The word patriarch as applied to Biblical personages comes from
the Septuagint version, where it is used in a broad sense,
including religious and civil officials (e.g. 1 Chronicles 24:31
; 27:22 ). In the more restricted sense and common usage it is
applied to the antediluvian fathers of the human race, and more
particularly to the three great progenitors of Israel : Abraham,
Isaac, and Jacob. In the New Testament the term is extended also
to the sons of Jacob ( Acts 7:8-9 ) and to King David (ibid.,
ii, 29). For an account of these later patriarchs see articles
ABRAHAM; ISAAC; JACOB; etc. The earlier patriarchs comprise the
antediluvian group, and those who are placed between the Flood
and the birth of Abraham. Of the former the Book of Genesis
gives a twofold list. The first ( Genesis 4:17-18 , passage
assigned by critics the so-called "J" document) starts with Cain
and gives as his descendants Henoch, Irad, Maviael, Mathusael,
and Lamech. The other list ( Genesis 5:3-31 , ascribed to the
priestly writer,