Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of the Bible, the term "kindreds" refers to groups of people connected by blood, lineage, or common ancestry. This concept is significant in understanding the social and familial structures present in biblical times, as well as the broader theological implications of God's relationship with humanity.
Old Testament UsageThe Hebrew word often translated as "kindreds" is "mishpachah," which can mean family, clan, or tribe. This term is frequently used to describe the subdivisions within the tribes of Israel. For example, in
Genesis 12:3, God promises Abram, "I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you; and all the families of the earth will be blessed through you" . Here, "families" can be understood as "kindreds," indicating the universal scope of God's blessing through Abram's lineage.
In the Old Testament, kindreds are often associated with inheritance and land distribution. The division of the Promised Land among the tribes of Israel was further subdivided among the kindreds within each tribe, as seen in the book of Joshua. This ensured that each family unit maintained its inheritance and identity within the larger tribal structure.
New Testament UsageIn the New Testament, the Greek word "phylē" is sometimes translated as "kindreds" and is often used in the context of the nations or peoples of the earth. In
Acts 3:25, Peter speaks to the people of Israel, saying, "And you are heirs of the prophets and of the covenant God made with your fathers. He said to Abraham, 'Through your offspring all the families of the earth will be blessed'" . This reiterates the promise made to Abraham, emphasizing the extension of God's blessing to all kindreds through Christ.
The Book of Revelation also uses the term to describe the diverse groups of people who will worship God.
Revelation 7:9 states, "After this I looked and saw a multitude too large to count, from every nation and tribe and people and tongue, standing before the throne and before the Lamb" . Here, "tribe" can be understood as "kindred," highlighting the inclusivity of God's redemptive plan.
Theological SignificanceThe concept of kindreds in the Bible underscores the importance of family and community in God's design for humanity. It reflects the interconnectedness of all people and the shared heritage of being created in the image of God. The promise to Abraham that all kindreds of the earth would be blessed through his seed finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who offers salvation to all people, regardless of their ethnic or familial background.
Furthermore, the inclusion of all kindreds in the worship of God, as depicted in Revelation, points to the eschatological vision of unity and diversity in the Kingdom of God. This vision encourages believers to embrace the diversity of the global church and to participate in the mission of spreading the Gospel to all nations and kindreds.
Library
Of the Palm-bearing Multitude of Persons innumerable, rejoicing in...
... Of the Palm-bearing Multitude of Persons innumerable, rejoicing in triumph, out
of all nations, andkindreds, and peoples, and tongues; with the Seventh Trumpet...
All Saint's Day Lo, a Great Multitude which no Man could Number...
... All Saint's Day Lo, a great multitude which no man could number, of all nations,
andkindreds and people, and tongues, stood before the throne and before the...
All Saints' Day
... November 1, 1874. Revelation 7:9-12. "After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude,
which no man could number, of all nations, andkindreds, and people, and...
He Returns to the Conversion of the Gentiles, and Shows that it...
... other passages from the very words of Moses, from which you may understand that
God has from of old dispersed all men according to theirkindreds and tongues...
"Give Heed unto Me," the Church Says unto You; Give Heed unto Me...
... in the same Psalm foretold, and now is clearly fulfilled; "All the ends of the earth
shall remember and be turned unto the Lord, and all thekindreds of the...
But You Say, that You Therefore Believe Your Friend, Whose Heart...
... Further, friendship perishing, there will be preserved in the mind the bonds neither
of marriages, nor ofkindreds and relations; because in these also there...
His Future Work
... xi:7). "All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the Lord, and
all thekindreds of the nations shall worship before Thee....
Psalm XXII.
... "And all thekindreds of the nations shall worship in His sight." And all thekindreds
of the nations shall worship in their own consciences. 29....
The Song of the Redeemed
... And besides these, a great multitude which no man could number, of all nations,
andkindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the...
Hope for the Heathen
... "All the ends of the world," the psalmist was inspired to sing, "shall remember
and turn unto the Lord: and all thekindreds of the nations shall worship...
Thesaurus
Kindreds (7 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Kindreds (7 Occurrences). Acts 3:25 Ye are the
children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God
...Kindred (41 Occurrences)
Graves (37 Occurrences)
... Revelation 11:9 And they of the people andkindreds and tongues and nations shall
see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead...
Wail (50 Occurrences)
... Revelation 1:7 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they
also which pierced him: and allkindreds of the earth shall wail because of...
Kinds (110 Occurrences)
Tongue (160 Occurrences)
... Revelation 13:7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome
them: and power was given him over allkindreds, and tongues, and nations...
Tongues (67 Occurrences)
... Revelation 11:9 And they of the people andkindreds and tongues and nations shall
see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead...
Government (20 Occurrences)
... Agreeably to the generally changed conditions, the "elders" (zeqenim), who were
formerly heads of families orkindreds, now came, possibly under the influence...
Languages (36 Occurrences)
... Revelation 13:7 And it was given to him to make war with the saints, and to overcome
them: and power was given him over allkindreds, and languages, and nations...
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