Original Word: אַבְרָם
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Abram
Pronunciation: av-RAHM
Phonetic Spelling: (ab-rawm')
KJV: Abram
NASB: Abram, Abram's
Word Origin: [contracted from H48 (אֲבִירָם - Abiram)]

1. high father
2. Abram, the original name of Abraham

Abram

Contracted from 'Abiyram; high father; Abram, the original name of Abraham -- Abram.

see HEBREW 'Abiyram

Word Origin
from the same as Abiram, see Abraham
Definition
"exalted father," the original name of Abraham
NASB Translation
Abram (53), Abram's (7).

אַבְרָם proper name, masculine (id., Thes and others exalted father) Abram Genesis 11:26,27 57t. Genesis (to Genesis 17:5) + 1 Chronicles 1:27; Nehemiah 9:7; = אַבְרָהָם Abraham Genesis 17:5,9,15 172t. OT. (אברהם connected Genesis 17:5 by word-play with הם of המון; really = רום ֯ אברם = רהם which however is not found in Hebrew — compare Di > Hal^{RÉJ 1887, 177 f} who proposes אֲבִר הַם גּוֺיִם compare Genesis 49:21 with Isaiah 41:21; so that אֲבִר הָם chief of multitude is the new name of Genesis 17:5 (הָם) √ המה). Spiegelb^{Randglossen 14} compare Palestinian proper name geography µ‡r° °brru = חקל אברם (compage Egyptian article masculine), in Sheshonk list. As regards etymology, Nö^l.c. and others explained as 'the father [a divine title] is exalted' (compare יְהוֺרָם, מַלְכִּירָם, חִירָם[אֲ]).

Summary

Abram, later renamed Abraham, is introduced as the son of Terah and tenth generation from Noah through Shem. Under the name Abram he appears about sixty-one times, all within the historical books. These occurrences cluster chiefly in Genesis 11:26–17:5, with later recollections in 1 Chronicles 1:26–27 and Nehemiah 9:7. Abram’s life marks the transition from primeval history to the patriarchal narratives and provides the foundation for Israel’s national identity and the unfolding plan of redemption.

Occurrences

• Genesis 11:26–17:5 (primary narrative)
• Genesis 17:9, 24; 19:27; 20:1–2, 9, 14, 17; 25:7–11 (retrospective mentions)
• 1 Chronicles 1:26–27; Nehemiah 9:7

Historical Setting

Abram’s account begins in Ur of the Chaldees, a prominent Sumerian city on the Euphrates, continues through Haran in northern Mesopotamia, and centers in Canaan during the early second millennium B.C. The broader backdrop includes the dispersion after Babel and the spread of idolatry, against which Abram is called to worship and serve the one true God.

Life and Journey under the Name Abram

Call and Departure

Genesis 12:1-3: “Then the LORD said to Abram, ‘Go from your country, your kindred, and your father’s house to the land I will show you. I will make you into a great nation, I will bless you, I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you; and in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.’”

Abram obeys, leaving familial security for divine promise, a paradigm of faith-motivated obedience.

Sojourn in Egypt

Famine drives Abram to Egypt (Genesis 12:10-20). His half-truth concerning Sarai reveals human frailty, yet God preserves the promised line, underscoring sovereign protection despite Abram’s missteps.

Separation from Lot

Genesis 13 records Abram’s generosity in granting Lot first choice of land, epitomizing trust in God’s provision. After Lot’s departure, the LORD reaffirms the promise of land and countless descendants.

Rescue of Lot and Encounter with Melchizedek

Genesis 14 details Abram’s daring rescue of Lot from the coalition of eastern kings. Upon returning, he meets Melchizedek, king-priest of Salem, and gives him a tenth of all (Genesis 14:18-20). This anticipates later priestly patterns and highlights Abram’s acknowledgement of God Most High.

Covenant of the Pieces

Genesis 15:6: “Abram believed the LORD, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” God seals His promise through a unilateral covenant ceremony, predicting Israel’s sojourn and exodus from Egypt. Abram’s faith becomes the scriptural prototype for justification by faith.

Hagar and Ishmael

Impatience with the delayed offspring leads Sarai to give Hagar to Abram (Genesis 16). Ishmael is born, illustrating the conflict between human effort and divine promise, yet God graciously blesses Ishmael while reaffirming that the covenant line will come through Sarai.

Name Change Anticipated

Genesis 17 opens with God commanding blameless walk, instituting circumcision as covenant sign, and renaming Abram “Abraham” (Genesis 17:5). The transition marks fulfillment in progress; nevertheless, the foundational experiences under the name Abram remain essential.

Covenant Milestones During the Abram Period

1. Promise of Seed and Land (Genesis 12:1-7)
2. Altar Building (Genesis 12:7–8; 13:18)
3. Divine Oath and Righteousness by Faith (Genesis 15:1-21)
4. Sign of Circumcision pledged (Genesis 17:1-14—announced just before the name change)

Faith and Righteousness

The apostolic writers cite Abram’s believing response as timeless soteriological truth. While the New Testament traditions use “Abraham,” the content references the event recorded when he was still Abram (Romans 4:3; Galatians 3:6; James 2:23). Thus, Abram’s trust anchors both Old and New Covenant theology.

Later Biblical Reflection on Abram

Nehemiah 9:7-8: “You are the LORD God, who chose Abram and brought him out of Ur of the Chaldeans. You named him Abraham. You found his heart faithful before You, and You made a covenant with him…” Post-exilic Israel grounds its confession of faith in God’s prior faithfulness to Abram, linking restoration hopes to the patriarchal covenant.

Ministry Significance

• Worship—Abram builds altars and calls on the Name of the LORD, modeling corporate and family worship.
• Intercession—Though recorded after his renaming, the habit of prayerful advocacy (Genesis 18) is rooted in his earlier walk with God.
• Tithing—His gift to Melchizedek becomes an early witness to voluntary, God-honoring giving.
• Pilgrim Mindset—Living in tents in Canaan (Hebrews 11:9) foreshadows the believer’s status as sojourner seeking a better homeland.

Distinctions between Abram and Abraham

“Abram” predominates prior to circumcision and the explicit promise of nations; “Abraham” after. Scripture’s retention of both names preserves the progressive revelation of God’s plan—personal promise blossoming into universal blessing.

Practical and Devotional Applications

1. Obedient Faith: Leaving comfort for calling.
2. God’s Sovereignty: Divine protection despite human weakness.
3. Justification: Righteousness credited through faith, not works.
4. Covenant Fidelity: God keeps promises across generations.
5. Pilgrim Living: Investing in eternal heritage over present security.

Key Passages for Study

Genesis 12:1-3, 7

Genesis 13:14-17

Genesis 14:18-20

Genesis 15:1-6

Genesis 16:6-12

Genesis 17:1-5

Nehemiah 9:7-8

1 Chronicles 1:27

אַבְרָ֑ם אַבְרָ֔ם אַבְרָ֖ם אַבְרָ֗ם אַבְרָ֜ם אַבְרָ֣ם אַבְרָ֤ם אַבְרָ֧ם אַבְרָ֨ם אַבְרָֽם׃ אַבְרָם֙ אַבְרָם֩ אַבְרָם֮ אברם אברם׃ בְּאַבְרָ֔ם באברם וְאַבְרָ֕ם וְאַבְרָ֖ם וְאַבְרָ֗ם וּלְאַבְרָ֥ם ואברם ולאברם לְאַבְרָ֔ם לְאַבְרָ֖ם לְאַבְרָ֗ם לְאַבְרָ֣ם לְאַבְרָ֥ם לְאַבְרָֽם׃ לאברם לאברם׃ ’aḇ·rām ’aḇrām avRam bə’aḇrām bə·’aḇ·rām beavRam lə’aḇrām lə·’aḇ·rām leavRam ū·lə·’aḇ·rām ulavRam ūlə’aḇrām veavRam wə’aḇrām wə·’aḇ·rāmInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts