King James Bible Dictionary

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

Applied to God (Exodus 4:22; Deuteronomy 32:6; 2 Samuel 7:14; Psalms 89:27, 28, etc.).

1. As denoting his covenant relation to the Jews (Jeremiah 31:9; Isaiah 63:16; 64:8; John 8:41, etc.).

2. Believers are called God's "sons" (John 1:12; Romans 8:16; Matthew 6:4, 8, 15, 18; 10:20, 29). They also call him "Father" (Romans 1:7; 1 Corinthians 1:3; 2 Corinthians 1:2; Galatians 1:4)

An idolatrous title of priests
Judges 17:10

Forbidden to be used as a title among the disciples
Matthew 23:9
Parents; God, Fatherhood of

The position and authority of the father as the head of the family are expressly assumed and sanctioned in Scripture, as a likeness of that of the Almighty over his creatures. It lies of course at the root of that so-called patriarchal government, (Genesis 3:16; 1 Corinthians 11:3) which was introductory to the more definite systems which followed, and which in part, but not wholly, superseded it. The father's blessing was regarded as conferring special benefit, but his malediction special injury, on those on whom it fell, (Genesis 9:25,27; 27:27-40; 48:15,20; 49:1) ... and so also the sin of a parent was held to affect, in certain cases, the welfare of his descendants. (2 Kings 5:27) The command to honor parents is noticed by St. Paul as the only one of the Decalogue which bore a distinct promise, (Exodus 20:12; Ephesians 6:2) and disrespect towards them was condemned by the law as one of the worst crimes. (Exodus 21:15,17; 1 Timothy 1:9) It is to this well-recognized theory of parental authority and supremacy that the very various uses of the term "father" in Scripture are due. "Fathers" is used in the sense of seniors, (Acts 7:2; 22:1) and of parents in general, or ancestors. (Daniel 5:2; Jeremiah 27:7; Matthew 23:30,32)

F'ATHER, noun [Latin pater. The primary sense is obvious.]

1. He who begets a child; in Latin genitor or generator.

The father of a fool hath no joy. Proverbs 17:21.

2. The first ancestor; the progenitor of a race or family. Adam was the father of the human race. Abraham was the father of the Israelites.

3. The appellation of an old man, and a term of respect.

The king of Israel said to Elisha, my father shall I smite them? 2 Kings 6:21.

The servants of Naaman call him father Elderly men are called fathers; as the fathers of a town or city. In the church, men venerable for age, learning and piety are called fathers, or reverend fathers.

4. The grandfather or more remote ancestor. Nebuchadnezzar is called the father of Belshazzar, though he was his grandfather. Daniel 5:2.

5. One who feeds and supports or exercises paternal care over another. God is called the father of the fatherless.

Psalms 118:1.

6. He who creates, invents, makes or composes any thing; the author, former or contriver; a founder, director or instructor. God as creator is the father of all men. John 8:16. Jabal was the father of such as dwell in tents; and Jubal of musicians. Genesis 4:20. God is the father of spirits and of lights. Homer is considered as the father of epic poetry. Washington, as a defender and an affectionate and wise counselor, is called the father of his country. And see 1 Chronicles 2:51. 1 Chronicles 4:14. 1 Chr 9:35. Satan is called the father of lies; he introduced sin, and instigates men to sin. John 8:16. Abraham is called the father of believers. He was an early believer, and a pattern of faith and obedience. Romans 4:1.

7. Fathers, in the plural, ancestors.

David slept with his fathers. 1 Kings 2:12.

8. A father in law. So Heli is called the father of Joseph. Luke 3:8.

9. The appellation of the first person in the adorable Trinity.

Go ye, therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the father and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Matthew 28:19.

10. The title given to dignitaries of the church, superiors of convents, and to popish confessors.

11. The appellation of the ecclesiastical writers of the first centuries, as Polycarp, Jerome, etc.

12. The title of a senator in ancient Rome; as conscript fathers.

Adoptive father he who adopts the children of another, and acknowledges them as his own.

Natural father the father of illegitimate children.

Putative father one who is only reputed to be the father; the supposed father

F'ATHERED, participle passive

1. Adopted; taken as one's own; ascribed to one as the author.

2. Having had a father of particular qualities.

I am no stronger than my sex, being so father'd and so husbanded. [Unusual.]

F'ATHERHOOD, noun The state of being a father, or the character or authority of a father.

We might have had an entire notion of this fatherhood or fatherly authority.

See God, Fatherhood of
God, Fatherhood of

F'ATHERING, participle present tense Adopting; taking or acknowledging as one's own; ascribing to the father or author.

Hospitable to son-in-law, a man of Bethlehem-Judah
Judges 19:3-9

Unjust, Laban to Jacob
Genesis 29:21-23; Genesis 31:7; Genesis 31:39-42

F'ATHER-IN-LAW, noun The father of one's husband or wife; and a man who marries a woman who has children by a former husband is called the father in law or step-father of those children.

F'ATHER, verb transitive

1. To adopt; to take the child of another as one's own.

2. To adopt any thing as one's own; to profess to be the author.

Men of wit often father'd what he writ.

3. To ascribe or charge to one as his offspring or production; with on.

My name was made use of by several persons, one of whom was pleased to father on me a new set of productions.

F'ATHERLASHER, noun A fish of the genus Cottus or bull-head, called scorpius or scolping. The head is large and its spines formidable. It is found on the rocky coasts of Britain, and near Newfoundland and Greenland. In the latter country it is a great article of food.

See Orphan
Orphan

F'ATHERLESS, adjective

1. Destitute of a living father; as a fatherless child.

3. Without a known author.

F'ATHERLESSNESS, noun The state of being without a father.

F'ATHERLINESS, noun [See Fatherly.] The qualities of a father; parental kindness, care and tenderness.

F'ATHERLY, adjective [father and like.]

1. Like a father in affection and care; tender; paternal; protecting; careful; as fatherly care or affection.

2. Pertaining to a father.

F'ATHERLY, adverb In the manner of a father.

Thus Adam, fatherly displeased. [Not proper.]