FATHER

a name applied (1) to any ancestor (Deut. 1:11; 1-Kings 15:11; Matt. 3:9;23:30, 23: etc.); and (2) as a title of respect to a chief, ruler, or elder, etc. (Judg. 17:10;18:19; 1-Sam 10:12; 2-Kings 2:12; Matt. 23:9, Matt. 23: etc.). (3) The author or beginner of anything is also so called; e.g., Jabal and Jubal (Gen. 4:20, Gen. 4: 21; comp. Job 38:28).

Applied to God (Exo 4:22; Deut. 32:6; 2-Sam 7:14; Psa 89:27, Psa 89: 28, etc.). (1.) As denoting his covenant relation to the Jews (Jer. 31:9; Isa. 63:16;64:8; John 8:41, John 8: etc.).

(2.) Believers are called God's "sons" (John 1:12; Rom. 8:16; Matt. 6:4, Matt. 6: 8, 15, 18;10:20, 10: 29). They also call him "Father" (Rom. 1:7; 1-Cor 1:3; 2-Cor 1:2; Gal. 1:4)