Topical Encyclopedia Introduction: Abram, later known as Abraham, is a central figure in the Bible, revered as the patriarch of the Israelites, Ishmaelites, Edomites, and Midianites. His account is primarily found in the Book of Genesis, where he is depicted as a man of great faith and obedience to God. Abram's life and covenant with God are foundational to the Abrahamic religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Name and Meaning: The name "Abram" means "exalted father" in Hebrew. God later changes his name to "Abraham," meaning "father of many nations" (Genesis 17:5). Family Background: Abram was the son of Terah and was born in Ur of the Chaldeans. He had two brothers, Nahor and Haran. Haran was the father of Lot, who plays a significant role in Abram's account. Abram's wife was Sarai, later named Sarah by God. Call and Journey: Abram's journey begins with a divine call from God to leave his homeland and go to a land that God would show him. Genesis 12:1-3 records this call: "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. 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. 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.'" Covenant with God: God establishes a covenant with Abram, promising him numerous descendants and the land of Canaan. This covenant is marked by several key events, including the promise of a son, Isaac, and the rite of circumcision as a sign of the covenant (Genesis 17:10-11). Key Events in Abram's Life: 1. Journey to Canaan: Abram obeys God's call and travels to Canaan with Sarai, Lot, and their possessions. Upon arrival, God appears to Abram and promises the land to his offspring (Genesis 12:7). 2. Famine and Egypt: A famine forces Abram to go to Egypt, where he presents Sarai as his sister to protect himself. This leads to complications with Pharaoh, who eventually sends them away (Genesis 12:10-20). 3. Separation from Lot: As Abram's and Lot's herds grow, their herdsmen quarrel. Abram allows Lot to choose his land first, and Lot settles in the Jordan Valley near Sodom, while Abram remains in Canaan (Genesis 13:8-12). 4. Rescue of Lot: When Lot is captured during a regional conflict, Abram leads a successful rescue mission, demonstrating his leadership and military prowess (Genesis 14:14-16). 5. Covenant of the Pieces: God reaffirms His covenant with Abram through a vision, promising him numerous descendants and the land from the river of Egypt to the Euphrates (Genesis 15:18). 6. Birth of Ishmael: Sarai, barren and desperate for an heir, gives her maidservant Hagar to Abram. Hagar bears Ishmael, but this leads to tension and conflict within the household (Genesis 16:15-16). 7. Promise of Isaac: God promises Abram a son through Sarai, renaming them Abraham and Sarah. Despite their old age, God assures them that Sarah will bear a son, Isaac (Genesis 17:19). 8. Intercession for Sodom: Abraham intercedes with God on behalf of Sodom, where Lot resides, demonstrating his compassion and sense of justice (Genesis 18:23-33). 9. Birth of Isaac: Sarah gives birth to Isaac, fulfilling God's promise. This event marks a significant moment in the fulfillment of God's covenant with Abraham (Genesis 21:1-3). 10. Binding of Isaac: In a test of faith, God commands Abraham to sacrifice Isaac. Abraham obeys, but God intervenes, providing a ram as a substitute (Genesis 22:12-13). Legacy: Abram's faith and obedience to God set a precedent for future generations. He is often cited as a model of faith in the New Testament, particularly in Romans 4 and Hebrews 11. His life and covenant with God are pivotal in the narrative of the Bible, establishing the foundation for the nation of Israel and the coming of the Messiah. Strong's Hebrew 87. Abram -- "exalted father," the original name of Abraham... 86, 87. Abram. 88 . "exalted father," the original name of Abraham. Transliteration: Abram Phonetic Spelling: (ab-rawm') Short Definition: Abram. ... /hebrew/87.htm - 6k Library Abram's Horror of Great Darkness. Justification by Faith --Illustrated by Abram's Righteousness Waiting Faith Rewarded and Strengthened by New Revelations The Importance of a Choice Chapter xvii Abraham's Four Surrenders Abraham --The Father of the Faithful. Consecration to God --Illustrated by Abraham's Circumcision God's Covenant with Abram The Word that Scatters Fear Thesaurus Abram's (8 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance Abram's (8 Occurrences). Genesis 11:29 Abram and Nahor took wives. The name of Abram's wife was Sarai, and ... /a/abram's.htm - 9k Sar'ai (12 Occurrences) Sarai (13 Occurrences) Dwelt (307 Occurrences) Abram (48 Occurrences) Iscah (1 Occurrence) Egyptian (35 Occurrences) Maidservant (73 Occurrences) Sarah (38 Occurrences) Libraries Resources Why did God punish Pharaoh for Abram's lie (Genesis 12:17)? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Hagar in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org What does the Bible say about sexual assault? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Abram's (8 Occurrences)Genesis 11:29 Genesis 11:31 Genesis 12:17 Genesis 13:7 Genesis 14:12 Genesis 14:13 Genesis 16:1 Genesis 16:3 Subtopics Related Terms |