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"Sister" in Biblical Hebrew
Hebrew for sister, אחות (a-coat)may be used of a full or half-sister. Derived from the same root as brother (אח), "sister" only occurs 114 in the Old Testament text. It is also used as "beloved" in the Song of Solomon (cf. Song 5:1-2).

Noteworthy Usage In Old Testament
Some interesting usages of this word and its derivatives:
  • First Occurrence: Genesis 4:22 "And Zillah, she also bare Tubalcain, an instructer of every artificer in brass and iron: and the sister of Tubalcain was Naamah."
  • Abram requests that his wife, Sarai, tell the Egyptians that she is his sister for fear of them, "Please say you are my sister, that it may be well with me for your sake, and that I may live because of you." Genesis 12:13
  • Wisdom is personified as a "sister" in Proverbs 7:4 ,"Say to wisdom, "You are my sister," And call understanding your nearest kin.."
  • Israel and Judah are called sisters by Jeremiah in 3:7, "And I said, after she had done all these things, 'Return to Me.' But she did not return. And her treacherous sister Judah saw it."
  • Last Occurrence: Hosea 2:1 "Say to your brethren, 'My people,' And to your sisters, 'Mercy is shown.'"

Mnemonics to Remember "Brother" in Hebrew
Find a "sound-alike" for the word אחות (a-coat). For myself, an English "sound-alike" is "a coat"  So I picture in my imagination my sister putting on a bizarre and very ugly coat which makes me laugh.  Find your own unique "sound-alike" for this word and then associate the English "sound-alike" to the Hebrew definition.

Biblical Hebrew Vocabulary Helps
To learn more Hebrew vocabulary and grammar quickly and easily, visit us on the web at Biblical Hebrew Made Easy! To see more works by author Blair Kasfeldt, visit his website, Boost Your Memory!



Buy Your Hebrew Vocabulary Guide Today and Master over 700 Hebrew Words Quickly and Easily!

 
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"Mother" in Biblical Hebrew
Referring to the female parent, the Hebrew word אם (aim) is first used of Eve. Eve is recognized as the mother (aim) of all the living (Gen. 3.20). In a broader context אם can be used figuratively of  a city to its inhabitants (cf. Isa 50:1; Ezek 16:44; Hos 2:2)

Noteworthy Usage In Old Testament

Some interesting usages of this word and its derivatives:
  • First Occurrence: Genesis 2:24 "Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh."
  • Honor was given to both parents. It is the only commandment in the Decalogue with an explicit promise: Exodus 20:12 " Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the LORD your God is giving you." 
  • Striking Father or Mother was punishable by death by the Hebrews, Exodus 21:15 " And he who strikes his father or his mother shall surely be put to death."
  • God promises to comfort Israel in her distress as a mother, Isaiah 66:13 "As one whom his mother comforts, So I will comfort you; And you shall be comforted in Jerusalem."
  • Last Occurrence: Micah 7:6  "For son dishonors father, Daughter rises against her mother, Daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; A man's enemies are the men of his own household."

Mnemonics to Remember "Brother" in Hebrew
Find a "sound-alike" for the word אם (aim). For myself, an English "sound-alike" is "aim"  So I picture in my imagination my mother aiming and shooting an assault rifle.  Find your own unique "sound-alike" for this word and then associate the English "sound-alike" to the Hebrew definition.

Biblical Hebrew Vocabulary Helps
To learn more Hebrew vocabulary and grammar quickly and easily, visit us on the web at Biblical Hebrew Made Easy! To see more works by author Blair Kasfeldt, visit his website, Boost Your Memory!

Buy Your Hebrew Vocabulary Guide Today and Master over 700 Hebrew Words Quickly and Easily!

 
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Brother in Hebrew
"Brother" in Hebrew is אח which is used over 600 times in the Old Testament. In its narrow sense, the word is used to denote common male offspring from a common father (אב) and mother (אם). 

In a wider sense the word "brother" in Hebrew includes more remote relations from a common father (cf. Gen. 13:18, 29:15, etc.); all the children of Israel (Det. 3:18; Ex. 2:11, etc.) and even other nation relationships with Israel (cf. Num.20:14, Amos 1:1, etc.).

Noteworthy Usage In Old Testament
Some interesting usages of this word and its derivatives:
  • First Occurrence: Genesis 4:2 "And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground."
  • The first murder recorded in the Bible is brother against brother: Genesis 4:8 "Now Cain talked with Abel his brother; and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him."
  • Hated towards one's brother is prohibited: Leviticus 19:17 "You shall not hate your brother in your heart, but you shall reason frankly with your neighbor, lest you incur sin because of him."
  • Care of one's brother is commanded, including not charging interest to a brother: Deuteronomy 23:19 "You shall not charge interest to your brother -- interest on money or food or anything that is lent out at interest."
  • Last Occurrence: Malachi 2:10 "Have we not all one father? hath not one God created us? why do we deal treacherously every man against his brother, by profaning the covenant of our fathers?"

Mnemonics to Remember "Brother" in Hebrew
Find a "sound-alike" for the word אח. For me an English "sound-alike" is "ack!"  So I picture in my imagination my brother holding Bill the Cat saying, "Ack!"  Find your own unique "sound-alike" for this word and then associate the English "sound-alike" to the Hebrew definition.

Biblical Hebrew Vocabulary Helps
To learn more Hebrew vocabulary and grammar quickly and easily, visit us on the web at Biblical Hebrew Made Easy! To see more works by author Blair Kasfeldt, visit his website, Boost Your Memory!

Buy Your Hebrew Vocabulary Guide Today and Master over 700 Hebrew Words Quickly and Easily!