Abraham

Also known as: Abram · Family: Hebrew · Role: patriarch · First appears: Genesis 11

Abraham, also known as Abram, was born to Terah alongside Nahor and Haran, and married Sarah. In Genesis 12, God commanded him, “Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house,” promising to bless him, make him a great nation, and give the land to his descendants. Abraham traveled with Lot, built altars, and worshipped God; in Egypt, he presented Sarah as his sister, after which Pharaoh took her into his house and later sent them away.

In Genesis 13, Abraham and Lot separated, while God promised Abraham the land and innumerable descendants. Abraham later allied with Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre, defeated the invading kings including Chedorlaomer, and brought Lot and the captives back. Melchizedek blessed him, and Abraham gave him tithes, while refusing Bera’s goods. God declared that Abraham’s heir would be his own son rather than Eliezer of Damascus, established a covenant with him, and promised descendants as numerous as the stars; Abraham believed God, and his belief was counted as righteousness.

After Sarah gave Hagar to him as a concubine, Abraham fathered Ishmael. At ninety-nine, he received the name Abraham from God, entered an everlasting covenant, and circumcised the males of his household. God promised that Sarah would bear Isaac, and Abraham prayed for Abimelech’s household after Abimelech had taken Sarah, who was also Abraham’s paternal half-sister. Abraham later sent Hagar and Ishmael away at Sarah’s command, made a covenant with Abimelech at Beersheba, and was tested by God when he bound Isaac on an altar before offering a ram instead.

Abraham bought the field and cave of Machpelah from Ephron and buried Sarah there. He directed Abrahamsservant to find Isaac a wife from his kindred rather than among the Canaanites, and Rebekah was identified for Isaac. Abraham then married Keturah, fathered Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah, gave Isaac his inheritance, and sent the sons of his concubines eastward. He died in old age and was buried by Isaac and Ishmael; afterward, God’s covenant with Abraham continued to be recalled in promises concerning Isaac, Jacob, their descendants, and the land of Canaan.