patriarches denotes a named ancestral figure, whether David, Abraham, or Jacob’s twelve sons.

The term identifies prominent ancestral figures: David and Abraham individually, and Jacob’s twelve sons collectively; the latter are also described acting together in relation to Joseph.

1. Named ancestral figures · dominant

   In Acts 2:29 the genitive singular form identifies David in the statement that he died, was buried, and has a tomb. In Hebrews 7:4 the nominative singular identifies Abraham as the one who gave a tenth; Acts 7:8 and Acts 7:9 use plural forms for Jacob’s twelve sons, who are said to have been jealous of Joseph and sold him into Egypt.

   Acts 2:29Acts 7:8Acts 7:9Hebrews 7:4

In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB explicitly uses “patriarch” for David and Abraham and “patriarchs” for Jacob’s twelve sons. These renderings confirm the verse-level presentation rather than establish finer distinctions.