Sister

SISTER, Soror. This Name, in the Stile of the Hebrews, has much the same Latitude as that of Brother. It is used, not only for Sister by Father and Mother; but also for her who is a Sister only by Father or Mother, or is only a near Relation. Thus Sarah is call’d Sister to Abraham, tho’ she Gen. xii. 13. xx. 12.was only his Niece, according to some, or his Sister by the Father’s

Side only, according to others. Thus, in Leviticus,¹ it is forbidden to take to Wife the Sister of a Wife; that is to say, to marry two Sisters. Or, according to some Interpreters, to marry a second Wife when one has one before. Thus it is literally, Thou shalt not take a Wife over her Sister to afflict her; as if this Passage was to forbid Matt. xii. 55. Mark vi. 3.Polygamy. In the Gospel, the Brothers and Sisters of Jesus Christ, are no other than his Cousins, the Sons and Daughters of the Sisters of the Holy Virgin.

Cant. iv. 9, 10, 12. v. 1, 2.In the Song of Songs, the Name of Sister is a Name of Tenderness between the two Spouses. Sometimes the Word Sister shews a Resemblance of Conditions and Inclinations. Jerem. iii. 8, 10. Ez. xvi. 46.The Prophets call Jerusalem the Sister of Sodom and Samaria, because it delighted in the Imitation of their Idolatry and Iniquity.

Jesus Christ says, that those who keep his Commandments, are his Brothers and Matth. xii. 50. Job xvii. 14.his Sisters. Job, in his Misfortunes, exclaims; I have said to Corruption, Thou art my Father; to the Worm, Thou art my Mother and my Sister. The Wise-man advises Pro. vii. 4.his Pupil to say to Wisdom; Thou art my Sister; that is, to love her, and become familiar with her. St. Paul asks, whether it were not as lawful for him as the other Apostles, to carry along with him in his 1 Cor. ix. 5.Journies some pious Christian Woman; Mulierem sororem circumducere. As Christians were used to salute one another by the Name of Brothers or Brethren, so they call’d Christian Women their Sisters. James ii. 15, 16.St. James says, If a Brother or Sister be naked, and destitute of daily Food; and one of you say unto them, Depart in Peace, be you warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the Body; what doth it profit?

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