Haran

חָרָן · cha.ran · H2771AΧαρράν · Charran · G5488“mountainous country” Hitchcock's 186912 mentions in 5 books, most in Genesis (7)

Where it is

36.86° N, 39.03° E

Coordinates and map: OpenBible.info Bible Geocoding · CC BY 4.0 · drawn without map tiles

Mentioned most in

Genesis · 7 Acts · 2 2 Kings · 1 Isaiah · 1 Ezekiel · 1

Counted from 12 references · STEPBible, Tyndale House Cambridge · CC BY 4.0

About this place

Haran, also known as Charan, was a significant city in Mesopotamia, located in modern-day Turkey. It played a crucial role in the life of Abraham and his family. After leaving Ur of the Chaldeans, Abraham, his father Terah, and his nephew Lot settled in Haran (Genesis 11:31). It was in Haran that Terah died (Genesis 11:32), and from there, Abraham departed for Canaan in response to God's call (Genesis 12:4-5). Later, when Israel (or 'Jacob') fled from his brother Esau, he sought refuge in Haran with his uncle Laban (Genesis 27:43; 28:10). Jacob lived in Haran for many years, marrying Laban's daughters, Leah and Rachel, and working for Laban (Genesis 29:4). Haran was known for its association with the worship of the moon god, Sin. In the Old Testament, Haran is mentioned as one of the places conquered by the Assyrian kings (2Ki.19.12; Isaiah 37:12) and as a trading partner of Tyre (Ezk.27.23). The city's strategic location along major trade routes contributed to its importance in the ancient Near East.

Article: STEPBible, Tyndale House Cambridge · CC BY 4.0

Every mention

12 references, counted from STEPBible, Tyndale House Cambridge · CC BY 4.0 · verse text: World English Bible (public domain)

Genesis7 mentions

Genesis 11:31Terah took Abram his son, Lot the son of Haran, his son’s son, and Sarai his daughter-in-law, his son Abram’s wife. They went from Ur of the Chaldees, to go into the land of Canaan. They…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 they had acquired in Haran, and they went to go into the land of Canaan.…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.”

2 Kings1 mention

2 Kings 19:12Have the gods of the nations delivered them, which my fathers have destroyed—Gozan, Haran, Rezeph, and the children of Eden who were in Telassar?

Isaiah1 mention

Isaiah 37:12Have the gods of the nations delivered them, which my fathers have destroyed, Gozan, Haran, Rezeph, and the children of Eden who were in Telassar?

Ezekiel1 mention

Ezekiel 27:23“‘“Haran, Canneh, Eden, the traders of Sheba, Asshur and Chilmad, were your traders.

Acts2 mentions

Acts 7:2He said, “Brothers and fathers, listen. The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran,Acts 7:4Then he came out of the land of the Chaldaeans and lived in Haran. From there, when his father was dead, God moved him into this land where you are now living.

What the dictionary says

(1.) Heb. haran; i.e., “mountaineer.”

Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897)

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Sources

STEPBible TIPNR · Translators Individualised Proper Names with all References · CC BY 4.0 · github.com/STEPBible/STEPBible-Data
OpenBible.info Bible Geocoding · CC BY 4.0 · www.openbible.info/geo/
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary (1869) · Public domain