'Fathers' in the Bible

God, having of old time spoken unto the fathers in the prophets by divers portions and in divers manners,

Where your fathers tried me by proving me, And saw my works forty years.

Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers In the day that I took them by the hand to lead them forth out of the land of Egypt; For they continued not in my covenant, And I regarded them not, saith the Lord.

Furthermore, we had the fathers of our flesh to chasten us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?