Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of the Bible, the term "cousin" is not frequently used in the same way it is understood in modern English. The concept of extended family, however, is prevalent throughout the Scriptures, and the relationships between family members, including cousins, play significant roles in biblical narratives.
Old Testament ContextIn the Hebrew Bible, the term "cousin" is not explicitly used. Instead, the Hebrew word "אָח" (ach), meaning "brother," is often employed to describe a range of familial relationships, including cousins. This broader use of familial terms reflects the close-knit nature of family and tribal affiliations in ancient Israelite society. For example, the relationship between Lot and Abraham is often considered akin to that of cousins, as Lot is the son of Haran, Abraham's brother (
Genesis 11:27).
The importance of family ties is evident in the inheritance laws and tribal affiliations described in the Pentateuch. The Israelites were organized according to their tribes, which were extended family groups descending from the twelve sons of Jacob. These tribal connections were crucial for maintaining land inheritance and social structure, as seen in the book of Numbers and the division of the Promised Land.
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, the Greek word "συγγενής" (syngenēs) is used to denote a relative or kinsman, which can include cousins. A notable instance is found in the relationship between Mary, the mother of Jesus, and Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist. In
Luke 1:36 , it is stated, "Look, even Elizabeth your relative has conceived a son in her old age." The term "relative" here is often understood to mean cousin, highlighting the familial bond between Jesus and John the Baptist.
The New Testament emphasizes the spiritual family of believers, often using familial language to describe the community of faith. While physical family ties, such as those between cousins, are acknowledged, the spiritual kinship among believers is given greater prominence. Jesus Himself redefines family in spiritual terms, as seen in
Matthew 12:50 : "For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother."
Cultural and Theological SignificanceThe concept of cousinhood in the Bible underscores the importance of family and kinship in biblical times. Family relationships were central to social identity, economic stability, and religious practice. The extended family, including cousins, provided support, protection, and continuity of faith traditions.
From a theological perspective, the Bible's treatment of family relationships, including those of cousins, reflects the broader biblical theme of covenant and community. The family unit serves as a microcosm of the covenant community, where faith is nurtured and passed down through generations. The emphasis on spiritual kinship in the New Testament further expands this idea, inviting believers into a larger family of faith united in Christ.
In summary, while the specific term "cousin" may not frequently appear in the biblical text, the relationships it represents are integral to the biblical narrative and the unfolding of God's redemptive plan through family and community.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) One collaterally related more remotely than a brother or sister; especially, the son or daughter of an uncle or aunt.
2. (n.) A title formerly given by a king to a nobleman, particularly to those of the council. In English writs, etc., issued by the crown, it signifies any earl.
3. (n.) Allied; akin.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
COUSINkuz'-'-n (anepsios): Only inColossians 4:10, where Mark is said to be "cousin" (Revised Version) to Barnabas, and not as in the King James Version, "sister's son." The renderings "cousin" of the King James Version for suggenes, inLuke 1:36, 58 were probably understood at the time of the translation, in the wider, and not in the more restricted, sense of the term, now almost universally prevalent. In view of this the renderings "kinswoman," "kinsfolk" in the Revised Version (British and American) are preferable. As a title of honor and dignity, it occurs in 1 Esdras 4:42, etc.
SeeKINSMAN.
Greek
431. anepsios -- acousin... a
cousin. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: anepsios Phonetic Spelling:
(an-eps'-ee-os) Short Definition: a
cousin Definition: a
cousin, nephew.
...4773. suggenes -- congenital, hence akin to, subst. a kinsman...
... relative, kinsman,cousin From sun and genos; a relative (by blood); by extension,
a fellow countryman --cousin, kin(-sfolk, -sman). see GREEK sun....
2083. hetairos -- a companion
... [Note the confusion about this term with 2087 at Mt 11:16.]. Word Origin from etes
(clansman,cousin) Definition a companion NASB Word Usage friend (3)....
Strong's Hebrew
4782. Mordekay -- a companion of Zerubbabel, also acousin of...... Mordekay. 4783 . a companion of Zerubbabel, also a
cousin of Esther. Transliteration:
Mordekay Phonetic Spelling: (mor-dek-ah'-ee) Short Definition: Mordecai.
...2601. Chanamel -- Jeremiah'scousin
... 2600, 2601. Chanamel. 2602 . Jeremiah'scousin. Transliteration: Chanamel
Phonetic Spelling: (khan-am-ale') Short Definition: Hanamel....
Library
Letter to HerCousin, Jeanne Guerin (Madame La Neele) August, 1895...
... LETTERS TO HERCOUSIN MARIE GU??RIN LETTER TO HERCOUSIN, JEANNE GU??RIN
(MADAME LA N??ELE) August, 1895. August, 1895. It is a...
Fun and Mischief. His LittleCousin and the "Gnats. " the Aurora...
... CHAPTER IV. Fun and Mischief. His LittleCousin and the "Gnats." The Aurora Borealis....
Fun and Mischief. His LittleCousin and the "Gnats." The Aurora Borealis....
Mary's visit to HerCousin.
... HIS BIRTH AND BOYHOOD. THE DIVINE ANNOUNCINGS MARY'S VISIT TO HERCOUSIN.
And Mary arose in these days and went into the hill country...
In the Sod Cellar
... He knew also that hiscousin Will both chewed and smoked the leaves, but
it had not occurred to him that he himself could do so....
Imperial Caesar
... the Maccabee until it was possible to get possession of the two hundred talents
from those friends in Jerusalem who were interested in hiscousin's welfare....
Answers to Prayer.
... ANSWERS TO PRAYER. During the summer Bessie'scousin John and a boy friend came
to visit her. They spent many pleasant hours on the lake....
Valentinian a Son of Constantius and Placidia, Aunt of Theodosius...
... He had acousin then very young named Valentinian; the son of his aunt Placidia,
daughter of Theodosius the Great, and sister of the two Augusti Arcadius and...
Incidents of Childhood
... One of the boys once found a mink in hiscousin's trap. When he told his
mother what he had seen, she said, "Go back, take the mink...
The Disciples of Our Saviour.
... But John was at any rate an owncousin of Jesus, and the objection loses its weight
when we realize the spiritual sympathy which existed between Jesus and John...
Dawn in the Hills
... But the Maccabee, with the girl uppermost in his mind, believed that hiscousin
was inwardly resenting his preemption of the pretty stranger....
Thesaurus
Cousin (7 Occurrences)... 3. (n.) Allied; akin. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
COUSIN. kuz
... See KINSMAN.
Multi-Version Concordance
Cousin (7 Occurrences). Luke
...Esther (48 Occurrences)
... Her family did not avail themselves of the permission granted by Cyrus to the exiles
to return to Jerusalem; and she resided with hercousin Mordecai, who held...
Raguel (1 Occurrence)
... In Tobit 7:2 he is calledcousin of Tobit, and in Tobit 6:10 the King James Version
he is erroneously represented as "cousin" of Tobias = "kinsman" in the...
Elisabeth (8 Occurrences)
... the priest and mother of John the Baptist (Luke 1:5). Elisabeth herself was of priestly
lineage and a "kinswoman" (the King James VersionCOUSIN, which see) of...
Demetrius (3 Occurrences)
... xxxi.12), chafed at a longer detention, particularly as hiscousin, Antiochus Eupator,
a boy of 9, succeeded to the kingdom with Lysias as his guardian....
Amasa (13 Occurrences)
... He was appointed by David to command the army in room of hiscousin Joab (2 Samuel
19:13), who afterwards treacherously put him to death as a dangerous rival...
Brethren (528 Occurrences)
... Chemnitz, Bengel, etc., understands the word "brother" in the general sense of
"kinsman," and interprets it here as equivalent to "cousin." According to this...
Relationships (1 Occurrence)
... perhaps "maternal uncle"; the Jewish Encyclopedia, under the word "Cremation"),
takes charge of a dead body); ben dodh is used ofcousin (compare ben 'ahi 'immo...
Lord (59401 Occurrences)
... Chemnitz, Bengel, etc., understands the word "brother" in the general sense of
"kinsman," and interprets it here as equivalent to "cousin." According to this...
Barnabas (33 Occurrences)
... He was a Levite from the island of Cyprus, andcousin, not "nephew" (the King James
Version), of the evangelist Mark, the word anepsios (Colossians 4:10...
Resources
What are some English words that have changed in meaning since the translation of the KJV? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the Magnificat? | GotQuestions.orgWho was John Mark in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgCousin: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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