חָרָן (cha.ran)
cha.ran
Haran
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 10 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
The name ḥārān means “mountaineer” or “high place.” It refers primarily to a significant city in northern Mesopotamia, situated between the Euphrates and Khabur rivers. This location served as a crucial stop for Abraham’s family on their journey from Ur to Canaan. The text records that Terah settled there with his household until his death, making it a transitional point in the patriarchal narrative (Genesis 11:31–32).
Less frequently, the word identifies a man named Haran, the son of Caleb and brother of Hur. His mention in 1 Chronicles 2:46 appears within genealogical records of the tribe of Judah. While the city holds narrative weight as a place of waiting and migration, the individual is noted only for his lineage. The name itself likely reflects the geographical prominence of the settlement.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Haran appears in Scripture as more than a dot on an ancient map; it represents a season of waiting and transition. For Abraham’s family, it was where they settled after leaving Ur but before entering the promise of Canaan. Terah died there, marking the end of one chapter and the beginning of another for Abram. This reminds us that God’s plans often unfold in stages, and periods of pause are not signs of failure but part of a larger journey.
Later, Jacob fled to Haran, seeking safety with his uncle Laban. It was there he married, worked, and grew into the father of twelve tribes. The city holds memories of both departure and arrival, showing how God uses ordinary places for extraordinary purposes. Whether you are in a season of movement or stillness, this word invites trust that God is present in the waiting.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 10 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Haran4×
- in/ Haran2×
- Haran/ towards2×
- from/ Haran1×
- and/ Haran1×
- [are] from/ Haran1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- חָרָֽנָ/ה\׃2×
- חָרָ֑ן2×
- מֵ/חָרָֽן\׃1×
- מֵ/חָרָ֖ן1×
- חָרָ֥ן1×
- חָרָ֖ן1×
- וְ/חָרָ֖ן1×
- בְּ/חָרָֽן\׃\ \ס1×
- בְ/חָרָ֑ן1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 11:32
The days of Terah were two hundred five years. Terah died in Haran.
This verse marks Haran as the place where Terah died, serving as a pivotal transition point between Abraham’s past in Ur and his future mission.
-
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.
Here Abram departs from Haran at age seventy-five, obeying God’s call to continue toward Canaan, showing faith in action.
-
Genesis 28:10
Jacob went out from Beersheba, and went toward Haran.
Jacob travels to Haran to escape Esau, highlighting the city as a place of refuge and divine encounter during times of fear.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Haran mean in the Bible?
Why is Haran important in Genesis?
Is Haran mentioned outside Genesis?
Every Occurrence (10 verses across 4 books)
Genesis 7 verses
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 11:32The days of Terah were two hundred five years. Terah died in Haran.
Genesis 12:4So Abram went, as Yahweh had told him. Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran.
Genesis 12:5Abram took Sarai his wife, Lot his brother’s son, all their possessions that they had gathered, and the people whom…
Genesis 27:43Now therefore, my son, obey my voice. Arise, flee to Laban, my brother, in Haran.
Genesis 28:10Jacob went out from Beersheba, and went toward Haran.
Genesis 29:4Jacob said to them, “My relatives, where are you from?” They said, “We are from Haran.”