en_tw/bible/other/father.md

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ancestor, father, forefather

Definition:

When used literally, the term "father" refers to a person's male parent. There are also several figurative uses of this term.

  • The terms "father" and "forefather" are often used to refer to the male ancestors of a certain person or people group. This could also be translated a "ancestor" or "ancestral father."
  • The expression "the father of" can figuratively refer to a person who is the leader a group of related people or the source of something. For example, in Genesis 4 "the father of all who live in tents" could mean, "the first clan leader of the first people who ever lived in tents."
  • The apostle Paul figuratively called himself the "father" of those he had helped to become Christians through sharing the gospel with them.

Translation Suggestions

  • When talking about a father and his literal son, this term should be translated using the usual term to refer to a father in the language.
  • "God the Father" should also be translated using the usual, common word for "father."
  • When referring to forefathers, this term could be translated as "ancestors" or "ancestral fathers."
  • When Paul refers to himself figuratively as a father to believers in Christ, this could be translated as "spiritual father" or "father in Christ."
  • Sometimes the word "father" can be translated as "clan leader."
  • The phrase "father of all lies" could be translated as "source of all lies" or "the one from whom all lies come."

(See also: God the Father, son, Son of God)

Bible References:

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