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[[Image:abraham_sacrificing_isaac.jpg|thumb|right|200px|''Abraham Sacrificing Isaac'' by Rembrandt]]

[[Image:abraham_sacrificing_isaac.jpg|thumb|right|200px|''Abraham Sacrificing Isaac'' by Rembrandt]]

'''Abraham''' (Hebrew [[אַבְרָהָם]]) lived in [[Ur]] approximately 1800 BC. Credited in the [[Bible]] as the father of [[Judaism]] and the other [[Abrahamic religions]]. Held up as an example of faith to all Christians, Jews, and Muslims, Abraham migrated to [[Canaan]] in obedience to God's command. In the Bible, Abraham had two important children, [[Ishmael]] and [[Isaac]]. The descendants of Ishmael became the [[Arab|Arabs]] while the descendants of Isaac became the [[Israelite|Israelites]].

'''Abraham''' (Hebrew [[אַבְרָהָם]]) lived in [[Ur]] approximately 1800 BC. His story is told in the book of [[Genesis]]. He is credited in the [[Bible]] as the father of [[Judaism]] and the recipient of a covenant with God. Held up as an example of faith to all Christians, Jews, and Muslims, Abraham migrated to [[Canaan]] in obedience to God's command. In the Bible, Abraham had two important children, [[Ishmael]] and [[Isaac]]. The descendants of Isaac became the [[Israelite|Israelites]] as chronicled in the Bible.  The [[Arab]]s claim to be descended from Ishmael, although this is not discussed in the Bible itself.

Abraham was married to Sarah. However, Abraham's first son Ishmael was the illegitimate son of Sarah's slave girl Hagar. (Genesis Ch.16 v1-5).  Abraham later threw Hagar and Ishmael out of house and home with the Lord's blessing. (Genesis Ch. 21 v. 8-13).  Abraham was eighty-six when Ishmael was born. (Genesis Ch.16v.16).  Incredibly Abraham was one hundred years old when he fathered his second son Isaac and Isaac's mother Sarah was ninety! (Genesis Ch.16 v. 17-18).  Abraham took part in what may be the first recorded case of child abuse when, on God's command, he took his son Isaac up into the mountains, tied him up, made him lie on a bundle of sticks and threatened him with a knife.(Genesis Ch.22 v.1-12).  At the last minute God instructed Abraham not to sacrifice his son; however one may only guess as to the traumatic impact this would have had on the young Isaac.   

The most famous story of Abraham dealt with his son Isaac, when Abraham was told by God to take him up into the mountains and sacrifice him.  Abraham did as he was told, but at the last moment an angel of the Lord told him to stop and another sacrifice was there to be put in his place.  Christians see this as a foreshadowing of the sacrifice of [[Jesus]].

   

[[Category:Biblical persons]]

[[Category:Biblical persons]]

[[Category:Ancient History]]

[[Category:Ancient History]]