Boy Old & New Testament Known
Terah
to breathe; scent; blow
תֶּ֫רַח Θάρα te.rach
Terah (Hebrew: תֶּ֫רַח, te.rach) means “to breathe; scent; blow”, by traditional interpretation. It appears in 10 verses across 4 books of the Bible. In 2018 it was given to 5 children in the United States. Use is falling away. Around 1,416 Americans have been given it since 1880. Appears with Abraham in Genesis 11.
The bearer in scripture
One person in scripture bears this name.
-
Terah
father of Abraham; father of Haran; father of Nahor
Scripture against society
The two measures, side by side
At a glance
- Verses
- 10 across 4 books
- Bearers
- 1 one person only
- Testament
- Both
- Era
- Patriarchal
Using it today
Based on 2018 births across the United States.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| Given in 2018 | 5 | Falling |
| All-time total | 1,416 | Since records begin in 1880 |
| Peak | 65 in 1985 | Its highest year on record |
In scripture
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| First appears | Genesis 11:24 |
| Last appears | Luke 3:34 |
| Cross-references | 121 linked passages |
Names connected to this one
- Haran co-occurrence Appears with Haran in Genesis 11.
- Nahor co-occurrence Appears with Nahor in Genesis 11.
- Serug co-occurrence Appears with Serug in 1 Chronicles 1.
- Lot co-occurrence Appears with Lot in Genesis 11.
- Abraham co-occurrence Appears with Abraham in Genesis 11.
- Iscah co-occurrence Appears in the same passages as Iscah.
- Sarah co-occurrence Appears with Sarah in Genesis 11.
Origin & meaning
A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.11.24;
son of: Nahor (H5152);
father of: Abraham (H0085), Nahor (H5152H), Haran (H2039) and Sarah (H8283)
Also named: Thara (Θάρα "Terah" G2291)
§ Terah = "station"
1) the father of Abraham
Tarah = "delay"
2) a station of Israel in the wilderness
Terah was the father of Abraham, Nahor, and Haran, who left Ur to settle in Haran.
The biblical story
Terah was the son of Nahor and the father of Abraham, Nahor, and Haran (Gen.11.24-26). He lived in Ur of the Chaldeans, where he worshipped idols (Jos.24.2). At age 70, he became the father of his three sons (Gen.11.26). After Haran died in Ur, Terah took Abraham, Sarah, and Lot and set out for Canaan, but they settled in the city of Haran instead (Gen.11.31). Terah died in Haran at the age of 205 (Gen.11.32). Jewish tradition portrays Terah as an idolater who turned to God. The Bible does not provide further details about his life, but his significance lies in being the father of Abraham, the recipient of God's covenant promises.
Key verses
Terah appears in 10 verses. Here are some of the most notable:
-
And Nahor lived nine and twenty years, and begat Terah:
Genesis 11:24 -
And Nahor lived after he begat Terah an hundred and nineteen years, and begat sons and daughters.
Genesis 11:25 -
And Terah lived seventy years, and begat Abram, Nahor, and Haran.
Genesis 11:26 -
Now these are the generations of Terah: Terah begat Abram, Nahor, and Haran; and Haran begat Lot.
Genesis 11:27 -
And Haran died before his father Terah in the land of his nativity, in Ur of the Chaldees.
Genesis 11:28
Show all 10 references
Genesis (7)
- Genesis 11:24
- Genesis 11:25
- Genesis 11:26
- Genesis 11:27
- Genesis 11:28
- Genesis 11:31
- Genesis 11:32
Joshua (1)
- Joshua 24:2
1 Chronicles (1)
- 1 Chronicles 1:26
Luke (1)
- Luke 3:34