God of my father (also God of your father, or God of our father etc.) is part of a group of names used by different Old Testament figures in reference to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David and others.
God of my fathers is the name that Daniel used to refer to God. It speaks of the relationship that God had with generations of His people Israel. Daniel knew that God had a long reputation of faithfulness to his ancestors; now he was experiencing that faithfulness himself. It is one of the Aramaic names for God.
This group of names shows how significant the relationship between a man and God was to that man’s children. But there is a balance: we are meant to have our own vibrant relationship with God. Let’s be examples to our children, but let’s teach them to outgrow us in relationship with God and be greater examples to their children.
God of my father in the Hebrew text of Genesis 31:5
God of my father in Hebrew:
’Elohei ’avi (God of your father ’Elohei ’avikha)
Strong’s Concordance numbers: 430, 1
Bible references: Gen. 31:5, 29, 42; 43:23; 46:3; 49:25 (with El); 50:17; Ex. 3:6; 18:4; 1 Chron. 28:9
If the God of my father, the God of Abraham and the Fear of Isaac, had not been with me, you would surely have sent me away empty-handed. But God has seen my hardship and the toil of my hands, and last night he rebuked you. (Genesis 31:42 NIV)
God of my fathers (Elah avahati) in the Aramaic text of Daniel 2:23.
God of my fathers in Aramaic:
’Elah ’avahati
Strong’s Concordance numbers: 426, 2
Bible reference: Dan. 2:23
When God revealed to Daniel the meaning of King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, Daniel began his prayer of praise to the Revealer of mysteries with these words:
To You, O God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise,
For You have given me wisdom and power;
Even now You have made known to me what we requested of You,
For You have made known to us the king’s matter. (Daniel 2:23)
Some other English versions translate this name differently. For instance, God of my ancestors (NIV).
God of your fathers in the Hebrew text of Exodus 3:13.
God of your fathers in Hebrew:
’Elohei ’avotekhem
Strong’s Concordance numbers: 430, 1
Bible references: Ex. 3:13, 15-16; Deut. 1:11, 21; 4:1; 6:3; 12:1; 27:3; Josh. 18:3; 2 Chron. 13:12; 28:9; 29:5; Ezra 8:28; 10:11
And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, “The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you”; and they shall say to me, “What is his name?” What shall I say unto them? (Exodus 3:13 KJV)
God of our fathers in Hebrew:
’Elohei ’avotenu
Strong’s Concordance numbers: 430, 1
Bible references: Deut. 26:7; 1 Chron. 12:17; 2 Chron. 20:6; Ezra 7:27 (our).
God of our fathers in the Greek text of Acts 3:13.
God of our fathers in Greek:
Ho Theos tōn paterōn hēmōn
Strong’s Concordance numbers: 2316, 3962, 2257
Bible references: Acts 3:13; 5:30; 22:14; 24:14
The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified His servant Jesus. (Acts 3:13, which roughly quotes Exodus 3:13, 15)
Ananias began his explanation of Paul’s blindness and healing with the following words:‘The God of our fathers has appointed you to know His will and to see the Righteous One and to hear an utterance from His mouth. (Acts 22:14)
A similar name of God is: Hope of their fathers.
