אָב

“Father” in Hebrew is Av (אָב), pronounced “AHV.” Av is one of the oldest and simplest words in Hebrew, found in virtually all Semitic languages. The informal form 'Abba' (אַבָּא) is an Aramaic-influenced term of endearment — closer to 'Dad' or 'Papa.' Av forms the basis of names like Abraham (Av-raham, 'father of multitudes') and Absalom (Av-shalom, 'father of peace').

Av (אָב) means “Father” in Biblical Hebrew. Av appears over 1,200 times in the Hebrew Bible, referring to biological fathers, patriarchs, ancestors, and God Himself. It is the foundational family term and appears in the names Abraham, Absalom, Abijah, and many others.

Av is pronounced “AHV.” The word comes from the Hebrew root א-ב.

Av is the standard Hebrew word for 'father,' used in formal and biblical contexts. Abba is the more intimate, Aramaic-influenced form — like 'Dad' or 'Papa.' When Jesus prayed 'Abba, Father' in Gethsemane (Mark 14:36), He combined both to show God as both majestic and intimate. Paul says believers receive the 'spirit of adoption' by which we cry 'Abba, Father' (Romans 8:15).

The month of Av (July-August) is named 'Father' because Jewish tradition associates it with God's fatherly discipline and comfort. Tisha B'Av (9th of Av) commemorates the destruction of both Temples — a day of deep mourning. Yet the tradition teaches that just as a father disciplines, he also restores. The month ends with comfort, reflecting God's fatherly nature.

Abraham (אַבְרָהָם) means 'father of multitudes.' God changed his name from Avram ('exalted father') to Avraham ('father of multitudes') in Genesis 17:5, marking the expansion of the covenant promise. The 'av' at the beginning of his name makes fatherhood his defining identity — he is the father of the Jewish people and 'the father of all who believe' (Romans 4:11).