Abraham: The first Hebrew patriarch and monotheist
Abraham: The first Hebrew patriarch and monotheist
Questions and answers about Abraham.
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
Transcript
Abraham
Why is Abraham important?
Abraham was the first Hebrew patriarch and is revered in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. According to the Bible, he was called by God to journey to a new land, where he founded a new nation.
Where was Abraham from?
Abraham was raised in Ur of the Chaldeans, which most scholars believe is modern-day Tall al-Muqayyar, 200 miles (300 km) southeast of Baghdad. He eventually settled near Hebron in Canaan.
What was Abraham’s family like?
Abraham arrived in Canaan childless at age 75 with his wife, Sarah. God promised that Abraham’s descendants would inherit the land. Eventually he had a son, Ishmael, by his wife’s maidservant, and, when Abraham was 100, he and Sarah had a son named Isaac.
What is Abraham best known for?
Abraham is known for his intense faith. In Genesis, God commands him to sacrifice his son Isaac as a test of faith. Abraham obeys unquestioningly, preparing to sacrifice Isaac, but God provides him a sacrificial ram instead at the last minute.
What did Abraham believe in?
Unlike the polytheistic family he was raised in, Abraham believed in a god who was uniquely transcendent and personal. Abraham worshipped that god exclusively as "God Most High." Therefore, he is often considered the first monotheist.
Why is Abraham important?
Abraham was the first Hebrew patriarch and is revered in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. According to the Bible, he was called by God to journey to a new land, where he founded a new nation.
Where was Abraham from?
Abraham was raised in Ur of the Chaldeans, which most scholars believe is modern-day Tall al-Muqayyar, 200 miles (300 km) southeast of Baghdad. He eventually settled near Hebron in Canaan.
What was Abraham’s family like?
Abraham arrived in Canaan childless at age 75 with his wife, Sarah. God promised that Abraham’s descendants would inherit the land. Eventually he had a son, Ishmael, by his wife’s maidservant, and, when Abraham was 100, he and Sarah had a son named Isaac.
What is Abraham best known for?
Abraham is known for his intense faith. In Genesis, God commands him to sacrifice his son Isaac as a test of faith. Abraham obeys unquestioningly, preparing to sacrifice Isaac, but God provides him a sacrificial ram instead at the last minute.
What did Abraham believe in?
Unlike the polytheistic family he was raised in, Abraham believed in a god who was uniquely transcendent and personal. Abraham worshipped that god exclusively as "God Most High." Therefore, he is often considered the first monotheist.