3966. patriarchés
Lexical Summary
patriarchés: Patriarch

Original Word: πατριάρχης
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: patriarchés
Pronunciation: pah-tree-AR-khace
Phonetic Spelling: (pat-ree-arkh'-ace)
KJV: patriarch
NASB: patriarch, patriarchs
Word Origin: [from G3965 (πατριά - family) and G757 (ἄρχω - began)]

1. a progenitor, the ancestor and father of ("patriarch")

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
patriarch.

From patria and archo; a progenitor ("patriarch") -- patriarch.

see GREEK patria

see GREEK archo

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from patria and archó
Definition
a patriarch
NASB Translation
patriarch (2), patriarchs (2).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 3966: πατριάρχης

πατριάρχης, πατριάρχου, (πατριά and ἄρχω; see ἑκατοντάρχης), a Hellensitic word (Winers Grammar, 26), a patriarch, founder of a tribe, progenitor: used of David, Acts 2:29; of the twelve sons of Jacob, founders of the several tribes of Israel, Acts 7:8f; of Abraham, Hebrews 7:4; of the same and Isaac and Jacob, 4 Macc. 7:19; 16:25; used for הָאָבות רֹאשׁ, 1 Chronicles 24:31 (but the text here is uncertain); for שְׁבָטִים שַׂר, 1 Chronicles 27:22; for הַמֵּאות שַׂר, 2 Chronicles 23:20.

Topical Lexicon
Scope of the Term

While the Old Testament applies a broader range of family‐head titles, the New Testament reserves the term for a select group whose lives signal pivotal advances in redemptive history. Each occurrence points to a covenant hinge: Abraham and the tithe to Melchizedek, the sons of Jacob whose actions propelled the Exodus story, and David whose royal line culminates in Messiah.

Occurrences in the New Testament

Acts 2:29

Peter’s Pentecost sermon names David “the patriarch,” anchoring the outpouring of the Spirit in the Davidic promise of a risen heir: “Brothers, I can tell you with confidence that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day”. By stressing David’s death and visible tomb, Peter magnifies Christ’s empty tomb and exaltation (Acts 2:30–36).

Acts 7:8–9

Stephen recounts the covenant of circumcision and traces the line from Abraham to Isaac, to Jacob, and finally to “the twelve patriarchs.” Their jealousy of Joseph becomes the first example in Stephen’s speech of Israel’s resistance to God’s chosen deliverer. The title therefore carries irony: men honored as founders nevertheless needed redemption as much as their descendants.

Hebrews 7:4

“Consider how great he was: Even the patriarch Abraham gave him a tenth of the plunder!”. By highlighting Abraham’s deference to Melchizedek, the writer proves that the priesthood of Christ—modeled after Melchizedek—is superior to that of Levi, because Levi was still “in the loins” of Abraham when the tithe was paid (Hebrews 7:9–10).

Historical Background

1. Patriarchal Period (Genesis 12–50)

Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob embodied the covenant promises of land, seed, and blessing. Their faith journeys forged a national identity that would crystallize at Sinai.

2. United Monarchy

David receives the eternal throne promise (2 Samuel 7:12–16), making him both a patriarch and a prophetic type. Post‐exilic writings (for example, Ezra 3:10–11) revive Davidic themes in anticipation of Messiah.

3. Second Temple Judaism

Intertestamental literature often elevates Abraham and the twelve sons of Jacob as models of devotion and repentance, setting the stage for their authoritative citation by Peter, Stephen, and the writer of Hebrews.

Theological Significance

Covenant Headship

Each patriarch stands at a watershed of covenant administration. Their obedience—or failure—affects generations (Exodus 20:5–6).

Faith as Righteousness

Romans 4:3 recalls Genesis 15:6, presenting Abraham as the prototype of justification by faith, a truth affirmed by Hebrews 11:8–12.

Typology and Fulfillment

The patriarchs foreshadow Christ:
• Abraham offers his beloved son (Genesis 22; John 3:16).
• Joseph, rejected yet exalted, prefigures the suffering and risen Savior (Acts 7:9–10).
• David provides the royal lineage for the “root and the offspring of David” (Revelation 22:16).

Ministry Applications

Leadership and Legacy

Church elders and fathers alike draw instruction from patriarchal models: cultivating faith (Abraham), extending forgiveness (Joseph), and leading with covenant loyalty (David).

Generational Discipleship

Psalm 78:5–7 calls every generation to recount “the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD.” Patriarchal narratives supply the content and motive for such transmission.

Stewardship and Giving

Abraham’s tithe to Melchizedek informs New Testament principles of generous and God‐honoring giving (2 Corinthians 8:1–7), establishing a precedent prior to Mosaic regulation.

Suffering and Providence

Joseph’s account encourages believers facing injustice: “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good” (Genesis 50:20), a truth echoed in Romans 8:28.

Conclusion

Within four concise New Testament references, the title signals bedrock moments in salvation history. It reminds readers that God advances His purposes through chosen heads of families, yet continually points beyond them to the ultimate Son of Abraham, Judah, and David—Jesus Christ, in whom every covenant promise finds its “Yes.”

Forms and Transliterations
πατριαρχαι πατριάρχαι πατριαρχας πατριάρχας πατριαρχης πατριάρχης πατριαρχου πατριάρχου πατριαρχών patriarchai patriárchai patriarchas patriárchas patriarches patriarchēs patriárches patriárchēs patriarchou patriárchou
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Acts 2:29 N-GMS
GRK: περὶ τοῦ πατριάρχου Δαυίδ ὅτι
NAS: to you regarding the patriarch David
KJV: you of the patriarch David, that
INT: concerning the patriarch David that

Acts 7:8 N-AMP
GRK: τοὺς δώδεκα πατριάρχας
NAS: and Jacob [of] the twelve patriarchs.
KJV: Jacob [begat] the twelve patriarchs.
INT: the twelve patriarchs

Acts 7:9 N-NMP
GRK: Καὶ οἱ πατριάρχαι ζηλώσαντες τὸν
NAS: The patriarchs became jealous
KJV: And the patriarchs, moved with envy,
INT: And the patriarchs having envied

Hebrews 7:4 N-NMS
GRK: ἀκροθινίων ὁ πατριάρχης
NAS: Abraham, the patriarch, gave
KJV: even the patriarch Abraham
INT: best spoils the patriarch

Strong's Greek 3966
4 Occurrences


πατριάρχαι — 1 Occ.
πατριάρχας — 1 Occ.
πατριάρχης — 1 Occ.
πατριάρχου — 1 Occ.

3965
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