Overview
The Bible addresses terah across 11 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Genesis, Joshua and Luke. Closely related themes include Genealogy, Haran, Shem and Abraham. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Terah, Abraham, Nahor and Haran.
Key Bible verses about terah
Old Testament
Genesis
And Nahor lived nine and twenty years, and begat Terah: Terah: Gr. Thara
And Nahor lived after he begat Terah an hundred and nineteen years, and begat sons and daughters.
And Terah lived seventy years, and begat Abram, Nahor, and Haran.
Now these are the generations of Terah: Terah begat Abram, Nahor, and Haran; and Haran begat Lot.
And Haran died before his father Terah in the land of his nativity, in Ur of the Chaldees.
And Abram and Nahor took them wives: the name of Abram's wife was Sarai; and the name of Nahor's wife, Milcah, the daughter of Haran, the father of Milcah, and the father of Iscah.
But Sarai was barren; she had no child.
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.
And the days of Terah were two hundred and five years: and Terah died in Haran.
People in the Bible and terah
Biblical figures whose stories intersect with this theme.
In the Bible dictionary
Studying terah for yourself
- Begin with Genesis 11:24, then read the passages below in canonical order.
- Compare how Genesis, Joshua and Luke each treat the theme.
- Consider the lives of Terah, Abraham and Nahor and how their stories intersect with it.
- Widen the study to related themes: Genealogy, Haran, Shem and Abraham.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Bible say about terah?
The Bible addresses terah across 11 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Genesis, Joshua and Luke. Closely related themes include Genealogy, Haran, Shem and Abraham. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Terah, Abraham, Nahor and Haran.
How many Bible verses are about terah?
The Bible references terah in 11 verses (King James Version).
Where does the Bible first mention terah?
In canonical order, the first of these passages is Genesis 11:24: “And Nahor lived nine and twenty years, and begat Terah: Terah: Gr. Thara”
Which people in the Bible are associated with terah?
Terah, Abraham, Nahor, Haran and Sarah.
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