Topical Bible: Abraham: How Regarded by his Descendants

◄ Abraham: How Regarded by his Descendants ►

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Abraham, originally named Abram, is a central figure in the Bible and is highly esteemed by his descendants, both in the Jewish and Christian traditions. His life and legacy are foundational to the understanding of faith, covenant, and the relationship between God and His people.

Patriarchal Status

Abraham is regarded as the patriarch of the Israelites, a title that underscores his role as the father of the Jewish nation. This status is affirmed in Genesis 17:4-5 , where God changes Abram's name to Abraham, meaning "father of many nations": "As for Me, this is My covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations. No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations."

Covenant with God

The covenant between God and Abraham is a pivotal moment in biblical history, establishing a perpetual promise that extends to his descendants. Genesis 17:7 states, "I will establish My covenant as an everlasting covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you." This covenant is a cornerstone of Jewish identity and theology, emphasizing the special relationship between God and the people of Israel.

Model of Faith

Abraham is celebrated as a model of faith and obedience. His willingness to leave his homeland and follow God's call is seen as an act of profound trust. Hebrews 11:8 highlights this: "By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, without knowing where he was going." His faith is further exemplified in the binding of Isaac, where he demonstrates unwavering trust in God's promises.

Father of Many Nations

Beyond the Jewish tradition, Abraham is also recognized as a patriarch in Christianity and Islam, making him a unifying figure among the Abrahamic faiths. In Christianity, he is seen as the spiritual ancestor of all believers. Galatians 3:7 states, "Understand, then, that those who have faith are sons of Abraham." This passage underscores the belief that faith, rather than ethnic lineage, connects believers to Abraham.

Legacy and Influence

Abraham's influence extends beyond religious texts into cultural and historical contexts. His life and actions are frequently referenced in discussions of faith, obedience, and divine promise. His descendants, both biological and spiritual, regard him as a paragon of virtue and a foundational figure in their spiritual heritage.

Intercessor and Friend of God

Abraham is also remembered for his role as an intercessor and his close relationship with God. In Genesis 18, he intercedes for Sodom and Gomorrah, demonstrating his compassion and sense of justice. James 2:23 refers to him as a "friend of God": "And the Scripture was fulfilled that says, 'Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,' and he was called a friend of God." This title reflects the deep and personal relationship he had with the Divine.

Cultural and Religious Celebrations

In Jewish tradition, Abraham is commemorated during various religious observances, including the reading of the Torah portions that recount his life. His account is integral to the understanding of Jewish identity and the celebration of God's promises. In Christianity, Abraham's faith is often cited in sermons and teachings as an example for believers to emulate.

Abraham's legacy is one of faith, covenant, and enduring influence, making him a revered figure among his descendants and a central character in the narrative of God's relationship with humanity.

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Matthew 3:9
And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say to you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children to Abraham.
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Luke 13:16,28
And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound, see, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?
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Luke 19:9
And Jesus said to him, This day is salvation come to this house, as much as he also is a son of Abraham.
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John 8:33-40
They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how say you, You shall be made free?
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Library

From the Flood to Abraham
... The different languages then are regarded as a ... of idolatrous abuses and God called
Abraham to be ... (2) The different places where his descendants settled, the ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter iii from the flood.htm

Jesus and Abraham.
... proud boast of the Jews that they were descendants of Abraham ... assert that he was
before Abraham, but, before Abraham was, I ... They regarded his language blasphemy ...
/.../johnson/the new testament commentary vol iii john/jesus and abraham.htm

The Pioneer's Influence Upon a Nation's Ideals.
... Are these stories to be regarded simply as chapters ... Abraham, whose name in Hebrew
means, "Exalted Father," or ... historic movement, but the story of his call and ...
/.../kent/the making of a nation/study v the pioneers influence.htm

Chapter xvii
... so that God's words are now, perhaps, regarded somewhat lightly ... Rather, in perfect
trust Abraham yields implicit obedience to ... age at the time of his circumcision ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xvii.htm

Chapter xxiii
... or agreement; the deed is to be regarded as good as ... offer, because in that case Abraham
would really ... from a higher hand, though primarily for his descendants. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxiii.htm

Entire Sanctification in Patriarchal Times.
... High God, if he was greater than Abraham, if he ... are in any official sense to be regarded
as priests. ... and of Aaron, the Jew, with his descendants, were nothing ...
/.../clark/the theology of holiness/chapter iii entire sanctification in.htm

The Blessing of God on Filial Piety.
... to them, and like this family, religiously regarded it ... his father, and despiseth
to obey his mother, the ... flattered themselves "because they had Abraham to their ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon xxiii the blessing of.htm

Gregory Further Shows that the Only-Begotten Being Begotten not ...
... all brute animals, specifically, it is regarded according to ... of Adam is used up before
Abraham began to ... among the countless myriads of his descendants, and the ...
/.../gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/section 7 gregory further shows.htm

Letter ccxxxvi. To the Same Amphilochius.
... flesh is flesh; yet no one in his senses would ... in the distinction of the individual
properties regarded in each ... sake, [3001] as for instance to Abraham, to Job ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/letter ccxxxvi to the same.htm

The Interpretation of the Early Narratives of the Old Testament
... warring, hostile Canaan he passes unscathed, for his eyes are ... in the portrait of
him whom the Hebrews regarded with pride ... Sidenote: Later portraits of Abraham]. ...
/.../xiv the interpretation of the.htm