Was Terah, the father of Abraham the first Hebrew, an idol worshipper? According to Midrash Rabbah 38:1, Terah was a idol maker and had left a young Abram in charge of the idol shop. He sired two other sons besides Abraham: Haran, and Nahor II. They said [to the king]: let us worship the fire. Adam you are indeed Dumb. Quando ainda acreditvamos em dolos e ramos gentios ficando aqui e procurando a verdade. On the other hand certain Jewish legends (e.g. I believe that Terahs sacrifice in support of his son, Abraham, will be rewarded one day. When his father returned and asked what had happened, Abram placed the blame on the idol. He was an Idol worshipper, which is son Abraham did not continue. Terah stops in Haran, in order to associate him with Laban, another descendant of Shem, and from there Abram moves further south to Canaan. Even Terah, his father, was He had twelve chief gods, one for each month of the year, and other idols. In the days of mighty King Nimrod, there lived in Mesopotamia a young man named Abraham. Genesis 11:26 And Terah lived seventy years, and begat Abram, Nahor, and Haran. Terah, in response to Abrahams question to him about who the God was that had created heaven and earth and the children of men, took him to the hall wherein stood twelve great idols and a large number of little idols, and pointing to them he said, Here are they who have made all thou seest on earth, they who have created also me and thee and all men on the earth, and Day in and day out, Terah worked diligently crafting "gods" of stone and wood. When we still believed in idols and were Gentiles staying here and looking for the truth. Then, when Terah returned, saw the mess, and asked Abe what had happened. According to Jewish tradition, Terah was an idolater. He was a pagan, in all likelihood an idol worshipper. Ur, Chaldea d. and asked Abraham to offer it to the idols. In short order Terah became the father of Abram, Nahor, and Haran of whom he kept custody. One day, he journeyed somewhere and left Abram in charge of his shop. Terah (also spelled Terach) was the father of Abraham , the first Patriarch of the Jewish nation. generations of Terah, Terah was the father of Abraham, Nahor and Haran (Sefer Bereishit 11:27) If you were to ask most people to identify Terah, they would probably tell you that he was Abrahams father and an idol worshipper. Abraham the Iconoclast. this article is almost word for word from the But his son did not share his worldview or his enthusiasm for idol worship, even at a young age. First of all, Terahs son, Haran, dies during Terahs lifetime. However, Joshua 24:2 and 24:14-15 identify Terah (and possibly his family) as worshippers of many gods. Terah was also, a high priest of the idol worshippers. (52) "He once went away somewhere and left Abraham" (57) Abraham breaks all the idols except the biggest: "So he took a stick, broke them, (the idols) and put the the stick in the hand of the largest." His father was an idol worshipper. The text indicates that Gods appearance to Abraham was a deciding factor in his choosing to worship Him. His entire family worshipped idols made with their own hands. Terah fathered Abram, Nahor, and Haran; and Haran fathered Lot. Nimrod asserted that he was a god, and that Abraham should worship him instead. Some of the stories, therefore, see Terah as leaving Ur right after this event, with Abraham and the entire family in tow, in order to avoid the continued wrath of Nimrod and the Chaldeans. Terah once went away and left Abraham to mind the store. Terah was the father of Abram, Nahor, and Haran; and Haran was the father of Lot. This account records Terah as the first to set out to Canaan with Abram and his family from Ur of the Chaldeans to settle in Canaan (vs. 31-32). Twitter; Facebook; About Bible Sprout (even Orthodox Jewish tradition allows that Terah, Abrahams father, was an idol-maker). Day in and day out, Terah worked diligently crafting "gods" of stone and wood. That by "Terah" is signified idolatrous worship, may be seen from the derivations spoken of from (verse 20) to this place. He appealed to Terah, his father, and to Nimrod to worship God. Abraham took a stick, broke the idols, and put the stick in the largest idol's hand. Abraham continued: if so, let us worship the clouds, which provide water. Terah hides young Avram in a cave to save him from death. People everywhere were worshipping pagan gods. Abraham dwelt with his father, Terah, who was an idolater, in Ur of the Chaldees, when he received the call of God to go entirely away from his kindred and his //clark/the theology of holiness/chapter iii entire sanctification in.htm. When Abraham would ask how a person of sixty could bow down to a newly-made idol, he was pointing out that if you are searching for the ultimate power, it's no use looking at ephemeral, man-made objects, no matter how impressive. For Nimrod's stargazers told the king that Terah's newly-bom son would one day be a danger to his throne. The Talmud says that Abraham was 52 years old at year 2000 AM (Anno Mundi), which means that he was born in the year 1948 AM. Calling Terach an idol-manufacturer suggests that he was a major ideologist and opinion-molder in the society in which he lived. Terah was Abraham's father, who was 70 years old when Abraham was born. It is this God who he worships. When Terah returned, he demanded that Abraham explain what he had done. Abraham of the Old Testament. His entire family worshipped idols made with their own hands. Posted March 13, 2014. Terah once went away and left Abraham to mind the store. . Answer: Abram, later Abraham, was born in Ur of the Chaldees, in Mesopotamia, east of Canaan. Terah, like many of his ancestors, was an adherent of polytheism and idol worshipper. Emerging from the cave at the age of three, Avram observes that there is a powerful God above nature, who created nature. . While Terah was gone, Abram had destroyed all of the idols except the largest one. Abraham, the son of the idol-maker Terah (Gen. R. xxxviii. Adam you are indeed Dumb. Abraham's father accused of being an idolater: "Terah (Abraham's father) was a manufacturer of idols" ie. "Terah took Abram his son and Lot the son of Haran, his grandson, and Sarai his daughter-in-law, his son Abram's wife, and they went forth together from Ur of the Chaldeans to go into the land of Canaan; but when they came to Haran, they settled there. But Abraham was a believer in the one God, and not in the gods made by hand. More verses: Isaiah 42:8 Deuteronomy 11:16 Exodus 34:17 Deuteronomy 16:22 Psalm 81:9. This idea is based upon a well-known verse that was The man-made idol was not believed to be the deity itself. Abram was not a Jew when God called him. This is the account of Shems family. This teaches us that no matter how far away we may be from the Holy One blessed be He, we may nevertheless return to His welcoming arms and overflowing mercy. This is the earliest historical depiction of idol worship (Jasher 9:7) In his urban estate, Terah built twelve large statues , which resided in his private temple, constructed of stone and wood and no doubt reflected the highest quality of artistry and craftsmanship in the Shinar peninsula. He is the father of three children including the Patriarch Abraham. Terah was an idol worshipper. 17 They have ears, but cannot hear, nor is there breath in their mouths. Improve this answer. Terah was Abraham's father, who was 70 years old when Abraham was born. Terah or Trach (Hebrew: / , Modern Tra / Tra Tiberian Tra / Tra ; "Ibex, wild goat", or "Wanderer; loiterer") was the father of Abraham mentioned in the Hebrew Bible. Terah. He is talking about the difference between those spiritually alive and those spiritually dead. Terah was an idol worshipper. Even Abrams father, Terah, was involved in idolatry, perhaps making idols. Stephen said that God spoke to Abraham in Mesopotamia before he lived in Haran. Dare not to speak that holy Name, apostate and worshipper of idols, eater of human flesh. But God doesnt always call the qualified. Thus, it could be destroyed and the deity unaffected. Hebrew, Islamic and Latter-day Saint traditions all hold that Terah was an idol worshipper. Follow Terach was also an idol worshiper, so God has to get Abraham out. On his arrival Abram finds that his fathers house is also the dwelling place for a host of idols and swears in Yehovahs name to destroy them before 3 days are up. Abraham took a stick, broke the idols, and put the stick in the largest idol's hand. Now, believing it is safe, Abram leaves Noahs home and returns to his father Terah. Abraham said to them: [rather] let us worship water, for it extinguishes fire. His father was an idol worshipper. When Terah returned, he demanded that Abraham explain what he had done. Living in the midst of idolatry, Terah may have engaged in it, as is indicated centuries later by Joshuas words to the Israelites: It was on the other side of the River [Euphrates] that your forefathers dwelt a long time ago, Terah the father of Abraham and the father of Nahor, and they used to serve other gods. Abrahams father Terah was an idol worshipper. Abraham took a stick, broke the idols, and put the stick in the largest idols hand. He qualifies the called. Terah once went away and left Abraham to mind the store. Young Abraham, thinking that perhaps he could discover intimacy with them, made some desirable delicacies and placed them before the idols. In Jubilees 12 this is softened into explaining that through fear of his life Terah was forced to yield outward conformity to the idolatrous worship of his neighbors. Ancient Mesopotamian texts describe idol worship in a slightly different light than what we see in the exilic and 2nd temple Hebrew writings. His background, however, is that of a man least qualified for such a divine task. 1 John 5:21. Joshua then urged the people to make a clean break from their pagan heritage: Throw away the gods your ancestors [including Terah] worshiped beyond the Euphrates River . ( Hebrew : , Tra, Ibex, wild goat, or Wanderer; loiterer) is a biblical figure in the Book of Genesis, son of Nahor, son of Serug and father of the Patriarch Abraham, all descendants of Shems son Arpachshad. Jewish tradition describes Abrahams first eye-opening experience of idol breakage as happening when Terah sent Abraham to sell idols in the streets of the city. A woman came with a plateful of flour and asked Abraham to offer it to the idols. "Terah took Abram his son and Lot the son of Haran, his grandson, and Sarai his daughter-in-law, his son Abram's wife, and they went forth together from Ur of the Chaldeans to go into the land of Canaan; but when they came to Haran, they settled there. In fact, he owned a shop where people could buy idols of whatever god they chose to worship. 29 And Abram and Nahor took wives. Rab. One day he had to leave home and left his shop full of idols in the care of his son Abraham who was then very young. They were afraid lest they should be deprived of their priesthood if the people abandoned idol-worship. Terah was an Idolater Jump to: Nave's Library Subtopics Resources Nave's Topical Index Joshua 24:2 And Joshua said to all the people, Thus said the LORD God of Israel, Your fathers dwelled on the other side of the flood in old time, even Terah, the father of Abraham, and the father of Nachor: and they served other gods. Rabbi Hiyya relates this account in the Genesis Rabba: Terah left Abram to mind the store while he departed. A woman came with a plateful of flour and asked Abram to offer it to the idols. Abram then took a stick, broke the idols, and put the stick in the largest idols hand. asked Abraham. Little children, guard yourselves from idols. On 3/11/2014 at 12:42 PM, Parker1 said: I found this article informative. Interestingly, several ancient texts indicate that not only was Terah an idol worshipper, but that he was the instigator in trying to have the king or his agents kill Abraham. Joshua Reviews Israel's History 1 Then Joshua assembled all the tribes of Israel at Shechem. But his son did not share his worldview or his enthusiasm for idol worship, even at a young age. Terah or Trach (Hebrew: / , Modern Tra / Tra Tiberian Tra / Tra ; "Ibex, wild goat", or "Wanderer; loiterer") was the father of Abraham mentioned in the Hebrew Bible. Terah, Avrahams (Abraham) father, is often viewed as an evil man and nothing more than an idol worshipper. Other religions such as Hinduism and Buddhism actively embrace idol worship. (Serug in the KJV), wrote of how the human race turned to idol worship, in part because of the influence of Abraham's great-grandfather, Serug (p 265). Terah was an idol worshipper, like his king, and their chief god was the Sun. This kind of idol worship may sound far removed from us, but we too, have our idols. Haran is the son of Terah, brother of Abraham, and the father of Lot. He was an idolater. It is only because we refuse to see the death of Terah in Stephen's speech as being dead spiritually, that we must, therefore, move back to the genealogy and play with the math. All confusion and contradictions dissolve once we accept that it was not Terah's physical death that was spoken of but his spiritual death. Worship; Online Emeds. Abraham was the son of Terah, a man who earned his living as an idol maker. Abraham took a stick, broke the idols, and put the stick in the largest idol's hand. Terah was wicked in that he manufactured wooden idols for a living. He hoped he could interest them in buying the idols for resale in Egypt. 17) represent Terah as actually a maker of idols. Interestingly, several ancient texts indicate that not only was Terah an idol worshipper, but that he was the instigator in trying to have the king or his agents kill Abraham. What a blessing that God can call anyone, Genesis 11:26 states that Terah lived 70 years, "and begot Abram, Nahor, and Haran". It says that Abrahams father, Terah, was an idol worshipper. Genesis 11:26 And Terah lived seventy years, and begat Abram, Nahor, and Haran. Rabbi Chiyya said: Terah was an idol worshiper. The boy loaded the family mule with idols and headed for an inn where a group of Syrian merchants stayed. A. Abraham was a born idol worshipper whose father Terah was a professional maker of idols. Psalm 135:15-18. Moreo-ver, throughout the story of Genesis it is Abraham, not Terah, who merits Gods blessing and receives Gods covenant and it is Abraham, not h, Tera who is referenced by all He was Noahs eighth great-grandson through the line of Shem. Terah's son Abram had an encounter with God, who directed him to take the entire family, leave Ur, and move to the land of Canaan. The contrast is not missed on the audience whom all had known and taught that Terah, an idol worshipper, was dead to Abraham who truly was a follower of God. If Terah was an idol manufacturer as tradition purports, he would find a lively market in the new localeanother major center of worship for Nanna, the moon goddess. Although Terah worshipped idols and raised his family in the idolatrous city of Haran, his son Abraham independently recognized the existence of one true Gd, and eventually left his fathers home for the Land of Israel. The continued dissonance between the idol worshippers in the family and Abraham and Lot's desire to worship the true God may have been the catalyst for Abraham's departure. Ber. Terah was the eighth generation from Noahs son Shem. Now, Abrahams father was an idol maker named Azar, who carved the wooden gods worshiped by his people. A woman came with a plateful of flour and asked Abraham to offer it to the idols. This Second Ancient Church degenerated from a kind of internal worship, and was so adulterated that at last it became idolatrous; as churches are wont to do, in that from internal things they go to external, and finally terminate in mere external things, internal things B. Verse Concepts. The rich pantheon of the ancient gods made it so there was no shortage of work for Terah. 15 The idols of the nations are silver and gold, made by human hands. According to the Midrash, he made and sold idols. Terahs transformation from idol worshipper to baal teshuvah is a powerful message to us all. He did not emigrate with him, so everyone, Jews and christians are wrong about the name, but Allah by His Book, the AlQur'aan is correct. The people of his time were falling into idolatry. Interestingly, several ancient texts indicate that not only was Terah an idol worshipper, but that he was the instigator in trying to have the king or his agents kill Abraham. probably had been an idol worshipper. Abraham obeyed Gods call, and, when he arrived in the land of Canaan, he built an altar to Yahweh at Shechem (Genesis 12:7). Nimrod ordered Terah to send him the baby, to be put to death. 28 Haran died in the presence of his father Terah in the land of his kindred, in Ur of the Chaldeans. Soon an idol worshipper came in and wished to buy an idol. (Gen. 8:20; 9:12-14) At that time, the only worship in the world was pure worship. In Joshua 24:2 Terah is said to have been an idolater. He had twelve chief gods, one for each month of the year, and other idols. tradition, cited in Joshua (24:2-4), that Terah was an idol worshipper. Genesis 12:1-9 1. His home was headed by his Gentile father, Terah, who was an idol worshiper: And Joshua said unto all the people, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Your fathers dwelt on the other side of the flood [the river Euphrates] in old time, even Terah, the father of Abraham, and the father of Nachor: and they served other gods. Haran. Abraham received the Melchizedek Priesthood from Melchizedek himself, although it isnt clear when it was received. The call of Abraham is a great example of Gods sovereign election. A prophet of the Lord with whom the Lord made eternal covenants, through which all the nations of the earth are blessed. In fact, there was a workshop in Terah's house, where idols of wood, stone, silver and gold were made. Perhaps he became sick. Share. Joshua 24:2 American Standard Version (ASV 1901) 2 And Joshua said unto all the people, Thus saith Jehovah, the God of Israel, Your fathers dwelt of old time beyond the River, even Terah, the father of Abraham, and the father of Nahor: and they served other gods. Abraham was called for Consecration. The rich pantheon of the ancient gods made it so there was no shortage of work for Terah. Terah is a Biblical figure from the book of Genesis. 27 Now these are the generations of Terah. Joshua 24:2 Scripture doesnt say why. Abraham was the son of Terah, a man who earned his living as an idol maker. Terah was an idol worshipper. Terah took Abraham and passed him off to [King] Nimrod. The Talmud says that Terah, the father of Abraham, was himself an idol worshipper; he even carried on a substantial trade in idols. Terah, along with his family, set out for the land of Canaan. Moreover, a deity could embody multiple idols at once. Now Terah the father of Abram was a piece of work. Abraham asked him how old he was and the man responded 50 years old. Abraham then said, You are 50 years old and would worship a day old statue! At this point the man left, ashamed. Verse Concepts. 13), was, like his father, a thorough-going idolater, being chiefly devoted to the worship of the stone idol called Merumat ("Eben Marumah," stone of deceit and corruption). When Terah returned, he demanded that Abraham explain what he had done. He married his niece, Sarai, who later became known as Sarah. Abraham began life as Abram, the son of Terah. We have already told you what a close brush with death Abraham had on the very night of his birth. You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth. The reason for so much resentment towards idol worship may stem from the story of Abraham, the alleged father of monotheism. Terah was also, a high priest of the idol worshippers. But now, as the tenth generation from Noah was spreading abroad in the earth, pure worship was becoming a rarity. The main prohibition to graven images and idol worship is found in the Ten Commandments as located in Exodus 20:4,5 and also Deuteronomy 5:8. This question is especially perplexing considering the long standing tradition, cited in Joshua (24:2-4), that Terah was an idol worshipper. Terah appears in both the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament. He was Noahs eighth great-grandson through the line of Shem. But they end up in Haran instead. Terah, Avrahams father, is often viewed as an evil man and nothing more than an idol worshipper. Consecration A. Abraham was a born idol worshipper whose father Terah was a professional maker of idols. A woman came with a plateful of flour and asked Abraham to offer it to the idols. However, Joshua 24:2 and 24:14-15 identify Terah (and possibly his family) as worshippers of many gods. Ur and Haran were also significant places for the moon worship cult. Many of the names from Gen. 11:29 stem from this false religion as well. All of his sons were athletic, strong willed and a bit quirky, but that was the norm in Ur. Abraham received the Melchizedek Priesthood from Melchizedek himself, although it isnt clear when it was received. 18 Those who make them will be like them, and so will all who trust in them. A review of the text indicates otherwise. It is clear, however, that Terah himself is an idol worshipper, both Noah knew God, but something happened in the generations that followed to where his descendent Terah and his family were idol worshippers. All three have stories of attempts to sacrifice Terah's son Abraham by a major wicked priest but was miraculously saved by his God. But Haran died in Ur of the Chaldeans, the land of his birth, while his father, Terah, was still living. Terah and his family were idol-worshipers, and that means God spoke to Abraham before he even knew God. The Names of God; Gospel of Matthew Joshua: Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, From ancient times your fathers lived beyond the River, namely, Terah, the father of Abraham and the father of Nahor, and they served other gods (Josh 24:2). According to ancient Jewish legend, one day Abraham was shown his father, Terah's room of many idols. 24:2. The story goes that Abraham was 16 They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but cannot see. Terah: Abrams Father (11:27-32) Like Noah, Terah also had three sons, Abram being one of them. The continued dissonance between the idol worshippers in the family and Abraham and Lot's desire to worship the true God may have been the catalyst for Abraham's departure.