Patriarch · Old Testament
The Story of Abraham
Also: Abram, Ibrahimu (Kiswahili), Abramu (Kiswahili)
Patriarch called by God to leave his homeland, to whom God promised a land, descendants and blessing for all nations.
Editorial text in English. Scripture is quoted from the version you choose; references stay the same in every version.
Introduction
Abram, son of Terah, was called by the LORD to leave his country for a land God would show him, with the promise that all the families of the earth would be blessed through him. Genesis 11:27–31Genesis 12:1–3
He believed the LORD, who counted it to him as righteousness, and God made a covenant with him. God changed his name to Abraham, meaning father of many nations. Genesis 15:6Genesis 15:18Genesis 17:4–5
In old age Abraham and Sarah had Isaac, the son of the promise. God tested Abraham by commanding him to offer Isaac, then provided a ram in his place. Genesis 21:1–5Genesis 22:1–14
He died at 175 and was buried with Sarah in the cave of Machpelah. The New Testament calls him the father of all who believe. Genesis 25:7–10Romans 4:11–16
Told in: Genesis
Life at a glance
- Father
- Terah Genesis 11:27
- Wives
- Sarah; later Keturah. Hagar bore him Ishmael Genesis 16:15Genesis 25:1
- Sons named
- Ishmael and Isaac, and sons by Keturah Genesis 16:15Genesis 21:3Genesis 25:2
- Places
- Ur of the Chaldeans, Haran, Canaan, Egypt, Hebron, Beersheba Genesis 11:31Genesis 12:5Genesis 12:10Genesis 13:18Genesis 21:33
- Death
- At 175; buried in the cave of Machpelah Genesis 25:7–10
Only what Scripture records. Where the Bible is silent, nothing is filled in.
Follow the life of Abraham
Events in the order Scripture presents them. Expand an event to read its passage here, or open the chapter in the reader.
The call to leave Haran
The LORD tells Abram to go to a land he will show him and promises to make him a great nation. Abram goes, with Sarai and Lot, and builds altars in Canaan.
More about this event
Later recollection of this event: Acts 7:2–5 · Hebrews 11:8–10
People: Sarah
Places named: Haran, Shechem, Bethel
Abram in Egypt
In a famine Abram goes to Egypt and says Sarai is his sister; Pharaoh takes her into his house until the LORD strikes Pharaoh's household.
Abram and Lot separate
Their flocks are too large to stay together, so Abram lets Lot choose; Lot chooses the Jordan plain, and God promises Abram the land he sees.
More about this event
Places named: Bethel, Hebron
Rescue of Lot and Melchizedek's blessing
Abram rescues Lot from invading kings. Melchizedek, king of Salem and priest of God Most High, blesses him, and Abram gives him a tenth.
More about this event
Later recollection of this event: Hebrews 7:1–4
The covenant and Abram's faith
God promises descendants as many as the stars. Abram believes the LORD, who counts it to him as righteousness, and God makes a covenant with him.
More about this event
Later recollection of this event: Romans 4:1–3 · Galatians 3:6
Hagar and Ishmael
Sarai gives Hagar to Abram, and Hagar bears Ishmael.
More about this event
People: Sarah
New names and circumcision
God renames Abram Abraham and Sarai Sarah, gives circumcision as the sign of the covenant, and promises a son by Sarah.
Three visitors and the plea for Sodom
Abraham welcomes three visitors at Mamre, who promise that Sarah will have a son. Abraham pleads with the LORD for Sodom.
The birth of Isaac
Sarah bears Isaac when Abraham is a hundred years old. Hagar and Ishmael are sent away, and God cares for them.
The testing of Abraham
God tells Abraham to offer Isaac on a mountain in Moriah. As Abraham raises the knife, the angel of the LORD stops him, and a ram is offered instead; God renews his promise.
More about this event
Later recollection of this event: Hebrews 11:17–19 · James 2:21–23
People: Isaac
Places named: Moriah
Sarah's death and burial
Sarah dies at Hebron; Abraham buys the cave of Machpelah from Ephron the Hittite and buries her there.
A wife for Isaac
Abraham sends his servant to his relatives, and the servant brings back Rebekah to marry Isaac.
Death of Abraham
Abraham dies at 175 in a good old age. Isaac and Ishmael bury him with Sarah in the cave of Machpelah.
More about this event
People: Isaac
Mentioned across the Bible
Later passages that recall, mention or interpret Abraham. These are not new events in the person’s lifetime.
Later recollections of these events
- Acts 7:2–5 recalls “The call to leave Haran”
- Hebrews 11:8–10 recalls “The call to leave Haran”
- Hebrews 7:1–4 recalls “Rescue of Lot and Melchizedek's blessing”
- Romans 4:1–3 recalls “The covenant and Abram's faith”
- Galatians 3:6 recalls “The covenant and Abram's faith”
- Hebrews 11:17–19 recalls “The testing of Abraham”
- James 2:21–23 recalls “The testing of Abraham”
Later recollection
- 2 Chronicles 20:7 — Abraham your friend.
- Isaiah 41:8 — The offspring of Abraham my friend.
- Hebrews 11:8–19
Direct reference
- Exodus 3:6 — I am the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
Teaching or quotation mentioning them
- Luke 16:22–31 — Abraham in Jesus' account of the rich man and Lazarus.
- John 8:56–58 — Before Abraham was, I am.
- Romans 4:1–25 — Abraham believed God and it was counted as righteousness.
- Galatians 3:6–9 — Those who believe are sons of Abraham.
- James 2:23 — He was called the friend of God.
Genealogy
Interpretive or typological connection (an interpretation, not a statement of the text)
- Galatians 4:22–31 — Paul reads Hagar and Sarah as an allegory of two covenants (Paul's own interpretation).
Family and relationships
- SarahWifeGenesis 11:29
- IsaacSon of the promiseGenesis 21:3
- IshmaelSon by HagarGenesis 16:15
- HagarSarah's servant, mother of IshmaelGenesis 16:3
- LotNephewGenesis 12:5
- TerahFatherGenesis 11:27
- JacobGrandsonGenesis 25:26
- HagarConnected: Bore Abraham's son Ishmael of AbrahamGenesis 16:15
- LotConnected: Uncle of AbrahamGenesis 12:5
- MelchizedekConnected: Blessed him of AbrahamGenesis 14:19
Books associated with Abraham
- Genesis Main narrative figure
A book named after someone is not necessarily written by them. Authorship traditions are shown as traditions.
Themes and study
Study prompts written by BibleKenya editors. They are not Scripture.
FaithCovenantPromise
- What three things does God promise in Genesis 12:1-3?
- How do Romans 4 and James 2 each use Abraham as an example?
- What does Abraham say to Isaac in Genesis 22:8?
Read offline
Save this story, then download the Bible books it uses in your version: Genesis. The story uses the books already on your device; it never stores a second copy.