Abraham

"The search for specific historical figures and places through the use of archaeology is generally a frustrating and often fruitless endeavor....It is like looking for a proverbial 'needle in a haystack' "

These words were meant for this man, as few have shaped world history as much. Yet, the search for archaeological evidence has produced nothing to suggest that he ever lived.

Is he a collected group of legends and myths "collapsed" into one biblical character? Is he as the Bible says? What is known of this great Patriarch comes not from the ground, but from the mouth and written word.

Despite archaeology's inability to prove his existence, three of the world's most powerful religions all claim him as their own. Islam, Judaism, and Christianity, all trace their roots back to Abram and his offspring, either Ishmael or Isaac.

He was the founder of Monotheism, the belief in one god, as opposed to Polytheism, the belief in many gods. He was the first missionary, in the sense of serving God in a foreign land. He is listed in the New Testament as a model of Faith, and faithful behavior with obedience to God.

It is known that mass migrations did occur, around 1880 B.C.E., from Mesopotamia to Canaan, the route Abram is said to have traveled in Genesis.

It is also widely agreed upon that, whether he existed as an actual historical figure, or a composite of many different stories, him and his family more than likely emerged from a Semitic speaking tribe, located in Mesopotamia, though the exact location is widely debated.

His birth is associated with Ur, of the Chaldeans. This phrase, "of the Chaldeans", has proven to be problematic.

The Chaldeans were not in existence during his time. The Chaldeans were a tribe which lived on the shores of the Persian Gulf.

They did not arrive in southern Mesopotamia until the end of the second millennium, whereas the time of Terah and Abram was much earlier, closer to the beginning of that time period.

Many scholars claim the intent of the author was to identify Ur to readers of the Bible in the first millennium B.C.

However, another theory remains which claims this word, "Chaldeans", is actually a mistranslation of the Hebrew word Kasdim, which is the Old Testament word for Babylonian.

Regardless, the exact location of Ur depends on what perspective one is looking through. To Jews and Christians, Ur is associated with the capital of ancient Sumer.

Muslims, however, associate Ur with Sanliurfa, an area in southern Turkey. Still, others claim the actual location of Ur is unknown.

The Bible is the most complete account of this extraordinary man in existence. The book of Genesis records his movements from the time of God's calling him at the age of 75, until his death at 175.

Bible Study Resources

Abraham

Biblical Genealogy from Abraham to Jesus Christ

The Life and Times of Abraham

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