Father a name applied (1) to any ancestor (Deuteronomy 1:11; 1 Kings 15:11; Matthew 3:9; Matthew 1:23, etc.); and (2) as a title of respect to a chief, ruler, or elder, etc. (Judges 17:10; Judges 1:18; 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, Genesis 1:4; comp. Job 38:28).
Applied to God (Exodus 4:22; Deuteronomy 32:6; 2 Samuel 7:14; Psalms 89:27, Psalms 1:89, etc.). (1.) As denoting his covenant relation to the Jews (Jeremiah 31:9; Isaiah 63:16; Isaiah 1:64; John 8:41, etc.).
(2.) Believers are called God's "sons" (John 1:12; Romans 8:16; Matthew 6:4, Matthew 1:6, Matthew 1:6, Matthew 1:6; Matthew 1:10, Matthew 1:10). They also call him "Father" (Romans 1:7; 1 Corinthians 1:3; 2 Corinthians 1:2; Galatians 1:4)