Abraham
In Genesis, the ancestor of Israel, called by God to leave Mesopotamia for Canaan and promised land, descendants and blessing for all nations. The New Testament calls him the father of all who believe.
Genesis introduces him as Abram, son of Terah, from Ur (Genesis 11:27–31). At seventy-five he leaves Haran for Canaan at God’s command (The Call of Abraham) (Genesis 12:1–5). God makes a covenant with him, renames him Abraham and gives circumcision as its sign (God’s Covenant with Abraham) (Genesis 17:1–11). Ishmael is born to him by Hagar and Isaac by Sarah (Genesis 16:15–16) (Genesis 21:1–5), and he is tested in the Binding of Isaac. He dies at 175 and is buried by his two sons in the cave of Machpelah at Hebron (Genesis 25:7–10).
Later Scripture calls him the friend of God (Isaiah 41:8) (James 2:23). Matthew’s genealogy of Jesus begins with him (Matthew 1:1–2), and Paul calls him the father of all who believe, circumcised or not (Romans 4:11–12). The dates of his birth and death are worked out from the Bible’s own figures and have no outside anchor; see the dating note at the Call of Abraham.
In the timeline
- about 2091 BC, traditional dateThe Call of Abraham
Genesis tells how God calls Abram to leave his country and his father’s house for a land he will be shown, promising to make him a great nation through whom all the families of the earth will be blessed. Abram leaves Haran for Canaan.
- about 2085 BC, traditional dateMelchizedek Blesses Abram
Genesis tells how Melchizedek, king of Salem and priest of God Most High, meets Abram with bread and wine after a battle, blesses him and receives a tenth of everything. Psalm 110 names a priesthood after him, and Hebrews applies it to Jesus.
- about 2080 BC to 2067 BC, traditional dateGod’s Covenant with Abraham
In Genesis God binds himself by covenant to give Abraham descendants and the land of Canaan. Abraham believes, and it is counted to him as righteousness. Years later God renames him and gives circumcision as the sign of the covenant.
- about 2050 BC, traditional dateThe Binding of Isaac
In Genesis God tests Abraham by telling him to offer his son Isaac as a burnt offering in the land of Moriah. Abraham obeys, an angel stops his hand, and a ram is offered in the boy’s place. The promise is confirmed with an oath.