Father

[Grace2022]

Did anyone in the old Testament ever address God as 'Father'? It really was that only after Jesus taught that we could, were all able to address God as Father, even Abba as in Aramaic?

 

[SkyWriting]

This may sound a silly question but I would like to clarify it.
Did anyone in the old Testament ever address God as 'Father'? It really was that only after Jesus taught that we could, were all able to address God as Father, even Abba as in Aramaic?
If so, what a seismic shift. I am even more amazed at the great gift. It is not deserved surely by a single human being, we are just so flawed, even the best of us.

Yes. Good question.

Deuteronomy 32:6
Do you thus repay the Lord, you foolish and senseless people? Is not he your father, who created you, who made you and established you?

Psalm 103:13
As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.

Isaiah 63:16
For you are our Father, though Abraham does not know us, and Israel does not acknowledge us; you, O Lord, are our Father, our Redeemer from of old is your name.

Jeremiah 31:9
With weeping they shall come, and with pleas for mercy I will lead them back, I will make them walk by brooks of water, in a straight path in which they shall not stumble, for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn.

What Does the Bible Say About Father?

 

[Grace2022]

Yes. Good question.

Deuteronomy 32:6
Do you thus repay the Lord, you foolish and senseless people? Is not he your father, who created you, who made you and established you?

Psalm 103:13
As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.

Isaiah 63:16
For you are our Father, though Abraham does not know us, and Israel does not acknowledge us; you, O Lord, are our Father, our Redeemer from of old is your name.

Jeremiah 31:9
With weeping they shall come, and with pleas for mercy I will lead them back, I will make them walk by brooks of water, in a straight path in which they shall not stumble, for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn.

What Does the Bible Say About Father?

That is very interesting. Yet in any prayer did anyone in the old testament actually address God as Father? I wonder.

 

[SkyWriting]

That is very interesting. Yet in any prayer did anyone in the old testament actually address God as Father? I wonder.

There God is specifically called the Father of the nation of Israel ( Deut 32:6 ; Isa 63:16 ; [twice] 64:8 ; Jeremiah 3:4 Jeremiah 3:19 ; 31:9 ; Mal 1:6 ; 2:10 ) or the Father of certain individuals ( 2 Sam 7:14 ; 1 Chron 17:13 ; 22:10 ; 28:6 ; Psalm 68:5 ; 89:26 )
only fifteen times.

 

[Vesper_Jaye✝️]

There God is specifically called the Father of the nation of Israel ( Deut 32:6 ; Isa 63:16 ; [twice] 64:8 ; Jeremiah 3:4 Jeremiah 3:19 ; 31:9 ; Mal 1:6 ; 2:10 ) or the Father of certain individuals ( 2 Sam 7:14 ; 1 Chron 17:13 ; 22:10 ; 28:6 ; Psalm 68:5 ; 89:26 )
only fifteen times.

Yes but does a person in the Bible specifically call God Abba or Father when they spoke to Him? I think that’s what @Lilly54 is asking

 

[Albion]

That is very interesting. Yet in any prayer did anyone in the old testament actually address God as Father? I wonder.

The answer to your question is apparently "No."

He's described as a father, of course, but not addressed as Father.

 

[SkyWriting]

That is very interesting. Yet in any prayer did anyone in the old testament actually address God as Father? I wonder.

No prayers of Jesus to His Father are found in the Old Testament.
Regular people said "Lord" or "Lord God".