Bible Dictionary
Patriarch
A patriarch was the head or ancestor of a family or tribe. The title is especially associated with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, the sons of Jacob, and David, and with family heads in Israel.
Biblical Usage
The New Testament calls Abraham, the sons of Jacob, and David patriarchs. In Scripture the title is especially applied to the progenitors whose lives are recorded before the time of Moses and to the twelve sons of Jacob.
Scripture References