And Terah took his son Abram, his grandson Lot son of Haran, and his daughter-in-law Sarai the wife of Abram, and they set out from Ur of the Chaldeans for the land of Canaan. But when they arrived in Haran, they settled there. And Terah took his son AbramTerah, the father of Abram, is a significant figure in the genealogy of the patriarchs. Abram, later known as Abraham, is a central figure in biblical history, often called the "father of faith." This journey marks the beginning of a significant transition in Abram's life, setting the stage for God's covenant with him. Terah's leadership in this move suggests a family decision, possibly influenced by divine prompting, though not explicitly stated here. his grandson Lot son of Haran
Lot, the son of Haran, Abram's brother, is included in this journey. Haran's death may have influenced Terah's decision to take Lot under his care. Lot's presence is crucial for later narratives, including the separation from Abram and the events in Sodom and Gomorrah. This inclusion highlights the familial responsibilities and ties that were important in ancient Near Eastern cultures. and his daughter-in-law Sarai the wife of Abram
Sarai, later named Sarah, is introduced here as Abram's wife. Her role is pivotal in the unfolding story of the Israelite nation, particularly concerning the promise of a son, Isaac. Sarai's barrenness at this point sets the stage for future divine intervention and the miraculous birth of Isaac, which is a type of the miraculous birth of Jesus Christ. and they set out from Ur of the Chaldeans
Ur of the Chaldeans is an ancient city located in modern-day southern Iraq. Archaeological findings suggest it was a prosperous city with advanced culture and religion. The departure from Ur signifies a break from a polytheistic environment, moving towards a monotheistic faith journey. This move is a physical and spiritual departure, symbolizing a call to follow God's leading. for the land of Canaan
Canaan is the land promised by God to Abram and his descendants. It represents the fulfillment of God's promises and is central to the biblical narrative. The journey to Canaan is a step of faith, as it was a land unknown to them. Canaan later becomes the land of Israel, central to biblical prophecy and the history of God's people. But when they arrived in Haran, they settled there
Haran, located in modern-day Turkey, becomes a temporary dwelling place for Terah and his family. The settlement in Haran suggests a pause in the journey, possibly due to Terah's age or health. This delay is significant as it sets the stage for God's direct call to Abram to continue to Canaan after Terah's death. Haran is also a center of moon worship, similar to Ur, indicating that the full transition to monotheistic worship was still in progress. Persons / Places / Events 1. TerahThe father of Abram, Nahor, and Haran. He initiates the journey from Ur to Canaan but stops in Haran. 2. AbramLater known as Abraham, he is a central figure in the Bible, called by God to leave his homeland and go to a land God would show him. 3. LotThe son of Haran, Abram's nephew, who travels with Terah and Abram. 4. SaraiAbram's wife, later known as Sarah, who accompanies her husband on the journey. 5. Ur of the ChaldeansThe starting point of Terah's journey, an ancient city in Mesopotamia. 6. HaranThe place where Terah and his family settle temporarily, located in the region of Paddan Aram. 7. CanaanThe intended destination of Terah's journey, a land promised by God to Abram and his descendants. Teaching Points The Importance of ObedienceTerah's journey reminds us of the importance of following God's call, even when the destination is unknown. Abram's later obedience serves as a model for us. The Role of FamilyThe passage highlights the influence of family in spiritual journeys. Terah's leadership initially guides Abram, Sarai, and Lot. The Significance of CanaanCanaan represents God's promise and purpose. Our spiritual journeys often involve moving towards God's promises, even if the path is unclear. Temporary SettlementsHaran symbolizes places where we might pause in our spiritual journey. It's crucial to discern when to move forward in faith. Legacy and InfluenceTerah's decision to leave Ur sets the stage for Abram's significant role in biblical history. Our actions can have lasting impacts on future generations. Bible Study Questions 1. What might have motivated Terah to leave Ur, and how can we discern God's calling in our own lives? 2. How does Abram's journey from Haran to Canaan illustrate the concept of faith in action, and how can we apply this in our daily walk with God? 3. In what ways can family influence our spiritual journey, both positively and negatively, as seen in Terah's leadership? 4. What are some "Haran" moments in your life where you have settled temporarily, and how can you seek God's guidance to move forward? 5. How does the promise of Canaan relate to the promises God has for us today, and how can we remain faithful in pursuing them? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 12:1-5This passage continues the account, where God calls Abram to leave Haran and go to Canaan, fulfilling the journey Terah began. Acts 7:2-4Stephen's speech provides insight into Abram's call by God, emphasizing the divine initiative in Abram's journey. Hebrews 11:8-10Highlights Abram's faith in obeying God's call to go to a place he would later receive as an inheritance. People Abram, Arphaxad, Eber, Haran, Iscah, Lot, Milcah, Nahor, Peleg, Reu, Salah, Sarai, Serug, Shelah, Shem, TerahPlaces Babel, Canaan, Haran, Mesha, Shinar, UrTopics Abram, Abram's, Canaan, Chaldeans, Chalde'ans, Chaldees, Charan, Daughter, Daughter-in-law, Dwell, Dwelt, Enter, Forth, Grandson, Haran, Law, Lot, Order, Sarai, Sar'ai, Settled, Son's, Taketh, Terah, Towards, Ur, WifeDictionary of Bible Themes Genesis 11:31 5696 grandchildren Genesis 11:10-32 1655 hundreds and thousands
7230 genealogies Library The Church.
FROM THE PREFACE TO THE "HOLY CITY." UPON a certain First-day, I being together with my brethren in our prison-chamber, they expected that, according to our custom, something should be spoken out of the word for our mutual edification; but at that time I felt myself--it being my turn to speak--so empty, spiritless, and barren, that I thought I should not have been able to speak among them so much as five words of truth, with life and evidence: but at last it so fell out that providentially I cast …
John Bunyan—The Riches of BunyanMeditations to Stir us up to Morning Prayer.
1. If, when thou art about to pray, Satan shall suggest that thy prayers are too long, and that therefore it were better either to omit prayers, or else to cut them shorter, meditate that prayer is thy spiritual sacrifice, wherewith God is well pleased (Heb. xiii. 15, 16;) and therefore it is so displeasing to the devil, and so irksome to the flesh. Bend therefore thy affections (will they, nill they) to so holy an exercise; assuring thyself, that it doth by so much the more please God, by how much …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety He Does Battle for the Faith; He Restores Peace among those who were at Variance; He Takes in Hand to Build a Stone Church.
57. (32). There was a certain clerk in Lismore whose life, as it is said, was good, but his faith not so. He was a man of some knowledge in his own eyes, and dared to say that in the Eucharist there is only a sacrament and not the fact[718] of the sacrament, that is, mere sanctification and not the truth of the Body. On this subject he was often addressed by Malachy in secret, but in vain; and finally he was called before a public assembly, the laity however being excluded, in order that if it were …
H. J. Lawlor—St. Bernard of Clairvaux's Life of St. Malachy of Armagh The First Chaldaean Empire and the Hyksos in Egypt
Syria: the part played by it in the ancient world--Babylon and the first Chaldaean empire--The dominion of the Hyksos: Ahmosis. Some countries seem destined from their origin to become the battle-fields of the contending nations which environ them. Into such regions, and to their cost, neighbouring peoples come from century to century to settle their quarrels and bring to an issue the questions of supremacy which disturb their little corner of the world. The nations around are eager for the possession …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 4 The Promise to the Patriarchs.
A great epoch is, in Genesis, ushered in with the history of the time of the Patriarchs. Luther says: "This is the third period in which Holy Scripture begins the history of the Church with a new family." In a befitting manner, the representation is opened in Gen. xii. 1-3 by an account of the first revelation of God, given to Abraham at Haran, in which the way is opened up for all that follows, and in which the dispensations of God are brought before us in a rapid survey. Abraham is to forsake …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament The Book of the First Generations of Man, and the Glory of the Cainites.
I. THE BOOK OF THE FIRST GENERATIONS OF MAN, AND THE GLORY OF THE CAINITES. A. THE BOOK OF THE FIRST GENERATIONS OF MAN. 1. The reasons why Moses records the generations of Adam 1. 2. Why he so particularly gives the years, and in the case of each patriarch adds "and he died" 1-2. 3. Why Enoch is placed in the records of the dead 3-4. * Was Enoch a sinner, and do sinners have hope of eternal life 4. * Of death. a. How we are to comfort ourselves against death 5. b. How reason views death, and how …
Martin Luther—Commentary on Genesis, Vol. II Appendix xii. The Baptism of Proselytes
ONLY those who have made study of it can have any idea how large, and sometimes bewildering, is the literature on the subject of Jewish Proselytes and their Baptism. Our present remarks will be confined to the Baptism of Proselytes. 1. Generally, as regards proselytes (Gerim) we have to distinguish between the Ger ha-Shaar (proselyte of the gate) and Ger Toshabh (sojourner,' settled among Israel), and again the Ger hatstsedeq (proselyte of righteousness) and Ger habberith (proselyte of the covenant). …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah Cain Murders his Brother; Called to Account.
IV. CAIN MURDERS HIS BROTHER; CALLED TO ACCOUNT. A. HOW CAIN MURDERED HIS BROTHER. 1. What moved Cain to commit murder 107. 2. Cain's hypocritical actions in concealing his anger that he might the more easily commit the murder 108-109. * Cain the picture of all hypocrites 110-129. * The attitude of hypocrites to their neighbors. Also, how we are to view the efforts of the pope and bishops in behalf of peace and unity 111-112. * Against what people we should most guard 112. 3. How Cain listened to …
Martin Luther—Commentary on Genesis, Vol. II An Exposition on the First Ten Chapters of Genesis, and Part of the Eleventh
An unfinished commentary on the Bible, found among the author's papers after his death, in his own handwriting; and published in 1691, by Charles Doe, in a folio volume of the works of John Bunyan. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR Being in company with an enlightened society of Protestant dissenters of the Baptist denomination, I observed to a doctor of divinity, who was advancing towards his seventieth year, that my time had been delightfully engaged with John Bunyan's commentary on Genesis. "What," …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 Genesis
The Old Testament opens very impressively. In measured and dignified language it introduces the story of Israel's origin and settlement upon the land of Canaan (Gen.--Josh.) by the story of creation, i.-ii. 4a, and thus suggests, at the very beginning, the far-reaching purpose and the world-wide significance of the people and religion of Israel. The narrative has not travelled far till it becomes apparent that its dominant interests are to be religious and moral; for, after a pictorial sketch of …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Genesis 11:31 NIVGenesis 11:31 NLTGenesis 11:31 ESVGenesis 11:31 NASBGenesis 11:31 KJV
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