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Father of a multitudeSome fourteen years before this, while Abram was still in Chaldea, Palestine had been invaded by [[Text:EBD:Chedorlaomer|Chedorlaomer]], son [[Text:EBD:King|King]] of Terah[[Text:EBD:Elam|Elam]], named (Genwho brought under [[Text:EBD:Tribute|tribute]] to him the five cities in the plain to which Lot had removed. 11:27) before his older brothers Nahor and Haran, because he This tribute was felt by the heir inhabitants of the promisesthese cities to be a heavy burden, and after twelve years they revolted. Till This brought upon them the age vengeance of seventyChedorlaomer, Abram sojourned among his kindred who had in his native country of Chaldealeague with him four other kings. He thenravaged the whole country, plundering the towns, with and carrying the inhabitants away as [[Text:EBD:Slave|slaves]]. Among those thus treated was Lot. Hearing of the disaster that had fallen on his father and nephew, Abram immediately gathered from his family and own householda band of 318 armed men, quitted and being joined by the city of UrAmoritish chiefs [[Text:EBD:Mamre|Mamre]], in which he had hitherto dwelt[[Text:EBD:Aner|Aner]], and went some 300 miles north to Haran[[Text:EBD:Eshcol|Eshcol]], where he abode fifteen yearspursued after Chedorlaomer, and overtook him near the springs of the [[Text:EBD:Jordan|Jordan]]. The cause They attacked and routed his army, and pursued it over the range of his migration was a call from God (Acts 7Anti-Libanus as far as to [[Text:EBD:Hobah|Hobah]], near [[Text:EBD:2-4)Damascus|Damascus]], and then returned, bringing back all the spoils that had been carried away. There is no mention Returning by way of this first call in the Old Testament; it is implied, however[[Text:EBD:Salem|Salem]], in Geni. 12e. While they tarried at Haran, Terah died at [[Text:EBD:Jerusalem|Jerusalem]], the age king of 205 yearsthat place, [[Text:EBD:Melchizedek|Melchizedek]], came forth to meet them with refreshments. To him Abram now received presented a second and more definite calltenth of the spoils, accompanied by in recognition of his character as a promise from [[Text:EBD:Priest|priest]] of the most high God (Gen. 1214:1,218-20); whereupon he took his departure, taking his nephew Lot with him, "not knowing whither he went" (Heb. 11:8). He trusted implicitly to the guidance of Him who had called him.

Abram now, with In a large household of probably a thousand soulsrecently-discovered tablet, entered on a migratory life, and dwelt dated in tents. Passing along the valley reign of the Jabbok, in the land grandfather of Canaan, he formed his first encampment at Sichem (Gen. 12[[Text:6), in the vale or oak-grove of Moreh, between Ebal on the north and Gerizim on the south. Here he received the great promise, "I will make of thee a great nation," etc. (Gen. 12EBD:2,3,7). This promise comprehended not only temporal but also spiritual blessings. It implied that he was the chosen ancestor of the great Deliverer whose coming had been long ago predicted Amraphel|Amraphel]] (Gen. 314:151). Soon after this, for some reason not mentioned, he removed his tent to one of the mountain district between Bethel, then witnesses is called Luz, and Ai, towns about two miles apart, where he built an altar to "Jehovah." He again moved into the southern tract of Palestine, called by the Hebrews the Negeb; and was at length, on account of a famine, compelled to go down into Egypt. This took place in the time of the Hyksos, a Semitic race which now held the Egyptians in bondage. Here occurred that case of deception on the part of Abram which exposed him to the rebuke of Pharaoh (Gen. 12:18). Sarai was restored to him; and Pharaoh loaded him with presents, recommending him to withdraw from the country. He returned to Canaan richer than when he left it, "in cattle, in silver, and in gold" (Gen. 12:8; 13:2. Comp. Ps. 105[[Text:13, 14). The whole party then moved northward, and returned to their previous station near Bethel. Here disputes arose between Lot's shepherds and those of Abram about water and pasturage. Abram generously gave Lot his choice of the pasture-ground. (Comp. 1 Cor. 6EBD:7.) He chose the well-watered plain in which Sodom was situatedAmorites|Amorite]], and removed thither; and thus the uncle and nephew were separated. Immediately after this Abram was cheered by a repetition son of the promises already made to himAbiramu, and then removed to the plain or "oak-grove" of Mamre, which is in Hebron. He finally settled here, pitching his tent under a famous oak or terebinth tree, called "the oak of Mamre" (Gen. 13:18). This was his third resting-place in the landAbram.

Some fourteen years before thisHaving returned to his home at Mamre, while Abram was still in Chaldea, Palestine had been invaded the promises already made to him by Chedorlaomer, King God were repeated and enlarged (Gen. 13:14). "The word of Elam, who brought under tribute the [[Text:EBD:Lord|Lord]]" (an expression occurring here for the first time) "came to him " (15:1). He now understood better the future that lay before the nation that was to spring from him. Sarai, now seventy-five cities years old, in the plain her impatience, persuaded Abram to which Lot had removedtake [[Text:EBD:Hagar|Hagar]], her Egyptian maid, as a [[Text:EBD:Concubine|concubine]], intending that whatever child might be born should be reckoned as her own. This tribute [[Text:EBD:Ishmael|Ishmael]] was felt by accordingly thus brought up, and was regarded as the inhabitants heir of these cities to be a heavy burdenpromises (Gen. 16). When Ishmael was thirteen years old, God again revealed yet more explicitly and fully his gracious purpose; and after twelve years they revolted. This brought upon them in token of the vengeance sure fulfilment of Chedorlaomer, who had in league with him four other kingsthat purpose the [[Text:EBD:Patriarch|patriarch]]'s name was now changed from Abram to [[Text:EBD:Abraham|Abraham]] (Gen. He ravaged the whole country17:4, plundering the towns5), and carrying the inhabitants away rite of [[Text:EBD:Circumcision|circumcision]] was instituted as slavesa sign of the [[Text:EBD:Covenant|covenant]]. Among those thus treated It was then announced that the heir to these covenant promises would be the son of Sarai, though she was now ninety years old; and it was Lotdirected that his name should be [[Text:EBD:Isaac|Isaac]]. Hearing At the same time, in commemoration of the disaster promises, Sarai's name was changed to [[Text:EBD:Sarah|Sarah]]. On that had fallen on memorable day of God's thus revealing his nephewdesign, Abram immediately gathered from Abraham and his own household a band son Ishmael and all the males of 318 armed his [[Text:EBD:House|house]] were circumcised (Gen. 17). Three months after this, as Abraham sat in his tent door, he saw three menapproaching. They accepted his proffered hospitality, and being joined by the Amoritish chiefs Mamre, Anerseated under an oak-tree, partook of the fare which Abraham and Eshcol, he pursued after ChedorlaomerSarah provided. One of the three visitants was none other than the Lord, and overtook him near the springs other two were [[Text:EBD:Angel|angels]] in the guise of the Jordanmen. They attacked and routed The Lord renewed on this occasion his armypromise of a son by Sarah, and pursued it over who was rebuked for her unbelief. Abraham accompanied the range of Anti-Libanus three as far as to Hobah, near Damascus, they proceeded on their journey. The two angels went on toward Sodom; while the Lord tarried behind and then returnedtalked with Abraham, bringing back all making known to him the spoils destruction that had been carried awaywas about to fall on that guilty city. Returning by way The patriarch interceded earnestly in behalf of Salem, i.ethe doomed city.But as not even ten righteous persons were found in it, Jerusalemfor whose sake the city would have been spared, the king threatened destruction fell upon it; and early next morning Abraham saw the smoke of the [[Text:EBD:Fire|fire]] that place, Melchizedek, came forth to meet them with refreshments. To him Abram presented a tenth of consumed it as the spoils, in recognition "smoke of his character as a priest of the most high God furnace" (Gen. 1419:181-2028).

In a recently-discovered tabletAfter fifteen years' residence at Mamre, Abraham moved southward, dated in and pitched his tent among the reign [[Text:EBD:Philistines|Philistines]], near to [[Text:EBD:Gerar|Gerar]]. Here occurred that sad instance of prevarication on his part in his relation to [[Text:EBD:Abimelech|Abimelech]] the grandfather of Amraphel King (Gen. 14:120). (See ABIMELECH.)Soon after this event, one of the witnesses is called "patriarch left the Amoritevicinity of Gerar, and moved down the fertile valley about 25 miles to [[Text:EBD:Beersheba|Beer-sheba]]. It was probably here that Isaac was born, Abraham being now an hundred years old. A feeling of jealousy now arose between Sarah and Hagar, whose son, Ishmael, was no longer to be regarded as Abraham's heir. Sarah insisted that both Hagar and her son of Abiramushould be sent away. This was done," or Abramalthough it was a hard trial to Abraham (Gen.21:12). (See HAGAR; ISHMAEL.)

Having returned to his home at Mamre, At this point there is a blank in the promises already made to him by God patriarch's history of perhaps twenty-five years. These years of peace and happiness were repeated and enlarged (Genspent at Beer-sheba. 13:14). "The word of the Lord" (an expression occurring here for the first next time) "came we see him his faith is put to him" (15:1). He now understood better a severe test by the future command that lay before the nation that was suddenly came to spring from him. Sarai, now seventy-five years old, in her impatience, persuaded Abram to take Hagar, her Egyptian maid, as a concubine, intending that whatever child might be born should be reckoned as her own. Ishmael was accordingly thus brought go and offer upIsaac, and was regarded as the heir of these all the promises (Gen. 16). When Ishmael was thirteen years old, God again revealed yet more explicitly and fully his gracious purpose; and in token as a [[Text:EBD:Sacrifice|sacrifice]] on one of the sure fulfilment mountains of that purpose [[Text:EBD:Moriah|Moriah]]. His faith stood the patriarch's name was now changed from Abram to Abraham test (GenHeb. 11:17:4,5-19), and the rite of circumcision was instituted as . He proceeded in a sign spirit of the covenant. It was then announced that the heir unhesitating obedience to these covenant promises would be carry out the son of Sarai, though she was now ninety years oldcommand; and it was directed that when about to slay his name should be Isaac. At the same timeson, in commemoration of whom he had laid on the promisesaltar, Sarai's name his uplifted hand was changed to Sarah. On that memorable day of God's thus revealing his design, Abraham and his son Ishmael and all arrested by the males angel of his house were circumcised (Gen. 17). Three months after this, as Abraham sat in his tent door, he saw three men approaching. They accepted his proffered hospitalityJehovah, anda [[Text:EBD:Ram|ram]], seated under an oak-tree, partook of the fare which Abraham and Sarah provided. One of the three visitants was none other than the Lordentangled in a thicket near at hand, was seized and the other two were angels offered in the guise of menhis stead. The Lord renewed on From this occasion his promise of a son by Sarahcircumstance that place was called [[Text:EBD:Jehovah-jireh|Jehovah-jireh]], who was rebuked for her unbeliefi. Abraham accompanied the three as they proceeded on their journeye. , "The two angels went on toward Sodom; while the Lord tarried behind and talked with Abraham, making known to him the destruction that was about to fall on that guilty citywill provide. " The patriarch interceded earnestly in behalf of the doomed city. But as not even ten righteous persons promises made to Abraham were found in it, for whose sake again confirmed (and this was the city would have been spared, last recorded word of God to the threatened destruction fell upon itpatriarch); and early next morning Abraham saw he descended the smoke of the fire that consumed it as the "smoke of a furnace" [[Text:EBD:Mount|mount]] with his son, and returned to his home at Beer-sheba (Gen. 22:19:1-28), where he resided for some years, and then moved northward to Hebron.

After fifteen Some years' residence after this Sarah died at MamreHebron, being 127 years old. Abraham moved southwardacquired now the needful possession of a burying-place, the cave of [[Text:EBD:Machpelah|Machpelah]], by purchase from the owner of it, [[Text:EBD:Ephron|Ephron]] the [[Text:EBD:Hittites|Hittite]] (Gen. 23); and there he buried Sarah. His next care was to provide a [[Text:EBD:Wife|wife]] for Isaac, and pitched for this purpose he sent his tent among the Philistinessteward, [[Text:EBD:Eliezer|Eliezer]], near to Gerar. Here occurred that sad instance of prevarication on [[Text:EBD:Haran|Haran]] (or Charran, Acts 7:2), where his part in brother Nahor and his relation to Abimelech the King family resided (Gen. 2011:31). The result was that [[Text:EBD:Rebekah|Rebekah]], the daughter of Nahor's son [[Text:EBD:Bethuel|Bethuel]], became the wife of Isaac (See ABIMELECHGen.24) Soon after this event. Abraham then himself took to wife [[Text:EBD:Keturah|Keturah]], who became the patriarch left mother of six sons, whose descendants were afterwards known as the vicinity "children of Gerarthe [[Text:EBD:East|east]]" (Judg. 6:3), and moved down the fertile valley about 25 miles later as "Saracens." At length all his wanderings came to Beer-shebaan end. It was probably here that Isaac was bornAt the age of 175 years, Abraham being now an hundred 100 years old. A feeling after he had first entered the land of jealousy now arose between Sarah and HagarCanaan, whose sonhe died, Ishmael, was no longer to be regarded as Abraham's heir. Sarah insisted that both Hagar and her son should be sent away. This was done, although it was a hard trial to Abraham buried in the old family burying-place at Machpelah (Gen. 2125:127-10). (See HAGAR; ISHMAEL.)

At this point there is a blank in the patriarch's The history of perhaps twenty-five years. These years of peace Abraham made a wide and happiness were spent at Beer-sheba. The next time we see him his faith is put to a severe test by deep impression on the command that suddenly came ancient world, and references to him to go and offer up Isaac, it are interwoven in the heir religious traditions of almost all Eastern nations. He is called "the promises, as a sacrifice on one of the mountains friend of Moriah. His faith stood the test God" (Heb. 11James 2:17-1923). He proceeded in a spirit of unhesitating obedience to carry out the command; and when about to slay his son, whom he had laid on the altar, his uplifted hand was arrested by the angel of Jehovah, and a ram, which was entangled in a thicket near at hand, was seized and offered in his stead. From this circumstance that place was called Jehovah-jireh, i.e"faithful Abraham" (Gal.3:9), "The Lord will provide." The promises made to Abraham were again confirmed (and this was the last recorded word father of God to the patriarch); and he descended the mount with his son, and returned to his home at Beer-sheba us all" (GenRom. 224:1916), where he resided for some years, and then moved northward to Hebron.

Some years after this Sarah died at Hebron, being 127 years old. Abraham acquired now the needful possession of a burying-place, the cave of Machpelah, by purchase from the owner of it, Ephron the Hittite (Gen. 23); and there he buried Sarah. His next care was to provide a wife for Isaac, and for this purpose he sent his steward, Eliezer, to Haran (or Charran, Acts 7:2), where his brother Nahor and his family resided (Gen. 11:31). The result was that Rebekah, the daughter of Nahor's son Bethuel, became the wife of Isaac (Gen. 24). Abraham then himself took to wife Keturah, who became the mother of six sons, whose descendants were afterwards known as the "children of the east" (Judg. 6:3), and later as "Saracens." At length all his wanderings came to an end. At the age of 175 years, 100 years after he had first entered the land of Canaan, he died, and was buried in the old family burying-place at Machpelah (Gen. 25:7-10). The history of Abraham made a wide and deep impression on the ancient world, and references to it are interwoven in the religious traditions of almost all Eastern nations. He is called "the friend of God" (James 2:23), "faithful Abraham" (Gal. 3:9), "the father of us all" (Rom. 4:16). {{returnto}} [[Easton's Bible Dictionary]] | [[Abraham]]