What the Bible Says About Friends

"Friend" and its forms come 107 times in the King James Bible, in 99 verses. 71 of the 107 are in the Old Testament and 36 in the New. Friend itself comes 53 times, friends 49 times, friendly three times and friendship twice. Proverbs has the most of any book, 22. The first is Genesis 26:26 and the last is 3 John 1:14, the last passage quoted below.

The Hebrew word behind friend most often is rea. 42 of the 107 stand for it, and Strong's Concordance defines it as "an associate (more or less close)." Strong's derives rea from raah, which it defines as "to tend a flock; i.e. pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively); generally to rule; by extension, to associate with (as a friend)." The KJV renders rea neighbour more often than friend. By the Strong's numbers in the CrossWire Bible Society's KJV it's neighbour or one of its forms 103 times. 12 of the 107 stand for ahav, a Hebrew verb Strong's defines as "to have affection for (sexually or otherwise)." In the New Testament philos stands behind 29 of the 36. Strong's defines philos as "properly, dear, i.e. a friend; actively, fond, i.e. friendly (still as a noun, an associate, neighbor, etc.)."

Below are passages with friend or one of its forms, each quoted word for word with its reference. Short notes give the Hebrew and Greek words behind the English. Well-known verses on friends like Proverbs 17:17 and John 15:13 are already quoted on the site's other pages, so they're named and linked near the end rather than quoted again. A table counts the words behind all 107, and a list gives every verse where the KJV says friend.

As a man speaketh unto his friend (Exodus 33:11)

And the Lord spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. And he turned again into the camp: but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, departed not out of the tabernacle. (Exodus 33:11)

"His friend" is rea. "Face to face" is panim twice, which Strong's defines in part as "the face (as the part that turns)." Deuteronomy 34:10 also says it of Moses, "whom the Lord knew face to face," with panim twice again.

Hushai, David's friend (2 Samuel 15:37 and 16:16 to 17)

So Hushai David's friend came into the city, and Absalom came into Jerusalem. (2 Samuel 15:37)

16 And it came to pass, when Hushai the Archite, David's friend, was come unto Absalom, that Hushai said unto Absalom, God save the king, God save the king. 17 And Absalom said to Hushai, Is this thy kindness to thy friend? why wentest thou not with thy friend? (2 Samuel 16:16-17)

"David's friend" in 15:37 and 16:16 is reeh, which Strong's defines as "a (male) companion." Reeh stands behind three of the 107, these two and 1 Kings 4:5, where Zabud is "the king's friend." Both friends in 16:17 are rea. "Kindness" is chesed, which Strong's defines as "kindness; by implication (towards God) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty." 1 Chronicles 27:33 calls Hushai "the king's companion," with rea.

Abraham thy friend (2 Chronicles 20:7 and Isaiah 41:8)

Art not thou our God, who didst drive out the inhabitants of this land before thy people Israel, and gavest it to the seed of Abraham thy friend for ever? (2 Chronicles 20:7)

But thou, Israel, art my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham my friend. (Isaiah 41:8)

In each verse "friend" renders one Hebrew word, a form of ahav. Abraham and friend stand together in three verses of the KJV, these two and James 2:23, below. In 2 Chronicles 20:7 Jehoshaphat, named in 20:5, is speaking to God. The fear page quotes Isaiah 41:10, two verses after 41:8.

Pity should be shewed from his friend (Job 6:14)

To him that is afflicted pity should be shewed from his friend; but he forsaketh the fear of the Almighty. (Job 6:14)

Job is speaking, named in 6:1. "His friend" is rea. "Pity" is chesed, the "kindness" of 2 Samuel 16:17, and "afflicted" is mas, "fainting, i.e. (figuratively) disconsolate." The printed KJV sets "should be shewed" in italics as words the translators supplied. Job has 11 of the 107, and 9 of them are rea. The grief page quotes 2:11 to 13. In 19:21 Job says "Have pity upon me, have pity upon me, O ye my friends".

When he prayed for his friends (Job 42:10)

And the Lord turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before. (Job 42:10)

"Prayed" is palal, which Strong's defines as "to judge (officially or mentally); by extension, to intercede, pray." "His friends" is rea. In 42:7 the Lord's wrath is kindled against Eliphaz "and against thy two friends".

Mine own familiar friend (Psalm 41:9)

Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me. (Psalm 41:9)

"Mine own familiar friend" renders two Hebrew words. One is ish, which Strong's defines in part as "a man as an individual or a male person." The other is shalom with the ending for my, so word for word it's a man of my peace. Strong's defines shalom as "safe, i.e. (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e. health, prosperity, peace." John 13:18 has the same words "hath lifted up his heel against me." The trust page lists Psalm 41:9 among its verses.

In Proverbs

A friend that sticketh closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24)

A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother. (Proverbs 18:24)

"Friends" is rea. "A friend" is ahav, and "sticketh closer" is dabeq, which Strong's defines as "adhering." The printed KJV sets "that hath" and the second "that" in italics as supplied words. The love page quotes 17:17.

Wealth maketh many friends (Proverbs 19:4 and 6)

Wealth maketh many friends; but the poor is separated from his neighbour. (Proverbs 19:4)

Many will intreat the favour of the prince: and every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts. (Proverbs 19:6)

"Friends" and "neighbour" in 19:4 are both rea, and so is "a friend" in 19:6. "Wealth" is hon, "wealth; by implication, enough." 19:7 asks "how much more do his friends go far from him?" with merea, which Strong's defines as "a friend." Proverbs 14:20 says "the rich hath many friends," with ahav.

Faithful are the wounds of a friend (Proverbs 27:6)

Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful. (Proverbs 27:6)

"A friend" is ahav and "an enemy" is the Hebrew sane, "to hate (personally)." Each is a participle, so word for word these are the wounds of one who loves and the kisses of one who hates. "Wounds" is petsa, "a wound," and "kisses" is neshiqah, "a kiss." The printed KJV sets "are" in italics both times.

Thine own friend, and thy father's friend (Proverbs 27:9 and 10)

9 Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel. 10 Thine own friend, and thy father's friend, forsake not; neither go into thy brother's house in the day of thy calamity: for better is a neighbour that is near than a brother far off. (Proverbs 27:9-10)

Every friend in the two verses is rea. "Neighbour" in 27:10 is another word, the Hebrew shaken, which Strong's defines as "a resident; by extension, a fellow-citizen." "Counsel" in 27:9 is etsah, "advice; by implication, plan; also prudence."

Iron sharpeneth iron (Proverbs 27:17)

Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend. (Proverbs 27:17)

"Sharpeneth" is chadad both times, "to be (causatively, make) sharp or (figuratively) severe." "Countenance" is panim, the face of Exodus 33:11, and "his friend" is rea.

This is my friend (Song of Solomon 5:16)

His mouth is most sweet: yea, he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem. (Song of Solomon 5:16)

"My friend" is rea. "My beloved" is dod, which Strong's defines in part as "a love-token, lover, friend; specifically an uncle." In 5:1 "eat, O friends" has rea too. The printed KJV sets "is" in italics four times in 5:16.

Friend, wherefore art thou come? (Matthew 26:50)

And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him. (Matthew 26:50)

The man is Judas, named in 26:47. In 26:49 he "came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him." "Friend" is hetairos, which Strong's defines as "a comrade." Hetairos comes four times in the Textus Receptus as STEPBible gives it, all in Matthew, and three of them stand in all eight Greek editions STEPBible compares. The KJV prints all three as Friend, here and in 20:13, "Friend, I do thee no wrong," and 22:12, "Friend, how camest thou in hither". The fourth, in 11:16, stands only in the Textus Receptus and the Byzantine text, and there the KJV prints "fellows".

Friend, lend me three loaves (Luke 11:5 to 8)

5 And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves; 6 For a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him? 7 And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee. 8 I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth. (Luke 11:5-8)

Friend is philos all four times. "Importunity" is anaideia, which Strong's defines as "impudence, i.e. (by implication) importunity." Luke 11:8 is the only place it comes in the New Testament.

Ye are my friends (John 15:14 and 15)

14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. 15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. (John 15:14-15)

"Friends" is philos in both verses. "Servants" and "the servant" are doulos, which Strong's defines as "a slave (literal or figurative, involuntary or voluntary; frequently, therefore in a qualified sense of subjection or subserviency)." The love page quotes 15:12 and 13. Luke 12:4 has "I say unto you my friends".

The Friend of God (James 2:23)

And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. (James 2:23)

"Friend" is philos. "Imputed" is logizomai, "to take an inventory, i.e. estimate (literally or figuratively)." Genesis 15:6 reads "And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness." With 2 Chronicles 20:7 and Isaiah 41:8, James 2:23 is the third verse that puts Abraham and friend together.

The friendship of the world (James 4:4)

Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. (James 4:4)

"Friendship" is philia, which Strong's defines as "fondness" and derives from philos. James 4:4 is the only place philia comes in the New Testament. "A friend" is philos. "Enmity" is echthra, "hostility; by implication, a reason for opposition," and "the enemy" is echthros.

Greet the friends by name (3 John 1:14)

But I trust I shall shortly see thee, and we shall speak face to face. Peace be to thee. Our friends salute thee. Greet the friends by name. (3 John 1:14)

Both friends are philos. "Face to face" is stoma twice, which Strong's defines in part as "the mouth (as if a gash in the face)," so word for word it's mouth to mouth. The same phrase in 2 John 1:12 is stoma twice as well. 3 John 1:14 is the last verse in the KJV that says friend. The peace page and the trust page list it among their verses.

The words behind friend

The KJV says friend or one of its forms 107 times. Counted by their Strong's numbers, the Hebrew and Greek words in this table stand behind all 107.

Rea and ahav stand behind 54 of the 71 in the Old Testament, and philos stands behind 29 of the 36 in the New. Strong's derives rea, merea and reeh from raah, the verb behind "used as his friend" in Judges 14:20 and friendship in Proverbs 22:24. In Jeremiah 38:22 "Thy friends" renders two Hebrew words, word for word men of thy peace, and the table counts it under shalom.

Every place the KJV says friend

Friend or one of its forms comes in these 99 verses.

• Genesis 26:26, 38:12, 38:20
• Exodus 33:11
• Deuteronomy 13:6
• Judges 14:20, 19:3
• Ruth 2:13
• 1 Samuel 30:26
• 2 Samuel 3:8, 13:3, 15:37, 16:16, 16:17, 19:6
• 1 Kings 4:5, 16:11
• 2 Chronicles 20:7
• Esther 5:10, 5:14, 6:13
• Job 2:11, 6:14, 6:27, 16:20, 17:5, 19:14, 19:19, 19:21, 32:3, 42:7, 42:10
• Psalms 35:14, 38:11, 41:9, 88:18
• Proverbs 6:1, 6:3, 14:20, 16:28, 17:9, 17:17, 17:18, 18:24, 19:4, 19:6, 19:7, 22:11, 22:24, 27:6, 27:9, 27:10, 27:14, 27:17
• Song of Solomon 5:1, 5:16
• Isaiah 41:8
• Jeremiah 6:21, 19:9, 20:4, 20:6, 38:22
• Lamentations 1:2
• Hosea 3:1
• Micah 7:5
• Zechariah 13:6
• Matthew 11:19, 20:13, 22:12, 26:50
• Mark 3:21, 5:19
• Luke 7:6, 7:34, 11:5, 11:6, 11:8, 12:4, 14:10, 14:12, 15:6, 15:9, 15:29, 16:9, 21:16, 23:12
• John 3:29, 11:11, 15:13, 15:14, 15:15, 19:12
• Acts 10:24, 12:20, 19:31, 27:3
• James 2:23, 4:4
• 3 John 1:14

Friends on the other pages

Some well-known verses on friends are quoted on the site's other pages. Proverbs 17:17 and John 15:13 are on the love page. Ruth 2:13 and Lamentations 1:2 are on the comfort page, and Job 2:11 is on the grief page. Proverbs 22:24 is on the anger page, Matthew 11:19 is on the wisdom page and John 11:11 is on the sleep page. Other pages name some of these and a few more. The wisdom page names Luke 7:34, and the grief page names John 11:11 and quotes three words of it. The joy page names John 3:29 and Luke 15:9 and quotes a phrase of each, and the money page names Luke 16:9. Some pages list friend verses among their own. The comfort page lists Genesis 38:12 and Job 2:11, the peace page lists Acts 12:20 and 3 John 1:14, and the trust page lists Psalm 41:9, Micah 7:5 and 3 John 1:14.

Worry, fear, grief, strength, love, forgiveness, hope, peace, anger, pride, temptation, wisdom, joy, thanksgiving, money, trust, Christmas, patience, comfort and sleep

Worry, fear, grief, strength, love, forgiveness, hope, peace, anger, pride, temptation, wisdom, joy, thanksgiving, money, trust, Christmas, patience, comfort and sleep have pages of their own. They're What the Bible Says About Worry, What the Bible Says About Fear, What the Bible Says About Grief, What the Bible Says About Strength, What the Bible Says About Love, What the Bible Says About Forgiveness, What the Bible Says About Hope, What the Bible Says About Peace, What the Bible Says About Anger, What the Bible Says About Pride, What the Bible Says About Temptation, What the Bible Says About Wisdom, What the Bible Says About Joy, What the Bible Says About Thanksgiving, What the Bible Says About Money, What the Bible Says About Trust, What the Bible Says About Christmas, What the Bible Says About Patience, What the Bible Says About Comfort and What the Bible Says About Sleep. Every chapter quoted here can be read whole in Read the Bible.

How this page was made

Every verse is quoted from the 1769 standard text of the King James Version and checked word for word against two more digital copies. The printed KJV sets supplied words in italics, which this page doesn't show. Verse numbers follow the KJV. Hebrew Bibles number Psalm 41:9 as 41:10. Four verses in the list are numbered differently there too. They're Deuteronomy 13:6, 2 Samuel 19:6 and Psalm 38:11 and 88:18.

Hebrew words were identified with the Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible. Greek words were identified with STEPBible's tagged Greek New Testament. The counts of the words behind friend come from the Strong's numbers in the CrossWire Bible Society's KJV, each checked against the Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible or STEPBible's Greek. Greek counts follow the Textus Receptus as STEPBible gives it. Every Greek word the notes cite in a verse quoted in full stands in all eight Greek editions STEPBible compares. Elsewhere in those verses the editions differ in a word, its form, its spelling or the order of words. In James 4:4 "Ye adulterers and" stand only in the Textus Receptus and the Byzantine text. STEPBible is a Tyndale House Cambridge project. STEPBible's data and the Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible are both shared under CC BY 4.0. The definitions come from Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890). If you find a mistake, tell us through the support page.

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