ἀδελφή (adelphē)
adelphē
sister
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 26 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun adelphē simply means "sister." In the New Testament, it appears twenty-six times, primarily in the Gospels and Pauline letters. It denotes a biological sister, as when Jesus refers to Mary as the sister of Lazarus (John 11:1), or when he notes that his own brothers and sisters exist (Matthew 13:56). The word carries no complex theological weight on its own; it is a straightforward term for family relation.
However, the sources highlight an interesting expansion of this meaning. In early Christian usage, adelphē also describes a member of the faith community. Paul addresses Phoebe as a sister in the church (Romans 16:1), and James speaks of helping a brother or sister in need (James 2:15). This metaphorical use extends the family bond beyond blood relations to include all believers, creating a sense of spiritual kinship.
The papyri evidence adds another layer. In ancient Egypt, adelphē was sometimes used for a wife, and occasionally as an honorary title for a cousin or relative. While the New Testament does not appear to use it in this marital sense, the flexibility of the word in its cultural context shows how early Christians might have understood familial language to encompass both literal and spiritual connections.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word adelphē reminds us that faith creates a family deeper than blood. In the Gospels, Jesus uses this term to describe those who obey God’s will, showing that spiritual kinship is built on shared devotion rather than just biology. When you feel isolated or misunderstood by your natural surroundings, this truth offers a steady anchor: you belong to a community defined by love and obedience.
This sense of belonging extends into daily life through mutual care. The New Testament writers encourage believers to treat one another with the same tenderness found in close family ties. Whether supporting a friend in need or simply sharing in the journey of faith, this word invites you to see others not as strangers, but as sisters and brothers in Christ.
Ultimately, this language points to a profound reality: God adopts us into His household. It is a comforting promise that no matter your background, you are known, valued, and included in the great family of faith.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 26 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- sister13×
- sisters9×
- a sister3×
- our sister1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἀδελφὴ7×
- ἀδελφὴν5×
- ἀδελφὰς4×
- ἀδελφῆς3×
- ἀδελφαὶ3×
- ἀδελφῇ1×
- ἀδελφή1×
- ἀδελφάς,1×
- ἀδελφαί1×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 12:50
For whoever does the will of my Father who is in heaven, he is my brother, and sister, and mother.”
Jesus defines spiritual sisterhood by obedience to the Father, expanding the concept of family beyond biological ties.
-
John 11:1
Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus from Bethany, of the village of Mary and her sister, Martha.
This verse identifies Mary as Lazarus's sister, grounding the term in a specific, beloved historical relationship within the Gospel narrative.
-
Romans 16:1
I commend to you Phoebe, our sister, who is a servant of the assembly that is at Cenchreae,
Paul calls Phoebe 'our sister,' demonstrating how early Christians used this term to express deep respect and kinship within the church community.
-
James 2:15
And if a brother or sister is naked and in lack of daily food,
James pairs brother and sister together when discussing practical care for those in need, highlighting the shared responsibility of believers toward one another.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does adelphē mean in the New Testament?
How is adelphē different from other words for family?
Where does this word appear most often?
Every Occurrence (26 verses across 11 books)
Matthew 3 verses
For whoever does the will of my Father who is in heaven, he is my brother, and sister, and mother.”
Matthew 13:56Aren’t all of his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all of these things?”
Matthew 19:29Everyone who has left houses, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my…