ABRAHAM (3)

1. Uncover Bible Names 

a) The Bible is an historic record of real people and places. Find out and learn who's who, their relationships, and the meaning of their names.

2. Abraham

a) Meaning of “Abraham”: father of a multitude. / Meaning of “Abram”: Exalted father.

b) This was the name of the son of Terah, named (Genesis 11:27) before his older brothers Nahor and Haran, because he was the heir of the promises of God. He was originally named, Abram.

3. Ishmael

a) Sarai, now seventy-five years old, impatiently persuaded Abram to take Hagar, her Egyptian maid, as a concubine, intending any resulting children would be counted as her own.

b) Ishmael was born and regarded as the heir of these promises (Genesis 16). When Ishmael was thirteen years old, God again revealed yet more explicitly and fully his gracious purpose; and in token of the sure fulfillment of that purpose, the patriarch’s name was now changed from Abram to Abraham (Genesis 17:4-5), and the rite of circumcision was instituted as a sign of the covenant.

c) It was then affirmed that the heir to these covenant promises would be the son of Sarai, though she was now ninety years old. God directed that his name should be Isaac. At the same time, in commemoration of the promises, Sarai’s name was changed to Sarah.

d) On that memorable day, Abraham and his son Ishmael and all the males of his house were circumcised (Genesis 17).