The Hebrew noun yatom refers to a fatherless child or orphan — one who has lost the protection, provision, and legal standing provided by a father in ancient Israelite society. The term appears over 40 times in the Old Testament, almost always in the context of divine protection and the moral obligation to care for the vulnerable.
The yatom is one of the three most vulnerable members of ancient Israelite society, consistently grouped with the widow and the sojourner/stranger. God is specifically described as the 'Father of the fatherless' (Psalm 68:5). The Law commanded Israel not to exploit the orphan (Exod 22:22) and the prophets condemned those who did (Isa 1:17; Jer 7:6). James 1:27 defines pure religion as caring for orphans and widows — this Old Testament ethic carries directly into New Testament practice. The church's care for the vulnerable is a direct reflection of God's own character.