Clicky

10 Interesting Facts About Abraham in the Bible – Viral Believer
Skip to content

10 Interesting Facts About Abraham in the Bible

Introduction

The Bible is full of stories of people who demonstrated extraordinary faith and obedience to God, and Abraham is one of the most prominent examples.

As the father of the Jewish people, Abraham’s life is a testament to God’s faithfulness and love towards His people. From his call to leave his homeland to his willingness to sacrifice his son Isaac, Abraham’s life is full of fascinating stories and examples of faith and obedience that still inspire Christians today.

In this blog post, we will explore 10 interesting facts about Abraham in the Bible and examine the significance of his life for Christians. We will discuss his name change from Abram to Abraham, his call to leave his homeland, his marriage to Sarah, his relationship with his nephew Lot, and his sons Ishmael and Isaac.

We will also delve into the well-known story of Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice Isaac and examine how his life serves as a foreshadowing of Jesus Christ.

Abraham’s life provides us with many lessons and examples of faith and obedience to God. His unwavering trust in God’s promises and his willingness to obey Him, even in the most difficult of circumstances, demonstrate what it means to trust God completely.

As we explore the fascinating facts about Abraham’s life, we can draw strength and encouragement for our own journey of faith, and be reminded of God’s faithfulness and love towards His people.

1. Abraham’s original name was Abram

Abraham was not always known by this name. In fact, his original name was Abram, which means “exalted father” (Genesis 11:27). It wasn’t until later, after God had made a covenant with him promising him many descendants, that his name was changed to Abraham, which means “father of many nations” (Genesis 17:5).

This name change is significant because it represents the promise that God made to Abraham. God promised to bless Abraham with many descendants and to make him the father of a great nation.

This promise was fulfilled through Abraham’s descendants, including the Jewish people and ultimately Jesus Christ.

2. Abraham was called to leave his homeland

God called Abraham to leave his homeland and go to a land that He would show him (Genesis 12:1). This journey became known as the “call of Abraham,” and it required Abraham to trust God completely and step out in faith, leaving behind everything he had known.

Abraham’s obedience to God’s call is a powerful example for Christians today. Just as Abraham trusted God and stepped out in faith, even when it was difficult or uncertain, Christians are called to trust God in every aspect of their lives.

Abraham’s willingness to obey God, even in the face of uncertainty, demonstrates what it means to trust God completely.

3. Abraham was married to Sarah

Abraham’s wife was named Sarah, and she played a crucial role in God’s plan for his life. Sarah was barren for many years, but God eventually blessed her with a son, Isaac, who was the child of promise (Genesis 21:1-3).

The story of Sarah’s barrenness and eventual pregnancy is a testament to God’s faithfulness and power. Despite the seemingly impossible situation, God still fulfilled His promise to Abraham and Sarah, demonstrating that nothing is too difficult for Him.

4. Abraham had a nephew named Lot

Abraham had a nephew named Lot who was like a son to him. Lot traveled with Abraham to the land of Canaan (Genesis 12:4), and the two of them eventually separated when their families grew too large to live together (Genesis 13:6-12).

The story of Abraham and Lot demonstrates the importance of making wise choices and putting God first. When Abraham gave Lot the first choice of land, Lot chose the fertile valley of the Jordan, which turned out to be full of wickedness and sin.

Abraham, on the other hand, chose to trust God and go where God led him. As a result, Abraham was blessed, while Lot faced many challenges and difficulties.

5. Abraham had a son named Ishmael

Before Isaac was born, Abraham had a son named Ishmael with his wife Sarah’s maidservant, Hagar (Genesis 16:1-16). Although Ishmael was not the child of promise, God promised to make him the father of a great nation as well (Genesis 17:20).

The story of Ishmael demonstrates God’s faithfulness and grace towards His people. Despite Abraham’s mistake in having a child with Hagar, God still promised to bless Ishmael and make him the father of a great nation.

This demonstrates that God can use even our mistakes and shortcomings for His purposes, and that His plans are bigger than our own.

6. Abraham was willing to sacrifice his son Isaac

Perhaps one of the most well-known stories about Abraham is his willingness to sacrifice his son Isaac when God commanded him to do so (Genesis 22:1-14). This test of Abraham’s faith demonstrated his unwavering trust in God, even when the situation seemed impossible.

The story of Abraham and Isaac is a powerful example of faith and obedience. Abraham was willing to do whatever God asked of him, even if it meant sacrificing his own son. This demonstrates the importance of putting God first and trusting Him completely, even when it seems difficult or painful.

Furthermore, the story of Abraham and Isaac points to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross.

Just as Abraham was willing to sacrifice his son, God the Father sacrificed His only Son, Jesus Christ, for the salvation of humanity. Abraham’s faith and obedience to God prefigure the ultimate act of faith and obedience to God that would be demonstrated through Christ.

7. Abraham interceded for the city of Sodom

When God revealed that He was going to destroy the city of Sodom because of its wickedness, Abraham interceded for the city, asking God to spare it if there were even ten righteous people living there (Genesis 18:16-33). This demonstrates Abraham’s compassion and concern for others, even those who were not following God.

The story of Abraham and Sodom highlights the importance of intercession and prayer for others. Abraham was willing to plead with God on behalf of the people of Sodom, demonstrating his love and concern for them. Christians are called to pray for others and intercede on their behalf, just as Abraham did.

8. Abraham’s faith was credited to him as righteousness

One of the most significant verses in the Bible about Abraham is Genesis 15:6, which says, “And he believed in the Lord, and He accounted it to him for righteousness.” This means that God counted Abraham as righteous because of his faith, not because of any good deeds that he had done.

The story of Abraham and righteousness demonstrates that our relationship with God is based on faith, not works. Abraham was not considered righteous because of any good deeds that he had done, but because of his faith in God.

This points to the importance of faith in our relationship with God, and highlights the fact that we cannot earn our salvation through good works.

9. Abraham is an example of faith for believers

Abraham is held up as an example of faith and obedience throughout the Bible. Hebrews 11:8-19 describes his unwavering trust in God’s promises, even when they seemed impossible. Christians can look to Abraham as a model of faith and follow in his footsteps as they trust God in their own lives.

The story of Abraham and faith demonstrates the importance of trusting God completely, even in difficult or uncertain circumstances. Abraham’s willingness to step out in faith, even when the situation seemed impossible, is a powerful example for believers today.

As we trust in God’s promises for our lives, we can look to Abraham as a model of faith and obedience.

10. Abraham is a foreshadowing of Christ

Abraham’s life also serves as a foreshadowing of Jesus Christ. In John 8:56, Jesus Himself says, “Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad.”

This suggests that Abraham had some understanding of the coming of the Messiah, and his life can be seen as a precursor to the life and sacrifice of Jesus.

Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son Isaac is particularly striking in this regard. Just as Abraham was willing to sacrifice his only son, God the Father sacrificed His only Son, Jesus Christ, for the salvation of humanity.

Abraham’s faith and obedience to God prefigure the ultimate act of faith and obedience to God that would be demonstrated through Christ.

Furthermore, the promise that God made to Abraham, that through him all the families of the earth would be blessed, points to the universal nature of Christ’s redemption. Just as God’s promise to Abraham included all nations, so too does Christ’s redemption offer salvation to all people, regardless of race or ethnicity.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Abraham’s life is full of fascinating stories and examples of faith and obedience to God. From his call to leave his homeland to his willingness to sacrifice his son Isaac, Abraham’s life demonstrates what it means to trust God completely and obey Him, even when it seems impossible.

Moreover, Abraham’s life serves as a foreshadowing of the life and sacrifice of Jesus Christ, highlighting the universal nature of God’s redemption and the importance of faith and obedience in our relationship with God.

As we reflect on the life of Abraham, we can draw strength and encouragement for our own journey of faith. Abraham’s unwavering trust in God’s promises and his willingness to obey Him are powerful examples for believers today, and his life serves as a reminder of God’s faithfulness and love towards His people.

Pastor Duke Taber
Pastor Duke Taber

Pastor Duke Taber

All articles have been written or reviewed by Pastor Duke Taber.
Pastor Duke Taber is an alumnus of Life Pacific University and Multnomah Biblical Seminary.
He has been in pastoral ministry since 1988.
Today he is the owner and managing editor of 3 successful Christian websites that support missionaries around the world.
He is currently starting a brand new church in Mesquite NV called Mesquite Worship Center, a Non-Denominational Spirit Filled Christian church in Mesquite Nevada.