Genesis 11:31

KJV

And Terah took Abram his son, and Lot the son of Haran his son's son, and Sarai his daughter in law, his son Abram's wife; and they went forth with them from Ur of the Chaldees, to go into the land of Canaan; and they came unto Haran, and dwelt there.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Terah {H8646} took {H3947} Abram {H87} his son {H1121}, and Lot {H3876} the son {H1121} of Haran {H2039} his son's {H1121} son {H1121}, and Sarai {H8297} his daughter in law {H3618}, his son {H1121} Abram's {H87} wife {H802}; and they went forth {H3318} with them from Ur {H218} of the Chaldees {H3778}, to go {H3212} into the land {H776} of Canaan {H3667}; and they came {H935} unto Haran {H2771}, and dwelt {H3427} there.

Complete Jewish Bible

Terach took his son Avram, his son Haran’s son Lot, and Sarai his daughter-in-law, his son Avram’s wife; and they left Ur of the Kasdim to go to the land of Kena‘an. But when they came to Haran, they stayed there.

Berean Standard Bible

And Terah took his son Abram, his grandson Lot son of Haran, and his daughter-in-law Sarai the wife of Abram, and they set out from Ur of the Chaldeans for the land of Canaan. But when they arrived in Haran, they settled there.

American Standard Version

And Terah took Abram his son, and Lot the son of Haran, his son’s son, and Sarai his daughter-in-law, his son Abram’s wife; and they went forth with them from Ur of the Chaldees, to go into the land of Canaan; and they came unto Haran, and dwelt there.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 11:31 chronicles the significant relocation of Terah, the patriarch, along with his son Abram, grandson Lot, and daughter-in-law Sarai, from their ancestral home in Ur of the Chaldees. Although their stated intention was to journey to the land of Canaan, the family ultimately settled in Haran, marking a pivotal, albeit incomplete, step in the unfolding divine narrative that would eventually lead to the establishment of the nation of Israel and the lineage through which the Messiah would come.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse concludes the genealogical record of Shem's descendants, specifically focusing on the line leading to Abram, which began in [Genesis 11:10](/genesis/11-10 "The Lineage of Shem"). It immediately precedes the pivotal narrative of God's call to Abram in [Genesis 12:1-3](/genesis/12-1-3 "God's Call and Promise to Abram"), serving as a crucial transitional passage. The detailed enumeration of family members and their journey sets the stage for the patriarchal narratives, emphasizing the specific lineage through which God's redemptive plan will begin to unfold. The abrupt halt in Haran, followed by Terah's death in [Genesis 11:32](/genesis/11-32 "Terah's Death in Haran"), highlights the incomplete nature of this initial migration, creating a narrative tension that is resolved by God's direct intervention with Abram.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ur of the Chaldees, located in southern Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq), was a prominent Sumerian city-state during the early second millennium BCE. It was a highly advanced urban center, known for its sophisticated ziggurat dedicated to Nanna (Sin), the moon god, and its extensive trade networks. Life in Ur was deeply intertwined with polytheistic worship and a complex social structure. The "Chaldees" (Kasdim) refers to the people inhabiting the region. Haran, in northern Mesopotamia (modern-day Turkey), was also a significant city and a major crossroads for trade routes, similarly dedicated to the worship of the moon god. The journey from Ur to Haran, following the fertile crescent, was a well-established trade route. For Terah's family to leave such a deeply entrenched cultural and religious environment, especially one devoted to idolatry (as implied by [Joshua 24:2](/joshua/24-2 "Joshua's Reminder of Ancestral Idolatry")), signifies a momentous break, whether initiated by human conviction or divine prompting.

* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes to several overarching themes within Genesis and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **divine election and separation**, as God begins to set apart a specific family from the idolatrous world to accomplish His purposes, foreshadowing the later call to Abram in [Genesis 12](/genesis/12 "The Call of Abram"). Secondly, it introduces the theme of **pilgrimage and sojourning**, as the family embarks on a journey away from their homeland towards an unknown destination, a motif that will define the lives of the patriarchs. Thirdly, the partial fulfillment of the journey (stopping in Haran instead of Canaan) highlights the theme of **human inadequacy and the need for divine initiative**. It subtly contrasts human intentions with God's ultimate plan, demonstrating that while humans may take steps, it is God who ultimately directs and completes the journey toward His promised land, as seen in the subsequent chapters.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **took (Hebrew, _lâqach'_):** This primitive root signifies "to take" in a wide variety of applications, including to accept, bring, buy, carry away, or seize. In [Genesis 11:31](/genesis/11-31 "Terah's Journey to Haran"), it indicates Terah's active initiative and leadership in gathering his family members for the journey. It's not a passive act, but a deliberate decision to embark on this significant migration, highlighting his patriarchal authority and responsibility for the family's direction.
* **went forth (Hebrew, _yâtsâʼ'_):** This primitive root means "to go out" or "to bring out," with applications ranging from departing and escaping to appearing and proceeding. Here, it describes the physical act of leaving Ur, emphasizing the break from their previous location and lifestyle. This "going forth" is a foundational act of separation, setting the stage for a new beginning, even if its ultimate destination was not immediately reached.
* **dwelt (Hebrew, _yâshab'_):** This primitive root primarily means "to sit down," but by implication, "to dwell," "to remain," or "to settle." In the context of [Genesis 11:31](/genesis/11-31 "Terah's Journey to Haran"), it signifies that the family established a permanent residence in Haran, rather than merely passing through. This act of "dwelling" indicates a cessation of their journey towards Canaan, representing a significant deviation from their stated objective and a settling short of the ultimate divine purpose.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Terah took Abram his son, and Lot the son of Haran his son's son, and Sarai his daughter in law, his son Abram's wife;":** This opening clause meticulously lists the key members of the household embarking on this journey. Terah, as the patriarch, is identified as the one who "took" them, indicating his leadership and initiative. The inclusion of Abram, Lot (Abram's nephew, son of his deceased brother Haran), and Sarai (Abram's wife and Terah's daughter-in-law) emphasizes the specific lineage through which God's future covenant and promises will be channeled. The detailed enumeration underscores the importance of this family unit in the unfolding divine plan.
* **"and they went forth with them from Ur of the Chaldees, to go into the land of Canaan;":** This clause describes the origin and intended destination of their journey. "Ur of the Chaldees" pinpoints their starting point as a major Mesopotamian city, a hub of pagan worship. Their stated purpose, "to go into the land of Canaan," is highly significant, as Canaan is the very land God would later promise to Abram. This indicates either a pre-existing understanding or a divine prompting that had already begun to direct their path, even before the explicit call in [Genesis 12](/genesis/12 "The Call of Abram").
* **"and they came unto Haran, and dwelt there.":** This final clause reveals the unexpected turn in their journey. Instead of reaching Canaan, they "came unto Haran" and "dwelt there." Haran, another significant city in northern Mesopotamia, became their new home. This settling short of the intended destination is a crucial detail, highlighting a delay or incomplete obedience to what may have been a nascent divine leading, or simply a human decision to cease their journey prematurely. It sets up the narrative for God's direct intervention with Abram after Terah's death in Haran.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several literary devices to convey its meaning and significance. **Enumeration** is prominent, with the detailed listing of family members (Terah, Abram, Lot, Sarai) emphasizing the specific individuals involved in this foundational migration and highlighting the importance of lineage in the biblical narrative. There is a subtle **contrast** or **irony** between the stated intention ("to go into the land of Canaan") and the actual outcome ("they came unto Haran, and dwelt there"). This juxtaposition underscores human limitations or hesitations in fully pursuing a divine calling, creating a narrative tension that foreshadows God's direct intervention in the subsequent chapter. The journey itself serves as **foreshadowing**, hinting at the greater pilgrimage of faith that Abram will undertake, and the concept of leaving one's homeland for a promised land, a recurring motif throughout Scripture. The narrative also functions as a **chronicle**, providing a historical record of the foundational movements of the patriarchal family, bridging the genealogical accounts with the covenant narratives.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 11:31 serves as a crucial bridge between the universal history of humanity and the particular history of God's chosen people. It demonstrates God's sovereign hand at work even before His explicit covenant with Abram. While Terah initiated the journey, the destination—Canaan—was the very land God would soon promise to Abram. This suggests a divine orchestration of events, subtly guiding human decisions towards His ultimate redemptive purposes. The departure from Ur, a center of idolatry, symbolizes a necessary separation from the world for those called into God's service, a theme that resonates throughout the Bible. The settling in Haran, however, reveals the common human tendency to stop short of God's full will, highlighting the need for continued faith and obedience, and ultimately, for God's direct intervention to complete His plan.

* [Genesis 12:1](/genesis/12-1 "God's Call to Abram")
* [Acts 7:2-4](/acts/7-2-4 "Stephen's Account of Abraham's Call")
* [Hebrews 11:8](/hebrews/11-8 "Abraham's Obedience of Faith")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The journey of Terah's family from Ur to Haran, with the stated intention of reaching Canaan, offers profound insights for contemporary believers. It reminds us that God's providential hand is often at work in our lives even before we fully recognize His specific call. Like Terah, we may embark on journeys or make decisions that, unbeknownst to us, align with God's broader purposes. However, the narrative also serves as a cautionary tale: the danger of settling for "good enough" instead of pressing on towards God's ultimate destination. Haran, though a step in the right direction, was not Canaan. This can be a spiritual parallel for us, where we might begin a journey of faith, leave behind old ways, but then become comfortable in a "Haran"—a place of partial obedience or incomplete surrender—rather than fully embracing God's complete will and promised inheritance. True spiritual growth often requires us to leave our comfort zones, even the ones we've recently established, to pursue the fullness of God's calling.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "Urs" (places of comfort, idolatry, or familiar surroundings) might God be calling me to leave behind in my life?**
* **Are there "Harans" in my spiritual journey where I have settled, falling short of God's ultimate destination or full will for my life?**
* **How does the example of Terah's incomplete journey encourage me to seek and obey God's complete direction, even when it requires further steps of faith?**

### FAQ
**Was it Terah or God who initiated the journey from Ur?**

Answer: The text of [Genesis 11:31](/genesis/11-31 "Terah's Journey to Haran") explicitly states that "Terah took Abram his son... and they went forth with them from Ur of the Chaldees." On the surface, it appears to be Terah's initiative. However, the New Testament provides further insight. In [Acts 7:2-4](/acts/7-2-4 "Stephen's Account of Abraham's Call"), Stephen, in his sermon, states that "The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran [Haran]." This indicates that God's call to Abram (then Abraham) predated the family's settlement in Haran and likely prompted the departure from Ur. Therefore, while Terah was the human agent who organized and led the family's migration, the ultimate impetus was a divine revelation or leading given to Abram, which Terah then acted upon, at least in part.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Genesis 11:31, though seemingly a simple genealogical transition, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in several ways. The journey from Ur of the Chaldees, an idolatrous pagan city, towards the promised land of Canaan, foreshadows the ultimate call of God for His people to separate from the world and journey towards a heavenly inheritance. Just as Abram was called out of his homeland, believers are called out of darkness into Christ's marvelous light, becoming "sojourners and pilgrims" on earth ([1 Peter 2:11](/1_peter/2-11 "1 Peter 2:11 - Sojourners and Pilgrims")). The incomplete journey to Haran, where Terah died, highlights human limitations and the need for divine intervention. This points to Jesus Christ, who perfectly fulfilled God's will, completing the journey of redemption that humanity could not. He is the true "way" to the Father and the ultimate "land" of promise ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way, Truth, and Life")). Furthermore, Christ Himself is the ultimate "seed" through whom all the families of the earth would be blessed, a promise first made to Abram after he finally reached Canaan ([Genesis 12:3](/genesis/12-3 "God's Promise to Abram")). Thus, the initial, halting steps of Terah's family towards Canaan ultimately find their perfect and complete realization in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who brings humanity into the true rest and inheritance of God.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Nehemiah 9:7

Thou [art] the LORD the God, who didst choose Abram, and broughtest him forth out of Ur of the Chaldees, and gavest him the name of Abraham;

Acts 7:2

And he said, Men, brethren, and fathers, hearken; The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran,

Acts 7:4

Then came he out of the land of the Chaldaeans, and dwelt in Charran: and from thence, when his father was dead, he removed him into this land, wherein ye now dwell.

Genesis 12:4

¶ So Abram departed, as the LORD had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him: and Abram [was] seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran.

Genesis 24:10

¶ And the servant took ten camels of the camels of his master, and departed; for all the goods of his master [were] in his hand: and he arose, and went to Mesopotamia, unto the city of Nahor.

Joshua 24:2

And Joshua said unto all the people, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Your fathers dwelt on the other side of the flood in old time, [even] Terah, the father of Abraham, and the father of Nachor: and they served other gods.

Joshua 24:3

And I took your father Abraham from the other side of the flood, and led him throughout all the land of Canaan, and multiplied his seed, and gave him Isaac.