# 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: [[../kt/godthefather.md]], [[../kt/son.md]], [[../kt/sonofgod.md]])

## Bible References: ##

* [Acts 07:1-3](en/tn/act/help/07/01)
* [Acts 07:31-32](en/tn/act/help/07/31)
* [Acts 07:44-46](en/tn/act/help/07/44)
* [Acts 22:3-5](en/tn/act/help/22/03)
* [Genesis 31:29-30](en/tn/gen/help/31/29)
* [Genesis 31:41-42](en/tn/gen/help/31/41)
* [Genesis 31:51-53](en/tn/gen/help/31/51)
* [Hebrews 07:4-6](en/tn/heb/help/07/04)
* [John 04:11-12](en/tn/jhn/help/04/11)
* [Joshua 24:3-4](en/tn/jos/help/24/03)
* [Malachi 03:6-7](en/tn/mal/help/03/06)
* [Mark 10:7-9](en/tn/mrk/help/10/07)
* [Matthew 01:7-8](en/tn/mat/help/01/07)
* [Matthew 03:7-9](en/tn/mat/help/03/07)
* [Matthew 10:21-23](en/tn/mat/help/10/21)
* [Matthew 18:12-14](en/tn/mat/help/18/12)
* [Romans 04:11-12](en/tn/rom/help/04/11)