Brief Overview of πατήρ (Strong’s G3962: patēr)

Strong’s G3962: Primary noun denoting “father,” used both literally for biological/adoptive fathers and metaphorically for spiritual/authority figures. Most significantly used of God as Father, revolutionizing understanding of divine-human relationship. Foundational term in Christian theology and worship.

U- Unveiling the Word

Πατήρ is a foundational term in biblical theology, expressing both human paternity and, crucially, God’s relationship with His people. In the New Testament, Jesus transforms understanding of God as Father through intimate use of ‘Abba.’ The early church saw this as central to Christian identity and prayer. Today, it remains vital in understanding divine love, authority, and our adoption into God’s family, while also informing human fatherhood.

N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: πατήρ, patēr, [pa-TAIR]
• Detailed pronunciation: pah-TAIR (rolled ‘r’)
• Part of Speech: Noun

Etymology:

• Indo-European root *pəter-
• Related to Latin “pater”
• Proto-Indo-European *ph₂tḗr
• Universal word across many languages

D – Defining Meanings

• Biological father
• Adoptive father
• God as Father
• Ancestor/Forefather
• Source or originator
• Authority figure

For compound words: Not applicable as this is a primary noun

Translation Options:

• Father – Standard translation for both divine and human contexts
• Parent – When emphasizing nurturing aspect
• Progenitor – When emphasizing ancestral context

E – Exploring Similar Words

• γεννήτωρ [gennētōr, gen-NAY-tor] – biological father
• ἀββᾶ [abba, ab-BA] – intimate form of father
• προπάτωρ [propatōr, pro-PA-tor] – forefather

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

Noun features:

• Third Declension
• Masculine Gender
• Irregular declension pattern
  Nominative: πατήρ
  Genitive: πατρός
  Dative: πατρί
  Accusative: πατέρα
• Cross-references: πατρικός (paternal), πατριά (family)

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes its use for God as Father. Thayer’s notes the range from literal to metaphorical usage. LSJ traces its development in Greek culture. Vine’s highlights its theological significance. Moulton and Milligan show its use in family relationships in papyri.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:
“But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea instead of his father [πατήρ] Herod, he was afraid to go there.” (Matthew 2:22)

Additional References:
Matthew 5:16, John 14:6, Romans 8:15, Galatians 4:6

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

Πατήρ reveals the heart of the gospel – that through Christ, we can know God as Father. This intimate relationship transforms our identity, security, and purpose. Jesus came to show us the Father and make way for our adoption as beloved children of God, revolutionizing our understanding of both divine and human relationships.

D – Did You Know?

1. Jesus used ‘Father’ over 170 times in John’s Gospel alone
2. Early Christians were unique in addressing God as Father in prayer
3. The term influenced development of church leadership structures

Strong’s G3962: Primary noun denoting “father,” used both literally for biological/adoptive fathers and metaphorically for spiritual/authority figures. Most significantly used of God as Father, revolutionizing understanding of divine-human relationship. Foundational term in Christian theology and worship.

Part of speech: Noun

Tags: #Father #God #DivineRelationship #Family #Adoption #Prayer #Authority #Identity #Parenting #DivineFatherhood #BiblicalTheology​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​