Charran
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Topical Encyclopedia
Overview:
Charran, also known as Haran, is a significant location in biblical history, primarily noted as a place of settlement for Terah and his family, including Abram (later Abraham). It is situated in the region of Paddan-Aram, which is part of modern-day southeastern Turkey. Charran serves as a pivotal location in the narrative of the patriarchs, marking a transitional phase in Abram's journey from Ur of the Chaldeans to the land of Canaan.

Biblical References:
Charran is first mentioned in Genesis 11:31: "And Terah took his son Abram, his grandson Lot (son of Haran), and his daughter-in-law Sarai, the wife of his son Abram, 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."

The city is also referenced in Genesis 12:4-5, where it is noted as the place from which Abram departed following God's call: "So Abram departed, as the LORD had directed him, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he left Haran. And Abram took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, and all the possessions and people they had acquired in Haran, and they set out for the land of Canaan."

Historical and Geographical Context:
Charran was an important caravan city in ancient Mesopotamia, strategically located on trade routes connecting the east and west. Its significance is underscored by its mention in various ancient texts outside the Bible, indicating its role as a commercial and cultural hub.

The city is associated with the worship of the moon god Sin, which was prevalent in the region. This cultural backdrop provides insight into the environment from which Abram was called by God to establish a new nation dedicated to the worship of Yahweh.

Theological Significance:
Charran represents a place of transition and obedience in the biblical narrative. It is here that Abram, responding to God's call, leaves behind his past and embarks on a journey of faith that would lead to the establishment of the Israelite nation. This act of obedience is foundational to the Abrahamic covenant, which is central to the biblical narrative and God's redemptive plan.

The sojourn in Charran also highlights themes of divine guidance and providence. Despite the initial delay in Terah's journey, God's purposes are ultimately fulfilled through Abram's faithfulness. This underscores the biblical principle that God's plans prevail despite human hesitation or detours.

Cultural and Religious Influence:
Charran's cultural milieu, characterized by polytheistic worship, contrasts with the monotheistic faith that Abram would come to embody. This juxtaposition emphasizes the distinctiveness of the Abrahamic faith and its call to separate from prevailing cultural norms to follow the one true God.

In summary, Charran serves as a critical waypoint in the biblical narrative, symbolizing both a physical and spiritual journey. It is a testament to the faith and obedience of Abram, setting the stage for the unfolding of God's covenantal promises.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Charran

a singing or calling out

Smith's Bible Dictionary
Charran

(Acts 7:2,4) [HARAN]

Easton's Bible Dictionary
Another form (Acts 7:2, 4) of Haran (q.v.).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
CHARRAN

kar'-an (Charrhan): Greek form of HARAN (which see) (Acts 7:2, 4).

Greek
5488. Charran -- Haran, a city in northwest Mesopotamia
... 5487, 5488. Charran. 5489 . ... Haran. Of Hebrew origin (Charan); Charrhan (ie
Charan), a place in Mesopotamia -- Charran. see HEBREW Charan. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5488.htm - 6k
Library

Of the Time of the Migration of Abraham, When, According to the ...
... things in the Acts of the Apostles, says: "The God of glory appeared unto our father
Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran, and said ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 15 of the time of.htm

Acts vi. 8
... and says, "Men, brethren, and fathers, hearken; The God of glory appeared unto our
father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran." (v.2 ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xv acts vi 8.htm

Of the Order and Nature of the Promises of God which were Made to ...
... this, then, contradict what Stephen says, "The God of glory appeared to our father
Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran?" [903] But ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 16 of the order and.htm

Introductory Notice to Archelaus.
... themselves we find the name Charra occurring; and hence Zacagnius and others have
concluded that the place actually intended is the scriptural Charran, or Haran ...
/.../introductory notice to archelaus.htm

The Same is Proved from the visions which Appeared to Jacob.
... his brother Esau. They are as follows: And Jacob went out from the well
of the oath, [2157] and went toward Charran. [2158] And he ...
/.../chapter lviii the same is proved.htm

The Jewish Institutions and Laws of Far Higher Antiquity than the ...
... He was succeeded by Boleas, the son of Bedan, the son of Charran, [2042]
of the tribe of Ephraim, who ruled twenty-three years. ...
/.../the stromata or miscellanies/chapter xxi the jewish institutions and.htm

The Book of Jubilees
... save the idols. Upon this, Terah and his family removed to Charran, [266]
where they remained fourteen years. Here Abram learns ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/the book of jubilees.htm

Hearken and Look; Or, Encouragement for Believers
... When he was alone God blessed Abraham,""I called him alone, and blessed him, and
increased him." The blessing did not come to him in Charran while he still ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 27 1881/hearken and look or encouragement.htm

Chapter xi
... would seem to mean "mountaineer.""Sarai," according to its root, cannot be the same
as Sharra and so related to Sharratu, the goddess of Charran, the wife of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xi.htm

Christ a Complete Saviour:
... him"'Men, brethren, and fathers, hearken; The God of glory appeared unto our father
Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran, and said ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/christ a complete saviour .htm

Thesaurus
Charran (2 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. CHARRAN. kar'-an (Charrhan): Greek form of HARAN
(which see) (Acts 7:2, 4). Multi-Version Concordance Charran (2 Occurrences). ...
/c/charran.htm - 7k

Haran (19 Occurrences)
... It is called "Charran" in the LXX. ... In Acts 7:2, 4, the King James Version gives the
name as Charran. W. Ewing. Multi-Version Concordance Haran (19 Occurrences). ...
/h/haran.htm - 17k

Dwelt (307 Occurrences)
... said, Men, brethren, and fathers, hearken; The God of glory appeared unto our father
Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran, (KJV ASV ...
/d/dwelt.htm - 36k

Charms (10 Occurrences)

/c/charms.htm - 9k

Wherein (208 Occurrences)
... (ASV). Acts 7:4 Then came he out of the land of the Chaldaeans, and dwelt in Charran:
and from thence, when his father was dead, he removed him into this land ...
/w/wherein.htm - 38k

Removed (294 Occurrences)
... Acts 7:4 Then came he out of the land of the Chaldaeans, and dwelt in Charran: and
from thence, when his father was dead, he removed him into this land ...
/r/removed.htm - 34k

Charred (4 Occurrences)

/c/charred.htm - 7k

Remove (173 Occurrences)
... Acts 7:4 Then came he out of the land of the Chaldaeans, and dwelt in Charran: and
from thence, when his father was dead, he removed him into this land ...
/r/remove.htm - 38k

Dwell (474 Occurrences)
... Acts 7:4 Then came he out of the land of the Chaldaeans, and dwelt in Charran: and
from thence, when his father was dead, he removed him into this land ...
/d/dwell.htm - 42k

Thence (152 Occurrences)
... Acts 7:4 Then came he out of the land of the Chaldaeans, and dwelt in Charran: and
from thence, when his father was dead, he removed him into this land ...
/t/thence.htm - 37k

Resources
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Concordance
Charran (2 Occurrences)

Acts 7:2
And he said, Men, brethren, and fathers, hearken; The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran,
(KJV DBY WBS)

Acts 7:4
Then came he out of the land of the Chaldaeans, and dwelt in Charran: and from thence, when his father was dead, he removed him into this land, wherein ye now dwell.
(KJV DBY WBS)

Subtopics

Charran

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