Abraham&#x27;s Father and Family Origins

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.

Source 2 · Chazal

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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.

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.

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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