: This act of blind faith becomes the cornerstone of the Hebrew Bible, establishing the Covenant —a sacred partnership between God and Abram's descendants that defines the rest of biblical history.
Introducing the Hebrew Bible and the History of Ancient Israel Biblical Hebrew
The Hebrew Bible , or , is a massive collection of 24 books—composed of the Torah (Teachings), Nevi'im (Prophets), and Ketuvim (Writings)—that chronicles the early history and spiritual foundations of the Israelite people. : This act of blind faith becomes the
: Despite Abram and his wife Sarai being elderly and childless, God promises to make him a "great nation," to bless those who bless him, and that through him, all the families of the earth will be blessed. : At 75 years old, Abram takes Sarai
: At 75 years old, Abram takes Sarai and his nephew Lot, leaves everything he knows, and sets out for the land of Canaan .
Below is the foundational story of , which marks the beginning of the patriarchal era in the Hebrew scriptures. The Story of Abraham (Genesis 12)
Long before he was known as the "Father of Nations," he was simply Abram, living in the city of Ur. The story begins when God suddenly speaks to him, giving him a radical command and a grand promise.