Lexical Summary Terach: Terah Original Word: תֶּרַח Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Tarah, Terah Of uncertain derivation; Terach, the father of Abraham; also a place in the Desert -- Tarah, Terah. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain derivation Definition Abraham's father, also a place in the desert NASB Translation Terah (13). Topical Lexicon Occurrences and Narrative Setting Terah appears thirteen times, all within historical books: Genesis 11:24-32 (nine mentions), Numbers 33:27-28, Joshua 24:2, and 1 Chronicles 1:26. Every occurrence places him in the genealogical and geographical transition from the post-Flood world to the age of the patriarchs, bridging the line of Shem to Abram (Abraham). Genealogical Significance for the Abrahamic Covenant As father of Abram, Nahor, and Haran, Terah stands at the threshold of the covenant narrative. Genesis 11:26 records, “Terah lived seventy years, and became the father of Abram, Nahor, and Haran”. Scripture deliberately lists Abram first, highlighting the sovereign choice through whom blessing would flow (Genesis 12:1-3). Yet Terah’s own placement in the line from Shem (Genesis 11:10-26; 1 Chronicles 1:24-27) secures the continuity of God’s redemptive promise first voiced in Genesis 3:15, then carried through Noah and Shem. Migration from Ur to Haran Genesis 11:31-32 narrates Terah’s move: “Terah took his son Abram, his grandson Lot… and his daughter-in-law Sarai… and together they set out from Ur of the Chaldeans to go to the land of Canaan. But when they came to Haran, they settled there”. Terah’s initiative launches the geographical journey that God will later command Abram to complete (Genesis 12:1). Though the destination of Canaan is not reached under Terah, his departure from the idolatrous metropolis of Ur foreshadows the call to covenant holiness that will characterize his son. Spiritual Condition and Idolatrous Background Joshua 24:2 provides the divine commentary: “Long ago your fathers, including Terah the father of Abraham and Nahor, lived beyond the Euphrates and worshiped other gods”. Terah exemplifies the pagan milieu from which God sovereignly elects Abram. The contrast between Terah’s idolatry and Abram’s faith underscores salvation by grace rather than heritage. For Israel, the reminder serves as an antidote to presumption, recalling that election rests solely on God’s mercy. Chronology and Longevity Terah lived two hundred and five years (Genesis 11:32). Genesis 11:26’s note that Terah fathered Abram at seventy, juxtaposed with Genesis 12:4 stating Abram was seventy-five when he left Haran, yields the conclusion that Terah died before Abram’s entry into Canaan. This timing removes any suggestion that Abram dishonored his father by leaving (compare Exodus 20:12) and demonstrates divine orchestration of events. Terah in Israel’s Collective Memory Numbers 33:27-28 lists a wilderness campsite named Terah during Israel’s exodus itinerary. While the toponym’s etymology is uncertain, its presence keeps Terah’s name in the nation’s geographical consciousness, linking the patriarchal era with the Mosaic journey. Ministry and Theological Lessons 1. Grace precedes faithfulness: God’s redemptive plan advances through an idolater’s household. Typological and Redemptive Implications Terah’s halted migration stands as a living parable of unfinished faith, contrasting with Abram’s full obedience. The pattern anticipates later contrasts—Saul and David, Israel and the faithful remnant—where proximity to promise without wholehearted trust results in spiritual stagnation. Terah’s account therefore urges readers to “press on toward the goal” (Philippians 3:14), completing the journey that God sets before His people. Forms and Transliterations בְּתָֽרַח׃ בתרח׃ מִתָּ֑רַח מתרח תֶ֔רַח תֶ֖רַח תֶּ֔רַח תֶּ֖רַח תֶּ֚רַח תֶּ֛רַח תֶּ֜רַח תֶּ֣רַח תָּֽרַח׃ תרח תרח׃ bə·ṯā·raḥ beTarach bəṯāraḥ mit·tā·raḥ mitTarach mittāraḥ tā·raḥ Tarach tāraḥ te·raḥ ṯe·raḥ Terach teraḥ ṯeraḥLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 11:24 HEB: וַיּ֖וֹלֶד אֶת־ תָּֽרַח׃ NAS: years, and became the father of Terah; KJV: years, and begat Terah: INT: years and became of Terah Genesis 11:25 Genesis 11:26 Genesis 11:27 Genesis 11:27 Genesis 11:28 Genesis 11:31 Genesis 11:32 Genesis 11:32 Numbers 33:27 Numbers 33:28 Joshua 24:2 1 Chronicles 1:26 13 Occurrences |
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