"And Terah took Abram his son, and Lot the son of Haran his son's son, and Sarai his daughter in law... and they went forth with them from Ur of the Chaldees, to go into the land of Canaan; and they came unto Haran, and dwelt there."
Biblical Name · Hebrew Origin
Terah Meaning in the Bible
Terah
boy
Terah means "Station; Wanderer; Delay", a boy's name of Hebrew origin. Terah appears in the King James Bible, and Genesis 11:31 is the passage most often tied to it. Terah started the journey to the Promised Land but settled halfway. His story asks: are we completing our calling, or have we stopped at a comfortable station short of God's full purpose?
Is Terah in the Bible?
Yes — Terah appears in the King James Bible, including Genesis 11:31.
Pronunciation:/TEH-ruh/
OriginHebrew
MeaningStation; Wanderer; Delay
What does Terah mean?
Terah is a boy name of Hebrew origin meaning "Station; Wanderer; Delay". Terah means "station" or "wanderer" in Hebrew. He was the father of Abraham, Nahor, and Haran — the man who began the journey from Ur of the Chaldees toward Canaan but stopped halfway and settled in the city that bore his son's name: Haran.
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What does Terah mean in the Bible?
Terah means "Station; Wanderer; Delay" and is a name of Hebrew origin. Below is what Scripture and Christian tradition attach to that meaning.
Terah means "station" or "wanderer" in Hebrew. He was the father of Abraham, Nahor, and Haran — the man who began the journey from Ur of the Chaldees toward Canaan but stopped halfway and settled in the city that bore his son's name: Haran.
Joshua 24:2 reveals a startling detail: "Your fathers dwelt on the other side of the flood in old time, even Terah, the father of Abraham... and they served other gods." The father of the great patriarch of faith was himself an idolater in Mesopotamia.
Terah set out from Ur toward Canaan — perhaps responding to God's initial call — but settled in Haran and never completed the journey. He lived 205 years and died in Haran. It fell to his son Abraham to complete the journey his father had begun.
Terah's story raises the poignant question of unfulfilled calling. He started toward the Promised Land but stopped short. His life is a reminder that beginning a journey of faith is not the same as completing it — and that God sometimes raises up the next generation to finish what their parents started.
Where does Terah appear in the Bible (KJV)?
Terah is connected to 2 key passages in the King James Bible, beginning with Genesis 11:31. Each verse is quoted in full below.
"Your fathers dwelt 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."
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Which books of the Bible mention Terah?
Terah is mentioned across 4 books of the Bible. Follow any book below to read it in the KJV.
What is the spiritual meaning of Terah?
Terah started the journey to the Promised Land but settled halfway. His story asks: are we completing our calling, or have we stopped at a comfortable station short of God's full purpose?
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Promises connected to the meaning of the name Terah:
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What names are related to Terah?
Names like Terah
Other Hebrew biblical names that share the spirit of "Station; Wanderer; Delay" — discovered by matching meaning category and origin.
Names that pair well with Terah
Sibling sets, middle-name combinations, and complementary pairings chosen for matching origin, meaning, and similar syllable weight.
Share the meaning of Terah
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Terah name meaning: frequently asked questions
Yes — Terah appears in the King James Bible, including Genesis 11:31.
Terah means "Station; Wanderer; Delay." It is a Hebrew name. The King James Bible uses it in Genesis 11:31, so the meaning is carried by a real person in Scripture.
Hebrew. Terah comes into English from Hebrew and carries the sense "Station; Wanderer; Delay." It appears in the King James Bible, including Genesis 11:31.
Common questions about the name Terah
Can I download a free King James Bible PDF to study the name Terah?
Yes. The complete King James Bible is available as a free PDF download — all 66 books, 1,189 chapters, ready to read offline or print. No sign-up required.
Where can I read the full biblical context for Terah?
You can read every verse where Terah appears in the King James Bible by downloading the free KJV PDF or reading online. The download page also includes a bookmarked Book of Psalms KJV PDF for easy reference.