Topical Encyclopedia 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's life and legacy are foundational to the understanding of God's covenantal relationship with His people.Early Life and Calling Abraham was born in Ur of the Chaldeans, a city in ancient Mesopotamia. He was the son of Terah and had two brothers, Nahor and Haran. The narrative of Abraham begins in Genesis 12, where God calls him to leave his homeland and journey to a land that He would show him. This divine call is marked by a promise: "I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing" (Genesis 12:2). Covenant with God The Abrahamic Covenant is a pivotal moment in biblical history. In Genesis 15, God makes a covenant with Abraham, promising him numerous descendants and the land of Canaan. This covenant is further solidified in Genesis 17, where God changes Abram's name to Abraham, meaning "father of many nations," and institutes the rite of circumcision as a sign of the covenant. God declares, "I will establish My covenant as an everlasting covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you" (Genesis 17:7). Faith and Obedience Abraham's faith is exemplified in several key events. One of the most significant is the binding of Isaac, where God tests Abraham by asking him to sacrifice his son Isaac. Abraham's willingness to obey, even in this extreme test, demonstrates his unwavering faith. At the last moment, God intervenes, providing a ram as a substitute sacrifice (Genesis 22:1-14). Interactions with Other Rulers Throughout his life, Abraham interacts with various rulers and peoples. In Genesis 14, he rescues his nephew Lot from the hands of four kings, demonstrating his leadership and military prowess. He also has encounters with Pharaoh in Egypt (Genesis 12:10-20) and Abimelech, king of Gerar (Genesis 20), where God's protection over Abraham and his family is evident. Legacy Abraham's legacy is profound, as he is considered the father of faith for Jews, Christians, and Muslims. His life is a testament to the power of faith and obedience to God's will. The New Testament frequently references Abraham, highlighting his faith as a model for believers. In Romans 4:3, Paul writes, "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness" , underscoring the importance of faith in the Christian life. Abraham's account is a cornerstone of biblical theology, illustrating God's plan for redemption and His desire to establish a people set apart for Himself. His life continues to inspire and instruct believers in the ways of faith, obedience, and trust in God's promises. Nave's Topical Index Genesis 14:13-24And there came one that had escaped, and told Abram the Hebrew; for he dwelled in the plain of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol, and brother of Aner: and these were confederate with Abram. Nave's Topical Index Genesis 17:6 Genesis 21:21-32 Library Cix. Jewish Rulers Seek to Ensnare Jesus. Thou who Answerest to the Name of Abraham, in that Thou Art Made ... Cix. Jewish Rulers Seek to Ensnare Jesus. Sedition of the People against Theophilus; and they Traduced their ... The Testament of Abraham. Version I. From Abraham to Egypt. The Antiquities of the Jews Abraham, his Trial in Egypt; his Humility Jesus Rejected in Jerusalem. Christ and Nicodemus. Resources When is civil disobedience allowed for a Christian? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is Christianization? | GotQuestions.org Who was Samson in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Rulers: Character and Qualifications of Rulers: Esau, and the Dukes of Edom Rulers: Righteous: Abimelech, in his Treatment of Isaac Rulers: Righteous: Artaxerxes, in Commissioning Ezra to Restore the Forms of Worship at Jerusalem Rulers: Righteous: Asa, in Abolishing Sodomy and Other Abominations of Idolatry Rulers: Righteous: Cyrus, in Emancipating the Jews Rulers: Righteous: Darius, in Advancing the Rebuilding of the Temple Rulers: Righteous: Hezekiah, in his Fear of the Lord Rulers: Righteous: Jehoshaphat, in Walking in the Ways of the Lord Rulers: Righteous: Joseph, in How he Conducted the Affairs of Egypt Rulers: Righteous: Josiah, in Repairing the Temple and in Other Good Works Rulers: Righteous: King of Nineveh, in Repenting, and Proclaimimg a Fast Rulers: Righteous: Moses, in his Administration of the Affairs of the People of Israel Rulers: Righteous: Pharaoh, in his Treatment of Abraham Rulers: Righteous: Pharaoh, in his Treatment of Jacob and his Family Rulers: Righteous: Samuel, in not Receiving Compensation for Judgment Rulers: Righteous: Saul, After the Defeat of the Ammonites Rulers: Righteous: Solomon, According to the Testimony of the Queen of Sheba Rulers: Righteous: Solomon, in his Judgment Between the Two Women Who Claimed the Same Child Rulers: Wicked in Permitting Baal-Worship Rulers: Wicked: Abijam, Walking in the Sins of Rehoboam Rulers: Wicked: Abimelech, Killing his Seventy Brothers Rulers: Wicked: Adoni-Bezek, Torturing Seventy Kings Rulers: Wicked: Ahab, Serving Baal Rulers: Wicked: Ahasuerus and Haman, Decreeing the Death of all Jews (Genocide) Rulers: Wicked: Ahaz, Burning his own Children in Idolatrous Sacrifice Rulers: Wicked: Ahaziah, Doing Evil Like the Household of Ahab Rulers: Wicked: Amaziah, Worshiping the Gods of Seir Rulers: Wicked: Amon, Who Followed the Evil Example of Manasseh Rulers: Wicked: Ananias, the High Priest, Commanding to Strike Paul Rulers: Wicked: And Persecuting Jeremiah Rulers: Wicked: Asa, Imprisoning the Seer, and Oppressing the People Rulers: Wicked: Baasha, Walking in the Ways of Jeroboam Rulers: Wicked: Belshazzar, in Drunkenness and Committing Sacrilege Rulers: Wicked: Confiscating Naboth's Vineyard Rulers: Wicked: Conspiring Against Pekahiah and Assassinating Him Rulers: Wicked: Darius, in Deifying Himself Rulers: Wicked: David, Numbering Israel and Judah Rulers: Wicked: Debauching Themselves and the Worshipers Rulers: Wicked: Eli's Sons, Desecrating the Sacrifices Rulers: Wicked: Exalting Debased Persons to the Priesthood Rulers: Wicked: Hanun, Maltreating David's Servants Rulers: Wicked: Hazael, Committing Pillage (Plundering) Rulers: Wicked: Herod Agrippa I, Persecuting the Congregation in Jerusalem Rulers: Wicked: Herod Antipas, in Beheading John the Baptist Rulers: Wicked: Herod Antipas, in Craftiness and Tyranny Rulers: Wicked: Herod the Great, Killing the Infants in Bethlehem Rulers: Wicked: Hoshea, Who Conspired Against Pekah Rulers: Wicked: Jehoahaz, in Following the Sins of Jeroboam Rulers: Wicked: Jehoahaz, Who Followed in the Ways of his Forefathers Rulers: Wicked: Jehoash, in Following the Wicked Example of Jeroboam Rulers: Wicked: Jehoiachin, in Walking in the Ways of his Forefathers Rulers: Wicked: Jehoiakim, in Walking in the Ways of his Forefathers Rulers: Wicked: Jehoram, Cleaving to the Sins of Jeroboam Rulers: Wicked: Jehoram, Walking in the Ways of the Kings of Israel Rulers: Wicked: Jehu, Departing not from the Sins of Jeroboam Rulers: Wicked: Jeroboam Ii, not Departing from the Sins of Jeroboam Rulers: Wicked: Jeroboam, Perverting the True Worship Rulers: Wicked: Joash, Killing Zechariah Rulers: Wicked: Manasseh, Who Committed the Abominations of the Heathen Rulers: Wicked: Nadab, Walking in the Ways of Jeroboam Rulers: Wicked: Nebuchadnezzar, Commanding to Destroy the Wise Men Rulers: Wicked: Nebuchadnezzar, Committing the Three Hebrews to the Furnace Rulers: Wicked: Omri, Walking in the Ways of Jeroboam Rulers: Wicked: Pharaoh, Oppressing the Israelites Rulers: Wicked: Pilate, Delivering up Jesus for Crucifixion Rulers: Wicked: Potiphar, Putting Joseph Into Prison Rulers: Wicked: Rehoboam, Making the Yoke Heavy Rulers: Wicked: Samuel's Sons, Taking Bribes Rulers: Wicked: Saul, Jealously Plotting Against David Rulers: Wicked: Saul, Killing Ahimelech and the Priests Rulers: Wicked: Saul, Sparing Agag and the Best of the Booty Rulers: Wicked: Solomon, Luxurious, and Idolatrous Rulers: Wicked: Solomon, Oppressing the People Rulers: Wicked: The Chief Priests, Elders, and the Sanhedrin, Seeking False Witness Against Jesus Rulers: Wicked: The Princes, Conspiring Against Daniel Rulers: Wicked: Uzziah, Invading the Priest's office Rulers: Wicked: Zachariah, Menahem, Pekahiah, and Pekah, Following the Sins of Jeroboam Rulers: Wicked: Zedekiah, Following the Evil Example of Jehoiakim Rulers: Wicked: Zimri, Walking in the Ways of Jeroboam Related Terms |
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