Introduction:
Terah is a significant figure in the biblical narrative, primarily known as the father of Abraham, Nahor, and Haran. His account is found in the Book of Genesis, where he is depicted as a patriarch whose lineage plays a crucial role in the unfolding of God's covenantal promises.

Genealogy and Family:
Terah is introduced in Genesis 11:24-26: "When Nahor was 29 years old, he became the father of Terah. And after he had become the father of Terah, Nahor lived 119 years and had other sons and daughters. When Terah was 70 years old, he became the father of Abram, Nahor, and Haran." Terah's family is of great importance, as his son Abram (later Abraham) becomes the central figure in God's plan to establish a chosen people.

Life and Journey:
Terah lived in Ur of the Chaldeans, a city known for its idolatry and pagan practices. Genesis 11:31 records Terah's decision to leave Ur: "Terah took his son Abram, his grandson Lot (son of Haran), and his daughter-in-law Sarai, the wife of his son Abram, and together they set out from Ur of the Chaldeans to go to Canaan. But when they came to Haran, they settled there." This journey marks the beginning of a significant transition for Terah's family, although Terah himself does not complete the journey to Canaan.

Religious Context:
While the Bible does not provide extensive details about Terah's religious beliefs, Joshua 24:2 offers insight: "Joshua said to all the people, 'This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: Long ago your ancestors, including Terah the father of Abraham and Nahor, lived beyond the Euphrates River and worshiped other gods.'" This suggests that Terah, like many of his contemporaries, was involved in idolatry before God's call to Abram.

Death and Legacy:
Terah's life concludes in Haran, where he dies at the age of 205, as noted in Genesis 11:32: "Terah lived 205 years, and he died in Haran." His death marks the end of an era and the beginning of a new chapter in the biblical narrative, as Abram receives God's call to continue the journey to Canaan, which becomes the Promised Land.

Significance in Biblical History:
Terah's role as the father of Abraham places him at a pivotal point in biblical history. Through Abraham, God establishes a covenant that will shape the destiny of the Israelites and ultimately lead to the coming of the Messiah. Terah's decision to leave Ur, despite not reaching Canaan himself, sets the stage for the fulfillment of God's promises to Abraham and his descendants.

Cultural and Historical Context:
The era in which Terah lived was characterized by polytheism and the worship of various deities. Ur of the Chaldeans, where Terah resided, was a prominent city in ancient Mesopotamia, known for its ziggurats and devotion to the moon god, Nanna. Terah's departure from Ur signifies a break from this cultural milieu, aligning his family with the monotheistic faith that would be established through Abraham.

Conclusion:
While Terah's life is not extensively detailed in the Scriptures, his role as the progenitor of Abraham and his initial steps towards Canaan are crucial in the biblical narrative. His account serves as a backdrop to the unfolding of God's redemptive plan through Abraham and his descendants.

Why, in the Account of Terah's Emigration, on his Forsaking the ...
... Chapter 13."Why, in the Account of Terah's Emigration, on His Forsaking the Chaldeans
and Passing Over into Mesopotamia, No Mention is Made of His Son Nahor. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 13 why in the account.htm

Chapter xii
... connection with the question where the first call of God came to Abram there are
a few things to be added to what has thus far been said in reference to Terah. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xii.htm

An Example of Faith
... go into the land of Canaan; and into the land of Canaan they came.' Compare this
singular expression with chapter xi.31, where we have Terah's emigration from ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/an example of faith.htm

Footnotes
... is.". 4 The Exode did not begin until Terah's death; then Abraham left Haran,
and the Exode began, as is clearly proved by Acts 7:4. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hayward/the book of religions/footnotes.htm

Of the Years of Terah, who Completed his Lifetime in Haran.
... Book XVI. Chapter 14."Of the Years of Terah, Who Completed His Lifetime
in Haran. On Terah's death in Mesopotamia, where he is ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 14 of the years of.htm

Chapter xi
... the entire book of Genesis: he disposes briefly of the less relevant (history of
Shem) that he might treat at length the more essential (history of Terah). ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xi.htm

Miller's views on the Second Coming of Christ.
... Serug 30 1850 2307 Genesis 11:22.18. Nahor 29 1879 2278 Genesis 11:24.19.
Terah's life 205(4) 2084 2073 Genesis 11:32.20. Exode, &c. ...
/.../hayward/the book of religions/millers views on the second.htm

City of God
... Chapter 13.--Why, in the Account of Terah's Emigration, on His Forsaking the Chaldeans
and Passing Over into Mesopotamia, No Mention is Made of His Son Nahor. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/

Terah's (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Terah's (1 Occurrence). Genesis 11:32 And all the years
of Terah's life were two hundred and five: and Terah came to his end in Haran. ...
/t/terah's.htm - 6k

Terah (12 Occurrences)
...Terah afterwards migrated with Abraham (probably his youngest son) and Lot (his
grandson), together with their families, from Ur, intending to go with them to ...
/t/terah.htm - 13k

Teraphim (14 Occurrences)

/t/teraphim.htm - 13k

Laban (52 Occurrences)
... Genesis 24). He belonged to that branch of the family of Terah that was derived
from Abraham's brother Nahor and his niece Milcah. The ...
/l/laban.htm - 28k

Lot (145 Occurrences)
... On the death of his father, he was left in charge of his grandfather Terah (31),
after whose death he accompanied his uncle Abraham into Canaan (12:5), thence ...
/l/lot.htm - 60k

Who was Lot in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

How long is a generation in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Terah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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