Introduction:
Abraham, originally named Abram, 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. Abraham is considered the father of many nations and is a key figure in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

Name and Meaning:
The name "Abram" means "exalted father," while "Abraham" means "father of a multitude." God changed Abram's name to Abraham as a sign of the covenant that He established with him, promising that he would be the father of many nations (Genesis 17:5: "No longer will you be called Abram, but your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations.").

Call and Covenant:
Abraham's journey begins in Ur of the Chaldeans, where God calls him to leave his homeland and go to a land that He would show him (Genesis 12:1: "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.'"). In response to God's call, Abraham demonstrates remarkable faith by obeying and setting out for Canaan, the land promised to him and his descendants.

God establishes a covenant with Abraham, promising to make him a great nation, to bless him, and to make his name great (Genesis 12:2-3: "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."). This covenant is further confirmed with the sign of circumcision (Genesis 17:10-11).

Key Events in Abraham's Life:

1. The Promise of a Son:
Despite his advanced age and Sarah's barrenness, God promises Abraham a son. This promise is fulfilled with the birth of Isaac, through whom the covenant would continue (Genesis 21:1-3: "Now the LORD attended to Sarah as He had said, and the LORD did for Sarah what He had promised. So Sarah conceived and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God had promised him. And Abraham gave the name Isaac to the son Sarah bore to him.").

2. The Sacrifice of Isaac:
In a profound test of faith, God commands Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac. Abraham's willingness to obey demonstrates his unwavering faith, and God intervenes, providing a ram as a substitute (Genesis 22:12-13: "'Do not lay a hand on the boy or do anything to him,' said the angel. 'For now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your only son from Me.' Then Abraham looked up and saw behind him a ram in a thicket, caught by its horns. So he went and took the ram and offered it as a burnt offering in place of his son.").

3. Intercession for Sodom:
Abraham intercedes with God on behalf of Sodom and Gomorrah, demonstrating his compassion and concern for the righteous within the cities (Genesis 18:23-24: "Abraham stepped forward and said, 'Will You really sweep away the righteous with the wicked? What if there are fifty righteous people in the city? Will You really sweep it away and not spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous who are there?'").

Legacy:
Abraham's legacy is profound, as he is considered the father of faith. His life exemplifies obedience, faith, and the fulfillment of God's promises. The Apostle Paul highlights Abraham's faith as a model for believers, emphasizing that righteousness comes through faith (Romans 4:3: "For what does the Scripture say? 'Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.'"). Abraham's account continues to inspire and instruct believers in their walk with God.Genesis 17:5
Neither shall your name any more be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made you.
Nave's Topical Index

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

3458. Yishmael -- "God hears," the name of several Israelites
... Ishmael. From shama' and 'el; God will hear; Jishmael, the name of Abraham's oldest
son, and of five Israelites -- Ishmael. see HEBREW shama'. see HEBREW 'el. ...
/hebrew/3458.htm - 6k

85. Abraham -- "exalted father," the father of the Jewish nation
... Contracted from 'ab and an unused root (probably meaning to be populous); father
of a multitude; Abraham, the later name of Abram -- Abraham. see HEBREW 'ab. ...
/hebrew/85.htm - 6k

7055. Qemuel -- a relative of Abraham, also two Israelites
... Kemuel. From quwm and 'el; raised of God; Kemuel, the name of a relative of Abraham,
and of two Israelites -- Kemuel. see HEBREW quwm. see HEBREW 'el. ...
/hebrew/7055.htm - 6k

1328. Bthuw'el -- perhaps "man of God," a nephew of Abraham
... Apparently from the same as bathah and 'el; destroyed of God; Bethuel, the name
of a nephew of Abraham, and of a place in Palestine -- Bethuel. Compare Bthuwl. ...
/hebrew/1328.htm - 5k

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

1719. Dedan -- a descendant of Ham, also a descendant of Abraham ...
... of Abraham, also the tribes desc. ... 25:13) {deh-daw'- neh}; of uncertain derivation;
Dedan, the name of two Cushites and of their territory -- Dedan. ...
/hebrew/1719.htm - 6k

6935. Qadmoni -- "easterners," a tribe whose land Abraham was to ...
... land Abraham was to inherit NASB Word Usage Kadmonite (1). Kadmonites. The same
as qadmowniy; ancient, ie Aboriginal; Kadmonite (collectively), the name of a ...
/hebrew/6935.htm - 6k

Of the Change of Name in Abraham and Sarah, who Received the Gift ...
... Chapter 28."Of the Change of Name in Abraham and Sarah, Who Received the Gift of
Fecundity When They Were Incapable of Regeneration Owing to the Barrenness ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 28 of the change of.htm

Thou who Answerest to the Name of Abraham, in that Thou Art Made ...
... Hymn XIX. Thou who answerest to the name of Abraham, in that Thou art made
father of many. 1. Thou who answerest to the name of Abraham ...
/.../hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn xix thou who answerest.htm

Abraham --The Father of the Faithful.
... He told Abram that a little boy would be born to them, and his name would be Isaac,
and God changed Abram's name to Abraham, which means "Father of many people ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter iii abrahamthe father of.htm

Psalm CXXXVIII.
... "For Thou hast magnified Thy holy Name over everything." What sort of thanksgiving
is this, brethren? He hath magnified His holy Name over Abraham. ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm cxxxviii.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, John i. 48,"When Thou Wast under the ...
... The name of Abraham was to be developed in this world; for here he was made
the father of many nations, whence he received his name. ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon lxxii on the words.htm

The Pioneer's Influence Upon a Nation's Ideals.
... Other writers declare it probable that a tribal sheik by the name of Abraham led
one of the many nomad tribes that somewhere about the middle of the second ...
/.../kent/the making of a nation/study v the pioneers influence.htm

The Jews Boast in Vain that they are Sons of Abraham.
... our Father, because Abraham is ignorant of us, and Israel has not recognised us.
But Thou, O Lord, our Father, deliver us: from the beginning Thy name is upon ...
/.../chapter xxv the jews boast in.htm

And when they were Near to the Land, which God had Promised to ...
... And when they were near to the land, which God had promised to Abraham and his seed ...
At that time God revealed to him the Name which alone is able to save them ...
/.../the demonstration of the apostolic preaching/chapter 27 and when they.htm

Hymns and Homilies of Ephraim the Syrian
... has not departed. Hymn XIX. Thou who answerest to the name of Abraham, in
that Thou art made father of many. Hymn XX. O virgin-youth ...
//christianbookshelf.org/ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/

Samaria. Sychem.
... "The Samaritans (saith R. Benjamin) have not the letters he or ain, or cheth.
He is in the name of Abraham, And they have not honour. ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 56 samaria sychem.htm

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