23 Unbelievable Facts about Abraham

23 Unbelievable Facts about Abraham

*Originally published by Ayan on June 2022 and Updated by Vanessa R on May 2023 and updated by Diana K in May 2024

Abraham was the father of the three major faiths of the world, Christianity, Islam, and Judaism.

In Judaism he is seen as the father of the special relationship between God and Jews, in Christianity, he is a progenitor of all believers, and in Islam, he is viewed as a link in the chain of Islamic prophets.

Abraham’s father, Terah was 70 years when he was blessed with Abraham. He was born in Cutha, a Mesopotamian village.

Records from the book of Genesis show that Abraham left Ur, Mesopotamia to follow God’s command to form a holy land. Here are thirteen unbelievable Facts about Abraham.

1. Abraham’s parents were idol worshipers

Abraham is known in Christianity as the father of faith, surprisingly he was raised by parents who were devoted to idols.

His father was the ninth descendant of Noah, the only human god spared along with his family during the destructive floods.

It’s believed God called him from the city life to remove him from temptations at home.

He was a shepherd when God called him to leave his home for the promised land, despite his fears he heeded the call and left his home behind.

The inhabitants of the Ur and Hanan worshipped the old pantheon of gods, more so the moon god which was a transgression to the lord of Abraham.

Ur was an ancient city and it was dedicated to the moon god. The moon god was worshipped as the power that controlled the heavens and life cycles on earth.

2. Abraham was an old man when God called him

When God called Abraham to leave the land of Haran, he was around 75 years old at that time but other records suggest he was much older when he left his home by God’s will.

Abraham took his wife, nephew, and his possessions before he embarked on his journey.

He moved south into the land of Canaan, a land inhabited by a warrior tribe called the Canaanites. He shortly settled in Shechem and Bethel. God told Abraham his descendants will inherit the land.

3. Abraham had a dispute with his nephew,  Lot

Abraham’s_Parting_from_the_Family_of_Lot_Photo by Jan Victors—Wikimedia

When Abraham left Egypt and returned to Canaan with a lot and Sarah his wife, arguments arouse on grazing lands.

The herdsmen had problems over grazing lands for their herds, discarding tradition Abraham allowed lot the younger of the two to pick a land he preferred.

Lot chose the fertile plains of the east, while Abraham was left to take the western lands. Lots of cities included Sodom and Gomorrah.

After Abraham settled, God renewed his covenant with him, and he was told his descendants would inherit all the land he could see in every direction.

4. Abraham had his first son when he was 86 years old

God promised Abraham children, but he was getting old and he had no heirs presented to him.

He took matters into his hands as his wife was still childless. It was Sarah, his wife that suggested to him to sleep with her handmaid so that a child should be born from the union.

In the ancient system, it was custom to a substitute to bear a child to continue the genetic family line. Following the advice of his wife, Abraham had a child with Hagar, the handmaid and they had a son who was named Ishmael.

Though God’s promise was for the offspring of Abraham and Sarah’s union, God also blessed Ishmael and is believed to be the 12 tribes of the Arabs.

5. Abraham almost sacrificed his son

The_angel_restraints_Abraham_from_sacrificing_Isaac art by Jacob Franquart—Wikimedia

According to Christianity and Judaism, Isaac the son of Sarah, and Abraham was the one Abraham was willing to offer to God as a human sacrifice.

In a test of faith, Abraham was asked by God to offer one of his sons on mount Moriah and give him up as a burnt offering.

In the ancient days, children were sacrificed as burnt offerings to various deities, but the lord of Abraham was not like the other deities.

Abraham has been asked to offer his son as a sacrifice was symbolic in that God was trying to deal away with the barbaric ways of ancient people and ushering a new tradition for the descendants of Abraham.

He took his son up the mountain and prepared him for the ritual but God spared him and a ram appeared instead in the bushes as a replacement.

6. He was visited by angels

Abraham and the Three Angels art by Pieter Lastman —Wikimedia

Abraham was visited by angels in the guise of visitors. They were on the way to destroying the city of Sodom for their wickedness.

The visitors had come to rely on the message of God, and Abraham was told in a year he would have had a son.

Sarah overheard the conversation and laughed to herself at the irony of the statement as she was way beyond the bearing age. The visitors heard her and informed her that nothing is impossible for God.

7. Sarah was Abraham’s half-sister

When Abraham was living in Gerar he openly claimed Sarah was his sister despite her being his wife.

King Abimelech took a liking to Sarah. God appeared in his dream and warn him not to covert the wife of another man as it will result in death.

In fear, the king confronted Abraham who confessed the truth. It was due to fear that he might be killed for his wife as the land was filled with people who had no fear for God.

Abraham’s lie wasn’t completely a lie as he confirmed Sarah was not the daughter of his mother but his father[Genesis 20:12].

8. He was buried in the cave of Patriarch

The Cave of Machpela in Hebron photo by Ooman —Wikimedia

Abraham had bought the cave of the patriarch near Hebron which he had purchased along with the adjoining field from a man named Ephron, a Hittite.

When Sarah died, Abraham buried her in the cave of the Patriarch. He died at the age of 175 and was buried next to Sarah in the same cave.

9. His name was changed by God

Abraham’s original name was ‘Abram’, which means ‘the father is exalted. God changed it to ‘Abraham,’ which means ‘father of a multitude, and God initiated his covenant with him.

10. He remarried after Sarah’s death

Abraham married again after the death of his wife Sarah to a woman named Keturah and had six more sons. He lived to see his son marry Rebekah and witness the birth of his two twin grandsons, Jacob and Esau.

11. Abraham could put on a good fight

Abraham, or perhaps only his dependable servant Eliezer, went into battle with the enemies and liberated the prisoners after learning that his nephew Lot had been captured during a battle. Abraham refused to collect any of the war’s riches because he didn’t want anyone other than God to claim credit for his material achievement.

12. He married an Egyptian concubine

The couple hoped for a child that could continue their legacy as the years went by because Sarah was barren. When Sarah gave Abraham her Egyptian-born maid Hagar, the two of them were 86 years old when Hagar became pregnant and gave birth to Ishmael. As a result of the prolonged conflict between Sarah and Hagar and her fugitive son, things did not turn out well.

 13. He hosted angels

William-Adolphe Bouguereau, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Three “men” arrived to prophesy that Abraham and Sarah would have birth within a year as he was recovering from his circumcision (which he underwent at the age of 99). Before they broke the good news, Abraham offered them calf (tongue), bread, and milk cream under a tree.

14. According to the Quran, Abraham Helped Rebuild the Kaaba

Photo by ekrem osmanoglu on Unsplash

According to Islamic teachings, Abraham, known as Ibrahim, played a pivotal role in the construction of the Kaaba. Holding immense significance in the Islamic faith the cube-shaped structure is situated at the heart of the Grand Mosque in Mecca.

The Quran narrates that Ibrahim and his son Ismail erected the Kaaba as a sanctuary dedicated to the worship of Allah. Initially, it was a simple, unroofed rectangular building, reflecting the humble beginnings of this holy site. Over time, the Quraysh tribe undertook efforts to rebuild the pre-Islamic Kaaba, incorporating alternating courses of masonry and wood around 608 CE.

15. Abraham Circumcised himself at the Age of 99

The blistering desert sun beat down as Abraham gripped the razor-sharp obsidian blade. At 99 years old, his hands trembled ever so slightly. This was the ultimate test of faith – to mutilate his flesh on God’s command. Was he not the father of nations, chosen by the Almighty to bring monotheism to the pagan world? Searing pain shot through him as he made the first cut.

But Abraham did not cry out. He would not show weakness in carrying out his sacred covenant. When it was over, he felt purified, his body forever marked as one of God’s chosen. From that searing ritual was born a tradition binding Abraham’s descendants (both in Judaism and Islam) until the end of days.

16. Abraham is a Patriarch in all Three Abrahamic Religions

Photo by Noah Holm on Unsplash

the fact that Abraham is revered as a founding patriarch across Judaism, Christianity, and Islam is pretty mind-blowing. This one man’s spiritual journey and covenant with God laid the groundwork for not just one, but three of the world’s major religions.

As a believer, it’s a powerful testament to Abraham’s remarkable faith and righteousness that his legacy has transcended millennia. Even the Baha’i faith respects him as a precursor prophet. Whether you subscribe to these beliefs or not, you have to admit there’s something special about a person who shaped humanity’s spiritual landscape to that degree.

17. Abraham’s father Threw him in Fire for Rejecting Idolatry

Photo by Ricardo Gomez Angel on Unsplash

In the ancient annals of Islamic lore, there is a  a tale of unwavering faith and divine deliverance.  His father was distraught by his son’s rejection of the idol worship and flew in a fit of rage. In a harrowing act of retribution, he condemned Abraham to be cast into  a towering inferno. 

Amidst the crackling flames and billowing smoke, a miraculous intervention unfolded. The all-powerful God, bearing witness to Abraham’s steadfast devotion, extended an celestial hand, shielding him from the heat of fire. 

18. He Debated God

Can you imagine having the audacity to negotiate with God? That’s exactly what the bold and righteous Abraham did according to the Bible. He did not just  accept God’s plan to destroy the wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorrah.

Abraham boldly  bargained with God, haggling Him down from sparing the cities if 50 righteous people could be found, all the way to just 10 righteous people. 

Although the cities ultimately faced destruction, Abraham’s frank discussion with God humanises him. Furthermore, it demonstrates the incredible spiritual fortitude of this foundational biblical figure. 

19. Abraham his Son’s Sacrificial Site  “Jehovah Jireh”

Cornelis de Vos, PDM-owner, via Wikimedia Commons

Abraham stood frozen, knife raised above his beloved son Isaac bound on the altar. His mind raced – how could a merciful God demand such an unthinkable sacrifice? Yet the divine command rang clear in his ears.  In that pivotal moment, a rustling sound made Abraham turn. God responded by providing a ram, tangled in nearby bushes, to sacrifice instead.

A substitute, a reprieve from the Almighty. Abraham’s shoulders sagged with relief as understanding dawned – a test of faith, not of bloodshed. He named the site “Jehovah Jireh” – The Lord Will Provide. And indeed, providence had spoken through silence and symbol.

20. Abraham Lived to be 175 years old According to the Bible.

Can you even imagine living to be 175 years old?  Just let that sink in for a moment – 175 years walking this earth! Abraham was around long enough to see dozens of generations of his descendants be born. He experienced social upheaval, migrations, wars and other historical events that most of us couldn’t even conceive of witnessing in a single lifetime. Whether you take the Biblical account literally or not, Abraham’s remarkable longevity stands out as one of the most unbelievable facts in the holy book’s pages.

21. He is Believed to have Influenced Ancient Egyptian Religion

Photo by Michal Ico on Unsplash

Though the origins of Egyptian polytheism remain shrouded in mystery, one captivating theory posits that Abraham’s time in Egypt left a mark on their ancient faith. Revered as a wise prophet, it is conceivable that Abraham’s teachings on monotheism (the worship of one supreme deity) filtered into Egyptian consciousness during his time among them.

Perhaps his powerful ideas slowly permeated the priestly ranks. While mere speculation, this notion hints that the patriarch’s spiritual revelations may have rippled outward. The impact of a single man’s vision can indeed be profound.​

22. God changed Abram’s Name to Abraham

One of the most astonishing events in his life occurred when God changed Abram’s name to Abraham. This new name, meaning father of many nations, seemed improbable since Abraham was elderly and childless. However, God was establishing an everlasting covenant with him. Despite human reasoning, Abraham trusted in God’s promise that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars. 

23. Abraham’s dual legacy through Isaac and Ishmael

Photo by Godwin Bephin on Unsplash

From his union with Sarah came Isaac, patriarch of the Israelites. Yet Abraham also sired Ishmael through Hagar. This split branched into two mighty rivers of humanity. Isaac’s lineage flowed towards the Twelve Tribes of Israel. A nation forged in covenant with the One God.

In contrast, Ishmael’s descendants spread across the Arabian deserts. Nomadic warriors carrying his unbowed spirit. Two sons, diverging paths – one towards the Promised Land, the other chasing horizons of scorching sands. From a single man sprang varied peoples, languages, creeds.