Who Was Abraham in the Bible?
Who Was Abraham in the Bible? Abraham was the father of the Jewish nation, called by God from Ur of the Chaldees, and known as the 'father of faith.'
Key verse: Genesis 12:1-3 (KJV)
Abraham was the father of the Jewish nation, called by God from Ur of the Chaldees, and known as the 'father of faith.'
Abraham was the father of the Jewish nation, called by God from Ur of the Chaldees, and known as the 'father of faith.'
"Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed." — Genesis 12:1-3 (KJV)
Meaning
Plain-language explanation
In Context
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The Biblical Answer
Abraham (originally Abram) is one of the most important figures in the Bible. God called him out of Ur of the Chaldees around 2000 BC with a promise: 'I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing' (Genesis 12:2). This Abrahamic Covenant is foundational to the entire biblical narrative. Abraham believed God's promise despite seemingly impossible circumstances — he and Sarah were childless and elderly when God promised them a son. Isaac was born when Abraham was 100 years old (Genesis 21:5). Abraham's faith was supremely tested when God asked him to sacrifice Isaac on Mount Moriah (Genesis 22) — a test he passed, and which foreshadowed God's own sacrifice of His Son. Romans 4:3 declares, 'Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness,' making him the prototype of salvation by faith. He is called 'the friend of God' (James 2:23) and the father of all who believe (Romans 4:16).
Key Scripture References
"Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed."
"For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness."
"By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went."
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Related Questions
Who Was Melchizedek in the Bible?
Melchizedek was a mysterious king of Salem and priest of the Most High God who blessed Abraham and received tithes from him.
Who Was Moses?
Moses was the great deliverer and lawgiver of Israel who led the Exodus from Egypt and received the Ten Commandments from God.
What is the Abrahamic Covenant?
The Abrahamic Covenant is God's unconditional promise to Abraham that he would become the father of a great nation, possess a promised land, and bless all nations through his descendants.
Who Was King David?
David was the shepherd boy who became Israel's greatest king, known as 'a man after God's own heart' and an ancestor of Jesus Christ.
Who Was the Apostle Paul?
Paul was a former persecutor of Christians who had a dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus and became the greatest missionary and theologian of the early church.
Deep Dive Commentary
For a more in-depth study, read our verse-by-verse commentary:
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The answer above sits inside Genesis. The 365-day chronological plan reads it in the order the events happened.
Read Genesis on day 11 of the chronological Bible reading planKeep the verses to hand
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