Cousin

Holman Bible Dictionary

Luke 1:36Mark 6:4Luke 1:58Luke 2:44Luke 14:12

Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible

COUSIN . Elisabeth is called Mary’s ‘cousin’ in Luke 1:36 , and the relationship is often understood in the modern sense of that word. But ‘cousin’ in the English of 1611 meant no more than kinsman or kinswoman. The relationship between Mary and Elisabeth is not known.

King James Dictionary

COUSIN, n.

1. In a general sense, one collaterally related more remotely than a brother or sister. But, 2. Appropriately, the son or daughter of an uncle or aunt the children of brothers and sisters being usually denominated cousins or cousin-germans. In the second generation, they are called second cousins. 3. A title given by a king to a nobleman, particularly to those of the council.

COUSIN, a. Allied.

Vine's Expository Dictionary of NT Words

1: Ἀνεψιός (Strong'S #431 — Noun Masculine — anepsios — an-eps'-ee-os )

in Colossians 4:10 denotes a "cousin" rather than a nephew (AV, "sister's son"). "Cousin" is its meaning in various periods of Greek writers. In this sense it is used in the Sept., in Numbers 36:11 . In later writings it denotes a nephew; hence the AV rendering. As Lightfoot says, there is no reason to suppose that the Apostle would have used it in any other than its proper sense. We are to understand, therefore, that Mark was the cousin of Barnabas. See Sister.

2: Συγγενής (Strong'S #4773 — Adjective — sungenis — soong-ghen-ace' )

in Luke 1:36 (so in the most authentic mss.) and sungenes in Luke 1:58 (plural), AV, "cousin" and "cousins," respectively signify "kinswoman" and "kinsfolk," (RV); so the RV and AV in Luke 2:44; 21:16 . The word lit. signifies "born with," i.e., of the same stock, or descent; hence "kinsman, kindred." See Kin , Kinsfolk , Kinswoman.

Webster's Dictionary

(1):

(n.) A title formerly given by a king to a nobleman, particularly to those of the council. In English writs, etc., issued by the crown, it signifies any earl.

(2):

(n.) One collaterally related more remotely than a brother or sister; especially, the son or daughter of an uncle or aunt.

(3):

(n.) Allied; akin.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

kuz ´'n ( ἀνεψιός , anepsiós ): Only in Colossians 4:10 , where Mark is said to be "cousin" (Revised Version) to Barnabas, and not as in the King James Version, "sister's son." The renderings "cousin" of the King James Version for συγγενής , suggenḗs , in Luke 1:36 , Luke 1:58 were probably understood at the time of the translation, in the wider, and not in the more restricted, sense of the term, now almost universally prevalent. In view of this the renderings "kinswoman," "kinsfolk" in the Revised Version (British and American) are preferable. As a title of honor and dignity, it occurs in 1 Esdras 4:42, etc. See Kinsman .

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

is given (Luke 1:36; Luke 1:58) by the Auth. Vers. in its vague acceptation as the rendering of συγγενής, a blood-relative, or "kinsman," as elsewhere translated. So also in the Apocrypha (1 Esdras 3:7; 1 Esdras 4:42; Tobit 6:10; 2 Maccabees 11:1; 2 Maccabees 11:35).