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אַבְרָם (av.ram)

av.ram

Abram

H0087 · Hebrew · Old Testament · 50 verses

N:N-M-P

Quick Reference

Language
Biblical Hebrew
Testament
Old Testament
Occurrences
50 verses
Root
—
Part of speech
N:N-M-P

Word Overview

The name Abram, appearing fifty times in Scripture primarily within Genesis and Chronicles, means "exalted father." It is a proper noun derived from the Hebrew word for father, combined with a root suggesting height or elevation. This original name belongs to the patriarch who would later be known as Abraham.

Lexical sources note that Abram is essentially a contracted form of Abiram, carrying the sense of a high or lofty father. The text distinguishes this early designation from his later name, which signifies "father of many nations," marking a shift in his identity and divine calling. The Bible records him as the son of Terah and brother to Nahor and Haran, establishing his lineage before God’s call in Genesis 12.

Translators consistently render this Hebrew term as Abram, preserving the distinction between his original identity and the covenant name given in Genesis 17:5. The occurrence of the name in these specific verses anchors the narrative of the patriarchs, highlighting the beginning of the family line through which the promises to Israel would unfold.

Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).

What This Word Means for Your Faith

The name Abram means "exalted father." In Genesis 11:26, we see this title given before any great deeds were done. It reminds us that our identity in God is not built on our achievements but on who He says we are. Even when we feel small or uncertain, God sees us with a high and honored purpose.

Later, in Genesis 12:1, God calls Abram to leave his home. This moment shows that faith often begins with a simple step of obedience. We do not need to have the whole map laid out before us. Trusting God’s voice is enough to start the journey He has prepared for us.

Throughout his life, Abram faced famines and family conflicts. Yet he remained faithful, building altars and calling on the Lord (Genesis 13:4). His story encourages us that God’s promises unfold in time. We can rest in the knowledge that the One who calls us is faithful to complete what He starts.

How it's translated

How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 50 verses where it appears, by frequency.

  • Abram49×
  • to/ Abram5×
  • and/ Abram3×
  • and/ to/ Abram1×
  • O Abram1×
  • <to>/ Abram1×
  • <in>/ Abram1×

Forms in the text

The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.

  • אַבְרָ֔ם11×
  • אַבְרָ֖ם10×
  • אַבְרָ֗ם8×
  • אַבְרָֽם\׃4×
  • אַבְרָ֑ם4×
  • אַבְרָם֙3×
  • אַבְרָ֧ם2×
  • אַבְרָ֣ם2×
  • אַבְרָ֜ם2×
  • לְ/אַבְרָֽם\׃\ \ס1×
  • לְ/אַבְרָ֥ם1×
  • לְ/אַבְרָ֣ם1×

Key Verses

  • Genesis 12:1
    Now Yahweh said to Abram, “Leave your country, and your relatives, and your father’s house, and go to the land that I will show you.

    This verse marks the pivotal moment where God initiates a covenant relationship by calling Abram to leave his familiar surroundings.

  • Genesis 13:4
    to the place of the altar, which he had made there at the first. There Abram called on Yahweh’s name.

    Here Abram returns to a previous altar, demonstrating a consistent pattern of worship and remembrance after his return from Egypt.

  • Genesis 11:26
    Terah lived seventy years, and became the father of Abram, Nahor, and Haran.

    This introduction establishes Abram’s lineage as the son of Terah, grounding his story in a specific historical family context.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Abram mean?

The name Abram is a Hebrew proper noun that translates to "exalted father." It combines the word for father with a root indicating height or elevation, signifying a high status among patriarchs.

How is Abram different from Abraham?

Abram is the original name given to the patriarch before God’s covenant was fully realized. In Genesis 17:5, his name is changed to Abraham, meaning "father of many nations," to reflect the expanded promise God made to him.

Where does the name Abram appear most frequently?

The name appears fifty times in the Bible, primarily in the book of Genesis. It covers the period from his birth through his early life and initial journey into Canaan before his name change.

Every Occurrence (50 verses across 3 books)

Genesis 48 verses
Genesis 11:26

Terah lived seventy years, and became the father of Abram, Nahor, and Haran.

Genesis 11:27

Now this is the history of the generations of Terah. Terah became the father of Abram, Nahor, and Haran. Haran became…

Genesis 11:29

Abram and Nahor married wives. The name of Abram’s wife was Sarai, and the name of Nahor’s wife was Milcah, the…

Genesis 11:31

Terah took Abram his son, Lot the son of Haran, his son’s son, and Sarai his daughter-in-law, his son Abram’s wife.…

Genesis 12:1

Now Yahweh said to Abram, “Leave your country, and your relatives, and your father’s house, and go to the land that I…

Genesis 12:4

So Abram went, as Yahweh had told him. Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran.

Genesis 12:5

Abram took Sarai his wife, Lot his brother’s son, all their possessions that they had gathered, and the people whom…

Genesis 12:6

Abram passed through the land to the place of Shechem, to the oak of Moreh. At that time, Canaanites were in the land.

Genesis 12:7

Yahweh appeared to Abram and said, “I will give this land to your offspring.” He built an altar there to Yahweh, who…

Genesis 12:9

Abram traveled, still going on toward the South.

Genesis 12:10

There was a famine in the land. Abram went down into Egypt to live as a foreigner there, for the famine was severe in…

Genesis 12:14

When Abram had come into Egypt, some Egyptians saw that the woman was very beautiful.

Genesis 12:16

He dealt well with Abram for her sake. He had sheep, cattle, male donkeys, male servants, female servants, female…

Genesis 12:17

Yahweh afflicted Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai, Abram’s wife.

Genesis 12:18

Pharaoh called Abram and said, “What is this that you have done to me? Why didn’t you tell me that she was your wife?

Genesis 13:1

Abram went up out of Egypt—he, his wife, all that he had, and Lot with him—into the South.

Genesis 13:2

Abram was very rich in livestock, in silver, and in gold.

Genesis 13:4

to the place of the altar, which he had made there at the first. There Abram called on Yahweh’s name.

Genesis 13:5

Lot also, who went with Abram, had flocks, herds, and tents.

Genesis 13:7

There was strife between the herdsmen of Abram’s livestock and the herdsmen of Lot’s livestock. The Canaanites and the…

Genesis 13:8

Abram said to Lot, “Please, let there be no strife between you and me, and between your herdsmen and my herdsmen; for…

Genesis 13:12

Abram lived in the land of Canaan, and Lot lived in the cities of the plain, and moved his tent as far as Sodom.

Genesis 13:14

Yahweh said to Abram, after Lot was separated from him, “Now, lift up your eyes, and look from the place where you are,…

Genesis 13:18

Abram moved his tent, and came and lived by the oaks of Mamre, which are in Hebron, and built an altar there to Yahweh.

Genesis 14:12

They took Lot, Abram’s brother’s son, who lived in Sodom, and his goods, and departed.

Genesis 14:13

One who had escaped came and told Abram, the Hebrew. At that time, he lived by the oaks of Mamre, the Amorite, brother…

Genesis 14:14

When Abram heard that his relative was taken captive, he led out his three hundred eighteen trained men, born in his…

Genesis 14:19

He blessed him, and said, “Blessed be Abram of God Most High, possessor of heaven and earth.

Genesis 14:21

The king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give me the people, and take the goods for yourself.”

Genesis 14:22

Abram said to the king of Sodom, “I have lifted up my hand to Yahweh, God Most High, possessor of heaven and earth,

Genesis 14:23

that I will not take a thread nor a sandal strap nor anything that is yours, lest you should say, ‘I have made Abram…

Genesis 15:1

After these things Yahweh’s word came to Abram in a vision, saying, “Don’t be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your…

Genesis 15:2

Abram said, “Lord Yahweh, what will you give me, since I go childless, and he who will inherit my estate is Eliezer of…

Genesis 15:3

Abram said, “Behold, you have given no children to me: and, behold, one born in my house is my heir.”

Genesis 15:11

The birds of prey came down on the carcasses, and Abram drove them away.

Genesis 15:12

When the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell on Abram. Now terror and great darkness fell on him.

Genesis 15:13

He said to Abram, “Know for sure that your offspring will live as foreigners in a land that is not theirs, and will…

Genesis 15:18

In that day Yahweh made a covenant with Abram, saying, “I have given this land to your offspring, from the river of…

Genesis 16:1

Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, bore him no children. She had a servant, an Egyptian, whose name was Hagar.

Genesis 16:2

Sarai said to Abram, “See now, Yahweh has restrained me from bearing. Please go in to my servant. It may be that I will…

Genesis 16:3

Sarai, Abram’s wife, took Hagar the Egyptian, her servant, after Abram had lived ten years in the land of Canaan, and…

Genesis 16:5

Sarai said to Abram, “This wrong is your fault. I gave my servant into your bosom, and when she saw that she had…

Genesis 16:6

But Abram said to Sarai, “Behold, your maid is in your hand. Do to her whatever is good in your eyes.” Sarai dealt…

Genesis 16:15

Hagar bore a son for Abram. Abram called the name of his son, whom Hagar bore, Ishmael.

Genesis 16:16

Abram was eighty-six years old when Hagar bore Ishmael to Abram.

Genesis 17:1

When Abram was ninety-nine years old, Yahweh appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am God Almighty. Walk before me and…

Genesis 17:3

Abram fell on his face. God talked with him, saying,

Genesis 17:5

Your name will no more be called Abram, but your name will be Abraham; for I have made you the father of a multitude of…

I Chronicles 1 verse
Nehemiah 1 verse