Abrahamאברהם
Description
Abraham is widely revered as a foundational legendary figure among adherents of the eponymous Abrahamic religions. In Judaism, he is the ethnic ancestor and first Hebrew patriarch who began the covenantal relationship between the Jewish people and God; in Christianity, he is regarded as the forebear of Jesus and the spiritual ancestor of all Christians; and in Islam, he is a link in the chain of Islamic prophets that begins with Adam and culminates in Muhammad. Abraham is revered in all other Abrahamic religions, such as the Baháʼí Faith and the Druze faith. He is regarded as the common forefather of both the Arab people through his son Ishmael and the Jewish people through his son Isaac.
Facts
| Born | אַבְרָם Avrám, 1948 AM, Ur of the Chaldees, Mesopotamia |
| Died | 2123 AM, Cave of Machpelah, Hebron, Canaan |
| Spouse | Sarah Hagar (concubine) Keturah |
| Children | Oldest to youngest: Ishmael (son, with Hagar) Isaac (son, with Sarah) Zimran (son, with Keturah) Jokshan (son, with Keturah) Medan (son, with Keturah) Midian (son, with Keturah) Ishbak (son, with Keturah) Shuah (son, with Keturah) |
| Parent | Terah (father) |
| Known for | Namesake of the Abrahamic religions: traditional founder of the Jewish nation, spiritual ancestor of Christians, major Islamic prophet, Manifestation of God and originator of monotheistic faith in Baháʼí Faith, third spokesman (natiq) prophet of Druzes |
| Relatives | Closest to furthest: Haran (brother) Nahor (brother) Jacob (grandson) Esau (grandson) Lot (nephew) Twelve Tribes of Israel (great-grandsons) Dinah (great-granddaughter) see: Abraham's family tree |
| Religion | monotheism |
Life & work in brief
Summarised by section — one row per topic, for fast reading.
| Topic | Summary |
|---|---|
| The Abraham cycle | The Abraham cycle (Genesis 11:27–Genesis 25:11) unfolds as a narrative of mounting tension, centered on the conflict between God's promise that Abram (Abraham's birth name) would father a lineage and become the ancestor of numerous nations, and a succession of crises that jeopardize this divine commitment. |
| Historical context | In the early and middle 20th century, leading archaeologists such as William F. |
| Religious traditions | Abraham is given a high position of respect in three major world faiths, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. |
| Artistic depictions | Paintings on the life of Abraham tend to focus on only a few incidents: the sacrifice of Isaac; meeting Melchizedek; entertaining the three angels; Hagar in the desert; and a few others. |
Prophecies
Key prophetic utterances and visions attributed to Abraham, with sources.
| Prophecy / vision | Source |
|---|---|
| A great nation from you; in you all families of the earth blessed | Gen 12:2-3 |
| Seed as the stars; your offspring sojourns 400 years, then returns | Gen 15:5-13 |
| Circumcision a sign; Sarah bears a son within the year | Gen 17:10-21 |
| In your seed all nations of the earth blessed | Gen 22:18 |