Dictionary of Bible Themes: 5076 Abraham, life of

5076 Abraham, life of

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Dictionary of Bible Themes » 5000 Humanity » 5070 Individuals in OT and NT » 5075 Abraham » 5076 Abraham, life of

God called Abraham to live as a nomad in Canaan and promised the land to his descendants, naming him “father of many”, although he had no heir until his old age.

Abraham's ancestors, marriage and descendants

The line of descent from Shem to Abraham

1 Chronicles 1:24-27

Abraham's marriage to Sarah

Genesis 11:29-30

Abraham's descendants

1 Chronicles 1:28-34

Abraham was called to live in Canaan

His migration from Ur to Canaan

Genesis 11:31-12:5 See also Joshua 24:2-3; Acts 7:2-4; Hebrews 11:8-9

His nomadic way of life in Canaan

Hebrews 11:9 See also Genesis 12:6-10; Genesis 13:1-4

God gives Abraham his new name

Genesis 17:5 The giving of a new name signifies a new relationship to God. “Abram” has the sense of “revered father”, whereas “Abraham” means “father of many people”. See also Genesis 17:15

Abraham buys a burial site for Sarah

Genesis 23:3-4 This is his only acquisition of land in Canaan. See also Genesis 23:17-20; Genesis 49:29-32

Abraham's dealings with his nephew, Lot

Genesis 12:4-5 Abraham is accompanied to Canaan by Lot; Genesis 13:5-12 Abraham and Lot separate; Genesis 14:8-16 Abraham rescues Lot from five local kings.

Abraham's intercession for Sodom saves Lot:

Genesis 18:20-33; Genesis 19:29

Significant encounters in Abraham's life

With Melchizedek:

Genesis 14:18-20; Hebrews 7:1-10 Genesis 18:1-22 with three angels

God's covenant with Abraham

God makes a covenant with Abraham

Genesis 15:1-21 See also Acts 7:5-7

God gives Abram the name Abraham, as a sign of the covenant

Genesis 17:1-8

God gives Abraham the gift of circumcision as a sign of the covenant

Genesis 17:9-27 See also Acts 7:8; Romans 4:11

Abraham's family

Abraham and Sarah were childless

Genesis 11:30 See also Genesis 15:2-3; Genesis 17:17; Genesis 18:11-13

Abraham's pretence that Sarah is his sister

Genesis 12:10-20; Genesis 20:1-18

The birth of Ishmael

Genesis 16:1-4,15-16

The birth of Isaac

Genesis 21:1-7

Abraham dismisses Hagar and Ishmael

Genesis 21:8-14

God tests Abraham over Isaac

Genesis 22:1-19 See also Hebrews 11:17-19; James 2:21

Abraham's wife Sarah dies

Genesis 23:1-2

Abraham makes arrangements for a wife for Isaac

Genesis 24:1-9

Abraham marries Keturah and has children by her

Genesis 25:1-2 pp 1 Chronicles 1:32

The death of Abraham

Genesis 25:7-11

The time span of Abraham's life

Genesis 12:4 Abraham leaves Haran at the age of 75.

Ishmael is born when Abraham is 86:

Genesis 16:3,16 Genesis 17:1 Abraham renamed and circumcised at the age of 99; Genesis 21:5 Isaac born when Abraham is 100; Genesis 23:1 Sarah dies when Abraham is 137. Ge 17:17 indicates that Sarah was ten years younger than Abraham; Genesis 25:7 Abraham dies at the age of 175.