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ἀδελφή

adelphḗ

G79 noun

SILEX Entry

Root ἀδελφ- female sibling, one from the same womb, companion (by extension)

Definition

A female sibling; in literal usage, a woman born of the same parents as another, that is, a full or half-sister. By extension and in metaphorical contexts, particularly in early Christian communities, denotes a female member of the religious or spiritual community, understood as 'sister' within communal or kinship structures. The word’s central meaning is anchored in familial relationship, but it extends by analogy to express close association within a defined group, especially within household, local, or religious collectives.

Semantic Range

biological sister, female sibling, female relative (by blood or marriage), metaphorical sister (member of a community or congregation), fellow woman in a defined group, spiritual sister within religious gatherings

Root / Etymology

Feminine form of ἀδελφός, from the root ἀ- (copulative prefix) + δελφύς (“womb”), emphasizing the shared birth or origin. Cognate with other Indo-European terms for siblings. Root connections stress the idea of 'from the same womb.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, ἀδελφή is used exclusively for a biological or familial sister. In Hellenistic and Koine usage, especially in the Septuagint and New Testament, the term broadens to include both literal sisters and figurative relationships: women regarded as ‘sisters’ within the Israelite or emerging Christian communities. This can refer to either kinship (by blood or marriage, as in a sister-in-law) or spiritual bonds (members of a faith group). In the New Testament, 'sister' is often used alongside 'brother' in appeals for community solidarity. Standard English translations use 'sister,' but the original term sometimes implies both physical familial bonds and the new, metaphorical kinship created through religious identity. Unlike later Christian or modern usage where 'sister' may denote a specific religious office or title, in ancient texts the usage remains primarily relational. See also ἀδελφός (adelphos) for the broader semantic cluster.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

feminine of ἀδελφός; a sister (naturally or ecclesiastically):--sister.

Root Family

ἀδελφή (adelphē) — female sibling, one from the same womb, companion (by extension)

Word Forms

5 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G79-03 ἀδελφὴ adelphe N NOM F SG sister sister 9
G79-04 ἀδελφὴν adelphen N ACC F SG sister a sister 5
G79-02 ἀδελφὰς adelphas N ACC F PL sisters sisters 5
G79-01 ἀδελφαὶ adelphai N NOM F PL sisters sisters 3
G79-05 ἀδελφῆς adelphes N GEN F SG sister of a sister 3

Occurrences in Scripture

25 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G79-03 Matthew 12:50 ἀδελφὴ adelphe N NOM F SG sister
G79-01 Matthew 13:56 ἀδελφαὶ adelphai N NOM F PL sisters
G79-02 Matthew 19:29 ἀδελφὰς adelphas N ACC F PL sisters
G79-03 Mark 3:35 ἀδελφὴ adelphe N NOM F SG sister sister
G79-01 Mark 6:3 ἀδελφαὶ adelphai N NOM F PL sisters sisters
G79-02 Mark 10:29 ἀδελφὰς adelphas N ACC F PL sisters sisters
G79-02 Mark 10:30 ἀδελφὰς adelphas N ACC F PL sisters sisters
G79-03 Luke 10:39 ἀδελφὴ adelphe N NOM F SG a sister sister
G79-03 Luke 10:40 ἀδελφή adelphe N NOM F SG sister sister
G79-02 Luke 14:26 ἀδελφάς adelphas N ACC F PL sisters sisters
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