The meaning of Kindred in the Bible
(From International Standard Bible Encyclopedia)
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" (I 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; Genesis 24:4, Genesis 24:7; Genesis 31:3, Genesis 31:13; Genesis 32:9; Genesis 43:7; Numbers 10:30; Esther 2:10, Esther 2:20; Esther 8:6); (2) mishpachah, "family" (Genesis 24:38, Genesis 24:40-41; Joshua 6:23; Ruth 2:3; I Chronicles 16:28; Job 32:2; Psalms 22:27; Psalms 96:7).
In the New Testament (several times), genos, "kindred by birth," so, of same family, tribe or race (Acts 4:6; Acts 7:13, Acts 7:19 the Revised Version (British and American) "race"); so also suggeneia (Luke 1:61; Acts 7:3, Acts 7:14). In the King James Version phule, "tribe," rendered "kindred" (Revelation 1:7; Revelation 5:9; Revelation 7:9; Revelation 11:9; Revelation 13:7; Revelation 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
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