Patriarch, patriarchs means in the bible: DC 107.39-52 refers to a patriarch as an evangelist. A patriarch, as such is an office that has been ordained in the Melchizedek Priesthood. All patriarchs were of this type, from Adam through Jacob. According to the Bible, the word may also denote honorary titles for early leaders of Israel such as David Acts 2,29, and 12 sons Jacob Acts 7,8-9. This Greek word means father-ruler and the Hebrew translation is father.
(in Bible Dictionary)