Atomic Bible

A city in Mesopotamia, associated with Abraham and his family.

Haran

Named in 12 verses across 5 books, first in Genesis 11:31.

חָרָןHaran

ΧαρράνHaran

The name means “mountainous country.” Hitchcock's Bible Names, 1869

About Haran Written by AI

Haran, also known as Charan, was a significant city in Mesopotamia, located in modern-day Turkey. It played a crucial role in the life of Abraham and his family. After leaving Ur of the Chaldeans, Abraham, his father Terah, and his nephew Lot settled in Haran (Genesis 11:31). It was in Haran that Terah died (Genesis 11:32), and from there, Abraham departed for Canaan in response to God's call (Genesis 12:4-5). Later, when Israel (or 'Jacob') fled from his brother Esau, he sought refuge in Haran with his uncle Laban (Genesis 27:43; 28:10). Jacob lived in Haran for many years, marrying Laban's daughters, Leah and Rachel, and working for Laban (Genesis 29:4). Haran was known for its association with the worship of the moon god, Sin. In the Old Testament, Haran is mentioned as one of the places conquered by the Assyrian kings (2Ki.19.12; Isaiah 37:12) and as a trading partner of Tyre (Ezk.27.23). The city's strategic location along major trade routes contributed to its importance in the ancient Near East.

Drafted by an AI model for STEPBible's TIPNR (Tyndale House Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). Check it against the verses below.

Easton's Bible Dictionary, 1897

This entry is on the name Haran, and may cover more than one person or place by that name.

(1.) Heb. haran; i.e., “mountaineer.” The eldest son of Terah, brother of Abraham and Nahor, and father of Lot, Milcah, and Iscah. He died before his father (Gen. 11:27), in Ur of the Chaldees.

(2.) Heb. haran, i.e., “parched;” or probably from the Accadian charana, meaning “a road.” A celebrated city of Western Asia, now Harran, where Abram remained, after he left Ur of the Chaldees, till his father Terah died (Gen. 11:31, 32), when he continued his journey into the land of Canaan. It is called “Charran” in the LXX. and in Acts 7:2. It is called the “city of Nahor” (Gen. 24:10), and Jacob resided here with Laban (30:43). It stood on the river Belik, an affluent of the Euphrates, about 70 miles above where it joins that river in Upper Mesopotamia or Padan-aram, and about 600 miles northwest of Ur in a direct line. It was on the caravan route between the east and west. It is afterwards mentioned among the towns taken by the king of Assyria (2 Kings 19:12; Isa. 37:12). It was known to the Greeks and Romans under the name Carrhae.

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(3.) The son of Caleb of Judah (1 Chr. 2:46) by his concubine Ephah.

M. G. Easton, Illustrated Bible Dictionary, third edition (1897), public domain, from CrossWire. Shown as written; its Scripture quotes are from older translations.

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GenesisMatthewRevelation

Where the Bible names it

  1. Genesis 11:31

    And Terah took his son Abram, his grandson Lot son of Haran, and his daughter-in-law Sarai the wife of Abram, and they set out from Ur of the Chaldeans for the land of Canaan. But when they arrived in Haran, they settled there.

  2. Genesis 11:32

    Terah lived 205 years, and he died in Haran.

  3. Genesis 12:4

    So Abram departed, as the LORD had directed him, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he left Haran.

  4. Genesis 12:5

    And Abram took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, and all the possessions and people they had acquired in Haran, and set out for the land of Canaan. When they came to the land of Canaan,

  5. Genesis 27:43

    So now, my son, obey my voice and flee at once to my brother Laban in Haran.

  6. Genesis 28:10

    Meanwhile Jacob left Beersheba and set out for Haran.

  7. Genesis 29:4

    “My brothers,” Jacob asked the shepherds, “where are you from?” “We are from Haran,” they answered.

  8. 2 Kings 19:12

    Did the gods of the nations destroyed by my fathers rescue those nations—the gods of Gozan, Haran, and Rezeph, and of the people of Eden in Telassar?

  9. Isaiah 37:12

    Did the gods of the nations destroyed by my fathers rescue those nations—the gods of Gozan, Haran, and Rezeph, and of the people of Eden in Telassar?

  10. Ezekiel 27:23

    Haran, Canneh, and Eden traded with you, and so did the merchants of Sheba, Asshur, and Chilmad.

  11. Acts 7:2

    And Stephen declared: “Brothers and fathers, listen to me! The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham while he was still in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran,

  12. Acts 7:4

    So Abraham left the land of the Chaldeans and settled in Haran. After his father died, God brought him out of that place and into this land where you are now living.

From STEPBible's TIPNR, Tyndale House Cambridge (CC BY 4.0): names, family, references and the AI written article. Verse text is the BSB.