Nahor נָחוֹר
Son of Serug; father of Terah, Abraham's father.
Who is Nahor in the Bible?
Nahor was Abraham's grandfather, the son of Serug and father of Terah, appearing in the genealogical records of Genesis 11:22-25, Joshua 24:2, and 1 Chronicles 1:26. According to these accounts, Nahor became the father of Terah at age 29 and lived for 148 years. Joshua 24:2 notes that Terah's family, including Nahor, lived beyond the Euphrates River and served other gods, indicating they were polytheistic before God's calling came to Abraham. Nahor's primary significance in Scripture lies in his role as a direct ancestor in the lineage leading to Abraham, the patriarch through whom God would establish His covenant people.
Biography
Nahor, mentioned in Gen.11.22-25, Jos.24.2, 1 Chronicles Jos.1.26, and Luk.3.34, was the son of Serug and the father of Terah. He was the grandfather of Abraham, the patriarch of the Israelites.
According to the genealogical records in Genesis and 1 Chronicles, Nahor was born to Serug when Serug was 30 years old. Nahor himself became the father of Terah at the age of 29 and lived for a total of 148 years.
In Jos.24.2, it is mentioned that Terah and his family, including Nahor, lived beyond the Euphrates River and served other gods. This suggests that Nahor and his family were originally polytheistic and not worshippers of the one true God.
Nahor's significance in the biblical narrative lies primarily in his role as a direct ancestor of Abraham. His inclusion in the genealogies of Genesis, 1 Chronicles, and Luke demonstrates the importance of tracing the lineage of the patriarchs and establishing the continuity of God's plan through the generations.
Family
In Scripture
4 biblical books ; 3 with study contentGenesis 4 verses
- Genesis 11:22
"When Serug was 30 years old, he became the father of Nahor."
Study Genesis → - Genesis 11:23
"And after he had become the father of Nahor, Serug lived 200 years and had other sons and daughters."
Study Genesis → - Genesis 11:24
"When Nahor was 29 years old, he became the father of Terah."
Study Genesis → - Genesis 11:25
"And after he had become the father of Terah, Nahor lived 119 years and had other sons and daughters."
Study Genesis →
Joshua 1 verse
- Joshua 24:2
"And Joshua said to all the people, “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘Long ago your fathers, including Terah the father of Abraham and Nahor, lived beyond the Euphrates and worshiped other gods."
Study Joshua →
1 Chronicles 1 verse
- 1 Chronicles 1:26
"Serug, Nahor, Terah,"
Luke 1 verse
- Luke 3:34
"the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham, the son of Terah, the son of Nahor,"
Study Luke →
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | נָחוֹר |
| Greek | Greek | Ναχώρ |
Nahor
(2) Son of Terah and brother of Abraham (Ge 11:26,27,29; 22:20,23; 24:15,24,47; 29:5; Jos 24:2).
A city of Nahor is mentioned in Ge 24:10; the God of Nahor in Ge 31:53. In the King James Version Jos 24:2; Lu 3:34, the name is spelled "Nachor."
na'-shon (nachshon; Septuagint and New Testament, Naasson): A descendant of Judah; brother-in-law of Aaron and ancestor of David and of Jesus Christ (Ex 6:23; <ref osisRef="Bible:N