The Bible is filled with fathers—good ones and not-so-good ones. But what about the men who made a remarkable difference in someone’s life despite not being their dad? Here are 10 men in the Bible who mentored and acted as father figures.
1. Eli
When Hannah gave birth to Samuel, she dedicated him to God by leaving him under the care of the priest Eli. Samuel grew up under Eli’s care and it was he who encouraged Samuel to listen when God spoke to the boy for the first time (1 Samuel 1-3).
2. Samuel
Samuel became Israel’s prophet, anointing David as king. David’s journey to the throne was fraught with challenges and he often turned to Samuel for advice. Samuel, guided by God, advised David as he fled for his life and continually encouraged him to become the king God had called him to be (1 Samuel 16, 19).
3. Paul
Paul mentored Timothy as they travelled together, spreading the gospel. Paul referred to Timothy as his “true son. . . in the faith” (1 Timothy 1:2), encouraging him to not let anyone look down on him because of how young he was (4:12).
4. Joseph
Joseph was not the biological father of Jesus, yet he accepted his role as father and raised Jesus as if He were his own. Joseph taught Him his carpentry trade and raised Him in the faith as He grew “in wisdom and stature and in favour with God and man” (Luke 2:52).
5. Moses
Moses mentored Joshua over the many years they spent in the wilderness. Joshua was Moses’ right hand man before Moses officially appointed him as his successor to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land (Numbers 27).
6. Elijah
Elijah called Elisha to follow him, and Elisha served as his prophetic apprentice for several years before Elijah was taken to heaven. Elisha inherited a double portion of Elijah’s spirit and became Israel’s prophet (1 Kings 19;
2 Kings 2).
7. Abraham
Abraham was like a father to his nephew, Lot. Lot came with Abraham when he left his homeland and Abraham acted as a peacemaker and protector, as well as generously allowing Lot to choose the better lands to settle in. (Genesis 12,13,18).
8. Mordecai
Esther was raised by her cousin, Mordecai, as she was an orphan. When she was taken to the palace he advised her, helped her hide her Jewish identity and then encouraged her to reveal it at the moment when it would make the most difference (Esther 4).
9. Jehoiada
The priest Jehoiada and his wife Jehosheba hid the king’s son, Joash, in the temple for six years, protecting him from his grandmother who had tried to kill all the heirs to the throne. When Joash was seven, Jehoiada publicly crowned him king of Judah, assuring him protection and guidance as he took the throne (2 Chronicles 23,24).
10. God
God is perhaps the best example of a father figure. There are countless times in the Bible where He is referred to as our Father (John 20:17; Galatians 4:6; Isaiah 64:8). He shows us unconditional love and mercy, and though our earthly fathers and father figures may fail us, God will not.
