Nahor, a significant figure in the Genesis narrative, is recognized as the brother of Abraham, the patriarch of the Israelite nation. He is the son of Terah and the grandson of Nahor, after whom he was named. Nahor's family lineage is crucial in the biblical narrative, as it connects to the ancestry of several key biblical figures.

Family Background and Lineage

Nahor is introduced in Genesis 11:26, where it is stated, "Terah lived 70 years and became the father of Abram, Nahor, and Haran." This verse establishes Nahor as one of the three sons of Terah, alongside Abram (later named Abraham) and Haran. The family resided in Ur of the Chaldeans, a significant city in ancient Mesopotamia.

After the death of Haran, the family moved to Haran, a city in the region of Paddan-Aram. It is here that Nahor's life and family become more prominent in the biblical narrative. Nahor married Milcah, the daughter of his deceased brother Haran, as recorded in Genesis 11:29: "And Abram and Nahor took wives for themselves. The name of Abram’s wife was Sarai, and the name of Nahor’s wife was Milcah, the daughter of Haran, the father of both Milcah and Iscah."

Descendants and Legacy

Nahor's descendants play a pivotal role in the unfolding account of the patriarchs. Genesis 22:20-24 provides a genealogy of Nahor's children, emphasizing his importance in the ancestral line. Nahor and Milcah had eight sons: Uz, Buz, Kemuel (the father of Aram), Chesed, Hazo, Pildash, Jidlaph, and Bethuel. Bethuel is particularly noteworthy as he became the father of Rebekah, who would later marry Isaac, Abraham's son, thus intertwining Nahor's lineage with the Abrahamic covenant.

Additionally, Nahor had other children through his concubine, Reumah, as mentioned in Genesis 22:24: "Moreover, his concubine, whose name was Reumah, bore Tebah, Gaham, Tahash, and Maacah." These descendants further expanded Nahor's influence and presence in the biblical narrative.

Cultural and Theological Significance

Nahor's role in the Bible, while not as prominent as that of his brother Abraham, is nonetheless significant. His descendants, particularly through Bethuel and Rebekah, are integral to the continuation of the Abrahamic line and the fulfillment of God's promises to Abraham. The marriage of Isaac and Rebekah, Nahor's granddaughter, is a key event in the Genesis narrative, ensuring the perpetuation of the covenantal promises.

Nahor's account also highlights the interconnectedness of the patriarchal families and the divine orchestration of events leading to the establishment of the Israelite nation. His life and lineage serve as a testament to God's providential care and the unfolding of His redemptive plan through the generations.

In summary, Nahor, as the brother of Abraham, occupies a vital place in the biblical genealogies, linking the patriarchal narratives and contributing to the broader account of God's covenant with His chosen people. His descendants, particularly through Rebekah, play a crucial role in the continuation of the Abrahamic promise, underscoring the importance of family and lineage in the biblical worldview.Genesis 11:26
And Terah lived seventy years, and begat Abram, Nahor, and Haran.
Nave's Topical Index

Joshua 24:2
And Joshua said to all the people, Thus said the LORD God of Israel, Your fathers dwelled on the other side of the flood in old time, even Terah, the father of Abraham, and the father of Nachor: and they served other gods.
Nave's Topical Index

5152. Nachor -- grandfather of Abraham, also the brother of ...
... Nahor. From the same as nachar; snorer; Nochor, the name of the grandfather and
a brother of Abraham -- Nahor. see HEBREW nachar. 5151, 5152. Nachor. 5153 ...
/hebrew/5152.htm - 6k

Here Followeth the Life of Abraham
... He had not fully finished these words with himself, but that Rebekah, daughter of
Bethuel, son of Milcah wife of Nahor, brother of Abraham, came out of the town ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/here followeth the life of.htm

How Isaac Took Rebeka to Wife.
... himself to her, "Abraham is the son of Terah, and a kinsman of yours; for Nahor,
the grandfather of these children, was the brother of Abraham, by both father ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 16 how isaac took.htm

Why, in the Account of Terah's Emigration, on his Forsaking the ...
... arose, and went into Mesopotamia, into the city of Nahor." [891] This and other
testimonies of this sacred history show that Nahor, Abraham's brother, had also ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 13 why in the account.htm

Isaac the Shepherd Prince.
... The children of Nahor, Abraham's brother, lived there still, and Abraham wished
for his son Isaac a wife of his own people, who should be both good and ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter iv isaac the shepherd.htm

How Rebekah Became the Wife of Isaac
... Then even before he was through speaking, Rebekah, who was the grand-daughter of
Nahor, Abraham's brother, came out with her water-jar upon her shoulder. ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/how rebekah became the wife.htm

The Story of Rebekah.
... She was the grand-daughter of Nahor, Abraham's brother. She carried a pitcher
upon her shoulder, and went down to the well and filled it. ...
/.../anonymous/mother stories from the old testament/the story of rebekah.htm

Concerning Jacob's Flight into Mesopotamia, by Reason of the Fear ...
... Mesopotamia, in order to marry Laban her brother's daughter [which ... thou be the daughter
of Laban; for Abraham was the son of Terah, as well as Haran and Nahor. ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 19 concerning jacobs flight.htm

Chapter xxiv
... he had finished speaking, that, behold, there came forth Rebekah, who had been born
to Bethuel, son of Milcah, wife of Nahor, the brother of Abraham, and her ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxiv.htm

Of Rebecca, the Grand-Daughter of Nahor, whom Isaac Took to Wife.
... Isaac married Rebecca, the grand-daughter of Nahor, his father's brother, when he ...
sent to Mesopotamia by his father to fetch her, and when Abraham said to ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 33 of rebecca the grand-daughter.htm

The Story of Jacob
... We must remember that Rebekah came from the family of Nahor, Abraham's younger brother,
who lived in Haran, a long distance to the northeast of Canaan, and ...
/.../marshall/the wonder book of bible stories/the story of jacob.htm

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