patriarchs

1. In the Old Testament, the “founding fathers” of the Israelites: Abraham and Isaac, Jacob, and the sons of Jacob. (See Joseph and his brothers.)

Example Sentences

Although Italy's foreign ministry announced that the patriarchs had entered Gaza with 500 tonnes of aid, Pizzaballa said "not a gram" had yet been able to enter due to logistical issues.

From BBC

Half an hour later, at 09:00 local time, patriarchs from the Orthodox church and cardinals will congregate in Saint Sebastian Chapel, inside the basilica, where the remains of Pope John Paul II lie.

From BBC

Pennington, for example, characterized slavery as “an institution of the dark age” while critiquing the “monarchs, patriarchs, and prophets of the South.”

From Salon

Trump and Vance offer a grim and unappealing vision of gender relations, one where women are shuffling servants under the watchful eye of dour patriarchs.

From Salon

Bartholomew I is regarded as the “first among equals” among patriarchs in Eastern Orthodoxy and the spiritual leader of the world’s Orthodox Christians.

From Seattle Times