Topical Encyclopedia
In the biblical context, the term "fathers" holds significant theological, cultural, and familial importance. It is used to denote not only biological fathers but also ancestors, patriarchs, and spiritual leaders. The role of fathers is deeply embedded in the narrative of Scripture, reflecting both divine order and human responsibility.
Patriarchs and AncestryThe term "fathers" often refers to the patriarchs of Israel, such as Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. These figures are foundational to the identity of the Israelite people and are frequently mentioned in the context of God's covenant promises. For instance, God refers to Himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, emphasizing the continuity of His covenant through generations (
Exodus 3:6).
Role and ResponsibilityFathers in the Bible are entrusted with the responsibility of leading their families in accordance with God's commandments. They are to provide for, protect, and instruct their children in the ways of the Lord.
Ephesians 6:4 instructs, "Fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath; instead, bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." This verse highlights the balance between authority and nurturing guidance.
Spiritual LeadershipFathers are also seen as spiritual leaders within the family unit. They are called to model faithfulness and obedience to God, setting an example for their children to follow. In the Old Testament, fathers were responsible for teaching their children the laws and statutes of God, as seen in
Deuteronomy 6:6-7 : "These words I am commanding you today are to be upon your hearts. And you shall teach them diligently to your children and speak of them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up."
Cultural and Social ContextIn the ancient Near Eastern context, the father was the head of the household, wielding significant authority and responsibility. This patriarchal structure is evident throughout the biblical narrative, where fathers often made decisions that affected the entire family. The father's blessing, as seen in the accounts of Isaac blessing Jacob (Genesis 27), carried profound spiritual and material implications.
Symbolic and Theological SignificanceThe concept of fatherhood is also used symbolically to describe God's relationship with His people. God is often referred to as the Father, highlighting His role as Creator, Sustainer, and Protector. In the New Testament, Jesus teaches His disciples to pray to "Our Father in heaven" (
Matthew 6:9), emphasizing the intimate and personal relationship believers have with God.
Generational LegacyThe Bible places a strong emphasis on the legacy that fathers leave for their children.
Proverbs 13:22 states, "A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children." This inheritance is not only material but also spiritual, as fathers are called to pass down their faith and values to future generations.
Challenges and FailuresWhile the ideal role of fathers is clearly outlined in Scripture, the Bible also records instances of failure and dysfunction within families. The accounts of Eli and his sons (1 Samuel 2) and David's troubled relationship with Absalom (2 Samuel 15-18) serve as cautionary tales about the consequences of neglecting fatherly duties.
Redemption and RestorationDespite human failings, the Bible offers hope for redemption and restoration. The parable of the prodigal son (
Luke 15:11-32) illustrates the forgiving and compassionate nature of a father, mirroring God's grace towards repentant sinners. This parable underscores the potential for reconciliation and renewal within familial relationships.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
FATHER'S HOUSE, FATHERS' HOUSE(beth 'abh, beth 'abhoth): Father's house in the Old Testament is
(1) a dwelling, the family home (Genesis 12:1; Genesis 31:14, 30; 38:11 1 Samuel 18:2);
(2) a family or household (Genesis 41:51; Genesis 46:31 Exodus 12:3, the Revised Version (British and American) "fathers' houses");
(3) the group of households, of several of which the "family' or "clan" was constituted, aggregations of which formed the "tribe," generally "fathers' houses" (Numbers 1:18, 20; Numbers 17:2 Ezra 2:59 Nehemiah 10:34, etc.);
(4)the "family" (clan), mishpachah, "fathers' houses" (Exodus 6:14 Numbers 3:20);
(5) the tribe, "fathers' house," "houses" (Numbers 7:2; Numbers 17:1-3, etc.).
In the New Testament "father's house" (oikos tou patros) occurs in the sense of dwelling, house (Luke 16:27; compare 16:4). our Lord also uses the phrase
(1) of the earthly temple-dwelling of God at Jerusalem (John 2:16, "Make not my Father's house a house of merchandise"; compare Psalm 11:4 Isaiah 63:15);
(2) of heaven as the abode of God and His children (John 14:2, "In my Father's house are many mansions," the Revised Version, margin "abiding places," oikia "house," "dwelling," also household, family; compare Psalm 33:13 Isaiah 63:15 Matthew 6:9). The phrase occurs also (Acts 7:20) of Moses, "nourished. in his father's house" (oikos).
Revised Version has "father's hquse" for "principal household" (1 Chronicles 24:6), "heads of the fathers' houses" for "chief fathers" (Numbers 31:26; Numbers 32:28; Numbers 36:1 1 Chronicles 9:34, etc.); "one prince of a father's house," for "each of" (Joshua 22:14); "the heads of the fathers' (houses)" for "the chief of the fathers," and "the fathers' houses of the chief," for "the principal fathers" (1 Chronicles 24:31).
W. L. Walker
FATHERS' BROTHER
See RELATIONSHIPS, FAMILY.
Greek
3971. patroos -- of one's fathers, received from one's fathers ... of one's
fathers, received from one's
fathers. Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: patroos Phonetic Spelling: (pat-ro'-os) Short Definition: hereditary
... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3971.htm - 6k3964. patraloas -- murderer of fathers.
... patraloas. 3965 . murderer of fathers. ... murderer of fathers. From pater and the
same as the latter part of metraloias; a parricide -- murderer of fathers. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3964.htm - 6k
3970b. patroparadotos -- handed down from one's fathers
... 3970a, 3970b. patroparadotos. 3971 . handed down from one's fathers.
Transliteration: patroparadotos Short Definition: inherited. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3970b.htm - 5k
256b. Halphaios -- Alphaeus, the name of the fathers of two ...
... 256a, 256b. Halphaios. 257 . Alphaeus, the name of the fathers of two disciples.
Transliteration: Halphaios Short Definition: Alphaeus. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/256b.htm - 5k
3968. patris -- of one's fathers, fatherland
... of one's fathers, fatherland. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: patris
Phonetic Spelling: (pat-rece') Short Definition: fatherland Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3968.htm - 6k
3967. patrikos -- paternal, ancestral
... patrikos Phonetic Spelling: (pat-ree-kos') Short Definition: paternal, ancestral
Definition: ancestral, paternal, belonging to the fathers (ancestors). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3967.htm - 6k
3970a. patroloas -- one who kills one's father
... 3970, 3970a. patroloas. 3970b . one who kills one's father. Transliteration:
patroloas Short Definition: fathers. Word Origin from ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3970a.htm - 5k
5481. charakter -- a tool for engraving
... The Greek fathers ( ad 100 -500) used 5481 ("") of the , showing forth His
glory as the second Person of the eternal Godhead (Heb 1:3). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5481.htm - 7k
3962. pater -- a father
... Word Origin a prim. word Definition a father NASB Word Usage father (348),
father's (13), fathers (53), parents (1). father, parent. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3962.htm - 8k
3970. patroparadotos -- one who kills one's father
... inherited From pater and a derivative of paradidomi (in the sense of handing over
or down); traditionary -- received by tradition from fathers. see GREEK pater. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3970.htm - 6k
Strong's Hebrew
1. ab -- father... Word Origin from an unused word Definition father NASB Word Usage ancestors (1),
family* (1), father (571), Father (8), father's (137),
fathers (333),
fathers ... /hebrew/1.htm - 6k 3205. yalad -- to bear, bring forth, beget
... bring forth, beget NASB Word Usage bear (13), bearing (3), bears (6), became (1),
became the father (144), become the father (2), become the fathers (1), beget ...
/hebrew/3205.htm - 7k
2. ab -- father
... Word Origin (Aramaic) corresponding to ab Definition father NASB Word Usage father
(6), fathers (3). father. (Aramaic) corresponding to 'ab -- father. ...
/hebrew/2.htm - 5k
Library
The Apostolic Fathers
The Apostolic Fathers. <. The Apostolic Fathers Kirsopp Lake. Table
of Contents. Title Page. KLEMENTOS PROS KORINThIOUS A. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/lake/the apostolic fathers/
Early Christian Fathers
Early Christian Fathers. <. Early Christian Fathers Cyril C. Richardson.
Table of Contents. Title Page. GENERAL EDITORS' PREFACE. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/richardson/early christian fathers/
Fathers of the Third Century, Tertullian: Appendix
Fathers of the Third Century, Tertullian: Appendix. <. Fathers of the Third
Century, Tertullian: Appendix Unknown. Translated by Rev. ...
/.../unknown/fathers of the third century tertullian appendix/
The Pilgrim Fathers.
... 16. THE PILGRIM FATHERS. [Illustration: Chapter header.] The English Reformers,
while renouncing the doctrines of Romanism, had retained many of its forms. ...
/.../the great controversy between christ and satan /16 the pilgrim fathers.htm
"The Fathers, Where are They?"
... 528. " "The Fathers, where are they?". 528. SM Doddridge. "The Fathers, where are
they?". 1 How swift the torrent rolls, That bears us to the sea! ...
/.../adams/hymns for christian devotion/528 the fathers where.htm
What Say You, O Fathers of New Religions, and Powers? do You Cry ...
... Book IV. 11 What say you, O fathers of new religions, and powers? Do you cry
out? What say you, O fathers of new religions, and powers? ...
/.../arnobius/the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/11 what say you o.htm
Faith of Our Fathers
... No. 121 Faith of our Fathers. THE CHURCH Faith of our Fathers Fideles ad mortem.
Father Faber Nicola. A. Montani. Maestoso, ben marcato. ...
/.../various/the st gregory hymnal and catholic choir book/no 121 faith of our.htm
The Early Fathers Appealed To, and Observed to Bear Favourable ...
... CHAPTER III. THE EARLY FATHERS APPEALED TO, AND OBSERVED TO BEAR FAVOURABLE WITNESS. ...
(1.) on MANUSCRIPTS,"(2.) on VERSIONS,"(3.) on FATHERS. ...
/.../chapter iii the early fathers.htm
The Early Fathers Appealed To, and Observed to Bear Favourable ...
... CHAPTER III, THE EARLY FATHERS APPEALED TO, AND OBSERVED TO BEAR FAVOURABLE WITNESS. ...
(1.) on Manuscripts,"(2.) on Versions,"(3.) on Fathers. ...
/.../chapter iii the early fathers.htm
With what virtuous Feelings the Fathers of Old Hid the Sacred ...
... Book III. Chapter XVII. With what virtuous feelings the fathers of old hid
the sacred fires when on the? With what virtuous feelings ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter xvii with what virtuous.htm
Thesaurus
Fathers'... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia FATHER'S HOUSE,
FATHERS' HOUSE. (beth
'abh, beth 'abhoth): Father's house in the Old Testament is
.../f/fathers'.htm - 9kFathers (572 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia APOSTOLIC FATHERS. ... See SUB-APOSTOLIC LITERATURE.
APOSTOLIC FATHERS, EPISTLES OF. See SUB-APOSTOLIC LITERATURE. ...
/f/fathers.htm - 39k
Nursing-fathers (1 Occurrence)
Nursing-fathers. Nursing-father, Nursing-fathers. Nursing-mothers .
Multi-Version Concordance Nursing-fathers (1 Occurrence). ...
/n/nursing-fathers.htm - 6k
Foster-fathers (1 Occurrence)
Foster-fathers. Foster, Foster-fathers. Fought . Multi-Version
Concordance Foster-fathers (1 Occurrence). Isaiah 49:23 ...
/f/foster-fathers.htm - 6k
Ancestral (14 Occurrences)
... Galatians 1:14 and I was advancing in Judaism above many equals in age in mine own
race, being more abundantly zealous of my fathers' deliverances, (See NAS). ...
/a/ancestral.htm - 10k
Ancestors (7 Occurrences)
... In speaking of ancestors the Old Testament ordinarily uses the word for "fathers"
('abhoth). Multi-Version Concordance Ancestors (7 Occurrences). ...
/a/ancestors.htm - 9k
Sepulchers (15 Occurrences)
... righteous, (WBS). Luke 11:47 Woe to you! for ye build the sepulchers of
the prophets, and your fathers killed them. (WBS). Luke 11 ...
/s/sepulchers.htm - 11k
Sepulchres (17 Occurrences)
... know it. (DBY). Luke 11:47 Woe unto you! for ye build the sepulchres of the
prophets, and your fathers killed them. (KJV DBY). Luke 11 ...
/s/sepulchres.htm - 12k
Slept (74 Occurrences)
... daughter. (DBY NIV). 1 Kings 2:10 David slept with his fathers, and was buried
in the city of David. (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV). ...
/s/slept.htm - 28k
Children's (28 Occurrences)
... and I will not be a trouble to you: my desire is for you, not for your property:
for it is not the children's business to make store for their fathers, but the ...
/c/children's.htm - 15k
Resources
Who were the early church fathers? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does God have to say to single fathers? | GotQuestions.orgWho were the Apostolic Fathers? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
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