Abraham
Abraham, first called Abram, left his homeland when God called him and trusted God's promise of a son and a land. Genesis 11–25 tells his story, and the New Testament calls him the father of all who believe.
Abram's family came from Ur of the Chaldeans and moved with his father Terah to Haran. The LORD told Abram to leave his country and go to a land God would show him, and promised to make him a great nation and to bless all the families of the earth through him. At 75, Abram left Haran with his wife Sarai and his nephew Lot, and came to Canaan.
Abram and Sarai had no children. God promised him a son and offspring as many as the stars, and Abram believed the LORD. God made a covenant with him, changed his name to Abraham, and changed Sarai's name to Sarah. God promised the son when Abraham was 99 and Sarah 90 (Genesis 17:17, 21), and Isaac was born when Abraham was 100.
God tested Abraham by telling him to offer Isaac as a burnt offering. Abraham obeyed, and God stopped him and provided a ram instead. Abraham buried Sarah in the cave of Machpelah, sent for a wife for Isaac, and died at 175. Paul writes that Abraham is the father of all who believe (Romans 4:11-16).
Abraham's Story
Follow his life from Ur to the land God promised, through the long wait for a son and the test in the land of Moriah. Read each event in Scripture, and see how it all fits together.
- Part 1 · 3 eventsCalled by GodAbram leaves Ur and Haran and follows God's call into the land of Canaan.
- Part 2 · 4 eventsA Stranger in the LandAbram goes down to Egypt, parts from Lot, rescues him, and is blessed by Melchizedek.
- Part 3 · 4 eventsThe CovenantGod promises Abram a son and a land, seals his covenant, and gives him a new name.
- Part 4 · 3 eventsThe Visitors and SodomThe LORD promises a son when three men visit Abraham, and Abraham pleads for the city of Sodom.
- Part 5 · 4 eventsThe Promise KeptIsaac is born to Abraham and Sarah in their old age, and Hagar and Ishmael are sent away.
- Part 6 · 2 eventsThe Test on MoriahGod tests Abraham by telling him to offer Isaac, and then provides a ram in his place.
- Part 7 · 3 eventsLast YearsAbraham buries Sarah, sends for a wife for Isaac, and dies at 175.
Genesis tells Abraham's life in order and gives his age at several points, from 75 when he left Haran to 175 at his death. It gives no dates beyond these.
Key facts
Tap a reference to read the verses.
- Also called
- Abram, until God changed his name at 99
- Genesis 17:5 explains the new name: “a father of many nations have I made thee.”
- Came from
- Ur of the Chaldeans, then Haran
- Father
- Terah
- Wife
- Sarai, later called Sarah. Abraham said she was also his half sister (Genesis 20:12).
- Sons
- Ishmael, born to Hagar; Isaac, born to Sarah; and six sons born to Keturah
- Nephew
- Lot, the son of his brother Haran
- Ages
- 75 when he left Haran, 86 when Ishmael was born, 99 when his name was changed, and 100 when Isaac was born
- Faith
- “And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.”
- Called
- The friend of God
- Burial place
- The cave of Machpelah, near Mamre, where he had buried Sarah
- Age at death
- 175 years
- In the New Testament
- Matthew begins Jesus' family line with Abraham, and Paul calls him the father of all who believe.