Lexical Definition
Ἀβραάμ Abraám (ab-rah-am') Abraham N:N-M-P
of Hebrew origin (אַבְרָהָם)
Abraham.
- Abraham, the Hebrew patriarch
Abbott-Smith
Ἀβραάμ (Heb. אַבְרָהָם), ὁ, indecl. (in FlJ, Ἄβραμος, -ου; MM, VGT, s.v.),
Abraham (Ge 17:5 al.): Mt 1:1, 2 al.
Abbott-Smith References
| Book | Refs |
|---|---|
| Genesis | 17:5 |
| Matthew | 1:1 |
Profile
Male • Son of Terah • Patriarch, chosen by God to father His people
Man living at the time of the Patriarchs
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.
- A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.11.26;
- referred to as Abraham אַבְרָהָם, or Abram אַבְרָם, or Abraham Ἀβραάμ;
- son of Terah תֶּרַח;
- a brother of Nahor נָחוֹר, Haran הָרָן and Sarah שָׂרָה;
- husband of Sarah שָׂרָה, Hagar הָגָר and Keturah קְטוּרָה;
- father of Ishmael יִשְׁמָעֵאל, Isaac יִצְחָק, Zimran זִמְרָן, Jokshan יׇקְשָׁן, Medan מְדָן, Midian מִדְיָן, Ishbak יִשְׁבָּק and Shuah שׁוּחַ.
Abraham, initially named Abram, was a central figure in the early history of the Israelites. He was born in Ur of the Chaldeans and was the son of Terah (Genesis 11:26-31). God called Abram to leave his country and family and go to a land that He would show him, promising to make him a great nation and to bless all peoples through him (Genesis 12:1-3).
Abram obeyed God and journeyed to Canaan with his wife Sarai and his nephew Lot (Genesis 12:4-5). God reaffirmed His covenant with Abram, promising him numerous descendants and the land of Canaan (Genesis 13:14-17; 15:1-21). God changed Abram's name to Abraham, meaning "father of many," and Sarai's name to Sarah (Genesis 17:1-16).
Despite their advanced age, Abraham and Sarah miraculously bore a son, Isaac, through whom God's covenant would be established (Genesis 18:1-15; 21:1-7). Abraham demonstrated his faith and obedience when God tested him by asking him to sacrifice Isaac (Genesis 22:1-19). God provided a ram as a substitute, reaffirming His promise to Abraham (Genesis 22:15-18).
Abraham's faith was credited to him as righteousness (Genesis 15:6; Romans 4:3; Galatians 3:6; James 2:23). He became known as the father of the faithful and the friend of God (Isaiah 41:8; 2 Chronicles 20:7; James 2:23). God's covenant with Abraham, which included the promise of land, descendants, and blessing, was passed down to his son Isaac and grandson Israel (or 'Jacob') (Genesis 26:1-5; 28:10-15).
The life and faith of Abraham are significant in both the Old and New Testaments. He is recognized as the ancestor of the Israelites (Exodus 2:24; 3:6, 15-16; 4:5) and is mentioned in connection with God's faithfulness and His promises (Exodus 6:8; 32:13; 33:1; Leviticus 26:42). In the New Testament, Abraham is upheld as an example of faith (Romans 4:1-3, 9, 12, 16; Galatians 3:6-9, 14, 29; Hebrews 11:8-19) and is identified as the spiritual father of all believers (Romans 4:11-12, 16-17; Galatians 3:7, 29).
Jesus Christ is identified as the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises to Abraham (Matthew 1:1; Galatians 3:16). Through faith in Christ, believers from all nations become part of Abraham's spiritual lineage and heirs to the promises made to him (Galatians 3:7-9, 14, 26-29).
All entries for Abraham or Abram: אַבְרָהָם ☩ Ἀβραάμ ☩ אַבְרָם