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What the Bible Says About Brother

Overview

The Bible addresses brother across 25 verses, drawn from the Old Testament. These passages cluster most in Genesis and Deuteronomy. Closely related themes include Egypt, Inheritance, Widow and Readings, Select. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Joseph, Reuben, Benjamin and Manasseh.

Key Bible verses about brother

Old Testament

Genesis

Genesis 37:21

And Reuben heard it, and he delivered him out of their hands; and said, Let us not kill him.

Genesis 37:22

And Reuben said unto them, Shed no blood, but cast him into this pit that is in the wilderness, and lay no hand upon him; that he might rid him out of their hands, to deliver him to his father again.

Genesis 43:30

And Joseph made haste; for his bowels did yearn upon his brother: and he sought where to weep; and he entered into his chamber, and wept there.

Genesis 43:31

And he washed his face, and went out, and refrained himself, and said, Set on bread.

Genesis 43:32

And they set on for him by himself, and for them by themselves, and for the Egyptians, which did eat with him, by themselves: because the Egyptians might not eat bread with the Hebrews; for that is an abomination unto the Egyptians.

Genesis 43:33

And they sat before him, the firstborn according to his birthright, and the youngest according to his youth: and the men marvelled one at another.

Genesis 43:34

And he took and sent messes unto them from before him: but Benjamin's mess was five times so much as any of theirs. And they drank, and were merry with him. were: Heb. drank largely

Genesis 45:1

Then Joseph could not refrain himself before all them that stood by him; and he cried, Cause every man to go out from me. And there stood no man with him, while Joseph made himself known unto his brethren.

Genesis 45:2

And he wept aloud: and the Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard. wept: Heb. gave forth his voice in weeping

Genesis 45:3

And Joseph said unto his brethren, I am Joseph; doth my father yet live? And his brethren could not answer him; for they were troubled at his presence. troubled: or, terrified

Genesis 45:4

And Joseph said unto his brethren, Come near to me, I pray you. And they came near. And he said, I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt.

Genesis 45:5

Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life. nor: Heb. neither let there be anger in your eyes

Genesis 50:19

And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God?

Genesis 50:20

But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.

Genesis 50:21

Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them. kindly: Heb. to their hearts

Genesis 50:22

And Joseph dwelt in Egypt, he, and his father's house: and Joseph lived an hundred and ten years.

Genesis 50:23

And Joseph saw Ephraim's children of the third generation: the children also of Machir the son of Manasseh were brought up upon Joseph's knees. brought: Heb. born

Genesis 50:24

And Joseph said unto his brethren, I die: and God will surely visit you, and bring you out of this land unto the land which he sware to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.

Genesis 50:25

And Joseph took an oath of the children of Israel, saying, God will surely visit you, and ye shall carry up my bones from hence.

Deuteronomy

Deuteronomy 25:5

If brethren dwell together, and one of them die, and have no child, the wife of the dead shall not marry without unto a stranger: her husband's brother shall go in unto her, and take her to him to wife, and perform the duty of an husband's brother unto her. her husband's: or, her next kinsman

Deuteronomy 25:6

And it shall be, that the firstborn which she beareth shall succeed in the name of his brother which is dead, that his name be not put out of Israel.

Deuteronomy 25:7

And if the man like not to take his brother's wife, then let his brother's wife go up to the gate unto the elders, and say, My husband's brother refuseth to raise up unto his brother a name in Israel, he will not perform the duty of my husband's brother. brother's: or, next kinsman's

Deuteronomy 25:8

Then the elders of his city shall call him, and speak unto him: and if he stand to it, and say, I like not to take her;

Deuteronomy 25:9

Then shall his brother's wife come unto him in the presence of the elders, and loose his shoe from off his foot, and spit in his face, and shall answer and say, So shall it be done unto that man that will not build up his brother's house.

Deuteronomy 25:10

And his name shall be called in Israel, The house of him that hath his shoe loosed.

People in the Bible and brother

Biblical figures whose stories intersect with this theme.

In the Bible dictionary

Studying brother for yourself

  • Begin with Genesis 37:21, then read the passages below in canonical order.
  • Compare how Genesis and Deuteronomy each treat the theme.
  • Consider the lives of Joseph, Reuben and Benjamin and how their stories intersect with it.
  • Widen the study to related themes: Egypt, Inheritance, Widow and Readings, Select.

Frequently asked questions

What does the Bible say about brother?

The Bible addresses brother across 25 verses, drawn from the Old Testament. These passages cluster most in Genesis and Deuteronomy. Closely related themes include Egypt, Inheritance, Widow and Readings, Select. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Joseph, Reuben, Benjamin and Manasseh.

How many Bible verses are about brother?

The Bible references brother in 25 verses (King James Version).

Where does the Bible first mention brother?

In canonical order, the first of these passages is Genesis 37:21: “And Reuben heard it, and he delivered him out of their hands; and said, Let us not kill him.”

Which people in the Bible are associated with brother?

Joseph, Reuben, Benjamin, Manasseh and Ephraim.

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