Abraham

Abraham, originally named Abram, was the patriarch whom God called to leave his homeland and blessed to become the father of many nations, establishing His covenant with him and his descendants.

The name Abraham means “father of a great multitude”

MaleEarly PatriarchPatriarchs eraOld & New Testaments27 books378 verses

Summary

A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Genesis 11:26; referred to as Abraham (אַבְרָהָם), Abram (אַבְרָם), or Abraham (Ἀβραάμ); son of Terah; a brother of Nahor, Haran and Sarah; husband of Sarah, and had concubines Hagar and Keturah; father of Ishmael, Isaac, Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak and Shuah.

Profile

“By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, without knowing where he was going…By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac on the altar” (Hebrews 11:8, 17). These key events in Abraham’s life show the faithful obedience for which he is best known.

God summoned Abram from the city of Ur to lead God's people. Abram's family ties are in Genesis 11:26–32. Terah had three sons:

Abram
Nahor
Haran

Terah left Ur with Abram, Abram's wife Sarai, and Lot, whose father, Haran, had died. On his way to Canaan, Terah settled in the city of Haran (Genesis 11:31). God called Abram to a new land while he was still in Ur (Acts 7:2–4). God told Abram, “Leave your country, your kindred, and your father’s household, and go to the land I will show you” (Genesis 12:1). God blessed Abram by making a covenant (special agreement) with him that included promises of great blessing, many descendants, and a new land (Genesis 12:1–3). These promises later saved Israel from destruction when they often failed to keep their covenant with God (see Leviticus 26:40–45).

Abram left Haran when he was seventy-five years old. Upon entering Canaan, he first went to Shechem, a Canaanite city between Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal. God appeared to Abram near the oak of Moreh, which was likely a Canaanite place of worship. Abram built altars there and near Bethel (Genesis 12:6–8). He proclaimed the one true God at these places of false worship. Abram later moved to Hebron by the oaks of Mamre and built another altar to worship God (Genesis 13:18).

When God promised blessings to Abram again in a vision (Genesis 15:1), Abram said he was still childless because Sarai could not have children (Genesis 11:30). Eliezer of Damascus was his heir (Genesis 15:2). The Nuzi documents, found in the ancient Mesopotamian city of Nuzi, explain this. According to Hurrian custom, a wealthy childless couple could adopt an heir, often a slave, who would handle their burial and mourning. However, if a natural son was born after adopting the slave-heir, the son would replace him. It seems Abram adopted Eliezer this way, but God promised Abram's own son would be his heir (Genesis 15:4).

Abram's life was marked by his belief in the Lord, who considered him righteous due to his faith (Genesis 15:6; see Romans 4:3; Galatians 3:6; Jamess 2:23). Abram was not declared righteous because he was without sin. He sometimes failed to do what was right—twice he lied about Sarai out of fear, and he tried to have a son with Hagar instead of waiting for God (Genesis 16:1–5). However, he consistently returned to faith as the main principle of his life before God.

Abram was eighty-six years old when Ishmael was born to Sarai’s servant, Hagar. When Abram was ninety-nine, the Lord appeared to him and confirmed His promise of a son and blessings (Genesis 17). He added circumcision as a sign of this covenant (Genesis 17:9–14). God also changed Abram’s name to Abraham and Sarai’s name to Sarah (Genesis 17:5, 15). Abraham laughed at the promise of another son (Genesis 17:17). Soon after, the Lord appeared again to Abraham (Genesis 18:1–15) and repeated the promise of a son. This time, Sarah laughed in disbelief (Genesis 18:10–15). Abraham was one hundred years old, and Sarah was ninety when the Lord fulfilled His promise (Genesis 21:1). The long-promised son was born and was named Isaac, meaning “he laughs.”

The ultimate test of Abraham's faith occurred when God told him to sacrifice Isaac (Genesis 22:1–19). Abraham obeyed, trusting that God would fulfill His plans (see Hebrews 11:17–19). As Abraham was about to use the knife, an angel stopped him and provided a ram to sacrifice instead of Isaac. Abraham's faith was proven (Genesis 22:10–13).

Christians see Isaac's sacrifice as a sign of God providing his only Son, Jesus Christ, as a sacrifice for the world's sins. God fulfilled his promise to Abraham through Jesus Christ, who offers salvation to all who have faith (Romans 4:16–17), making believers Abraham's spiritual descendants (Galatians 3:29). Abraham's life shows that God is faithful and deserves belief and obedience. The full meaning of God's promise was realized when the gospel (the good news about Jesus) was shared with all nations, and people from all families of the earth responded in faith (see Galatians 3:6–9).

Abraham was called God's friend (2 Chronicles 20:7; James 2:23). Everyone who lives by faith should try to live like him, trusting God's guidance and support each day. Abraham is one of many great "witnesses" to a life of faith (Hebrews 12:1; see Hebrews 11). He inspires believers to keep their faith because we know God is faithful.

Passages for Further Study

Genesis 11:26–25:11; 26:2–5; Exodus 3:15–16; 6:3; 32:13; Joshua 24:2–3; 1 Chronicles 1:27–34; 2 Chronicles 20:7; Isaiah 29:22; 41:8; 51:1–2; Ezekiel 33:24; Matthew 1:1–2; 3:9; 8:11; 22:31–33; Luke 16:19–31; John 8:31–58; Acts 7:2–8; Romans 4:1–23; 9:5–9; 11:16–17; Galatians 3:6–29; Hebrews 6:13–15; 11:8–12, 17–19; James 2:21–23

Events

Dates are approximate

Mentions

First 200 of 378

Includes 103 verses that refer to Abraham without naming them, as “he”, “she”, or the subject of a verb.

Genesis 11:26אַבְרָם · Abram
When Terah was 70 years old, he became the father of Abram, Nahor, and Haran.
Genesis 11:27אַבְרָם · Abram
This is the account of Terah. Terah became the father of Abram, Nahor, and Haran. And Haran became the father of Lot.
Genesis 11:29אַבְרָם · Abram
And Abram and Nahor took wives for themselves. Abram’s wife was named Sarai, and Nahor’s wife was named Milcah; she was the daughter of Haran, who was the father of both Milcah and Iscah.
Genesis 11:31אַבְרָם · Abram
And Terah took his son Abram, his grandson Lot son of Haran, and his daughter-in-law Sarai the wife of Abram, and they set out from Ur of the Chaldeans for the land of Canaan. But when they arrived in Haran, they settled there.
Genesis 12:1אַבְרָם · Abram
Then the LORD said to Abram, “Leave your country, your kindred, and your father’s household, and go to the land I will show you.
Genesis 12:2Referred to, not named
I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.
Genesis 12:3Referred to, not named
I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you; and all the families of the earth will be blessed through you.”
Genesis 12:4אַבְרָם · Abram
So Abram departed, as the LORD had directed him, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he left Haran.
Genesis 12:5אַבְרָם · Abram
And Abram took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, and all the possessions and people they had acquired in Haran, and set out for the land of Canaan. When they came to the land of Canaan,
Genesis 12:6אַבְרָם · Abram
Abram traveled through the land as far as the site of the Oak of Moreh at Shechem. And at that time the Canaanites were in the land.
Genesis 12:7אַבְרָם · Abram
Then the LORD appeared to Abram and said, “I will give this land to your offspring.” So Abram built an altar there to the LORD, who had appeared to him.
Genesis 12:8Referred to, not named
From there Abram moved on to the hill country east of Bethel and pitched his tent, with Bethel to the west and Ai to the east. There he built an altar to the LORD, and he called on the name of the LORD.
Genesis 12:9אַבְרָם · Abram
And Abram journeyed on toward the Negev.
Genesis 12:10אַבְרָם · Abram
Now there was a famine in the land. So Abram went down to Egypt to live there for a while because the famine was severe.
Genesis 12:11Referred to, not named
As he was about to enter Egypt, he said to his wife Sarai, “Look, I know that you are a beautiful woman,
Genesis 12:12Referred to, not named
…and when the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife.’ Then they will kill me but will let you live.
Genesis 12:13Referred to, not named
Please say you are my sister, so that I will be treated well for your sake, and on account of you my life will be spared.”
Genesis 12:14אַבְרָם · Abram
So when Abram entered Egypt, the Egyptians saw that the woman was very beautiful.
Genesis 12:16אַבְרָם · Abram
He treated Abram well on her account, and Abram acquired sheep and cattle, male and female donkeys, menservants and maidservants, and camels.
Genesis 12:17אַבְרָם · Abram
The LORD, however, afflicted Pharaoh and his household with severe plagues because of Abram’s wife Sarai.
Genesis 12:18אַבְרָם · Abram
So Pharaoh summoned Abram and asked, “What have you done to me? Why didn’t you tell me she was your wife?
Genesis 12:19Referred to, not named
Why did you say, ‘She is my sister,’ so that I took her as my wife? Now then, here is your wife. Take her and go!”
Genesis 12:20Referred to, not named
Then Pharaoh gave his men orders concerning Abram, and they sent him away with his wife and all his possessions.
Genesis 13:1אַבְרָם · Abram
So Abram went up out of Egypt into the Negev—he and his wife and all his possessions—and Lot was with him.
Genesis 13:2אַבְרָם · Abram
And Abram had become extremely wealthy in livestock and silver and gold.
Genesis 13:3Referred to, not named
From the Negev he journeyed from place to place toward Bethel, until he came to the place between Bethel and Ai where his tent had formerly been pitched,
Genesis 13:4אַבְרָם · Abram
…to the site where he had built the altar. And there Abram called on the name of the LORD.
Genesis 13:5אַבְרָם · Abram
Now Lot, who was traveling with Abram, also had flocks and herds and tents.
Genesis 13:7אַבְרָם · Abram
And there was discord between the herdsmen of Abram and the herdsmen of Lot. At that time the Canaanites and the Perizzites were also living in the land.
Genesis 13:8אַבְרָם · Abram
So Abram said to Lot, “Please let there be no contention between you and me, or between your herdsmen and my herdsmen. After all, we are kinsmen.
Genesis 13:9Referred to, not named
Is not the whole land before you? Now separate yourself from me. If you go to the left, I will go to the right; if you go to the right, I will go to the left.”
Genesis 13:12אַבְרָם · Abram
Abram lived in the land of Canaan, but Lot settled in the cities of the plain and pitched his tent toward Sodom.
Genesis 13:14אַבְרָם · Abram
After Lot had departed, the LORD said to Abram, “Now lift up your eyes from the place where you are, and look to the north and south and east and west,
Genesis 13:15Referred to, not named
…for all the land that you see, I will give to you and your offspring forever.
Genesis 13:16Referred to, not named
I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, so that if one could count the dust of the earth, then your offspring could be counted.
Genesis 13:17Referred to, not named
Get up and walk around the land, through its length and breadth, for I will give it to you.”
Genesis 13:18אַבְרָם · Abram
So Abram moved his tent and went to live near the Oaks of Mamre at Hebron, where he built an altar to the LORD.
Genesis 14:12אַבְרָם · Abram
They also carried off Abram’s nephew Lot and his possessions, since Lot was living in Sodom.
Genesis 14:13אַבְרָם · Abram
Then an escapee came and reported this to Abram the Hebrew. Now Abram was living near the Oaks of Mamre the Amorite, a brother of Eshcol and Aner, all of whom were bound by treaty to Abram.
Genesis 14:14אַבְרָם · Abram
And when Abram heard that his relative had been captured, he mobilized the 318 trained men born in his household, and they set out in pursuit as far as Dan.
Genesis 14:15Referred to, not named
During the night, Abram divided his forces and routed Chedorlaomer’s army, pursuing them as far as Hobah, north of Damascus.
Genesis 14:16Referred to, not named
He retrieved all the goods, as well as his relative Lot and his possessions, together with the women and the rest of the people.
Genesis 14:17Referred to, not named
After Abram returned from defeating Chedorlaomer and the kings allied with him, the king of Sodom went out to meet him in the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King’s Valley).
Genesis 14:19אַבְרָם · Abram
…and he blessed Abram and said: “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth,
Genesis 14:20Referred to, not named
…and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand.” Then Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of everything.
Genesis 14:21אַבְרָם · Abram
The king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give me the people, but take the goods for yourself.”
Genesis 14:22אַבְרָם · Abram
But Abram replied to the king of Sodom, “I have raised my hand to the LORD God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth,
Genesis 14:23אַבְרָם · Abram
…that I will not accept even a thread, or a strap of a sandal, or anything that belongs to you, lest you should say, ‘I have made Abram rich.’
Genesis 14:24Referred to, not named
I will accept nothing but what my men have eaten and the share for the men who went with me—Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre. They may take their portion.”
Genesis 15:1אַבְרָם · Abram
After these events, the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.”
Genesis 15:2אַבְרָם · Abram
But Abram replied, “O Lord GOD, what can You give me, since I remain childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?”
Genesis 15:3אַבְרָם · Abram
Abram continued, “Behold, You have given me no offspring, so a servant in my household will be my heir.”
Genesis 15:4Referred to, not named
Then the word of the LORD came to Abram, saying, “This one will not be your heir, but one who comes from your own body will be your heir.”
Genesis 15:5Referred to, not named
And the LORD took him outside and said, “Now look to the heavens and count the stars, if you are able.” Then He told him, “So shall your offspring be.”
Genesis 15:6Referred to, not named
Abram believed the LORD, and it was credited to him as righteousness.
Genesis 15:7Referred to, not named
The LORD also told him, “I am the LORD, who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans to give you this land to possess.”
Genesis 15:8Referred to, not named
But Abram replied, “Lord GOD, how can I know that I will possess it?”
Genesis 15:9Referred to, not named
And the LORD said to him, “Bring Me a heifer, a goat, and a ram, each three years old, along with a turtledove and a young pigeon.”
Genesis 15:10Referred to, not named
So Abram brought all these to Him, split each of them down the middle, and laid the halves opposite each other. The birds, however, he did not cut in half.
Genesis 15:11אַבְרָם · Abram
And the birds of prey descended on the carcasses, but Abram drove them away.
Genesis 15:12אַבְרָם · Abram
As the sun was setting, Abram fell into a deep sleep, and suddenly great terror and darkness overwhelmed him.
Genesis 15:13אַבְרָם · Abram
Then the LORD said to Abram, “Know for certain that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not their own, and they will be enslaved and mistreated four hundred years.
Genesis 15:15Referred to, not named
You, however, will go to your fathers in peace and be buried at a ripe old age.
Genesis 15:18אַבְרָם · Abram
On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, “To your descendants I have given this land—from the river of Egypt to the great River Euphrates—
Genesis 16:1אַבְרָם · Abram
Now Abram’s wife Sarai had borne him no children, but she had an Egyptian maidservant named Hagar.
Genesis 16:2אַבְרָם · Abram
So Sarai said to Abram, “Look now, the LORD has prevented me from bearing children. Please go to my maidservant; perhaps I can build a family by her.” And Abram listened to the voice of Sarai.
Genesis 16:3אַבְרָם · Abram
So after he had lived in Canaan for ten years, his wife Sarai took her Egyptian maidservant Hagar and gave her to Abram to be his wife.
Genesis 16:4Referred to, not named
And he slept with Hagar, and she conceived. But when Hagar realized that she was pregnant, she began to despise her mistress.
Genesis 16:5אַבְרָם · Abram
Then Sarai said to Abram, “May the wrong done to me be upon you! I delivered my servant into your arms, and ever since she saw that she was pregnant, she has treated me with contempt. May the LORD judge between you and me.”
Genesis 16:6אַבְרָם · Abram
“Here,” said Abram, “your servant is in your hands. Do whatever you want with her.” Then Sarai treated Hagar so harshly that she fled from her.
Genesis 16:15אַבְרָם · Abram
And Hagar bore Abram a son, and Abram gave the name Ishmael to the son she had borne.
Genesis 16:16אַבְרָם · Abram
Abram was eighty-six years old when Hagar bore Ishmael to him.
Genesis 17:1אַבְרָם · Abram
When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, “I am God Almighty. Walk before Me and be blameless.
Genesis 17:2Referred to, not named
I will establish My covenant between Me and you, and I will multiply you exceedingly.”
Genesis 17:3אַבְרָם · Abram
Then Abram fell facedown, and God said to him,
Genesis 17:4Referred to, not named
“As for Me, this is My covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations.
Genesis 17:5אַבְרָהָם · Abraham; אַבְרָם · Abram
No longer will you be called Abram, but your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations.
Genesis 17:6Referred to, not named
I will make you exceedingly fruitful; I will make nations of you, and kings will descend from you.
Genesis 17:7Referred to, not named
I will establish My covenant as an everlasting covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you.
Genesis 17:8Referred to, not named
And to you and your descendants I will give the land where you are residing—all the land of Canaan—as an eternal possession; and I will be their God.”
Genesis 17:9אַבְרָהָם · Abraham
God also said to Abraham, “You must keep My covenant—you and your descendants in the generations after you.
Genesis 17:10Referred to, not named
This is My covenant with you and your descendants after you, which you are to keep: Every male among you must be circumcised.
Genesis 17:11Referred to, not named
You are to circumcise the flesh of your foreskin, and this will be a sign of the covenant between Me and you.
Genesis 17:12Referred to, not named
Generation after generation, every male must be circumcised when he is eight days old, including those born in your household and those purchased from a foreigner—even those who are not your offspring.
Genesis 17:13Referred to, not named
Whether they are born in your household or purchased, they must be circumcised. My covenant in your flesh will be an everlasting covenant.
Genesis 17:15אַבְרָהָם · Abraham
Then God said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, do not call her Sarai, for her name is to be Sarah.
Genesis 17:16Referred to, not named
And I will bless her and will surely give you a son by her. I will bless her, and she will be the mother of nations; kings of peoples will descend from her.”
Genesis 17:17אַבְרָהָם · Abraham
Abraham fell facedown. Then he laughed and said to himself, “Can a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old? Can Sarah give birth at the age of ninety?”
Genesis 17:18אַבְרָהָם · Abraham
And Abraham said to God, “O that Ishmael might live under Your blessing!”
Genesis 17:19Referred to, not named
But God replied, “Your wife Sarah will indeed bear you a son, and you are to name him Isaac. I will establish My covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him.
Genesis 17:20Referred to, not named
As for Ishmael, I have heard you, and I will surely bless him; I will make him fruitful and multiply him greatly. He will become the father of twelve rulers, and I will make him into a great nation.
Genesis 17:21Referred to, not named
But I will establish My covenant with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear to you at this time next year.”
Genesis 17:22אַבְרָהָם · Abraham
When He had finished speaking with Abraham, God went up from him.
Genesis 17:23אַבְרָהָם · Abraham
On that very day Abraham took his son Ishmael and all those born in his household or purchased with his money—every male among the members of Abraham’s household—and he circumcised them, just as God had told him.
Genesis 17:24אַבְרָהָם · Abraham
So Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised,
Genesis 17:25Referred to, not named
…and his son Ishmael was thirteen;
Genesis 17:26אַבְרָהָם · Abraham
Abraham and his son Ishmael were circumcised on the same day.
Genesis 17:27Referred to, not named
And all the men of Abraham’s household—both servants born in his household and those purchased from foreigners—were circumcised with him.
Genesis 18:1Referred to, not named
Then the LORD appeared to Abraham by the Oaks of Mamre in the heat of the day, while he was sitting at the entrance of his tent.
Genesis 18:2Referred to, not named
And Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he ran from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground.
Genesis 18:3Referred to, not named
“My lord,” said Abraham, “if I have found favor in your sight, please do not pass your servant by.
Genesis 18:5Referred to, not named
And I will bring a bit of bread so that you may refresh yourselves. This is why you have passed your servant’s way. After that, you may continue on your way.” “Yes,” they replied, “you may do as you have said.”
Genesis 18:6אַבְרָהָם · Abraham
So Abraham hurried into the tent and said to Sarah, “Quick! Prepare three seahs of fine flour, knead it, and bake some bread.”
Genesis 18:7אַבְרָהָם · Abraham
Meanwhile, Abraham ran to the herd, selected a tender and choice calf, and gave it to a servant, who hurried to prepare it.
Genesis 18:8Referred to, not named
Then Abraham brought curds and milk and the calf that had been prepared, and he set them before the men and stood by them under the tree as they ate.
Genesis 18:9Referred to, not named
“Where is your wife Sarah?” they asked. “There, in the tent,” he replied.
Genesis 18:10Referred to, not named
Then the LORD said, “I will surely return to you at this time next year, and your wife Sarah will have a son!” Now Sarah was behind him, listening at the entrance to the tent.
Genesis 18:11אַבְרָהָם · Abraham
And Abraham and Sarah were already old and well along in years; Sarah had passed the age of childbearing.
Genesis 18:13אַבְרָהָם · Abraham
And the LORD asked Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Can I really bear a child when I am old?’
Genesis 18:14Referred to, not named
Is anything too difficult for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you—in about a year—and Sarah will have a son.”
Genesis 18:16אַבְרָהָם · Abraham
When the men got up to leave, they looked out over Sodom, and Abraham walked along with them to see them off.
Genesis 18:17אַבְרָהָם · Abraham
And the LORD said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do?
Genesis 18:18אַבְרָהָם · Abraham
Abraham will surely become a great and powerful nation, and through him all the nations of the earth will be blessed.
Genesis 18:19אַבְרָהָם · Abraham
For I have chosen him, so that he will command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just, in order that the LORD may bring upon Abraham what He has promised.”
Genesis 18:22אַבְרָהָם · Abraham
And the two men turned away and went toward Sodom, but Abraham remained standing before the LORD.
Genesis 18:23אַבְרָהָם · Abraham
Abraham stepped forward and said, “Will You really sweep away the righteous with the wicked?
Genesis 18:27אַבְרָהָם · Abraham
Then Abraham answered, “Now that I have ventured to speak to the Lord—though I am but dust and ashes—
Genesis 18:29Referred to, not named
Once again Abraham spoke to the LORD, “Suppose forty are found there?” He answered, “On account of the forty, I will not do it.”
Genesis 18:30Referred to, not named
Then Abraham said, “May the Lord not be angry, but let me speak further. Suppose thirty are found there?” He replied, “If I find thirty there, I will not do it.”
Genesis 18:31Referred to, not named
And Abraham said, “Now that I have ventured to speak to the Lord, suppose twenty are found there?” He answered, “On account of the twenty, I will not destroy it.”
Genesis 18:32Referred to, not named
Finally, Abraham said, “May the Lord not be angry, but let me speak once more. Suppose ten are found there?” And He answered, “On account of the ten, I will not destroy it.”
Genesis 18:33אַבְרָהָם · Abraham
When the LORD had finished speaking with Abraham, He departed, and Abraham returned home.
Genesis 19:27אַבְרָהָם · Abraham
Early the next morning, Abraham got up and returned to the place where he had stood before the LORD.
Genesis 19:28Referred to, not named
He looked down toward Sodom and Gomorrah and all the land of the plain, and he saw the smoke rising from the land like smoke from a furnace.
Genesis 19:29אַבְרָהָם · Abraham
So when God destroyed the cities of the plain, He remembered Abraham, and He brought Lot out of the catastrophe that destroyed the cities where he had lived.
Genesis 20:1אַבְרָהָם · Abraham
Now Abraham journeyed from there to the region of the Negev and settled between Kadesh and Shur. While he was staying in Gerar,
Genesis 20:2אַבְרָהָם · Abraham
Abraham said of his wife Sarah, “She is my sister.” So Abimelech king of Gerar had Sarah brought to him.
Genesis 20:5Referred to, not named
Didn’t Abraham tell me, ‘She is my sister’? And she herself said, ‘He is my brother.’ I have done this in the integrity of my heart and the innocence of my hands.”
Genesis 20:9אַבְרָהָם · Abraham
Then Abimelech called Abraham and asked, “What have you done to us? How have I sinned against you, that you have brought such tremendous guilt upon me and my kingdom? You have done things to me that should not be done.”
Genesis 20:10אַבְרָהָם · Abraham
Abimelech also asked Abraham, “What prompted you to do such a thing?”
Genesis 20:11אַבְרָהָם · Abraham
Abraham replied, “I thought to myself, ‘Surely there is no fear of God in this place. They will kill me on account of my wife.’
Genesis 20:12Referred to, not named
Besides, she really is my sister, the daughter of my father—though not the daughter of my mother—and she became my wife.
Genesis 20:13Referred to, not named
So when God had me journey from my father’s house, I said to Sarah, ‘This is how you can show your loyalty to me: Wherever we go, say of me, “He is my brother.”’”
Genesis 20:14אַבְרָהָם · Abraham
So Abimelech brought sheep and cattle, menservants and maidservants, and he gave them to Abraham and restored his wife Sarah to him.
Genesis 20:15Referred to, not named
And Abimelech said, “Look, my land is before you. Settle wherever you please.”
Genesis 20:17אַבְרָהָם · Abraham
Then Abraham prayed to God, and God healed Abimelech and his wife and his maidservants, so that they could again bear children—
Genesis 20:18אַבְרָהָם · Abraham
…for on account of Abraham’s wife Sarah, the LORD had completely closed all the wombs in Abimelech’s household.
Genesis 21:2אַבְרָהָם · Abraham
So Sarah conceived and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God had promised.
Genesis 21:3אַבְרָהָם · Abraham
And Abraham gave the name Isaac to the son Sarah bore to him.
Genesis 21:4אַבְרָהָם · Abraham
When his son Isaac was eight days old, Abraham circumcised him, as God had commanded him.
Genesis 21:5אַבְרָהָם · Abraham
Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him.
Genesis 21:7אַבְרָהָם · Abraham
She added, “Who would have told Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age.”
Genesis 21:8אַבְרָהָם · Abraham
So the child grew and was weaned, and Abraham held a great feast on the day Isaac was weaned.
Genesis 21:9אַבְרָהָם · Abraham
But Sarah saw that the son whom Hagar the Egyptian had borne to Abraham was mocking her son,
Genesis 21:10אַבְרָהָם · Abraham
…and she said to Abraham, “Expel the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with my son Isaac!”
Genesis 21:11אַבְרָהָם · Abraham
Now this matter distressed Abraham greatly because it concerned his son Ishmael.
Genesis 21:12אַבְרָהָם · Abraham
But God said to Abraham, “Do not be distressed about the boy and your maidservant. Listen to everything that Sarah tells you, for through Isaac your offspring will be reckoned.
Genesis 21:13Referred to, not named
But I will also make a nation of the slave woman’s son, because he is your offspring.”
Genesis 21:14אַבְרָהָם · Abraham
Early in the morning, Abraham got up, took bread and a skin of water, put them on Hagar’s shoulders, and sent her away with the boy. She left and wandered in the Wilderness of Beersheba.
Genesis 21:22אַבְרָהָם · Abraham
At that time Abimelech and Phicol the commander of his army said to Abraham, “God is with you in all that you do.
Genesis 21:23Referred to, not named
Now, therefore, swear to me here before God that you will not deal falsely with me or my children or descendants. Show to me and to the country in which you reside the same kindness that I have shown to you.”
Genesis 21:24אַבְרָהָם · Abraham
And Abraham replied, “I swear it.”
Genesis 21:25אַבְרָהָם · Abraham
But when Abraham complained to Abimelech about a well that Abimelech’s servants had seized,
Genesis 21:26Referred to, not named
Abimelech replied, “I do not know who has done this. You did not tell me, so I have not heard about it until today.”
Genesis 21:27אַבְרָהָם · Abraham
So Abraham brought sheep and cattle and gave them to Abimelech, and the two men made a covenant.
Genesis 21:28אַבְרָהָם · Abraham
Abraham separated seven ewe lambs from the flock,
Genesis 21:29אַבְרָהָם · Abraham
…and Abimelech asked him, “Why have you set apart these seven ewe lambs?”
Genesis 21:30Referred to, not named
He replied, “You are to accept the seven ewe lambs from my hand as my witness that I dug this well.”
Genesis 21:31Referred to, not named
So that place was called Beersheba, because it was there that the two of them swore an oath.
Genesis 21:32Referred to, not named
After they had made the covenant at Beersheba, Abimelech and Phicol the commander of his army got up and returned to the land of the Philistines.
Genesis 21:33Referred to, not named
And Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba, and there he called upon the name of the LORD, the Eternal God.
Genesis 21:34אַבְרָהָם · Abraham
And Abraham resided in the land of the Philistines for a long time.
Genesis 22:1אַבְרָהָם · Abraham
Some time later God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” “Here I am,” he answered.
Genesis 22:2Referred to, not named
“Take your son,” God said, “your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah. Offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains, which I will show you.”
Genesis 22:3אַבְרָהָם · Abraham
So Abraham got up early the next morning, saddled his donkey, and took along two of his servants and his son Isaac. He split the wood for a burnt offering and set out for the place God had designated.
Genesis 22:4אַבְרָהָם · Abraham
On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance.
Genesis 22:5אַבְרָהָם · Abraham
“Stay here with the donkey,” Abraham told his servants. “The boy and I will go over there to worship, and then we will return to you.”
Genesis 22:6אַבְרָהָם · Abraham
Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac. He himself carried the fire and the sacrificial knife, and the two of them walked on together.
Genesis 22:7אַבְרָהָם · Abraham
Then Isaac said to his father Abraham, “My father!” “Here I am, my son,” he replied. “The fire and the wood are here,” said Isaac, “but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?”
Genesis 22:8אַבְרָהָם · Abraham
Abraham answered, “God Himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And the two walked on together.
Genesis 22:9אַבְרָהָם · Abraham
When they arrived at the place God had designated, Abraham built the altar there and arranged the wood. He bound his son Isaac and placed him on the altar, atop the wood.
Genesis 22:10אַבְרָהָם · Abraham
Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son.
Genesis 22:11אַבְרָהָם · Abraham
Just then the angel of the LORD called out to him from heaven, “Abraham, Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied.
Genesis 22:12Referred to, not named
“Do not lay a hand on the boy or do anything to him,” said the angel, “for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your only son from me.”
Genesis 22:13אַבְרָהָם · Abraham
Then Abraham looked up and saw behind him a ram in a thicket, caught by its horns. So he went and took the ram and offered it as a burnt offering in place of his son.
Genesis 22:14אַבְרָהָם · Abraham
And Abraham called that place The LORD Will Provide. So to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the LORD it will be provided.”
Genesis 22:15אַבְרָהָם · Abraham
And the angel of the LORD called to Abraham from heaven a second time,
Genesis 22:16Referred to, not named
…saying, “By Myself I have sworn, declares the LORD, that because you have done this and have not withheld your only son,
Genesis 22:17Referred to, not named
I will surely bless you, and I will multiply your descendants like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will possess the gates of their enemies.
Genesis 22:18Referred to, not named
And through your offspring all nations of the earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.”
Genesis 22:19אַבְרָהָם · Abraham
Abraham went back to his servants, and they got up and set out together for Beersheba. And Abraham settled in Beersheba.
Genesis 22:20אַבְרָהָם · Abraham
Some time later, Abraham was told, “Milcah has also borne sons to your brother Nahor:
Genesis 22:23אַבְרָהָם · Abraham
And Bethuel became the father of Rebekah. Milcah bore these eight sons to Abraham’s brother Nahor.
Genesis 23:2אַבְרָהָם · Abraham
She died in Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan, and Abraham went out to mourn and to weep for her.
Genesis 23:3אַבְרָהָם · Abraham
Then Abraham got up from beside his dead wife and said to the Hittites,
Genesis 23:4Referred to, not named
“I am a foreigner and an outsider among you. Give me a burial site among you so that I can bury my dead.”
Genesis 23:5אַבְרָהָם · Abraham
The Hittites replied to Abraham,
Genesis 23:7אַבְרָהָם · Abraham
Then Abraham rose and bowed down before the people of the land, the Hittites.
Genesis 23:8Referred to, not named
“If you are willing for me to bury my dead,” he said to them, “listen to me, and approach Ephron son of Zohar on my behalf
Genesis 23:9Referred to, not named
…to sell me the cave of Machpelah that belongs to him; it is at the end of his field. Let him sell it to me in your presence for full price, so that I may have a burial site.”
Genesis 23:10אַבְרָהָם · Abraham
Now Ephron was sitting among the sons of Heth. So in the presence of all the Hittites who had come to the gate of his city, Ephron the Hittite answered Abraham,
Genesis 23:12אַבְרָהָם · Abraham
Again Abraham bowed down before the people of the land
Genesis 23:13Referred to, not named
…and said to Ephron in their presence, “If you will please listen to me, I will pay you the price of the field. Accept it from me, so that I may bury my dead there.”
Genesis 23:14אַבְרָהָם · Abraham
Ephron answered Abraham,
Genesis 23:16אַבְרָהָם · Abraham
Abraham agreed to Ephron’s terms and weighed out for him the price he had named in the hearing of the Hittites: four hundred shekels of silver, according to the standard of the merchants.
Genesis 23:18אַבְרָהָם · Abraham
…to Abraham’s possession in the presence of all the Hittites who had come to the gate of his city.
Genesis 23:19אַבְרָהָם · Abraham
After this, Abraham buried his wife Sarah in the cave of the field at Machpelah near Mamre (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan.
Genesis 23:20אַבְרָהָם · Abraham
So the field and its cave were deeded by the Hittites to Abraham as a burial site.
Genesis 24:1אַבְרָהָם · Abraham
By now Abraham was old and well along in years, and the LORD had blessed him in every way.
Genesis 24:2אַבְרָהָם · Abraham
So Abraham instructed the chief servant of his household, who managed all he owned, “Place your hand under my thigh,

Abraham

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