Nahor
malePatriarchalMeaning: “Snorting; piercer”
A brother of Abraham who remained in Mesopotamia. His descendants, including Bethuel and Laban, would intermarry with Abraham’s line.
Biography
Nahor is a brother of Abraham, named after their grandfather (Genesis 11:24–26). While Abraham journeyed to Canaan, Nahor's family settled in Mesopotamia, in "the city of Nahor" (Genesis 24:10).
Ancestor of Rebekah and Rachel
Nahor's importance lies in his descendants. Through his son Bethuel came Rebekah, Isaac's wife (Genesis 24:15), and through Bethuel's son Laban came Leah and Rachel, the wives of Jacob (Genesis 29). Thus Abraham deliberately sought wives for his line from Nahor's household rather than from the Canaanites.
Life Timeline
Settles in Mesopotamia as Abraham journeys to Canaan
His granddaughter Rebekah becomes Isaac’s wife
On the Bible timeline
Nahor belongs to the Creation & the Early World era (Beginning – c. 2100 BC).
- c. 2400 BC (traditional)The Flood
- c. 2200 BCThe Tower of Babel
Family Tree
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Themes & lessons from Nahor
Biblical themes that run through the passages where Nahor appears.
People they appear with
Places in their story
Scripture Appearances
5 verses in 1 bookGenesis5 verses
Genesis 11:26
And Terah lived seventy years, and begat Abram, Nahor, and Haran.
Genesis 11:27
Now these are the generations of Terah: Terah begat Abram, Nahor, and Haran; and Haran begat Lot.
Genesis 22:20
And it came to pass after these things, that it was told Abraham, saying, Behold, Milcah, she hath also born children unto thy brother Nahor;
Genesis 24:10
And the servant took ten camels of the camels of his master, and departed; for all the goods of his master were in his hand: and he arose, and went to Mesopotamia, unto the city of Nahor.
Genesis 24:15
And it came to pass, before he had done speaking, that, behold, Rebekah came out, who was born to Bethuel, son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham’s brother, with her pitcher upon her shoulder.
Frequently asked about Nahor
Who was Nahor in the Bible?
A brother of Abraham who remained in Mesopotamia. His descendants, including Bethuel and Laban, would intermarry with Abraham’s line.
What does the name Nahor mean?
The name Nahor means “Snorting; piercer”.
What did Nahor do in the Bible?
Nahor served as patriarch, of the tribe of Hebrew.
Who were Nahor's parents?
Nahor was the child of Terah.
Where does Nahor appear in the Bible?
Nahor is mentioned 5 times across 1 book: Genesis.
What can we learn from Nahor?
The story of Nahor touches on themes of abraham, genealogy, haran, milcah — explore each to study the lessons drawn from Nahor's life.
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