For uses not directly related to the Bible, see Patriarch and Patriarchy.

The Patriarchs, known as the Avot in Hebrew, are Abraham, his son Isaac and his grandson Jacob. Collectively, they are referred to as the three patriarchs (sh'loshet ha-avot) of Judaism, and the period in which they lived is known as the patriarchal period.

Their primary wives – Sarah (wife of Abraham), Rebecca (wife of Isaac), and Leah and Rachel (the wives of Jacob) – are known as the Matriarchs. Thus, classical Judaism considers itself to have three patriarchs and four matriarchs.

Other uses

In the New Testament, King David is referred to as a patriarch, as are Jacob's twelve sons (the ancestors of the Twelve tribes of Israel).

In addition, the title patriarch is often applied to the ten antediluvian figures Adam, Seth, Enos, Cainan, Mahalaleel, Jared, Enoch, Methuselah, Lamech, and Noah. According to the Book of Genesis, these ten men are the ancestors of the entire human race.

Relation to other tribes

Many of the tribes living in the Middle East, between the time of Abraham and the time of Christ, have a genealogical connection to the Patriarchs or their descendants. This list,

• Noah, father of Shem, Ham, and Japheth

• Ham, father of Canaan (Canaanites)

• Canaan, father of Sidon, Hittites, Jebusites, Amorites, Girgashities, Hivites, Arkites, Sinites, Arvadites, Zemarites, and Hamathites

• Shem, ancestor of Terah, who was the father of Abram, Nahor, and Haran

• Abraham and Hagar, parents of Ishmael (Ishmaelites)

• Abraham and Keturah, parents of Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian (Midianites), Ishbak, Shuah

• Nahor and Milcah, parents of Uz, Buz, Kemuel,Kesed, Hazo, Pildash, Jidlaph, and Bethuel

• Nahor and Reumah, parents of Tebah, Gaham, Tahash, and Maacah

• Kemuel, father of Aram (Arameans)

• Haran, father of Lot

• Lot and his older daughter, parents of Moab (Moabites)

• Lot and his younger daughter, parents of Ben-ammi (Ammonites)

• Abraham and Sarah, parents of Isaac

• Isaac and Rebekah, parents of Jacob, Esau (Edomites)

• Jacob and Leah, parents of Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun

• Jacob and Rachel, parents of Joseph, Benjamin

• Jacob and Bilhah, parents of Dan, Naphtali

• Jacob and Zilpah, parents of Gad, Asher

• Joseph and Asenath, parents of Manasseh, Ephraim

The twelve tribes of Israel include ten of the sons of Jacob, (excluding Levi and Joseph) and the two sons of Joseph.

See also

• Patriarchy
• Matriarchy
• Matriarchs (Bible)

سه شه‌پدر אבות ואמהות האומה Aartsvader