Hebrew word · Strong's H85

אַבְרָהָם

ʼAbrâhâm · ab-raw-hawm' · proper noun · “Abraham”

In a sentence

Avraham — Abraham — means “father of a multitude.” His new name carried God’s promise that nations would call him father, fulfilled in the gospel’s reach to every people.

Abraham was originally Abram (“exalted father”). God renamed him Avraham — av hamon, “father of a multitude” — to seal the promise that many nations would come from him.

The promise looks improbable when given (he is old, his wife barren), but God keeps it. Paul calls Abraham the “father of all who believe,” regardless of nationality. His new name now belongs to a worldwide family.

Strong's reference

Definition: Abraham, the later name of Abram

KJV usage: Abraham.

Reference gloss from Strong's Concordance (1890, public domain).

Key verses BSB · Public Domain (CC0)

Genesis 17:5 “No longer will you be called Abram, but your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations.” Romans 4:16 “Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may rest on grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring—not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all.” Galatians 3:7 “Understand, then, that those who have faith are sons of Abraham.”

Original BibleDawn word study. Original-language data and the public-domain Strong's (1890) gloss are referenced; see sources.