The meaning of “אָב”
Understanding ʼâb reveals the original theological depth often simplified in translation.
chief, (fore-) father(-less), [idiom] patrimony, principal. Compare names in 'Abi-'. - father, in a literal and immediat...
אָב
chief, (fore-) father(-less), [idiom] patrimony, principal. Compare names in 'Abi-'. - father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application 1) father of an individual 2) of God as father of his people 3) head or founder of a household, group, family, or clan 4) ancestor 4a) grandfather, forefathers — of person 4b) of people 5) originator or patron of a class, profession, or art 6) of producer, generator (fig.) 7) of benevolence and protection (fig.) 8) term of respect and honour 9) ruler or chief (spec.)
Occurrences in the Bible
| Reference | Text | |
|---|---|---|
| Genesis 37:2 | “These are the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brethren; and the lad was with the sons of Bilhah, and with the sons of Zilpah, his father’s wives: and Joseph brought unto his father their evil report.” Word: אָב (ʼâb) | |
| Judges 14:2 | “And he came up, and told his father and his mother, and said, I have seen a woman in Timnath of the daughters of the Philistines: now therefore get her for me to wife.” Word: אָב (ʼâb) | |
| 1 Chronicles 9:9 | “And their brethren, according to their generations, nine hundred and fifty and six. All these men were chief of the fathers in the house of their fathers.” Word: אָב (ʼâb) | |
| Psalms 78:5 | “For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children:” Word: אָב (ʼâb) | |
| Daniel 11:24 | “He shall enter peaceably even upon the fattest places of the province; and he shall do that which his fathers have not done, nor his fathers’ fathers; he shall scatter among them the prey, and spoil, and riches: yea, and he shall forecast his devices against the strong holds, even for a time.” Word: אָב (ʼâb) |
Usage Statistics
Related Words
Cross-referenced Strong's numbers with semantic or etymological connections.