Abraham

Also known as: Abram, Father Abraham, Father of Many Nations

Patriarch · Father of Many Nations

Originally named Abram, God called him to leave Ur of the Chaldeans with the promise: "I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee...and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed" (Genesis 12:2-3). Abraham obeyed, journeying to Canaan by faith "not knowing whither he went" (Hebrews 11:8). God established a covenant with him, promising the land, countless descendants, and blessing to all nations. When Abraham was 100 and Sarah 90, Isaac was born — the son of promise. The supreme test came when God commanded Abraham to sacrifice Isaac on Mount Moriah. Abraham obeyed, and at the critical moment God provided a ram as substitute (Genesis 22). Paul makes Abraham central to the doctrine of justification: "Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness" (Romans 4:3). He is called "the father of all them that believe" (Romans 4:11) and the "friend of God" (James 2:23).

Key Events

1Called by God to leave Ur
2Received covenant promise of land and descendants
3Renamed Abraham ("father of many nations")
4Father of Isaac at age 100
5Offered Isaac on Mount Moriah — God provided a ram
6"Believed God — counted as righteousness" (Romans 4:3)
7Died at 175 — "the friend of God" (James 2:23)

What Scripture Says (230 verses)

Galatians 3:14

That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

Galatians · Chapter 3

Genesis 17:5

Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee.

Genesis · Chapter 17

Genesis 17:9

And God said unto Abraham, Thou shalt keep my covenant therefore, thou, and thy seed after thee in their generations.

Genesis · Chapter 17

Genesis 17:15

And God said unto Abraham, As for Sarai thy wife, thou shalt not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall her name be.

Genesis · Chapter 17

Genesis 17:17

Then Abraham fell upon his face, and laughed, and said in his heart, Shall a child be born unto him that is an hundred years old? and shall Sarah, that is ninety years old, bear?

Genesis · Chapter 17

Genesis 17:18

And Abraham said unto God, O that Ishmael might live before thee!

Genesis · Chapter 17

Genesis 17:22

And he left off talking with him, and God went up from Abraham.

Genesis · Chapter 17

Genesis 17:23

And Abraham took Ishmael his son, and all that were born in his house, and all that were bought with his money, every male among the men of Abraham’s house; and circumcised the flesh of their foreskin in the selfsame day, as God had said unto him.

Genesis · Chapter 17

Genesis 17:24

And Abraham was ninety years old and nine, when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.

Genesis · Chapter 17

Genesis 17:26

In the selfsame day was Abraham circumcised, and Ishmael his son.

Genesis · Chapter 17

Showing 10 of 230 verses

Church Tradition

Death

Died at age 175

Location: Hebron

Source: Genesis 25:7-8

Biblical Record

Details

From: Ur of the Chaldeans
Verses: 230
Category: patriarch

Appears In

Genesis Romans Galatians Hebrews James

Key Verses

Genesis 12:1-3

Genesis 15:6

Genesis 17:5

Genesis 22:1-14

Romans 4:3

Hebrews 11:8

James 2:23