Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

COUSIN

The OT has no specific word for cousin other than the phrase ben-dôḏ, “son of an uncle” (Lev. 25:49; Jer. 32:8). Other phrases such as “son of your father’s brother” or “mother’s brother’s daughter” also refer to a first cousin (Gen. 28:2; 29:10, 12).

In the OT a cousin had certain responsibilities. Chief among these is the expectation that a cousin would prevent land from being issued to a creditor should his cousin become impoverished (Lev. 25:49). This obligation toward one’s cousin was carried out by the prophet Jeremiah (Jer. 32:7-9, 12).

In biblical times it was possible for cousins, even first cousins, to marry (Gen. 24:15; 28:2; 29:10, 19; 36:3; Num. 36:11; 1 Chr. 23:21-22). Such marriages were not considered to be incestuous (Lev. 18:6-18).

In the NT the word for cousin (Gk. anepsiós) occurs only once and describes the relationship of Barnabas and Mark (Col. 4:10). The nouns syngenís (Luke 1:36) and syngenḗs (v. 58), translated “cousin(s)” by the KJV, are better rendered “relative(s).”

Mark F. Rooker

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

COUSIN

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)