Keraia
Genesis 11

Genesis 11:28

Terah’s Descendants · Genesis 11:27–32
Read Genesis 11

Translations

Modern
During his father Terah’s lifetime, Haran died in his native land, in Ur of the Chaldeans.
Traditional
And Haran died before his father Terah in the land of his nativity, in Ur of the Chaldees.
Literal
And Haran died before the face of Terah his father, in the land of his birth, in Ur of the Chaldeans.
Latin
Mortuusque est Aran ante Thare patrem suum, in terra nativitatis suæ, in Ur Chaldæorum.

Original

Hebrew
English
During his father Terah’s lifetime, Haran died in his native land, in Ur of the Chaldeans.

Notes

Genesis 11:28

  • Abram received his calling from God in Ur of the Chaldeans (15:7; Acts 7:2–4). This was the main city of Sumer in Mesopotamia near the Persian Gulf. The family had moved there perhaps generations before this calling. Their original home ("country," Genesis 12:1) was probably near Haran, in the region of Shem's descendants (11:10–26). They settled in Haran after leaving Ur (11:31). Later, they were described as Arameans (Deuteronomy 26:5).

  • native land: The same Hebrew phrase appears in 12:1 ("country"), indicating that Ur, not Haran, was where Abram received his calling (see 15:7; Nehemiah 9:7; Acts 7:2).

Genesis 11:27–32

This brief section provides a complete summary of Terah’s life and accounts for his other sons and their marriages. It also introduces Lot, Abram’s nephew, who later played an important role. The ancestors, including Terah and his family, were idolatrous, worshiping other gods in Mesopotamia (Joshua 24:2).

Theme notes and profiles

Abraham Lot Symbolic Numbers

Events

People

Haran: Son of Terah, brother of Abraham and father of Lot Terah: Abraham's father who settled in Haran

Places

Chaldea: Ancient Mesopotamian empire; known for astrology and wisdom Ur: The hometown of Abraham in Mesopotamia

Glossary

Abraham Architecture Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Chaldea, Chaldeans Chronology of the Bible (Old Testament) Ebla Tablets Genealogy Genesis, Book of Haran (Person) Haran (Place) Land Lot Man Mesopotamia Nahor (Person) Nations Patriarchs, Period of the Ur (Place)

Topics

Chaldea: Abraham a Native of Fatherless: Lot Genealogy: To Abraham Haran: Father of Lot and Brother of Abraham Orphan: Lot Shem: Descendants of Terah: The Father of Abraham Ur: Abraham's Native Place