אָחוֹת

“Sister” in Hebrew is Achot (אָחוֹת), pronounced “a-KHOT.” Achot is the feminine form of 'ach' (brother), with the feminine suffix -ot. The relationship between the two words reflects the complementary nature of sibling bonds in Hebrew thought. In the plural, 'achayot' refers to multiple sisters.

Achot (אָחוֹת) means “Sister” in Biblical Hebrew. Achot appears approximately 114 times in the Hebrew Bible. It describes biological sisters (Miriam, Tamar, Leah and Rachel), the beloved in Song of Solomon ('my sister, my bride'), and allegorical sisters representing nations (Ezekiel 16:46).

Achot is pronounced “a-KHOT.” The word comes from the Hebrew root א-ח.

In ancient Near Eastern love poetry, 'sister' was a term of deep intimacy and equality, not biological relationship. Calling the beloved 'achoti' (my sister) expressed that she was not just a romantic partner but family — someone with whom you share the deepest possible bond. It combines the safety of familial love with the passion of romantic love.

Miriam was Moses' older achot (sister) who watched over him in the Nile (Exodus 2:4) and later became a prophetess in her own right. She led the women of Israel in worship after the Red Sea crossing (Exodus 15:20-21). Micah 6:4 names her alongside Moses and Aaron as a leader God sent to deliver Israel — one of the few women in Scripture given such a title.

Proverbs 7:4 says, 'Say to wisdom, you are my achot.' By calling wisdom 'sister,' the sage urges an intimate, familial relationship with wisdom — treat her as someone you love, protect, and keep close. This personification of wisdom as a female relative reinforces the Hebrew idea that knowledge is relational, not abstract.