In the Bible “Father” begins as an ordinary word. It names an ancestor (Deuteronomy 1:11), serves as a title of respect for a ruler or elder (Judges 17:10), and marks the originator of something — Jabal is called “the father of those who dwell in tents” (Genesis 4:20). Its theological weight comes from where the Bible turns the word next: toward God.
The Hebrew Bible calls God “Father” to name his covenant bond with Israel — “Israel is my firstborn son” (Exodus 4:22; compare Deuteronomy 32:6). It is a tie of belonging and care, not merely of origin.
In the New Testament the word is applied more widely: believers are called God’s children and taught to address God directly as Father (John 1:12; Romans 8:16) — a nearness the glossary tracks under Adoption. In Christian tradition “Father” also names the first person of the Trinity, distinct from the Son.
Explore Father and related terms in the full glossary → a.fortt.com/glossary-app
How this is made · A Fortt Media project, created & edited by Jon Fortt. Grounded in a curated Scripture database and carefully drafted and audited with the help of AI — described plainly, and written to assume no particular denomination or doctrine. Read the full approach → · Report a correction →
