Topics

Terah

Terah was the father of Abraham and an important patriarch in the lineage leading to Jesus Christ. His life demonstrates God's sovereign call and the beginning of His covenant plan through Abraham's family.

Overview

Terah lived 205 years and fathered Abram (Abraham), Nahor, and Haran in Ur of the Chaldees (Genesis 11:26-27). He began the family's journey toward Canaan but settled in Haran before his death (Genesis 11:31-32). Though an idol worshiper in pagan Mesopotamia (Joshua 24:2), God worked through his family line to establish His covenant with Abraham, making Terah part of the critical genealogical chain leading to Christ.

Key Scriptures

"When Terah had lived 70 years, he fathered Abram, Nahor, and Haran" (Genesis 11:26, ESV). "Terah took Abram his son and Lot the son of Haran, his grandson, and Sarai his daughter-in-law, his son Abram's wife, and they went forth together from Ur of the Chaldees to go into the land of Canaan" (Genesis 11:31, ESV). "So Terah died in Haran" (Genesis 11:32, ESV).

Application

Recognize that God's redemptive plan often works through imperfect people and pagan backgrounds, calling ordinary individuals into extraordinary purpose for His glory.

Scripture References 11
Full Topical Reference List 11 total — Nave's Topical Bible

Called Thara

Was an idolater