“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.”
Context:The book of Genesis, particularly chapters 11 to 25, recounts the early history of humanity and focuses on the story of Abraham, who plays a significant role in God’s plan of redemption. Genesis 11:31 is part of the narrative leading up to God’s call and covenant with Abraham.
Terah’s Journey:Terah, Abram’s father, took Abram, Lot (Abram’s nephew), and Sarai (Abram’s wife) and left Ur of the Chaldees. Ur was a prominent city in ancient Mesopotamia, known for its idolatry and polytheistic practices. It is important to note that Terah initiated this journey, although it was God who eventually called Abram to leave his family and homeland entirely (Genesis 12:1-4).
Purpose of the Journey:The stated purpose of their journey was to go to the land of Canaan. Canaan was the promised land that God would later give to Abram and his descendants as an inheritance (Genesis 12:7). However, they did not reach Canaan initially; they settled in Haran, which was a city on the way to Canaan.
Significance of Haran:Haran was located in modern-day southeastern Turkey, roughly halfway between Ur and Canaan. The name “Haran” means “parched” or “dry.” It is possible that they stopped there due to Terah’s reluctance to continue the journey or for other reasons not explicitly mentioned in the text.
Delayed Journey and Divine Intervention:Terah’s decision to halt in Haran marked a delay in God’s plan for Abram to enter the promised land. It wasn’t until after Terah’s death that God specifically called Abram to continue the journey and enter the land of Canaan (Genesis 12:1-4).
