III. ABRAHAM TO ISRAEL (JACOB)

1. Name and Meaning
• Name: Abraham (originally Abram) (Hebrew: אַבְרָם / אַבְרָהָם, ’Avrām / ’Avrāhām)
• Meaning: Abram means “exalted father”; Abraham means “father of a multitude” (Genesis 17:5), reflecting God’s covenantal promise to make him the ancestor of many nations

2. Genealogical Placement and Lineage Role
• Position: Twentieth generation from Adam; tenth generation after the flood in the Messianic line
• Father: Terah – from Ur of the Chaldeans
• Sons: Isaac (Messianic line), Ishmael, Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, Shuah
• Lineage Role: Foundational patriarch of the covenantal line; recipient of God’s promises regarding land, descendants, and universal blessing through his seed, which ultimately points to Christ (Galatians 3:16)

3. Life Summary and Historical Setting
• Born in Ur and later called by God to leave his homeland for Canaan (Genesis 12:1–4)
• Lived as a nomadic sojourner, trusting in divine promises despite delays and trials
• Demonstrated covenantal faith by believing God’s word and being willing to offer Isaac (Genesis 22)
• Lifespan: 175 years (Genesis 25:7)

4. Theological and Christological Significance
• Established the Abrahamic Covenant—God’s promise of land, descendants, and blessing to all nations (Genesis 12, 15, 17)
• Justified by faith (Genesis 15:6), later cited by Paul as the model of justification apart from works (Romans 4; Galatians 3)
• Typologically foreshadows God the Father in offering his son, as well as the spiritual ancestry of all who believe in Christ (Romans 4:16–17)

5. Legacy and Interpretive Reflections
• Highly revered in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam as a patriarch of faith
• Called “the friend of God” (2 Chronicles 20:7; James 2:23) and “father of many nations”
• Central to biblical theology for his role in shaping covenant history and the unfolding plan of salvation
• Viewed as the first clear figure in redemptive history through whom God’s global purposes are revealed

6. Summary Insight
• Abraham stands as the father of faith and the cornerstone of covenantal history, through whom the promise of redemption is traced to Christ—the true Seed of Abraham.

7. Biblical References
• Genesis 11:26–25:11
• 1 Chronicles 1:27–28
• Luke 3:34
• Romans 4; Galatians 3; Hebrews 11:8–19; James 2:21–23