kin'-dred: Several words are rendered "kindred" in the King James Version. 'ach, "brother," was used loosely among Hebrews for a member of the same tribe or family, a relative; and is once translated "kindred" (1 Chronicles 12:29 the King James Version). Once also somewhat loosely as the translation of modha`ath, literally, "acquaintance" (Ruth 3:2; compare same root in Ruth 2:1, rendered "kinsman"); once, for the, figurative expression, "men of thy redemption" (ge'ullah, referring to the law of the redemption of land by kinsmen, Leviticus 25:25). The two most common words for kindred are: (1) moledheth, "related by birth" (Genesis 12:1; 24:4,7; 31:3,13; 32:9; 43:7; Numbers 10:30; Esther 2:10,20; 8:6); (2) mishpachah, "family" (Genesis 24:38,40-41; Joshua 6:23; Ruth 2:3; 1 Chronicles 16:28; Job 32:2; Psalms 22:27; 96:7).

In the New Testament (several times), genos, "kindred by birth," so, of same family, tribe or race (Acts 4:6; 7:13,19 the Revised Version (British and American) "race"); so also suggeneia (Luke 1:61; Acts 7:3,14). In the King James Version phule, "tribe," rendered "kindred" (Revelation 1:7; 5:9; 7:9; 11:9; 13:7; 14:6), but better "tribe" as in the Revised Version (British and American). patria, rendered "kindred" in Acts 3:25, is better "families," as in the Revised Version (British and American).

Edward Bagby Pollard

From the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
Edited by James Orr, published in 1939 by Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.

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