Who are the patriarchs?

• A. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob
• B. Moses, Aaron, and Joshua
• C. Peter, James, and John
• D. David, Solomon, and Saul

Answer: (A)

The term patriarchs refers to the founding fathers of Israel in the Genesis narrative: Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. God calls Abraham and makes a covenant with him, promising to make him into a great nation, to bless him, and to give his descendants the land. Isaac continues the line, and Isaac’s son Jacob—the one who’s later named Israel—fathers the twelve tribes through his twelve sons. Because they are the earliest ancestors from whom the people of Israel—and in Christian tradition the faith lineage—trace their origin, they are known as the patriarchs. The other groups mentioned are important figures in biblical history but are not described as the patriarchs: Moses, Aaron, and Joshua lead the Exodus generation; Peter, James, and John are the apostles of Jesus; and David, Solomon, and Saul are kings.