80. adelphos

Lexicon

adelphos: Brother

Original Word: ἀδελφός
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: adelphos
Pronunciation: ah-del-FOS
Phonetic Spelling: (ad-el-fos')
Definition: Brother
Meaning: a brother, member of the same religious community, especially a fellow-Christian.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

brother.

From a (as a connective particle) and delphus (the womb); a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like a) -- brother.

see GREEK a

see GREEK a

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from alpha (as a cop. prefix) and delphus (womb)
Definition
a brother
NASB Translation
believing husband (1), brethren (170), brethren* (13), brother (111), brother's (8), brothers (40).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 80: ἀδελφός

ἀδελφός, (οῦ, ὁ (from ἆ copulative and δελφύς, from the same womb; cf. ἀγάστωρ) (from Homer down);

1. a brother (whether born of the same two parents, or only of the same father or the same mother): Matthew 1:2; Matthew 4:18, and often. That 'the brethren of Jesus,' Matthew 12:46, 47 (but WH only in marginal reading); f; Mark 6:3 (in the last two passages also sisters); Luke 8:19; John 2:12; John 7:3; Acts 1:14; Galatians 1:19; 1 Corinthians 9:5, are neither sons of Joseph by a wife married before Mary (which is the account in the Apocryphal Gospels (cf. Thilo, Cod. Apocr. N. T. i. 362f)), nor cousins, the children of Alphaeus or Cleophas (i. e. Clopas) and Mary a sister of the mother of Jesus (the current opinion among the doctors of the church since Jerome and Augustine (cf. Lightfoot's Commentary on Galatians, diss. ii.)), according to that use of language by which ἀδελφός like the Hebrew אָח denotes any blood-relation or kinsman (Genesis 14:16; 1 Samuel 20:29; 2 Kings 10:13; 1 Chronicles 23:2, etc.), but own brothers, born after Jesus, is clear principally from Matthew 1:25 (only in R G); Luke 2:7 — where, had Mary borne no other children after Jesus, instead of υἱόν πρωτότοκον, the expression υἱόν μονογενῆ would have been used, as well as from Acts 1:14, cf. John 7:5, where the Lord's brethren are distinguished from the apostles. See further on this point under Ἰάκωβος, 3. (Cf. B. D. under the word ; Andrews, Life of our Lord, pp. 104-116; Bib. Sacr. for 1864, pp. 855-869; for 1869, pp. 745-758; Laurent, N. T. Studien, pp. 153-193; McClellan, note on Matthew 13:55.)

2. according to a Hebrew use of אָח (Exodus 2:11; Exodus 4:18, etc.), hardly to be met with in secular authors, having the same national ancestor, belonging to the same people, countryman; so the Jews (as the σπέρμα Ἀβραάμ, υἱοί Ἰσραήλ, cf. Acts 13:26; (in Deuteronomy 15:3 opposed to ὁ ἀλλότριος, cf. Acts 17:15; Acts 15:12; Philo de septen. § 9 at the beginning)) are called ἀδελφοί: Matthew 5:47; Acts 3:22 (Deuteronomy 18:15); ; Romans 9:3; in address, Acts 2:29; Acts 3:17; Acts 23:1; Hebrews 7:5.

3. just as in Leviticus 19:17 the word אָח is used interchangeably with רֵַעַ (but, as Leviticus 19:16, 18 show, in speaking of Israelites), so in the sayings of Christ, Matthew 5:22, 24; Matthew 7:3ff, ἀδελφός is used for ὁ πλησίον to denote (as appears from Luke 10:29ff) any fellow-man — as having one and the same father with others, viz. God (Hebrews 2:11), and as descended from the same first ancestor (Acts 17:26); cf. Epictetus diss. 1, 13, 3.

4. a fellow-believer, united to another by the bond of affection; so most frequently of Christians, constituting as it were but a single family: Matthew 23:8; John 21:23; Acts 6:3 (Lachmann omits); ; Galatians 1:2; 1 Corinthians 5:11; Philippians 1:14, etc.; in courteous address, Romans 1:13; Romans 7:1; 1 Corinthians 1:10; 1 John 2:7 Rec., and often elsewhere; yet in the phraseology of John it has reference to the new life unto which men are begotten again by the efficiency of a common father, even God: 1 John 2:9ff; ; etc., cf. 1 John 5:1.

5. an associate in employment or office: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 2 Corinthians 1:1; 2 Corinthians 2:13(12); Ephesians 6:21; Colossians 1:1.

6. brethren of Christ is used of,

a. his brothers by blood; see 1 above.

b. all men: Matthew 25:40 (Lachmann brackets); Hebrews 2:11f (others refer these examples to d.)

c. apostles: Matthew 28:10; John 20:17.

d. Christians, as those who are destined to be exalted to the same heavenly δόξα (which see, III. 4 b.) which he enjoys: Romans 8:29.

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from the Greek prefix "ἀ-" (a-, denoting unity or connection) and "δελφύς" (delphys, meaning womb). The term literally means "from the same womb."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • אָח (ach) • Strong's Hebrew 251: This Hebrew term is the Old Testament equivalent of ἀδελφός, used to denote a brother or close relative. It similarly extends to broader kinship and community relationships, as seen in passages like Genesis 4:9 and Leviticus 19:17.

Usage: • The term ἀδελφός is used in the New Testament to refer to both literal siblings and spiritual brethren within the Christian community. It emphasizes the familial bond among believers, highlighting unity and mutual care.

Context: • The term ἀδελφός appears frequently in the New Testament, underscoring the importance of brotherly love and unity among Christians. In the Gospels, it is used to describe Jesus' biological brothers (e.g., Matthew 12:46-50) and His broader spiritual family. In the epistles, Paul and other apostles often address fellow believers as "brothers," emphasizing their shared faith and responsibilities (e.g., Romans 12:1, 1 Corinthians 1:10).
• The concept of ἀδελφός extends beyond mere biological relationships to encompass the spiritual kinship among Christians. This is evident in passages like Hebrews 2:11, where believers are described as being of the same family as Christ, who is not ashamed to call them brothers.
• The use of ἀδελφός in the early church reflects the radical redefinition of family ties, where spiritual bonds in Christ often took precedence over traditional familial connections. This is illustrated in Acts 2:44-47, where the early Christians lived in communal harmony, sharing possessions and supporting one another as brothers and sisters in faith.
• The term also carries ethical implications, as believers are exhorted to love one another as brothers (e.g., 1 Peter 3:8) and to live in peace and unity (e.g., Ephesians 4:1-6). The brotherhood of believers is a central theme in the New Testament, reflecting the transformative power of the Gospel in creating a new, inclusive family of God.

Forms and Transliterations

Αδελφε αδελφέ Ἀδελφέ αδελφοι αδελφοί ἀδελφοί ἀδελφοὶ αδελφοις αδελφοίς ἀδελφοῖς αδελφον αδελφόν ἀδελφόν ἀδελφὸν αδελφος αδελφός ἀδελφός ἀδελφὸς αδελφου αδελφού αδελφόυ ἀδελφοῦ αδελφους αδελφούς άδελφους ἀδελφούς ἀδελφοὺς αδελφω αδελφώ ἀδελφῷ αδελφων αδελφών ἀδελφῶν Adelphe Adelphé adelpho adelphō adelphoi adelphoí adelphoì adelphôi adelphō̂i adelphois adelphoîs adelphon adelphón adelphòn adelphôn adelphōn adelphō̂n adelphos adelphós adelphòs adelphou adelphoû adelphous adelphoús adelphoùs

Englishman's Concordance

Matthew 1:2 N-AMP
GRK: καὶ τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς αὐτοῦ
NAS: the father of Judah and his brothers.
KJV: and his brethren;
INT: and the brothers of him

Matthew 1:11 N-AMP
GRK: καὶ τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς αὐτοῦ ἐπὶ
NAS: of Jeconiah and his brothers, at the time
KJV: his brethren, about the time
INT: and the brothers of him at [the time]

Matthew 4:18 N-AMP
GRK: εἶδεν δύο ἀδελφούς Σίμωνα τὸν
NAS: two brothers, Simon
KJV: saw two brethren, Simon called
INT: he saw two brothers Simon who

Matthew 4:18 N-AMS
GRK: Ἀνδρέαν τὸν ἀδελφὸν αὐτοῦ βάλλοντας
NAS: and Andrew his brother, casting
KJV: Andrew his brother, casting a net
INT: Andrew the brother of him casting

Matthew 4:21 N-AMP
GRK: ἄλλους δύο ἀδελφούς Ἰάκωβον τὸν
NAS: other brothers, James
KJV: other two brethren, James [the son] of
INT: others two brothers James the [son]

Matthew 4:21 N-AMS
GRK: Ἰωάννην τὸν ἀδελφὸν αὐτοῦ ἐν
NAS: and John his brother, in the boat
KJV: John his brother, in a ship
INT: John the brother of him in

Matthew 5:22 N-DMS
GRK: ὀργιζόμενος τῷ ἀδελφῷ αὐτοῦ ἔνοχος
NAS: who is angry with his brother shall be guilty
KJV: with his brother without a cause
INT: is angry with the brother of him liable

Matthew 5:22 N-DMS
GRK: εἴπῃ τῷ ἀδελφῷ αὐτοῦ Ῥακά
NAS: says to his brother, You good-for-nothing,'
KJV: to his brother, Raca,
INT: shall say to brother of him Raca

Matthew 5:23 N-NMS
GRK: ὅτι ὁ ἀδελφός σου ἔχει
NAS: remember that your brother has
KJV: that thy brother hath ought
INT: that the brother of you has

Matthew 5:24 N-DMS
GRK: διαλλάγηθι τῷ ἀδελφῷ σου καὶ
NAS: be reconciled to your brother, and then
KJV: be reconciled to thy brother, and then
INT: be reconciled to brother of you and

Matthew 5:47 N-AMP
GRK: ἀσπάσησθε τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς ὑμῶν μόνον
NAS: only your brothers, what
KJV: ye salute your brethren only, what
INT: you greet the brothers of you only

Matthew 7:3 N-GMS
GRK: ὀφθαλμῷ τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ σου τὴν
NAS: at the speck that is in your brother's eye,
KJV: that is in thy brother's eye, but
INT: eye the brother of you

Matthew 7:4 N-DMS
GRK: ἐρεῖς τῷ ἀδελφῷ σου Ἄφες
NAS: can you say to your brother, 'Let
KJV: to thy brother, Let
INT: will you say to the brother of you Allow

Matthew 7:5 N-GMS
GRK: ὀφθαλμοῦ τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ σου
NAS: the speck out of your brother's eye.
KJV: out of thy brother's eye.
INT: eye of the brother of you

Matthew 10:2 N-NMS
GRK: Ἀνδρέας ὁ ἀδελφὸς αὐτοῦ καὶ
NAS: and Andrew his brother; and James
KJV: Andrew his brother; James [the son] of
INT: Andrew the brother of him and

Matthew 10:2 N-NMS
GRK: Ἰωάννης ὁ ἀδελφὸς αὐτοῦ
NAS: and John his brother;
KJV: John his brother;
INT: John the brother of him

Matthew 10:21 N-NMS
GRK: παραδώσει δὲ ἀδελφὸς ἀδελφὸν εἰς
NAS: Brother will betray brother
KJV: And the brother shall deliver up
INT: will deliver up moreover brother brother to

Matthew 10:21 N-AMS
GRK: δὲ ἀδελφὸς ἀδελφὸν εἰς θάνατον
NAS: will betray brother to death,
KJV: shall deliver up the brother to
INT: moreover brother brother to death

Matthew 12:46 N-NMP
GRK: καὶ οἱ ἀδελφοὶ αὐτοῦ εἱστήκεισαν
NAS: His mother and brothers were standing
KJV: and his brethren stood without,
INT: and the brothers of him were standing

Matthew 12:47 Noun-NMP
GRK: καὶ οἱ ἀδελφοί σου ἔξω
INT: and the brothers of you outside

Matthew 12:48 N-NMP
GRK: εἰσὶν οἱ ἀδελφοί μου
NAS: is My mother and who are My brothers?
KJV: are my brethren?
INT: are the brothers of me

Matthew 12:49 N-NMP
GRK: καὶ οἱ ἀδελφοί μου
NAS: Behold My mother and My brothers!
KJV: and my brethren!
INT: and the brothers of me

Matthew 12:50 N-NMS
GRK: αὐτός μου ἀδελφὸς καὶ ἀδελφὴ
NAS: who is in heaven, he is My brother and sister
KJV: is my brother, and sister,
INT: he my brother and sister

Matthew 13:55 N-NMP
GRK: καὶ οἱ ἀδελφοὶ αὐτοῦ Ἰάκωβος
NAS: Mary, and His brothers, James
KJV: and his brethren, James, and
INT: and the brothers of him James

Matthew 14:3 N-GMS
GRK: Φιλίππου τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ αὐτοῦ
NAS: the wife of his brother Philip.
KJV: sake, his brother Philip's wife.
INT: of Philip the brother of him

Strong's Greek 80
343 Occurrences

Ἀδελφέ — 6 Occ.
ἀδελφῷ — 14 Occ.
ἀδελφῶν — 21 Occ.
ἀδελφοὶ — 145 Occ.
ἀδελφοῖς — 17 Occ.
ἀδελφὸν — 41 Occ.
ἀδελφός — 43 Occ.
ἀδελφοῦ — 17 Occ.
ἀδελφοὺς — 39 Occ.