אָחוֹת (a.chot)
a.chot
sister
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 83 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The noun aḥōṯ literally means "sister," referring to a female sibling sharing one or both parents. Its usage spans literal family ties, as seen when Abraham refers to Sarah as his half-sister in Genesis 20:12, to broader kinship where Rebecca is called "our sister" by her family in Genesis 24:60. The term also extends to tribal and political alliances, describing Judah’s relationship with neighboring states like Samaria and Sodom in Ezekiel 16.
Beyond social connections, aḥōṯ carries intimate metaphorical weight. In Song of Solomon 4:9, the beloved is described as having captured the heart with a single glance, highlighting deep personal affection. The word also appears in poetic parallelism to mean "another" or "one another," such as when curtains are joined together in Exodus 26:5. This flexibility allows the term to express both physical proximity and relational closeness.
Its etymological root links it closely to the word for brother (aḥ), forming a pair that defines kinship in Hebrew thought. While English often distinguishes between literal siblings and metaphorical relatives, aḥōṯ covers this spectrum seamlessly. Translators must therefore rely on context to decide whether the term denotes blood relation, tribal identity, or spiritual unity.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word aḥōth anchors us in the reality of kinship. In the Hebrew Bible, it describes more than just a biological sibling; it captures the deep, protective bond that defines family identity. When we see this term used for tribal allies or spiritual peers, it reminds us that our connections extend beyond blood into shared purpose and mutual care.
For your faith life, this word highlights the value of loyalty. Whether in the tension between sisters like Rachel and Leah or the protective silence of Moses’ sister Miriam, aḥōth shows how family shapes our journey. It invites you to cherish those who stand beside you, recognizing that these relationships are foundational to God’s design for community.
Even when used metaphorically for nations or spiritual unity, the term points back to a core truth: we are not isolated. We belong to one another. This understanding encourages patience and kindness in your daily interactions, knowing that every connection reflects a deeper divine order of belonging.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 83 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- [the] sister of16×
- sister/ his12×
- sister/ their9×
- [is] sister/ my6×
- O sister/ my6×
- sister/ its5×
- sister/ my4×
- sister/ her4×
- sister/ our2×
- and/ for/ sister/ his2×
- and/ [was] [the] sister of2×
- and/ [the] sister of2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- אֲחֹ֣תִ/י7×
- אֲחוֹתָֽ/ם\׃4×
- אֲחֹתִ֣/י4×
- אֲח֧וֹת4×
- וַ/אֲח֥וֹת3×
- אֲח֥וֹת3×
- אֲח֣וֹת3×
- אָח֥וֹת2×
- אֲחֹתָֽ/ם\׃2×
- אֲחֹתָֽ/הּ\׃2×
- אֲחֹתָ֑/הּ2×
- אֲחֹתִ֤/י2×
Key Verses
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Genesis 24:60
They blessed Rebekah, and said to her, “Our sister, may you be the mother of thousands of ten thousands, and let your offspring possess the gate of those who hate them.”
This verse uses the term as a blessing for Rebekah, showing how 'sister' signifies communal hope and future fruitfulness rather than just lineage.
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Exodus 2:7
Then his sister said to Pharaoh’s daughter, “Should I go and call a nurse for you from the Hebrew women, that she may nurse the child for you?”
Miriam’s role here demonstrates how the word identifies a protective presence who watches over family safety with quiet wisdom.
-
Genesis 30:1
When Rachel saw that she bore Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister. She said to Jacob, “Give me children, or else I will die.”
Rachel’s envy of her sister reveals the intense emotional weight and rivalry that can exist within these close familial bonds.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hebrew word aḥōth mean?
How is aḥōth different from other words for relative?
Where does this word appear most often?
Every Occurrence (83 verses across 16 books)
Genesis 23 verses
Zillah also gave birth to Tubal Cain, the forger of every cutting instrument of bronze and iron. Tubal Cain’s sister…
Genesis 12:13Please say that you are my sister, that it may be well with me for your sake, and that my soul may live because of you.”
Genesis 12:19Why did you say, ‘She is my sister,’ so that I took her to be my wife? Now therefore, see your wife, take her, and go…
Genesis 20:2Abraham said about Sarah his wife, “She is my sister.” Abimelech king of Gerar sent, and took Sarah.
Genesis 20:5Didn’t he tell me, ‘She is my sister’? She, even she herself, said, ‘He is my brother.’ I have done this in the…
Genesis 20:12Besides, she is indeed my sister, the daughter of my father, but not the daughter of my mother; and she became my wife.
Genesis 24:30When he saw the ring, and the bracelets on his sister’s hands, and when he heard the words of Rebekah his sister,…
Genesis 24:59They sent away Rebekah, their sister, with her nurse, Abraham’s servant, and his men.
Genesis 24:60They blessed Rebekah, and said to her, “Our sister, may you be the mother of thousands of ten thousands, and let your…
Genesis 25:20Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah, the daughter of Bethuel the Syrian of Paddan Aram, the sister of Laban…
Genesis 26:7The men of the place asked him about his wife. He said, “She is my sister,” for he was afraid to say, “My wife”, lest,…
Genesis 26:9Abimelech called Isaac, and said, “Behold, surely she is your wife. Why did you say, ‘She is my sister’?” Isaac said to…
Genesis 28:9So Esau went to Ishmael, and took, in addition to the wives that he had, Mahalath the daughter of Ishmael, Abraham’s…
Genesis 29:13When Laban heard the news of Jacob, his sister’s son, he ran to meet Jacob, and embraced him, and kissed him, and…
Genesis 30:1When Rachel saw that she bore Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister. She said to Jacob, “Give me children, or…
Genesis 30:8Rachel said, “I have wrestled with my sister with mighty wrestlings, and have prevailed.” She named him Naphtali.
Genesis 34:13The sons of Jacob answered Shechem and Hamor his father with deceit when they spoke, because he had defiled Dinah their…
Genesis 34:14and said to them, “We can’t do this thing, to give our sister to one who is uncircumcised; for that is a reproach to us.
Genesis 34:27Jacob’s sons came on the dead, and plundered the city, because they had defiled their sister.
Genesis 34:31They said, “Should he deal with our sister as with a prostitute?”
Genesis 36:3and Basemath, Ishmael’s daughter, sister of Nebaioth.
Genesis 36:22The children of Lotan were Hori and Heman. Lotan’s sister was Timna.
Genesis 46:17The sons of Asher: Imnah, Ishvah, Ishvi, Beriah, and Serah their sister. The sons of Beriah: Heber and Malchiel.