Topical Encyclopedia
The term "fathered" in the Bible often refers to the act of begetting or procreating children, a fundamental aspect of family and lineage in biblical narratives. This concept is deeply rooted in the patriarchal structure of ancient Israelite society, where lineage and inheritance were traced through the male line. The act of fathering children was not only a biological function but also carried significant spiritual and covenantal implications.
Biblical Context and Usage1.
Patriarchal Lineage: The genealogies in the Bible frequently use the term "fathered" to trace the lineage of key biblical figures. For example, in
Genesis 5, the genealogy from Adam to Noah is outlined, emphasizing the continuity of God's creation through successive generations.
Genesis 5:3 states, "When Adam was 130 years old, he fathered a son in his own likeness, after his own image, and named him Seth."
2.
Covenantal Promises: The act of fathering is often linked to the fulfillment of God's promises. Abraham, for instance, is promised by God that he will be the father of many nations.
Genesis 17:4-5 records God's covenant with Abraham: "As for Me, this is My covenant with you: You will be the father of a multitude of nations. No longer will you be called Abram, but your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations."
3.
Spiritual Fatherhood: Beyond biological fatherhood, the Bible also speaks of spiritual fatherhood. The Apostle Paul, for example, refers to himself as a spiritual father to the believers he has led to Christ. In
1 Corinthians 4:15, Paul writes, "Even if you have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel."
4.
Symbolic and Typological Uses: The concept of fathering is also used symbolically in the Bible. God is often referred to as the Father, highlighting His role as the creator and sustainer of life. In
Isaiah 64:8, the prophet declares, "But now, O LORD, You are our Father; we are the clay, and You are our potter; we all are the work of Your hand."
5.
Moral and Ethical Implications: Fatherhood in the Bible carries with it responsibilities and expectations. Fathers are called to instruct and discipline their children in the ways of the Lord.
Proverbs 22:6 advises, "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it."
Ephesians 6:4 further instructs, "Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord."
Theological SignificanceThe concept of fathering in the Bible is not merely a biological or social function but is deeply intertwined with God's redemptive plan. Through the lineage of fathers, God unfolds His covenantal promises, ultimately leading to the birth of Jesus Christ, who is both the fulfillment of the promises made to the patriarchs and the embodiment of God's fatherly love for humanity. The genealogy of Jesus in
Matthew 1:1-17 underscores the importance of fatherhood in the divine narrative, tracing Jesus' lineage back to Abraham and David, affirming His rightful place in the history of salvation.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
imp. & p. p.) of Father.
Strong's Hebrew
3205. yalad -- to bear, bring forth, beget... brought forth (6), child (2), childbirth (10), children (1), children born (1),
deliver (1), delivered (1), descended (2), father (1),
fathered (2), fathers (1
...3097. Yoab -- "the LORD is father," three Israelites
... NASB Word Usage Joab (136), Joab's (8). Joab. From Yhovah and 'ab; Jehovah-fathered;
Joab, the name of three Israelites -- Joab. see HEBREW Yhovah....
Library
The Author, and his Influence in the Later Church
... The pious fraud by which hefathered them upon the Areopagite need not be branded
with the harsh name of "forgery," for such a practice was in his day...
Letter Xl. To the Bishops of the Province of Arles in Gaul.
... [364] These twelve bishops do not include the Bishop of Vienne, according to Perthel
(p. 29), following apparently Quesnel, whose wish-fathered thought, though...
Paul in the Temple
... These Jewish zealots practised a very common method when theyfathered on
Paul all which they supposed to be involved in his position....
Imperial Caesar
... "Here is the Roman commissary!". "Ill-fathered son of an Ishmaelite!" a Tyrian said
to this jester. "That you should make sport of Judea's humiliation!"....
Ephesians ii. 8
... Paul's? And is not this a Demonstration to all who acknowledge this, that St. Paul
could not intend any such thing as some havefathered upon Him?...
section iii.
... that Miracles have been, I do believe; that they may yet be wrought by the living,
I do not deny; but have no confidence in those which arefathered on the dead...
The Pharisee and the Publican
... Besides, in this high prayer of the Pharisee, hefathered that upon God which he
could by no means own; to wit, that he being so good as he thought himself to...
A Discourse Upon the Pharisee and the Publican
... Besides, in this high prayer of the Pharisee, hefathered that upon God which he
could by no means own; to wit, that his being so good as he thought himself to...
A Discourse of Mercifulness
... The saints of God in all ages have met with unmerciful men who havefathered
things upon them that they have not been guilty of....
The Love of Rameses
... "Nay, I have spoken truly. Sad indeed were thy fate, my Masanath, did the gods
mate thee with a knave, havingfathered thee with a villain....
Thesaurus
Fathered (4 Occurrences)...Fathered (4 Occurrences).
... Ecclesiastes 5:14 Those riches perish by misfortune, and
if he has
fathered a son, there is nothing in his hand. (WEB NAS).
...Father (11359 Occurrences)
Old (3966 Occurrences)
... development of the human personality here identified with evolution is something
far higher, deeper, and other than anything that can befathered upon Darwin...
Grains (6 Occurrences)
... Hebrews 11:12 Therefore as many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as
innumerable as the sand which is by the sea shore, werefathered by one man, and...
Innumerable (12 Occurrences)
... Hebrews 11:12 Therefore as many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as
innumerable as the sand which is by the sea shore, werefathered by one man, and...
Fatherinlaw
Misfortune (24 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Ecclesiastes 5:14 Those riches perish by misfortune, and if he
hasfathered a son, there is nothing in his hand. (WEB NIV)....
Stars (64 Occurrences)
... Hebrews 11:12 Therefore as many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as
innumerable as the sand which is by the sea shore, werefathered by one man, and...
Sand (40 Occurrences)
... Hebrews 11:12 Therefore as many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as
innumerable as the sand which is by the sea shore, werefathered by one man, and...
Resources
Who was the oldest man in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Lamech in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Terah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgFathered: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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