Ancestors

The ancestors of Israel

Abraham, Isaac and Jacob

Leviticus 26:45 See also James 2:21

But for their sake I will remember the covenant with their fathers, whom I brought out of the land of Egypt in the sight of the nations, that I might be their God. I am the LORD.”

More immediate forebears

Amos 2:4 See also 1 Kings 19:3–4; Acts 28:17

This is what the LORD says: “For three transgressions of Judah, even four, I will not revoke My judgment, because they reject the Law of the LORD and fail to keep His statutes; they are led astray by the lies in which their fathers walked.

Ancestors of specific groups of people

Joshua 17:1 See also Genesis 10:21

Now this was the allotment for the tribe of Manasseh as Joseph’s firstborn son, namely for Machir the firstborn of Manasseh and father of the Gileadites, who had received Gilead and Bashan because Machir was a man of war.

Ancestors of individuals

Romans 9:5 See also Hebrews 7:10

Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them proceeds the human descent of Christ, who is God over all, forever worthy of praise! Amen.

The figurative use of ancestors

Ezekiel 16:3

and tell her that this is what the Lord GOD says to Jerusalem: Your origin and your birth were in the land of the Canaanites. Your father was an Amorite and your mother a Hittite.