Dict: easton - Brother

easton:

Brother @

(1.) In the natural and common sense kjv@Matthew:1:2; kjv@Luke:3:1 kjv@Luke:3:19).

(2.) A near relation, a cousin kjv@Genesis:13:8 kjv@Genesis:14:16; kjv@Matthew:12:46; kjv@John:7:3; kjv@Acts:1:14; kjv@Galatians:1:19).

(3.) Simply a fellow-countryman kjv@Matthew:5:47; kjv@Acts:3:22; kjv@Hebrews:7:5).

(4.) A disciple or follower kjv@Matthew:25:40; kjv@Hebrews:2:11-12).

(5.) One of the same faith kjv@Amos:1:9; kjv@Acts:9:30 kjv@Acts:11:29; kjv@1Corinthians:5:11); whence the early disciples of our Lord were known to each other as brethren.

(6.) A colleague in office kjv@Ezra:3:2; kjv@1Corinthians:1:1; kjv@2Corinthians:1:1).

(7.) A fellow-man kjv@Genesis:9:5 kjv@Genesis:19:7; kjv@Matthew:5:22-23, 24; kjv@7:5; Hebrews:2:17).

(8.) One beloved or closely united with another in affection ( kjv@2Samuel:1:26; kjv@Acts:6:3; kjv@1Thessalonians:5:1). Brethren of Jesus kjv@Matthew:1:25 kjv@Matthew:12:46 kjv@Matthew:12:50: kjv@Mark:3:31-32; kjv@Galatians:1:19; kjv@1Corinthians:9:5, etc.) were probably the younger children of Joseph and Mary. Some have supposed that they may have been the children of Joseph by a former marriage, and others that they were the children of Mary, the Virgin's sister, and wife of Cleophas. The first interpretation, however, is the most natural.