Original Word: חָרָן
Part of Speech: proper name, of a location; proper name, masculine
Transliteration: Charan
Pronunciation: khaw-rawn'
Phonetic Spelling: (kaw-rawn')
KJV: Haran
Word Origin: [from H2787 (חָרַר - burned)]

1. parched
2. Charan, the name of a man and also of a place

Haran

From charar; parched; Charan, the name of a man and also of a place -- Haran.

see HEBREW charar

I. חָרָן proper name, of a location city in northern Mesopotamia (Assyrian —arrânu = road, path COT^Gloss; compare Dl^{Pa 185}; Jen^{Kosmologie 28} 'junction of trading-routes' = cross-roads) — mentioned as city of Abram's sojourn Genesis 11:31, where his father Terah died Genesis 11:32, and whence he departed for Canaan Genesis 12:4,5; where Laban, Jacob's uncle, lived, and whither Jacob fled Genesis 27:43; Genesis 28:10 (both חָרָ֫נָה), Genesis 29:4; as conquered by fathers of Sennacherib 2 Kings 19:12 = Isaiah 37:12; as place of trade Ezekiel 27:23; Assyrian –arrana (#NAME?), Schr^COT on Genesis 11:31; Genesis 27:43 ᵐ5 Χαρραν. It was an ancient seat of worship of moon-god (Sin), see Schr^{KG 355, 596}; see further Chwolsohn^{Ssabier i, 303 ff.} Wüstenfeld^{ZMG 1864, 443 f.} Schr^{KG 355, 536} Sachau^{Reise 217 ff.} Mez^{Geschichte. d. Stadt Harran, 1892}.

II. חָרָן proper name, masculine son of Caleb of Judah 1 Chronicles 2:46 (twice in verse); ᵐ5 Αρραν, ᵐ5^L Ωρων (Sabean proper name חרן DHM^{Epigr. Dakam. 56}).

חוֺרֹן, חֹרֹן see בֵּית חוֺרֹן above

Geographical Setting

Haran lay in Upper Mesopotamia on the Balikh River, a tributary running into the Euphrates. Situated at the juncture of caravan routes from Nineveh, Damascus, and Carchemish, the city became a strategic hub for trade, bridging the Fertile Crescent’s eastern and western segments. Today the site is identified with modern Harran in southeastern Türkiye, where distinctive beehive houses still mark the plain. The topography—open steppe broken by wadis—made Haran accessible for flocks and travelers alike, a fact reflected in the pastoral activities of the patriarchs.

The Patriarchal Sojourn

After the dispersion at Babel, Terah migrated north-west from Ur “to go to the land of Canaan; but when they came to Haran, they settled there” (Genesis 11:31). Haran thus served as a transitional homeland. Terah died there (Genesis 11:32), and from that very place the LORD renewed His call to Abram: “Go from your country, your kindred, and your father’s household to the land I will show you” (Genesis 12:1). Abram’s departure from Haran (Genesis 12:4-5) marks the decisive launch of the Abrahamic promises—land, nation, blessing—which shape the entirety of redemptive history.

Jacob’s Flight and Forge

Years later Rebecca urged Jacob to flee Esau’s wrath “to Haran” (Genesis 27:43). The journey, begun at Beersheba, reached its midpoint at Bethel (Genesis 28:10-22) where Jacob received the covenantal dream of the ladder. In Haran Jacob encountered Laban, found Rachel and Leah by the well (Genesis 29:4-12), and fathered the twelve tribes. Haran thus became the crucible in which the family of promise was molded, disciplined, and expanded.

Haran in the Assyrian Crisis

The Assyrian annals list Haran among conquered towns. Scripture corroborates that reality: “Were the gods of Haran, Rezeph, and the people of Eden in Telassar able to save Samaria?” (2 Kings 19:12; cf. Isaiah 37:12). Sennacherib’s taunt underscores the impotence of idols in contrast to the living God who later routed the Assyrian host. Haran’s fall, therefore, magnifies the LORD’s sovereignty over nations and idols alike.

Commercial Significance

Ezekiel’s lament over Tyre includes Haran among premier trading partners: “Haran, Canneh, and Eden traders of Sheba, Asshur, and Chilmad traded with you” (Ezekiel 27:23). The reference confirms Haran’s enduring importance on the Mesopotamian commercial grid well into the sixth century BC, long after the patriarchs. Goods such as wool, spices, and luxury textiles likely transited her bazaars.

Haran the Person

1 Chronicles 2:46 records a Judahite named Haran, born to Caleb through the concubine Ephah. While little else is known, the duplication of the name within Israel underscores the city’s fame; parents often bestowed familiar geographical names upon children.

Archaeological Echoes

Clay tablets from nearby Nuzi and Mari mention Harranu, a road or station associated with commerce and sacrifice to the moon-god Sin, matching the biblical portrait of an urbanized, religiously pluralistic center. Excavations have uncovered city walls, cultic installations, and caravan-serai foundations, supplying a tangible backdrop to Genesis.

Ministry and Theological Threads

1. Transitional Obedience: Haran illustrates the peril of settling short of full obedience (Terah) and the blessing of completing the call (Abram).
2. Covenant Confirmation: At Bethel, on the way to Haran, Jacob heard the same covenant first spoken at Haran to Abram, demonstrating divine consistency.
3. Pilgrimage Motif: From Ur to Haran to Canaan, God leads His people step by step, demanding faith over familiarity.
4. Superiority of Yahweh: Despite Assyria’s conquest of Haran, the LORD rescued Jerusalem, proving that geography holds no sway over His power.
5. Missionary Impulse: Haran’s position among nations foreshadows the gospel’s future advance along trade routes, culminating in Acts 7:2 where Stephen recounts Abram’s call “in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran.”

Key References

Genesis 11:31-32; 12:4-5; 27:43; 28:10; 29:4

2 Kings 19:12

Isaiah 37:12

Ezekiel 27:23

1 Chronicles 2:46

בְּחָרָֽן׃ בְחָרָ֑ן בחרן בחרן׃ וְחָרָ֖ן וחרן חָרָ֑ן חָרָ֖ן חָרָ֤ן חָרָ֥ן חָרָֽנָה׃ חרן חרנה׃ מֵחָרָ֖ן מֵחָרָֽן׃ מחרן מחרן׃ bə·ḥā·rān ḇə·ḥā·rān bechaRan bəḥārān ḇəḥārān chaRan chaRanah ḥā·rā·nāh ḥā·rān ḥārān ḥārānāh mê·ḥā·rān mechaRan mêḥārān vechaRan wə·ḥā·rān wəḥārānInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts