Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

FATHERS HOUSE

Lit., the physical structure in which a family lived, viewed as a possession of the father due to the patriarchal orientation of biblical society (Gen. 24:23; Deut. 22:21; Judg. 19:3). In a figurative sense Heb. bêṯ-ʾāḇ means the extended family, the smallest, most intimate social structure and the basic unit of Israelite society. Many “fathers’ houses” comprised a “clan,” and many “clans” comprised a “tribe.” The “father’s house” included the patriarch and his wife, unmarried children, married sons and grandsons with their families, slaves and their families, and resident aliens. This extended family could easily approach 100 members, who resided together in a cluster of dwellings. Commanded by the patriarch, the bêṯ-ʾāḇ also served as the basic unit of the army (cf. Gen. 41:51; 46:31; Judg. 9:5; 1 Sam. 2:27-31; 2 Chr. 25:5).

In the NT Gk. oíkos/oikíā toú patrós has direct parallels with OT usage. It appears in reference to the literal physical structure (Acts 7:20), and also to the extended family (Luke 16:27-28). The NT includes two additional metaphorical nuances. The phrase is used by Jesus to refer to the temple (John 2:16) and to heaven (14:2; cf. Philo Somn. 1:43), both contexts referring to the dwelling-place of God.

W. E. Nunnally

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

FATHERS HOUSE

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)