# Ancestor and Descendant (Fathers, Forefathers, Patriarchs)

A person's descendant is one of his children or grandchildren or any of their children or grandchildren and so on continuing through future generations.

A person's ancestor is one of his parents or grandparents or any of their parents or grandparents and so on continuing back to earlier generations.

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Adam and Noah are in the same family (see: Genesis 5). Adam is the ancestor. Noah is the descendant. Adam lived a long time before Noah lived. 

The Israelite people are descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. These men are the ancestors of the Israelite people (see: Deuteronomy 9:5; 1 Chronicles 29:18). 

Sometimes male ancestors are called “forefathers” or “fathers” (see: Deuteronomy 30:5; 2 Timothy 1:3). Male ancestors are also sometimes called “patriarchs” (see: Acts 2:29; 7:8-9; Romans 9:5; 11:28; 15:8).

The written record of a family’s ancestors and descendants is called a genealogy.

See: [Israel](../articles/israel.md); [Genealogy](../articles/genealogy.md)