| <p> ( <span> אך </span> or , <i> ''''''ābh''''' </i> or <i> ''''''abh''''' </i> , the [[Hebrew]] and [[Aramaic]] word for "father"): It is a very common word in the [[Old]] Testament; this article notes only certain uses of it. It is used both in the singular and in the plural to denote a grandfather or more remote ancestors (e.g. <span> [[Jeremiah]] 35:16 </span> , <span> Jeremiah 35:15 </span> ). The father of a people or tribe is its founder, not, as is frequently assumed, its progenitor. [[In]] this sense [[Abraham]] is father to the [[Israelites]] (see, for example, <span> [[Genesis]] 17:11-14 </span> , <span> Genesis 17:27 </span> ), [[Isaac]] and [[Jacob]] and the heads of families being fathers in the same modified sense. The cases of Ishmael, Moab, etc., are similar. The traditional originator of a craft is the father of those who practice the craft (e.g. <span> Genesis 4:20 </span> , <span> Genesis 4:21 </span> , <span> Genesis 4:22 </span> ). [[Sennacherib]] uses the term "my fathers" of his predecessors on the throne of Assyria, though these were not his ancestors ( <span> 2 Kings 19:12 </span> ). The term is used to express worth and affection irrespective of blood relation (e.g. <span> 2 Kings 13:14 </span> ). A ruler or leader is spoken of as a father. [[God]] is father. A frequent use of the word is that in the composition of proper names, e.g. Abinadab, "my father is noble." [[See]] [[Abi]] . </p> <p> The Aramaic word in its definite form is used three times in the New [[Testament]] ( <span> [[Mark]] 4:6 </span> ), the phrase being in each case "Abba Father," addressed to God. In this phrase the word "Father" is added, apparently, not as a mere translation, nor to indicate that [[Abba]] is thought of as a proper name of Deity, but as a term of pleading and of endearment. See also [[Abba]] . </p> | | <p> ( <span> אך </span> , <i> ''''''ābh''''' </i> ): The name of the fifth month in the [[Hebrew]] calendar, the month beginning in our July. The name does not appear in the Bible, but [[Josephus]] gives it to the month in which [[Aaron]] died ( <i> Ant. </i> , IV, iv, 6; compare <span> [[Numbers]] 33:38 </span> ). </p> |
