Talk:Abraham

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Here is content from the "Abram" article I just redirected here. JordanBarrett (talk) 18:04, 30 January 2006 (EST)

The first of the patriarchs. He first appears in Genesis chapter 11, and is the son of Terah and brother of Nahor and Haran. He later becomes the father of Ishmael and Isaac.

In Hebrew his name is אברם [’Abram / ab·rawm]. This is a compound word meaning, "exalted father," from the words אב (father) and רום (to exalt, to lift high). His name was later changed to Abraham by God in Genesis 17.5.

Early Life

Abram was originally from the city of Ur. Most scholars agree that this was located somewhere in modern day Iraq. Abram's brother Haran died in Ur while Terah was still living (Genesis 11.28). At some point after the death of Haran Terah gathered his sons, grandsons, and daughter-in-laws and set out for the land of Canaan. He made it as far as Haran (a city in the north of ancient Mesopotamia). Terah died in Haran and after his death God told Abram to leave Haran for a land which God would show to him. Abram took Lot his nephew, the son of Haran, with him. It appears that Nahor and his family remained in Haran.