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Abraham

അബ്രാഹാം

“Father of many”

In the readings on 1 Sunday so far.

Icon of Abraham and Sarah serving the three angels at Mamre, Zakynthos, 15th century
The Hospitality of Abraham, icon from Zakynthos, 15th century

At a glance

In Malayalam
അബ്രാഹാം
What the name means
“Father of many”
In the readings
1 Sunday, 20 December 2026
Gospel passages
Luke 3:23–38

Name meanings and role notes are drafted with each edition and waiting for review by a priest or editor.

The life of Abraham

Abraham, the father of Israel and father of all who believe. Called by God to leave his homeland, he trusted God’s promise of a son and a blessing for all nations, and was ready even to offer Isaac.

Born
Born Abram, in Ur of the Chaldeans, son of Terah ScriptureGenesis 11:26–31
Died
At 175, buried by Isaac and Ishmael in the cave of Machpelah at Hebron ScriptureGenesis 25:7–10
Family
  • Father: Terah ScriptureGenesis 11:26
  • Wife: Sarah (Sarai) ScriptureGenesis 11:29; 17:15
  • Sons: Ishmael, by Hagar, and Isaac, by Sarah ScriptureGenesis 16:15; 21:1–3
  • Nephew: Lot ScriptureGenesis 12:5

  1. At 75, God calls him to leave Haran for a land he will be shown: “In you all of the families of the earth will be blessed.”

    ScriptureGenesis 12:1–4

  2. He believes God, and it is counted to him as righteousness.

    ScriptureGenesis 15:6

  3. God makes a covenant with him and renames him Abraham, father of a multitude.

    ScriptureGenesis 17:1–8

  4. At the oaks of Mamre he welcomes three visitors, who promise that Sarah will have a son.

    ScriptureGenesis 18:1–15

  5. Isaac is born when Abraham is a hundred years old.

    ScriptureGenesis 21:1–5

  6. God tests him; he takes Isaac to Moriah, and God provides a ram instead.

    ScriptureGenesis 22:1–14

  7. The Church reads the three visitors at Mamre as a sign of the Holy Trinity, as in Rublev’s icon.

    Tradition

  8. Luke lists him among Jesus’ ancestors.

    ScriptureLuke 3:34

Read it in the Bible

  • Genesis 12:1–9 The call
  • Genesis 18:1–15 Hospitality at Mamre
  • Genesis 22:1–19 The binding of Isaac
  • Romans 4 His faith

Sources: The Holy Bible (World English Bible).

Drafted from the Bible and Church tradition. Each line says where it comes from; anything marked Tradition or History is not in Scripture itself. Waiting for review by a priest or editor.

Sundays with Abraham

  1. Sunday before Christmas

    Gospel: Luke 3:23–38

    The father of Israel, to whom God promised a blessing for all nations.

    In the story

Also in these readings

About the icon

The Hospitality of Abraham, icon from Zakynthos. 15th century. Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

Everyone in the readings