Abraham, Isaac and Jacob
Most often, “the patriarchs” means Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. They are the leading fathers of Israel's family story in Genesis. God called Abram to leave his homeland and promised to make a great nation from him, while bringing blessing to all families of the earth through him (Genesis 12:1-3).
God later renamed Abram Abraham, linking his new name with a promise that many nations would come from him (Genesis 17:5). Abraham and Sarah then had Isaac in their old age, just as God had promised (Genesis 21:1-3). Isaac was not simply a child in a family line. He was the son through whom God's covenant promise would continue.
Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee.
The promise continued
Isaac became the father of Esau and Jacob. Jacob was born second, after his twin brother Esau (Genesis 25:26). Yet before the boys were born, God told Rebekah that the older would serve the younger, showing that Jacob would have a particular place in this unfolding story (Genesis 25:23).
Jacob's life was complicated. He deceived, fled, feared and wrestled with God. Still, God met him and gave him the name Israel (Genesis 35:10). That name matters because Jacob's descendants became known as the children of Israel. The patriarchs were not presented as flawless heroes. Their stories show God working patiently through ordinary, often troubled families.
And God said unto him, Thy name is Jacob: thy name shall not be called any more Jacob, but Israel shall be thy name: and he called his name Israel.
The twelve patriarchs of Israel
Jacob had twelve sons, including Reuben, Judah, Joseph and Benjamin. Their households became the twelve tribes of Israel. In Stephen's speech before the Jewish council, Jacob's sons are specifically called “the twelve patriarchs” (Acts 7:8-9).
So the word can be used in two ways. In the broad, common sense, it points to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob as the founding fathers of Israel. In a more specific biblical use, it can mean Jacob's twelve sons. Joseph's story especially shows why this family matters: after his brothers sold him, he eventually held authority in Egypt and helped preserve the family through famine (Genesis 45:7-8).
Why they matter in the Bible
God's promises did not stop with Abraham. He confirmed his covenant with Isaac, promising descendants and blessing for the nations through his offspring (Genesis 26:3-4). He also spoke to Jacob of descendants, nations and the land given earlier to Abraham and Isaac (Genesis 35:11-12). The rest of the Old Testament grows out of this family, from Israel's time in Egypt to the tribes, kings and prophets.
For Christians, the patriarchs also belong to the larger story that leads to Jesus. Paul says Scripture foresaw God's blessing reaching the nations through faith (Galatians 3:8), and he connects that blessing with Christ (Galatians 3:14). Reading Genesis lets you see that long story begin, not with a perfect family, but with God's faithful promises.
That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.