Abraham’s Timeline from Birth to the Death

The Story of Abraham – Part One

Part one of this series is meant to set the stage for this entire series on the life of Abraham.  Abraham’s timeline spans from Genesis 11:26 – 25:11 in the Bible.  However, this is a good time to remind the reader the goal of this series isn’t simply to layout the chronological story of Abraham’s life.  For, if that is the heart’s desire, one could simply read the Book of Genesis from 11:26 through 25:11.

However, as stated in the introduction to this series about Abraham, the goal is to connect specific moments from the story of Abraham in the Old Testament to the revelations given to us by the Apostles in the New Testament.  For example, when we begin reading about Abraham in chapter 11 of Genesis, our timeline of Abraham’s journey quickly becomes skewed if we don’t immediately look to the New Testament for guidance.

In this article you will discover: 

  • A timeline mistake often made pertaining to Abraham’s date of birth
  • When Abraham was born
  • When God first called upon Abraham
  • Nearly 30 key moments from Abraham’s timeline and where they can be found in the Bible

A Timeline Mistake Often Made – Abraham’s Date of Birth

In order to get Abraham’s timeline correct, we must be very careful not to make a terrible blunder right out of the gate by getting his date of birth wrong.

Beginning with Genesis 11:26-32, the Scripture explains that Terah (Abram’s father), after turning 70 years old, became the father of Abram, Nahor and Haran. Terah would then later leave the Ur of Chaldeans with Abram, Sarai and Lot, headed for Canaan.  But along the way, they stopped in Harran, where Terah would live until he died at the age of 205.  And this is where we can make a huge error in Abram’s date of birth if not careful.  Allow me to explain.

How Long was Abraham's Journey in the Bible?

Immediately at the beginning of the very next chapter, Genesis chapter 12, we read where “The LORD had said to Abram..” to leave his country and his people for the land God would show him.  And in Genesis 12:4, we also discover Abram was 75 years old when leaving Harran for Canaan.  And this is where your author has witnessed, and yes, has even made the blunder himself when it comes to the timeline of Abraham.  Or more specifically, when it comes to determining when Abraham was born.

When Was Abraham Born – 2166 B.C. or 2106 B.C.?

When researching Abraham’s date of birth online, you quickly find suggestions he was born in 2166 B.C, or 1948 from Creation.  This was also the initial stance of The Potter’s Blogger. 

In order to reach this conclusion, one need simply to glance at the Timeline of the Patriarchs.  You quickly discover Abraham’s father, Terah, was born in 2236 B.C. or 1878 from Creation.  Therefore, when Genesis 11:26 states that, “After Terah had lived 70 years, he became the father of Abram, Nahor and Haran,” it’s easy to conclude Terah was 70 years old when Abraham was born.  When adding 70 years from Terah’s date of birth in 2236 B.C., one can easily conclude Abraham must have been born in 2166 B.C., or 1948 from Creation. However, when looking closer at the surrounding text in Genesis, you quickly run into a conundrum. 

The Bible provides two Scriptures that, when combined, quickly contradict the idea Terah was 70 years old when Abraham was born:

  • (Genesis 11;32) “Terah lived 205 years, and he died in Harran.”
  • (Genesis 12:4) “So Abram went, as the Lord had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he set out from Harran.”

Wait!  What?  If Terah died at the age of 205, and Abraham “then” left Harran at the age of 75, Terah could not have been 70 years old when Abraham was born, rather, he would have been 130 years of age.

Does this indicate the Bible contradicts itself?  No it does not.  And your author is about to prove the point.

Therefore, let us pause for a moment, take a step back, and regather our thoughts around the Scriptures.

When reading from Genesis 11:26 through Genesis 12:4, the information we gather is initially as follows:

  • After Terah turned 70 years old, he became the father of Abram, Nahor and Haran.
  • At a point in time, Terah left Ur and headed to Canaan with his nephew Lot, his son Abram, and Sarai (Abram’s wife).
  • Along their journey, they stopped in Harran, where Terah would eventually die at the age of 205 years.
  • Then, at the age of 75, Abram leaves Harran for the Promised Land.

Therefore, we do find ourselves in a slight predicament with that information, don’t we?  It leaves us asking the question, “Was Terah 70, or was he 130 years old when Abraham was born? 

When did God Call Abraham?

In order to solve this timeline conundrum we must look to the New Testament for guidance.  Which is wonderful, because this entire series, as previously stated, is about connecting the story of Abraham in the Old Testament with the Revelations from the New Testament.

Inasmuch, we will also answer the question as to where Abram lived when God first called on him to leave his country and his people?

Where did God First Call Abraham?

Over in the Book of Acts in the New Testament we find the answers to our questions, when a young man named Stephen (often referred to as Stephen the Martyr) is testifying before the Sanhedrin.  Within his speech, Stephen says, “The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham while he was still in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Harran. ‘Leave your country and your people,’ God said, ‘and go to the land I will show you.'” (Acts 7:2a-3) Stephen continues, ” “So he left the land of the Chaldeans and settled in Harran. After the death of his father, God sent him to this land where you are now living.” (Acts 7:4)

And now we have our answer.  Stephen confirms Abraham left Harran after his father’s death. 

Therefore, because Genesis 12:4 states Abram was 75 years old when leaving Harran for Canaan, and this after Terah died at the age of 205 years, then Terah was approximately 130 years old when Abraham was born.  Thus, Abram was born approximately 2106 B.C. instead of 2166 B.C. like we so often find online when researching Abraham’s timeline or date of birth.

In conclusion, when Genesis 11:26 states that, “After Terah had lived 70 years, he became the father of Abram, Nahor and Haran,” we can now confidently conclude the inference is Terah began having the three sons at the age of 70. We can also conclude Abram was not the oldest of the three sons.

Key Highlights from Abraham’s Timeline

Abram’s birth – Ur of the Chaldeans (Genesis 11:27-31)

  • Born 2106 B.C. or 2008 from Creation (Genesis 11:32 and 12:4)
  • God’s 1st call to Abram (Acts 7:2-3)
  • Abram’s journey begins with Terah (Genesis 11:27-31)

Living in Harran (Genesis 11:32 – 12:3)

  • Terah dies at the age of 205 (Genesis 11:32)
  • God’s 2nd call to Abram at the age of 75 (Genesis 12:1-3 and Acts 7:4b)

Abram at Shechem (Genesis 12:4-7)

  • Abram receives first promise of land from God

Between Bethel and Ai (Genesis 12:8-9)

  • Abram builds an altar

Journey to Egypt (Genesis 12:10-20)

  • Abram lies about Sarai

Back at Bethel (Genesis 13:1-17)

  • Abram and Lot separate

At Hebron (Genesis 13:18 – 14:12)

  • East invasion

At Dan (Genesis 14:13-16)

  • Abram rescues Lot

Returning to Hebron (Genesis 14:17 – 19:38)

  • Meeting with the King of Sodom and Melchizedek (Genesis 14:17-24)
  • God’s Covenant with Abram (Genesis Chapter 15)
  • Hagar and Ishmael (Genesis Chapter 16)
  • The Covenant of Circumcision (Genesis 17:1-14)
  • God gives Abram the name Abraham (Genesis 17:5)
  • God’s Promise of Abraham’s son, Isaac (Genesis 17:15-21)
  • Abraham circumcises all in his household  (Genesis 17:22-27)
  • God’s judgement on Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis Chapters 18 & 19)

At Gerar (Genesis 20:1 – 21:20)

  • Abraham lies about Sarah to Abimelech (Genesis Chapter 20)

Birth of Isaac (Genesis 21:1-7)

  • The outcast of Hagar and Ishmael (Genesis 21:8-21)

At Beersheba (Genesis 21:22-34)

  • Abraham makes Covenant with Abimelech

At the Land of Moriah (Genesis 22:1-18)

  • Abram offers Isaac as a sacrifice to God

At Beersheba (Genesis 22:19-24)

  • Abraham discovers Nahor’s family

At Hebron (Genesis Chapter 23)

  • Death and burial of Sarah

At Beersheba (Genesis 24:1 – 25:8)

  • Wife found for Isaac (Genesis Chapter 24)
  • Marriage to Keturah (Genesis 25:1-4)
  • Abraham’s final days (Genesis 25:5-8)

At Hebron (Genesis 25:9-10)

  • Abraham’s burial

More Convenient Studies on Abraham

Leave A Comment