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34 verses · KJV · every verse read aloud

Abraham in the Bible

What does the Bible say about Abraham?

Abraham, first called Abram, was the man God called out of Ur to go to Canaan, promising to make him a great nation and to bless all families of the earth through him (Genesis 12:1-3). He believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness (Genesis 15:6). Sarah bore him Isaac, and he died at 175 (Genesis 25:7-8).

  1. God calls Abraham
  2. Abraham believed God: the covenant
  3. Abraham's family: Sarah, Ishmael and Isaac

Abraham in the Bible: God calls Abraham

God called Abram out of his homeland with a promise that reached the whole world.

4 verses

Genesis 12:1-3

KJV
King James Version

1Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee: 2And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: 3And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

Then the LORD said to Abram, “Leave your country, your kindred, and your father’s household, and go to the land I will show you. I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you; and all the families of the earth will be blessed through you. ”

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Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Genesis 12:1-3

Hebrews 11:8

KJV
King James Version

By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, without knowing where he was going.

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Genesis 12:4

KJV
King James Version

So Abram departed, as the LORD had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him: and Abram was seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran.

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

So Abram departed, as the LORD had directed him, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he left Haran.

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Genesis 11:31

KJV
King James Version

And Terah took Abram his son, and Lot the son of Haran his son's son, and Sarai his daughter in law, his son Abram's wife; and they went forth with them from Ur of the Chaldees, to go into the land of Canaan; and they came unto Haran, and dwelt there.

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

And Terah took his son Abram, his grandson Lot son of Haran, and his daughter-in-law Sarai the wife of Abram, and they set out from Ur of the Chaldeans for the land of Canaan. But when they arrived in Haran, they settled there.

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Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Genesis 11:31

Abraham in the Bible: Abraham believed God — the covenant

God made a covenant with Abraham, and Abraham trusted His promise.

6 verses

Genesis 15:6

KJV
King James Version

And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

Abram believed the LORD, and it was credited to him as righteousness.

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Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Genesis 15:6

Genesis 15:5

KJV
King James Version

And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

And the LORD took him outside and said, “Now look to the heavens and count the stars, if you are able.” Then He told him, “So shall your offspring be.”

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Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Genesis 15:5

Genesis 17:5

KJV
King James Version

Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee.

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

No longer will you be called Abram, but your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations.

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Genesis 17:7

KJV
King James Version

And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

I will establish My covenant as an everlasting covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you.

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Genesis 17:10-11

KJV
King James Version

10This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised. 11And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you.

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

This is My covenant with you and your descendants after you, which you are to keep: Every male among you must be circumcised. You are to circumcise the flesh of your foreskin, and this will be a sign of the covenant between Me and you.

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Genesis 14:18-20

KJV
King James Version

18And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God. 19And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth: 20And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine — since he was priest of God Most High — and he blessed Abram and said: “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand.” Then Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of everything.

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Abraham in the Bible: Abraham's family — Sarah, Ishmael and Isaac

His father, his wife, his sons, and his long life.

8 verses

Genesis 11:27

KJV
King James Version

Now these are the generations of Terah: Terah begat Abram, Nahor, and Haran; and Haran begat Lot.

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

This is the account of Terah. Terah became the father of Abram, Nahor, and Haran. And Haran became the father of Lot.

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Genesis 11:29

KJV
King James Version

And Abram and Nahor took them wives: the name of Abram's wife was Sarai; and the name of Nahor's wife, Milcah, the daughter of Haran, the father of Milcah, and the father of Iscah.

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

And Abram and Nahor took wives for themselves. Abram’s wife was named Sarai, and Nahor’s wife was named Milcah; she was the daughter of Haran, who was the father of both Milcah and Iscah.

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Genesis 16:15

KJV
King James Version

And Hagar bare Abram a son: and Abram called his son's name, which Hagar bare, Ishmael.

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

And Hagar bore Abram a son, and Abram gave the name Ishmael to the son she had borne.

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Genesis 18:14

KJV
King James Version

Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

Is anything too difficult for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you — in about a year — and Sarah will have a son.”

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Genesis 21:2

KJV
King James Version

For Sarah conceived, and bare Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him.

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

So Sarah conceived and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God had promised.

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Genesis 21:5

KJV
King James Version

And Abraham was an hundred years old, when his son Isaac was born unto him.

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him.

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Genesis 23:2

KJV
King James Version

And Sarah died in Kirjatharba; the same is Hebron in the land of Canaan: and Abraham came to mourn for Sarah, and to weep for her.

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

She died in Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan, and Abraham went out to mourn and to weep for her.

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Genesis 25:7-8

KJV
King James Version

7And these are the days of the years of Abraham's life which he lived, an hundred threescore and fifteen years. 8Then Abraham gave up the ghost, and died in a good old age, an old man, and full of years; and was gathered to his people.

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

Abraham lived a total of 175 years. And at a ripe old age he breathed his last and died, old and contented, and was gathered to his people.

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Abraham in the Bible: God tests Abraham — the offering of Isaac

Abraham obeyed, and God provided.

5 verses

Genesis 22:1-2

KJV
King James Version

1And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am. 2And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

Some time later God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” “Here I am,” he answered. “Take your son,” God said, “your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah. Offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains, which I will show you.”

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Genesis 22:8

KJV
King James Version

And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together.

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

Abraham answered, “God Himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And the two walked on together.

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Genesis 22:12

KJV
King James Version

And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

“Do not lay a hand on the boy or do anything to him,” said the angel, “for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your only son from me. ”

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Genesis 22:13-14

KJV
King James Version

13And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son. 14And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovahjireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the LORD it shall be seen.

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

Then Abraham looked up and saw behind him a ram in a thicket, caught by its horns. So he went and took the ram and offered it as a burnt offering in place of his son. And Abraham called that place The LORD Will Provide. So to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the LORD it will be provided.”

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Hebrews 11:17-19

KJV
King James Version

17By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, 18Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: 19Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac on the altar. He who had received the promises was ready to offer his one and only son, even though God had said to him, “Through Isaac your offspring will be reckoned.” Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and in a sense, he did receive Isaac back from death.

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Abraham in the Bible: Abraham, the friend of God

3 verses

James 2:23

KJV
King James Version

And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

And the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called a friend of God.

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Isaiah 41:8

KJV
King James Version

But thou, Israel, art my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham my friend.

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

“But you, O Israel, My servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, descendant of Abraham My friend—

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Genesis 18:25

KJV
King James Version

That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

Far be it from You to do such a thing — to kill the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous and the wicked are treated alike. Far be it from You! Will not the Judge of all the earth do what is right?”

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Abraham in the Bible: Abraham in the New Testament — father of all who believe

Jesus and the apostles point back to Abraham's faith.

8 verses

Romans 4:3

KJV
King James Version

For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”

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Romans 4:11

KJV
King James Version

And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

And he received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. So then, he is the father of all who believe but are not circumcised, in order that righteousness might be credited to them.

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Galatians 3:7

KJV
King James Version

Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

Understand, then, that those who have faith are sons of Abraham.

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Galatians 3:16

KJV
King James Version

Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. The Scripture does not say, “and to seeds,” meaning many, but “and to your seed,” meaning One, who is Christ.

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Galatians 3:29

KJV
King James Version

And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise.

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John 8:56

KJV
King James Version

Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see My day. He saw it and was glad.”

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John 8:58

KJV
King James Version

Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

“Truly, truly, I tell you,” Jesus declared, “before Abraham was born, I am! ”

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Matthew 1:1

KJV
King James Version

The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

Berean Standard Bible (modern English)

This is the record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham:

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Short Bible verses about Abraham

Easy to memorize, to write in a card, or to send to a friend.

4 verses

  • “And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.”

    Genesis 15:6 KJV · 14 words

    Listen

  • “And Abraham was an hundred years old, when his son Isaac was born unto him.”

    Genesis 21:5 KJV · 15 words

    Listen

  • “Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.”

    John 8:56 KJV · 15 words

    Listen

  • “Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.”

    John 8:58 KJV · 15 words

    Listen

What the first Christians said about Abraham

Exact words from our library of the early church writers. Each one opens at the place it was written.

“Abraham, known as "the friend," was found faithful because he obeyed the words of God.”

Clement of RomeFirst Epistle to the Corinthians
Read and listen to Clement of Rome

“Abraham was declared righteous by God not because of circumcision, but because of faith.”

Justin MartyrDialogue with Trypho
Read and listen to Justin Martyr

The Greek and Hebrew words for Abraham

The words behind the English. Each word page has a Listen button for how it is said.

Questions people ask about Abraham in the Bible

Who was Abraham in the Bible?

Abraham was the man God called to leave his country and go to a land He would show him, with the promise that all families of the earth would be blessed in him (Genesis 12:1-3). He is the father of the Hebrew people, and he died at 175 years old (Genesis 25:7-8).

Listen: Genesis 12:1-3 · Genesis 25:7-8

What does the name Abraham mean?

Abraham means "father of a multitude." God changed his name from Abram to Abraham when He promised, "a father of many nations have I made thee" (Genesis 17:5).

Listen: Genesis 17:5

Who were Abraham's wife and sons?

Abraham's wife was Sarai, later called Sarah (Genesis 11:29). Hagar, Sarah's servant, bore him Ishmael (Genesis 16:15). In their old age Sarah bore him Isaac, the son of the promise, when Abraham was 100 (Genesis 21:2, 21:5).

Listen: Genesis 16:15 · Genesis 21:2

Why did God ask Abraham to sacrifice Isaac?

Genesis 22:1 says God "did tempt," that is, test, Abraham. Abraham obeyed, trusting that God was able to raise Isaac even from the dead (Hebrews 11:17-19). God stopped his hand and provided a ram in Isaac's place (Genesis 22:12-13).

Listen: Genesis 22:1-2 · Hebrews 11:17-19

Why is Abraham called the father of faith?

Abraham believed God's promise, and God counted it to him for righteousness (Genesis 15:6). His faith showed itself in obedience: he left his home and offered Isaac (Hebrews 11:8, 17; James 2:22). Paul calls him "the father of all them that believe" (Romans 4:11).

Listen: Romans 4:11 · Galatians 3:7