The Hebrew word is used in various senses in the Old Testament, as,
• Any kinsman, and not a mere brother; e.g. nephew, (Genesis 13:8; 14:16) husband, (Song of Solomon 4:9)
• One of the same tribe. (2 Samuel 19:13)
• Of the same people, (Exodus 2:11) or even of a cognate people. (Numbers 20:14)
• An ally. (Amos 1:9)
• Any friend, (Job 5:15)
• One of the same office. (1 Kings 9:13)
• A fellow man. (Leviticus 19:17)
• Metaphorically of any similarity, as in (Job 30:19) The word adelphos has a similar range of meanings in the New Testament.
Dictionary of American Words And Phrases by John Russell Bartlett.
The origin of this term, as applied to the United States, is given in a recent number of the Norwich...
Dictionary of American Words And Phrases by John Russell Bartlett.