Keraia
Genesis 11

Genesis 11:31

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

Translations

Modern
And Terah took his son Abram, his grandson Lot son of Haran, and his daughter-in-law Sarai the wife of Abram, and they set out from Ur of the Chaldeans for the land of Canaan. But when they arrived in Haran, they settled there.
Traditional
And Terah took Abram his son, and Lot the son of Haran his son’s son, and Sarai his daughter in law, his son Abram’s wife; and they went forth with them from Ur of the Chaldees, to go into the land of Canaan; and they came unto Haran, and dwelt there.
Literal
And Terah took Abram his son, and Lot son of Haran, the son of his son, and Sarai his daughter-in-law, the wife of his son Abram, and they went out with them from Ur of the Chaldeans to go to the land of Canaan. And they came as far as Haran and they dwelt there.
Latin
Tulit itaque Thare Abram filium suum, et Lot filium Aran, filium filii sui, et Sarai nurum suam, uxorem Abram filii sui, et eduxit eos de Ur Chaldæorum, ut irent in terram Chanaan: veneruntque usque Haran, et habitaverunt ibi.

Original

Hebrew
English
And Terah took his son Abram, his grandson Lot son of Haran, and his daughter-in-law Sarai the wife of Abram, and they set out from Ur of the Chaldeans for the land of Canaan. But when they arrived in Haran, they settled there.

Notes

Genesis 11:31

  • Terah took: Abram left Ur because God called him (see study note on 11:28). Yet, the story relates from Terah’s viewpoint, reflecting the ancient Near Eastern culture where the oldest male led the family. This respect for elders is probably why Abram did not go to Canaan alone at that time (see Acts 7:2–4).

  • Haran was 885 kilometers (550 miles) northwest of Ur, near the Syrian-Turkish border. Despite the similar name, there is no connection to Terah’s son Haran, who died in Ur (11:28).

  • Haran means “caravan.” It was a major trade center where ancient trade routes met.

  • Haran was also famous for moon worship, which Terah’s family probably practiced (see study note on 11:29).

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 Sarah Symbolic Numbers

Events

People

Abraham: Patriarch, chosen by God to father His people Haran: Son of Terah, brother of Abraham and father of Lot Lot: Abraham's nephew; rescued from Sodom's destruction Sarah: Wife of Abraham; mother of Isaac Terah: Abraham's father who settled in Haran

Places

Canaan: Ancient region; descendants of Ham; promised to Abraham's descendants Chaldea: Ancient Mesopotamian empire; known for astrology and wisdom Haran: A city in Mesopotamia, associated with Abraham and his family Ur: The hometown of Abraham in Mesopotamia

Glossary

Abraham Aram-Naharaim Architecture Ben-Ammi Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Chronology of the Bible (Old Testament) Ebla Tablets Genesis, Book of Haran (Person) Haran (Place) Land Lot Man Mesopotamia Monotheism Nations Palestine Patriarchs, Period of the Sarah Terah (Person) Ur (Place)

Topics

Abraham: Lives in Ur, but Removes to Haran Babylon: Situated Beyond the Euphrates Canaan: Land of Chaldea: Abraham a Native of Genealogy: To Abraham Haran: Also Called Charran: A Place in Mesopotamia to Which Terah and Abraham Migrated Haran: Father of Lot and Brother of Abraham Holy Land: Called: Land of Canaan Lot: The Son of Haran: Accompanies Terah from Ur of the Chaldees to Haran Sarah: Also Called Sarai: Wife of Abraham Terah: The Father of Abraham Ur: Abraham's Native Place: Abraham Leaves