Is often synonymous with ancestor, founder, or originator, as Ge 4:20-21Joh 8:56Ro 4:16. Joseph was a father to Pharoah, Ge 45:8, as his counselor and provider. God is theFATHERof men, as their Creator, De 32:6Isa 63:16 64:8 Lu 3:38. But as we have forfeited the rights of children by our sins, it is only through Christ that we can call God by that endearing name, "our Father," Joh 20:17Ro 8:15-17.
In patriarchal times, a father was master and judge in his own household, and exercised and authority almost unlimited over his family. Filial disobedience or disrespect was a high offence. Under the law, certain acts of children were capital crimes, Ex 21:15,17Le 20:9; and the father was required to bring his son to the public tribunal, De 21:18-21. SeeMOTHER.