Patriarch · OT
Abraham
The father of the Hebrew nation and of all who believe — called out of Ur to a land God would show him.
Abraham (originally Abram, 'exalted father,' renamed Abraham, 'father of a multitude') was called by God from Ur of the Chaldeans to a land he did not know, with the promise of a great nation, a great name, and blessing for all the families of the earth (Genesis 12:1-3). He went out 'not knowing whither he went' (Hebrews 11:8).
Though childless into old age, Abraham 'believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness' (Genesis 15:6), the foundational text of biblical justification by faith. The covenant was sealed with circumcision and confirmed in the long-awaited birth of Isaac. The supreme test came when God commanded him to offer Isaac on Mount Moriah; Abraham obeyed, and the Lord provided a ram in his place — a vivid foreshadowing of substitutionary atonement.
In the New Testament Abraham is held up as the pattern of faith for both Jews and Gentiles. Paul calls him 'the father of all them that believe' (Romans 4:11).
Key moments
The call from Ur
God promises land, descendants, and blessing (Genesis 12).
Justified by faith
Believes God's promise of innumerable descendants (Genesis 15:6).
Birth of Isaac
The promised son arrives when Abraham is 100 (Genesis 21).
Offering of Isaac on Mount Moriah
Faith tested; God provides a substitute (Genesis 22).
Key verses
"Now Jehovah said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto the land that I will show thee: and I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and be thou a blessing: and I will bless them that bless thee, and him that curseth thee will I curse: and in thee shall all the families of the earth be blessed."
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"And he believed in Jehovah; and he reckoned it to him for righteousness."
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"And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovah-jireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of Jehovah it shall be provided."
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"For what saith the scripture? And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned unto him for righteousness."
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"And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all the nations be blessed. So then they that are of faith are blessed with the faithful Abraham."
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"By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed to go out unto a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he became a sojourner in the land of promise, as in a land not his own, dwelling in tents, with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: for he looked for the city which hath the foundations, whose builder and maker is God."
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Frequently asked
How old was Abraham when Isaac was born?
Abraham was one hundred years old, and Sarah was ninety, when Isaac was born (Genesis 21:5). The miracle of Isaac's birth is a central testimony to God's faithfulness.
Why is Abraham called the 'father of faith'?
Because he 'believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness' (Genesis 15:6, Romans 4:3). Paul argues in Romans 4 and Galatians 3 that all who trust Christ — Jew or Gentile — are children of Abraham by faith.