Genesis 11:27-32

The Sons of Terah. Derived from P and J. Genesis 11:27 and Genesis 11:31 f. are clearly from P, Genesis 11:28 probably from J (there are phraseological grounds), and Genesis 22:20 (J) refers to Genesis 11:29.

Genesis 11:28. Ur of the Chaldees: Heb. Ur Kasdim, is generally identified with Uru, one of the most ancient cities of Babylonia, where the moon-god was worshipped, now Mugheir. The Chaldees (Ass. Kaldu) lived on the SE. of Babylonia round the Persian Gulf (pp. 58f.).

Genesis 11:30. The childlessness of Sarah plays an important part in the sequel.

Genesis 11:31. Read with Sam., LXX, Vulg. he brought them forth or with Syn he went out with them. They went out with him (so Ball) would be simpler still. unto Haran: Haran the place is not the same word as Haran the man; the initial letters are different in Heb. Haran was a very ancient and important city near Carchemish on the Belikh, a tributary of the Euphrates, and, like Ur, a seat of moon-god-worship.

Genesis 11:32. Instead of 205 the Sam. gives 145 as the years of Terah's life. In that case Abraham leaves Haran just after his father's death (so in Acts 7:4) instead of sixty years before it. [Our narrative represents Abram as the earlier form of the name, but it is simplest to use the familiar form throughout.]