H2 →

אָב

𐤀𐤁

Av

H1 noun

SILEX Entry

Root אָב to be a father, to be an ancestor, to originate

Definition

Male ancestor; in primary sense, a biological or adoptive male parent. Extends to forebear or distant ancestor—collectively understood as 'fathers' in reference to previous generations. Also used for male head of a family or clan, founder or originator of a profession or tradition. Can denote a respected elder or principal figure of a group. In certain idiomatic uses, represents the origin or source of something (e.g., 'father of violence'). By extension, may refer to God as the ultimate source or progenitor, though this is less frequent in Biblical Hebrew than in later traditions.

Semantic Range

biological father, adoptive father, ancestor, forefather, clan chief, founder, principal figure, head of household, elder, originator, source, symbolic or metaphorical 'father' (of craft, behavior, nation), appellation for God as progenitor, titular element in personal names

Root / Etymology

From the root אָב meaning 'father.' The root conveys the notion of source, origin, or progenitor. The word is linguistically basic in Northwest Semitic languages and attested with cognates in Ugaritic (ab), Aramaic (אב), and Akkadian (abu). The meaning of 'father' appears as an independent root, without clear derivation from more foundational morphemes within Hebrew. The term gives rise to a variety of derivative forms and is also used as an element in many personal names (often as 'Abi-', meaning 'my father is...').

Historical & Contextual Notes

The term אָב is foundational to Israelite society, expressing both immediate paternal relationships and extended kinship structures (patriarchal lines). Plural uses (אָבוֹת 'avot') often indicate ancestors or forebears, with frequent reference to the 'fathers' of Israel—the key ancestral figures in Genesis and Exodus. The title can extend to tribal, clan, or national heads, emphasizing authority or honor rather than strict biological descent. In legal or social texts, 'fathers' are often contrasted with 'sons' to demarcate generations or inheritance rights. Later, in the post-exilic and Second Temple periods, the term develops further honorific senses. Usage in some English translations as 'chief' or 'principal' reflects these extended applications but may obscure the familial or foundational nuance of the original. The phrase 'fatherless' (יָתוֹם, not אָב) refers to the lack of this paternal figure. The use of 'Abi-' in personal names especially reflects familial loyalty and theological affirmation in the naming tradition. The term is not to be confused with the English term 'patrimony,' though specific idioms do reference inheritance from the father.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primitive word; father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application; chief, (fore-) father(-less), [idiom] patrimony, principal. Compare names in 'Abi-'.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

אב (ʾ-b) — fatherhood, ancestry, origin, source

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H15 אָבֶה my father
H2 אַב your fathers
H21 אֲבִי my father
H24 אָבִיב his father
H29 אֲבִיָּה My Father is Yah

Word Forms

77 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H1-02 אֲבִ֕י avi HNcmsc my father my father 197
H1-13 אָבִ֖י/ו aviv HNcmsc/Sp3ms his father his father 193
H1-08 אָבִ֑י/ךָ avikha HNcmsc/Sp2ms your father your father 96
H1-15 אֲבֹתָ֑/ם avotam HNcmpc/Sp3mp of their fathers their fathers 86
H1-17 אֲבֹתָ֖י/ו avotayv HNcmpc/Sp3ms his fathers his fathers 76
H1-21 אֲבֹתֵי/כֶֽם avoteykhem HNcmpc/Sp2mp your fathers your fathers 52
H1-22 אֲבֹתֵ֑י/נוּ avoteynu HNcmpc/Sp1cp our fathers our fathers 38
H1-14 אֲב֥וֹת avot HNcmpc fathers fathers of 37
H1-26 הָֽ/אָב֗וֹת haavot HTd/Ncmpa of the fathers the fathers 36
H1-05 אֲבִי/הֶ֑ם avihem HNcmsc/Sp3mp their father their father 35

Occurrences in Scripture

1213 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H1-13 Genesis 2:24 אָבִ֖י/ו aviv HNcmsc/Sp3ms his father his father
H1-02 Genesis 4:20 אֲבִ֕י avi HNcmsc father of my father
H1-02 Genesis 4:21 אֲבִ֕י avi HNcmsc father my father
H1-02 Genesis 9:18 אֲבִ֥י avi HNcmsc father of my father
H1-02 Genesis 9:22 אֲבִ֣י avi HNcmsc the father my father
H1-13 Genesis 9:22 אָבִ֑י/ו aviv HNcmsc/Sp3ms of his father his father
H1-05 Genesis 9:23 אֲבִי/הֶ֑ם avihem HNcmsc/Sp3mp of their father their father
H1-05 Genesis 9:23 אֲבִי/הֶ֖ם avihem-2 HNcmsc/Sp3mp of their father their father
H1-02 Genesis 10:21 אֲבִי֙ avi HNcmsc the father my father
H1-13 Genesis 11:28 אָבִ֑י/ו aviv HNcmsc/Sp3ms his father his father
Hebrew Lexicon H2 →