Abraham

Also known as: Abraham (son of Thara) / our father · Family: Israel · Role: ancestor · First appears: Matthew 1

In Luke 3, Abraham is identified as the son of Thara, and Matthew 1 places Isaac as his son while naming Jesus as the son of David and Abraham. In Matthew 22, Jesus invokes Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob when declaring God to be God of the living; later, in John 8, Jesus says, “Before Abraham was, I am.” Abraham is also presented as the ancestor of Jesus’ seed and of Paul, who identifies himself as Abraham’s seed.

In Acts 7, God appeared to Abraham in Mesopotamia and commanded him to leave his country and kindred for a land to be shown to him, promising possession of the land and descendants despite his childlessness. God’s covenant promised blessing through Abraham’s seed to all earthly kindreds, and later passages describe Abraham as believing God, receiving circumcision as a seal of righteousness, and being promised inheritance and descendants as numerous as many nations. Abraham is called the friend of God, and his faith was counted as righteousness; after patiently enduring, he obtained the promise.

Abraham was married to Sara and had two sons, with Agar identified as his concubine; their household is presented as an allegory of bondage and promise. By faith he obeyed God’s call, offered Isaac upon the altar, and dwelt in tents with Isaac and Jacob as heirs of the same promise. After returning from battle, he was blessed by Melchisedec and gave him a tenth. In Luke 19, Zacchaeus is called a son of Abraham, while Hebrews 2 identifies Jesus with the seed of Abraham.