a name applied (1) to any ancestor ( Deuteronomy 1:11 ; 1 Kings 15:11 ; Matthew 3:9 ; 23:30 , etc.); and (2) as a title of respect to a chief, ruler, or elder, etc. ( Judges 17:10 ; 18:19 ; 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 4:21 ; Compare Job 38:28 ).

Applied to God ( Exodus 4:22 ; Deuteronomy 32:6 ; 2 Sam 7:14 ; Psalms 89:27 Psalms 89:28 , etc.).

As denoting his covenant relation to the Jews ( Jeremiah 31:9 ; Isaiah 63:16 ; 64:8 ; John 8:41 , etc.).

Believers are called God's "sons" ( John 1:12 ; Romans 8:16 ; Matthew 6:4 Matthew 6:8 Matthew 6:15 Matthew 6:18 ; Matthew 10:20 Matthew 10:29 ). They also call him "Father" ( Romans 1:7 ; 1 Corinthians 1:3 ; 2 co 1:2 ; Galatians 1:4 )

These dictionary topics are from
M.G. Easton M.A., D.D., Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Third Edition,
published by Thomas Nelson, 1897. Public Domain, copy freely.