Bible Dictionary
ANCESTORS
Ancestors are earlier generations or forefathers. The Old Testament commonly refers to them as “fathers,” especially when speaking of Israel’s patriarchal heritage.
Definition
Ancestors are earlier generations or forefathers. The English Bible uses the word only once, while the Old Testament ordinarily refers to ancestors by the word “fathers.”
Biblical Usage
The Old Testament can use expressions meaning “first ones” or “fathers” for earlier generations. The term may also appropriately describe former generations in passages concerning inherited boundaries or ancestral covenant unfaithfulness.
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>an'-ses-ters (ri'shonim, "first ones"): The word ancestor appears in the English Bible only once (Le 26:45). The Hebrew word, the ordinary adjective "first," occurs more than 200 times, and in a few places might fairly be rendered ancestors (e.g. De 19:14; Jer 11:10). In speaking of ancestors the Old Testament ordinarily uses the word for "fathers" ('abhoth).</p>