). (5) Figuratively, the two kingdoms, Israel and Judah, are sisters ( ff). (6) Confederate cities are conceived of as sisters ( ff). (7) 'AÌ„hÌ£oÌ„th is used of objects which go in pairs, as curtains, each 'coupled to its sister' (, ), and of wings in pairs (; ); (8) of virtues or conditions, with which one is closely related: “Say unto wisdom, thou art my sister†(; compare ); (9) of a lover concerning his spouse, as a term of endearment ( f; f; ).
In the New Testament, ἀδελφηÌ, adelpheÌ„Ì, used (1) in sense of physical or blood kinship (; ; ; f; ; ff; ; ); (2) of fellow-members in Christ: “Phoebe, our sister†(; see also ; ; ); (3) possibly, of a church, “thy elect sister†(). See RELATIONSHIPS, FAMILY.