Abraham
Historical & Biblical Definition
Originally Abram ("high father"), later renamed Abraham ("father of a multitude"). The founding patriarch of Israel and friend of God. Called by God from Ur of the Chaldees to Canaan, he received the Abrahamic covenant of land, seed, and global blessing through his descendant Jesus Christ.
Redemptive & Theological Significance
The biblical prototype of justification by faith alone apart from works.
Key Scripture Citations
Primary canonical passages illuminating Abraham:
Related Biblical Figures
The eighth son of Jesse of Bethlehem, anointed by Samuel as king over Israel, conqueror of Goliath, sweet psalmist of Israel, and man after God’s own heart. God made an everlasting covenant with David promising that his throne would endure forever through the Messiah.
A fiery prophet of Gilead who confronted King Ahab and Queen Jezebel during Israel’s deepest apostasy. He called down drought, raised the widow’s son at Zarephath, decisively defeated the 450 prophets of Baal at Mount Carmel, and was taken up into heaven by a chariot of fire without experiencing physical death.
The central figure of all human history and Christian revelation. The eternal Word who became flesh, born of the Virgin Mary in Bethlehem, lived a sinless life of miraculous teaching and compassion, was crucified for the sins of the world under Pontius Pilate, rose bodily from the grave on the third day, ascended into heaven, and will return in power as King of kings.