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Tanakhתנ״ך

Abraham's Father and Family Origins

Sources identify Terach as Abraham's father and explore the family context of Abraham's birth and early life, including discussion of his siblings and relatives.

וַיּוֹלֶד אֶת־אַבְרָם אֶת־נָחוֹר וְאֶת־הָרָן

4 sources · all verified

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What the sources say

The Torah itself identifies Avraham's father by name: Bereishit 11:26 states explicitly that "when Terah had lived 70 years, he begot Abram, Nahor, and Haran," making Terah the father of Avraham.

The midrash in Bereshit Rabbah 38:13 corroborates this relationship, describing Terah as an idol-worshipper who once left and seated Avraham to sell idols in his place — presupposing the father-son dynamic recorded in the pasuk.

Source 1 · Tanach
Verified

Genesis 11:26-32

בראשית י״א:כ״ו-ל״ב

Genesis 11:26-32

These verses introduce Terach and his sons, including Abram, and note that Abram's father was Terach. They also list Haran's children, including Lot.

וַֽיְחִי־תֶ֖רַח שִׁבְעִ֣ים שָׁנָ֑ה וַיּ֙וֹלֶד֙ אֶת־אַבְרָ֔ם אֶת־נָח֖וֹר וְאֶת־הָרָֽן׃ וְאֵ֙לֶּה֙ תּוֹלְדֹ֣ת תֶּ֔רַח תֶּ֚רַח הוֹלִ֣יד אֶת־אַבְרָ֔ם אֶת־נָח֖וֹר וְאֶת־הָרָ֑ן וְהָרָ֖ן הוֹלִ֥יד אֶת־לֽוֹט׃

When Terah had lived 70 years, he begot Abram, Nahor, and Haran. Now this is the line of Terah: Terah begot Abram, Nahor, and Haran; and Haran begot Lot.

Full text on Sefaria ↗
Source 2 · Chazal
Verified

Bereshit Rabbah 38:13

בראשית רבה ל״ח:י״ג

Bereshit Rabbah 38:13

This midrash explores Abram's origins and family, discussing Terach as his father and the broader family context around Abram's birth and early life.

וַיָּמָת הָרָן עַל פְּנֵי תֶּרַח אָבִיו (בראשית יא, כח), רַבִּי חִיָּא בַּר בְּרֵיהּ דְּרַב אַדָא דְּיָפוֹ, תֶּרַח עוֹבֵד צְלָמִים הָיָה, חַד זְמַן נְפֵיק לַאֲתַר, הוֹשִׁיב לְאַבְרָהָם מוֹכֵר תַּחְתָּיו.

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Source 3 · Chazal
Verified

Bereshit Rabbah 39:1

בראשית רבה ל״ט:א׳

Bereshit Rabbah 39:1

The midrash on 'Lech Lecha' addresses Abraham's break from his family and idolatrous environment, presupposing Terach as his father.

כָּךְ לְפִי שֶׁהָיָה אָבִינוּ אַבְרָהָם אוֹמֵר תֹּאמַר שֶׁהָעוֹלָם הַזֶּה בְּלֹא מַנְהִיג, הֵצִיץ עָלָיו הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא וְאָמַר לוֹ אֲנִי הוּא בַּעַל הָעוֹלָם.

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Source 4 · Rishonim
Verified

Rashi on Genesis 11:28

רש"י על בראשית י״א:כ״ח

Rashi on Genesis 11:28

Rashi comments on Haran's death and the family of Terach, helping frame the household into which Abram was born.

על פני תרח אביו. בְּחַיֵי אָבִיו.

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