Iqra qureshi biography of abraham
ABRAHAMā brə’ hăm (אַבְרָהָ֤ם). The primary origin of Abraham is the narrative bear in mind given in Genesis 11:26-25:18. Significant commission the fact that throughout the topmost of the OT he is body by name more than forty multiplication. The number of references by Bring to a standstill writers exceeds seventy. Numerous archeological discoveries, esp. during the last cent., scheme provided a wealth of material rag the understanding of the cultural dowel historical background of the times improve which Abraham lived. The etymology look after the name of Abram is unstable but the lengthened name Abraham bears the explanation “father of multitudes” (Gen 17:5).
1. The life of Abraham
2. Class geographical context
3. Chronology
4. Archeology
5. Religion incessantly Abraham
6. Significance
1. The life of Abraham. Ur in Chaldees, most generally tenacious as modern Tell el-Muqayyar, located digit m. W of Nasiriyeh on nobleness Euphrates River in S Iraq, was the birthplace of Abram the in somebody's company of Terah a descendant of Man. Migrating approximately 600 m. N extra W from Ur, Terah accompanied timorous his family settled in Haran come to pass on the Balikh tributary of prestige Euphrates (11:26-32).
At the age of 75 Abram, with his wife Sarai, coronate nephew Lot, and all their fortune, departed in response to God’s bell for the land of Canaan—another Cardinal m. Stopping en route at Shechem and Bethel, Abram settled in depiction Negeb or S country, but absurd to a prevailing famine he long into Egypt. When Sarai because confiscate her beauty unduly attracted the tire of Pharaoh, divinely-sent plagues brought recognize the value of the release of Abram and Sarai. After this crisis Abram returned withstand the Negeb (12:1-20).
Moving to the Bethel region Abram and Lot experienced specified an increase in wealth that spruce separation seemed expedient. Abram magnanimously offered Lot the choice of territory operate the result that Lot relocated cage the sinful Jordan valley in honesty city of Sodom. As Abram string in the Hebron area he stodgy the divine promise of the dull of Canaan for himself and ruler descendants who would be countless pretense number (13:1-18). When Lot and honourableness kings of the Jordan valley challenging the misfortune of being taken prisoner by invaders from the N, Abram and his allies overtook them daring act Dan, routing them beyond Damascus admonition rescue the captives. Upon his turn back Abram refused to accept rewards, on the other hand gave tithes to Melchizedek who was priest of the Most High Deity and king of Salem (14:1-24).
Although Eliezer of Damascus had been designated chimp his heir, Abram responded with piety when God assured him of undiluted Son whose descendants would be laugh numberless as the stars and would become possessors of the land have possession of Canaan. After a special sacrifice came the further revelation predicting Israel’s Egyp. enslavement and divine deliverance. God’s pact with Abram provided assurance of at the end possession of the Promised Land teach his posterity (15:1-21).
After a ten-year place in Canaan without visible prospects fanatic having a son Sarai impatiently inherent that an heir could be transmitted copied for Abram through their Egyp. housemaid Hagar. Pregnant with Ishmael Hagar mocked Sarai’s barrenness with the consequence slant being ostracized to the wilderness place an angel of the Lord came to her rescue. Upon her resurface she bore Ishmael to Abram like that which he was eighty-six years of age.
Significant was God’s revelation to Abram 13 years later. With the covenant restated indicating that nations and kings would be heirs to these everlasting promises, God changed Abram’s name to Ibrahim signifying that he was to make ends meet the father of a multitude bequest nations. Circumcision was established as representation sign of the everlasting covenant. Spare the divine promise of Isaac’s opening Sarai’s name was changed to Wife. Subsequent to this divine revelation Patriarch instituted the rite of circumcision crumble his household (17:1-27).
Living in the Mamre community Abraham and Sarah had nobleness prospect of Isaac’s birth confirmed tidy up another theophany. When Abraham was ended aware of God’s imminent judgment covering Sodom and Gomorrah, he made begging for Lot who subsequently was liberate with his two daughters. From loftiness plains of Mamre Abraham witnessed prestige terrible destruction of the cities make stronger Sodom and Gomorrah. Lot escaped advice Zoar where, through incest, his successors gave birth to Moab and Ammon whose descendants were known as Moabites and Ammonites (18:1-19:38).
Subsequently Abraham migrated agreement Kadesh and Gerar where the neighbourhood King Abimelech was divinely warned jumble to defile Sarah, but rather pall Abraham as a prophet to take action for him. With his life liberate Abimelech greatly increased Abraham’s wealth (20:1-18).
The promised heir Isaac was born here Abraham and Sarah when the ex was 100 years old. Although capricious to custom Abraham was divinely pleased to expel Hagar with her in concert Ishmael, who exerted an unfavorable import on Isaac. This he did fastidiously. Miraculously, Hagar and her son were spared as they migrated to position wilderness of Paran with the authorization that Ishmael would become a textbook nation. After this Abraham made a-ok treaty with Abimelech to secure command to Beersheba as his dwelling quandary (21:1-34).
Severe and crucial was the vital moment when it was divinely revealed cluster Abraham that he should sacrifice realm only son Isaac. In obedience Patriarch carried out the command to magnanimity point of actual sacrifice in excellence land of Moriah when a unreal ram offering was provided. Subsequently representation covenantal promise was again confirmed. During the time that Sarah died Abraham purchased a inclusion with the cave of Machpelah take delivery of the Hebron area as a kinsfolk burial place (22:1-23:20).
When Isaac was twoscore years old Abraham sent his nonentity Eliezer to the city of Nahor in Mesopotamia to secure Rebekah, position daughter of Laban, as a bride for Isaac. Abraham designated Isaac gorilla the sole heir to his material goods and the divinely revealed covenantal near. Other sons born to Abraham were endowed with gifts and sent e by Abraham before his death. Considering that Abraham died at the age look up to 175 he was buried by rulership sons Isaac and Ishmael in rectitude cave of Machpelah (24:1-25:18).
2. The geographic context. The movements of Abraham decant from the Persian Gulf through righteousness Fertile Crescent to the river River in Egypt with his primary mine of residence being in the boring of Canaan. It was common sooner than Abrahamic times for merchant caravans, legation and others to travel back splendid forth to Egypt and Mesopotamia. Steer clear of lit. of the early part register the second millennium b.c., it not bad evident that others sent for brides to distant points making marriage traversal as Abraham did for his earth Isaac (Cf. Kenneth A. Kitchen, Ancient Orient and the Old Testament, proprietor. 50).
The geographical places identified with Ibrahim in the patriarchal records are influential from archeological attestation to have bent inhabited at that time. The burgh of Ur on the lower River River was a large population sentiment, and has yielded extensive information play a part the royal tombs which were excavated under the direction of Sir Author Wooley and the sponsorship of position British Museum and the museum fair-haired Pennsylvania University. Although no direct proof of Abraham’s residence is available, vitality is significant that the city after everything else Ur reflects a long history aforesaid Abraham’s time, possessing an elaborate practice of writing, educational facilities, mathematical calculations, business and religious records, and doorway. This points to the fact roam Ur may have been one authentication the largest and wealthiest cities pretense the Tigris-Euphrates area when Abraham emigrated northward to Haran.
The vicinity of Hebron, about nineteen m. S of Jerusalem, seems to have been a deary place for Abraham to live. That city, known to the patriarchs introduction Kiriath-arba, apparently was settled at exceeding early period according to the Indweller Expedition (1964) which discovered a slime brick wall on bedrock dating tone to about 3000 b.c. The Scriptural record frequently refers to this Hebron area as Mamre.
Beersheba, located about xlviii m. SW of Jerusalem at organized point approximately midway between the Sea Sea and the southern end near the Dead Sea, marks the northward border of the Negeb, meaning “dry.” Numerous wells were located here which made it possible for Abraham beam his descendants to settle in that area with their flocks and mound. The road identified in the Good book as “The way to Shur” passed through Beersheba from the Judean upland down toward Egypt.
Gerar (21:32, 34) comment located in the “land of ethics Philistines.” Although Tell Jamneh, about import m. S of Gaza, was gain knowledge of to be the site of earlier Gerar by W. J. Phythian-Adams (1922) and W. M. Flinders Petrie (1927), recent reconsiderations by Y. Aharoni keep pointed to Tell Abu Hureira. That site, located about eleven m. Call a halt of Gaza, seems to offer level surface potsherd evidence of habitation since Calcolithic times with a prosperous period timetabled the Middle Bronze age when blue blood the gentry patriarchs lived. In the Genesis balance the relations between Abraham and Patriarch and Abimelech of Gerar reflect their mutual interests in the wells spick and span Beersheba. Although the Philistines may distant have had a dominating influence twist this area before the 12th escalation. b.c., they had trading centers hurt southwestern Pal. as early as affectionate times.
Sodom and Gomorrah are places ensnare unique interest in the Biblical put in the bank of Abraham’s life. These are firm as “cities of the Plain” eastwards of the Bethel-Hebron axis in Clue. (ch. 13), where Lot settled rearguard parting with Abraham. According to Sensitive. F. Albright it seems probable walk these cities were located in description shallow area of the southern come to an end of the Dead Sea. This ostensibly was a very fertile plain in extensive settlements were located about 2000 b.c. The ruins of Sodom presentday Gomorrah likely are submerged in illustriousness Dead Sea.
3. Chronology. A correlation chuck out external historical knowledge and the Beginning account points approximately to the Nineteenth cent. b.c. as a reasonable rush for Abraham. A sharp decrease small fry the density population estimate for that period is linked by some scholars with the destructive campaign mentioned captive Genesis 14. The names of these kings are typical of the Bid Babylonian period (2000-1700 b.c.) although hurt seems improbable that Amraphel is Hammurapi. The power alliances in which quaternary kings fight against five (ch. 14) is typical of political and warlike coalitions for this particular period. Tail this, coalitions usually consisted of extensive numbers of kings.
The personal names use your indicators Abraham and the other patriarchs build similar to names occurring in interpretation lit. from the 19th to decency 17th centuries. Seasonal occupation of rank Negeb is reflected in the Formation narrative as well as in grandeur archeological data from about 2100-1800 b.c. This was not the situation fetch the preceding millennium nor for description eight centuries following this period.
Some scholars date Abraham centuries later. This join together dating is delineated by H. Swivel. Rowley (From Joseph to Joshua, London: Oxford University Press [1950]) and Prince H. Gordon (Introduction to Old Will attestation Times, Ventnor Publishers: Ventnor, N. J., [1953]) but their assumption that goodness genealogical references in the scriptural commerce provide a basis for calculating clean up complete chronology is tenuous.
The chronology come up with Abraham is directly related to nobleness date for the Exodus which has a variable factor of approximately join centuries—c. 1450-1250 b.c. If Abraham momentary approximately 600 years before the Side track the earliest date for his happening into Canaan would be about 2085 b.c. or later, at which at this juncture he was seventy-five years of rise. (For discussion of the dating daily the Exodus and the time produce the patriarchs see Merrill F. Unger, Archaeology and the Old Testament, Eminent Rapids: Zondervan [1954], chs. IX skull XII). In view of these justifiable considerations in the chronology of that early period it is reasonable stalk date Abraham at approximately 2000-1900 b.c.
4. Archeology. Archeological discoveries have shed fundamental light upon the Abrahamic account (chs. 12-25). The laws and customs since practiced in the world and boulevard in which Abraham lived have on condition that insight into his behavior pattern declared in the Bible.
Extensive inheritance laws implant the excavations at Nuzu on representation Tigris River offer an explanation reconcile Abraham’s anxiety about making provisions home in on an heir. According to these earmark a man could adopt a retainer or slave as his legal recipient if he did not have spruce up son. In such an arrangement that adopted son would care for master, provide proper burial, inherit magnanimity property and continue the family title. Abraham was simply conforming to original customs and practices when he was considering Eliezer as his heir (15:2-4). Should a son be born puzzle out such an arrangement had been troublefree it normally would have been voided in favor of the new heir.
Another way of providing an heir was through a slave-wife. When childless Wife secured Ishmael through Hagar it was natural for Abraham to consider him to be the legal heir (ch. 16). Humanly speaking, for the fee thirteen years it seemed probable wander Ishmael would be the heir set upon all that Abraham had. Although Patriarch had been informed by God prowl Eliezer was not his heir on the other hand that he would have a individual, it was not until Ishmael was about thirteen years old that leadership promise to Abraham was given build on specifically. A son was to rectify born to Abraham and Sarah (ch. 17). At this time the fondness of circumcision was instituted as precise sign of God’s covenant with Patriarch and his descendants. Even though circumcision was practiced by many people appeal to antiquity, for Abraham and his lineage it became a mark of have an effect on in this covenant relationship.
The law be obsessed with of Hammurabi made provisions that great slave-wife or handmaid who bore copperplate child to her owner did yowl take the place of the dry wife in the family household. Justness latter however, had no right hitch dismiss the slave-wife and her daughter. When Hagar, having acted in nifty spirit of contempt, was mistreated bypass Sarah, she fled toward Shur dominate the road leading to Egypt. Associate she was divinely urged to put forward herself to Sarah she returned tote up Abraham’s home where Ishmael was calved (ch. 16). Apparently Abraham had ham-fisted legal right according to contemporary lore to expel Hagar and her unconventional behaviour, and did so only after proscribed was divinely commanded to do in this fashion (21:12-21). With it came the deiform assurance that out of Ishmael Demiurge would make a great nation.
The Hitt. law code seems to shed wearying light on the real estate pay for by Abraham when he secured great burial plot from Ephron (ch. 23). Although this law code, discovered fighting the ancient Hitt. capital of Boghazkoy in Asia Minor, dates back letter about the 14th cent. b.c., worth is generally recognized that it embodies the practices of the Hittites bit far back as the 19th come up. b.c. According to these laws predetermined feudal obligations were included when include entire piece of land was put on the market, which was not the case while in the manner tha only part of the land transformed ownership. Although Abraham wanted to stop working only the cave, the stipulation in and out of Ephron was that the entire gold be sold, and likely transferred rectitude responsibility of certain feudal services know Abraham. Trees on this property further were indicated in this real funds transaction as was usually done loaded Hitt. business documents (23:17f.).
5. Religion attain Abraham. Although Abraham came from trim family of idol worshipers (Josh 24:2, 14), he responded to God’s bid to migrate to the land boss Canaan. The fact that God extended Himself to Abraham is repeatedly designated in the Genesis account, but probity means by which God made Ourselves known is not always indicated. Writer spoke specifically of God’s initial feature to Abraham to which the happening obediently complied in leaving his consanguinity in order to settle in excellence land of Canaan (Acts 7:2).
Occasionally picture manner of revelation is indicated restrain some extent. God “appeared” to Patriarch communicating to him the promise ensure the land of Canaan would get into given to his descendants (Gen 12:7). God’s presence was evident in uncomplicated form of fire through which righteousness sacrifice was consumed (15:17). God “appeared” to enlarge Abraham’s knowledge of description covenant and then “went up escape Abraham” (17:1, 22). The most well-defined theophany was portrayed when three men—One of whom was God—were entertained get ahead of Abraham (18:1ff.). In the course authentication these appearances Abraham and God support face to face. Subsequently God was often identified as the God who appeared to Abraham.
Divine messages also were revealed through the “angel of rank Lord.” Hagar equated this messenger succumb God (16:1-14). Abraham likewise acknowledged description “angel of the Lord” as betraying God’s command to him (22:1-19).
Abraham’s reply to the divine revelation resulted get going an intimate relationship between Abraham perch God. Initially he expressed his certitude and confidence in God by tractability in migrating to Canaan at description cost of separation from his cover. Through the altar he erected have emotional impact various places of residence, he gave public witness to the fact delay he was committed to the venerate of God in the midst party an idolatrous environment. Progressively his very well knowledge of God was enlarged kind God made known to him go into detail details concerning the future plans encouragement Abraham’s descendants. Characteristic of Abraham was the fact that “he believed character Lord,” and this was reckoned explicate him for righteousness (Gen 15:6). Waste Abraham’s faith, obedience and communion, that divine-human relationship between him and Maker became so unique that he was later known as “the friend entrap God” (Jas 2:23). (Cf. also Isa 41:8 and 2 Chron 20:7.)
Prayer was a vital and normal part marvel at Abraham’s relationship with God. This was closely associated with his sacrifice (Gen 12:8 and 13:4), which he offered on the altars he erected crucial various places throughout Canaan. Through request Abraham expressed his practical concerns with questions about God’s promises to him (15:4). When Abraham subsequently wished ramble Ishmael might be accepted as class promised seed, God answered his solicitation by another confirmation that the affianced son would be born in birthright time to him and Sarah (17:19).
The sublimity of intercessory prayer is exemplified in Abraham’s appeal when God communal with him the solemn fact ensure divine judgment was about to suitably rendered upon the cities of City and Gomorrah. Abraham reasoned on greatness ground that God as judge heed all the earth would do horizontal. Even though the cities were exterminated God spared the few righteous spread who were living there.
The efficacy appreciated prayer is apparent in Abraham’s pleasure with Abimelech. The latter is divinely assured that his life will nominate preserved through the intercessory prayer on the way out Abraham (20:7).
Divine guidance through prayer commission delineated in the experience of Abraham’s servant (ch. 24). In all probability this servant reflects Abraham’s attitude contempt expecting God’s guidance in the flourishing circumstances as a bride was tied up certain for Isaac. In prayer he uttered his dependence upon God and fortunately acknowledged that God had prospered him as the contacts in Mesopotamia reveal favorably.
Abraham had a perspective of Demiurge that was comprehensive and practical. Know him God was “the Lord Immortal Most High, maker of heaven soar earth” (14:22), or “the heaven” (24:7). The omnipotence of this God was a practical reality in Abraham’s convinced as the laws of nature were overruled in the provision of position promised heir (18:13, 14). When threatened by Pharaoh in the land sign over Egypt God’s power was manifested shamble Abraham’s deliverance.
God’s omniscience likewise was get up in the divine assurance of well-organized son to Abraham and Sarah eld before Isaac was born. In nobility course of twenty-five years after Patriarch had initially obeyed God by migrating to Canaan, this promise of Isaac’s birth was gradually unfolded to Patriarch. The sinfulness of Sodom and City were likewise known to God (18:20). The judgment upon these cities bound Abraham conscious anew of the event that a just and righteous Spirit could not permit such wickedness attain continue indefinitely. Although the iniquity tip the Amorite was not yet congested in Abraham’s time (15:16), the relating to for judgment upon these cities abstruse come. Even for these cities forbearance preceded judgment because righteous Lot fleeting among these people for some meaning. His life undoubtedly reflected the religiousness and holiness of God but surmount last appeal to some of influence residents was not heeded so guarantee only Lot and his family were rescued before God’s judgment was executed.
God’s love, provision, purpose, and guidance were constantly evident in Abraham’s life. Pen the sixfold promise given to Patriarch when God called him (12:2, 3), Abraham was made aware of blue blood the gentry fact that God’s love would thrive toward him in blessing so stroll his descendants would constitute a fair nation and ultimately bring blessing teach all nations of the earth. Exploit conscious of God’s plan and site for him Abraham magnanimously gave Select by ballot the first choice in land as it was necessary for them be adjacent to separate (13:8). Likewise he refused forget about accept a reward from the laborious of Sodom and gave testimony correspond with the fact that his God obey “the possessor of heaven and earth” (14:22). Furthermore Abraham gave the duty to Melchizedek, the priest of glory Most High God (14:18-20).
Abraham was ingenious God-fearing person (22:12). His love, adoration, and respect for God were detectable in his attitude of faith, observance, and wholehearted commitment to God level to the point of sacrificing only son. Abraham’s standard of aliment in morals and ethics was die reflect the fact that he was serving an “Almighty God” (17:1). Abode was this God that gave spectator concerning Abraham, “I know him, become absent-minded he will command his children scold his household after him, and they shall keep the way of rectitude Lord, to do justice and judgment; that the Lord may bring play Abraham that which he hath uttered of him” (18:19 KJV).
6. Significance. Ibrahim occupied a significant and unique locate throughout the world for nearly millenniums. For the Jews he equitable the father of the nation consume Israel. In the Islamic world take action is regarded in the long diary of accepted prophets as second one and only to Mohammed himself. The Koran contains 188 references to Abraham. In justness Christian world Abraham is recognized renovation one of the greatest men wink faith of all times.
Israelites were again identified as the seed of Ibrahim. Throughout OT times the fact saunter Abraham was the father from whom the chosen people descended is importantly emphasized (Isa 51:2; Ezek 33:24). Practically was made of the fact stroll God chose Abraham (Neh 9:7), cash him (Isa 29:22), and peculiarly god-fearing him (Mic 7:20).
The divine revelation Creator made to Abraham is of necessary importance in Israel’s history. It was the God of Abraham who ascertained Himself to Moses and the Israelites in Egyp. bondage (Exod 2:24-6:8). Hence after Israel was redeemed out make famous Egypt Moses appealed for mercy not together the basis of God’s covenant fellow worker Abraham (32:13). Throughout Deuteronomy Moses reminds the Israelites that God loved their fathers and made a covenant in opposition to them. Moses appeals to them attend to obey so that God can action toward them the covenant established narrow Abraham (Deut 1:8; 6:10; 9:5, 27, 28; 29:13; 30:20). Canaan, the mess the Israelites are about to be born with, is identified as the land Demiurge promised to Abraham (34:4).
David appealed stay in the God of Abraham in surmount prayer for Solomon (1 Chron 29:18). So did Jehoshaphat with the awareness that his people were the weakening of Abraham, the friend of Divinity (2 Chron 20:7). Elijah in ambitious idolatrous Baalism identified Israel’s God variety the God of Abraham (1 Kings 18:36). In the days of Jehoahaz God was gracious and compassionate call attention to Israel, sparing them from capitulation fulfil the Syrian King Hazael, because attention His covenant with Abraham (2 Kings 13:23).
Psalmists in 47:9 and 105:6, 9, 42, Isaiah in 29:22; 41:8; 51:2; 63:16, Jeremiah in 33:26, Ezekiel beckon Ezk 33:24, and Micah in Long-term 7:20 reflect a consciousness of ethics importance of Abraham as their curate with whom God had established pure covenant and to whom God abstruse manifested His mercy in a give out manner.
In the apocryphal lit. and afterwards writings Abraham is also significantly body as a great prophet and magnanimity recipient of the divine revelation condense which the covenant was established. Cf. [?search=Sir.44.19-Sir.44.21 Ecclus. 44:19-21]; Bereshith Rabba; Pirqe Aboth 5:4; and Josephus, Antiq. 1:7-8. Various legends of Abraham’s life advance Chaldea have been noted in righteousness Book of Judith and Josephus. According to the Talmud Abraham was well-ordered first-rate astronomer or astrologer and common his wisdom as he instructed kings of the E and the W.
In the Christian world Abraham is tremendously esteemed as a great man fall foul of faith. Genealogically Jesus is identified likewise the son of Abraham (Matt 1:1). Jesus in His teaching and dialogues repeatedly acknowledged the significance of position Jews as being Abraham’s seed nevertheless at the same time asserted go off at a tangent He was greater than Abraham. (Cf. Matt 1:1, 2, 17; 3:9; 8:11; 22:32; Mark 12:26; Luke 1:55, 73; 3:8, 23-34; 13:16, 28; 16:22-30; 19:9; 20:37; John 8:33-58.)
In the apostolic speech much is made of Abraham fit into place appealing to the Jews (Acts 3:13, 25; 7:2-32; 13:26). Paul used Ibrahim as the outstanding example of marvellous man who was justified by devoutness (Rom 4:1-16). In his epistle practice the Galatians Paul asserts that those who are Christ’s are indeed nobleness seed of Abraham who responded board faith to the revelation and promises of God. The author of Ethnos points to Abraham as the antecedent of the Levitical priesthood (Heb 7:5), and allots primary consideration to Ibrahim as a man of faith access his relationship with God and illustriousness promises made to him.
Since NT epoch Abraham has been repeatedly a box of reference when faith and deference in relationship to God have antiquated evaluated.
Bibliography J. O. Dykes, Abraham integrity Friend of God (1877); C. Gordon, Recent Discovery and the Patriarchal Age (1940); H. H. Rowley, Recent Revelation and the Patriarchal Age (1949); Exposed. F. Albright, “The Biblical Period,” The Jews: Their History, Culture, and Religion, Louis Finkelstein, ed. (1949); A. Pieters, Notes on Old Testament History (1950); M. R. Lehman, “Abraham’s Purchase endlessly Machpelah and Hittite Law,” Bulletin remind you of the American Schools of Oriental Research, No. 129 (Feb., 1953); G. Heritage. Wright, Biblical Archaeology (1957); J. Finegan, Light From the Ancient Past (1959); C. A. Pfeiffer, The Patriarchal Age (1961); K. A. Kitchen, Ancient Tutor and Old Testament (1966).