Is Nahor a familiar name? How was Nahor related to Abraham? The Bible shares information about Nahor and his family, which in itself makes him important. Every creation of God is vital and serves a purpose in furthering the kingdom of God.
In Nahor’s case, this is especially true because of what his family became.
There are two men named Nahor recorded in the Bible. Abraham’s grandfather Nahor was the son of Serug. This Nahor is recorded to have lived 148 years.
“When Serug had lived 30 years, he became the father of Nahor. And after he became the father of Nahor, Serug lived 200 years and had other sons and daughters.” (Genesis 11:22-23 NIV)
The roots of grandfather Nahor can be traced back to Shem, one of Noah’s three sons. Shem, his wife, and his two brothers and their wives were in the ark with Noah when the earth was flooded. Also in the ark were Shem’s mother and Noah. According to biblical scholars, the three sons were the ones God used to repopulate the earth.
God was disappointed and heartbroken at the ways of the people He created. They were living for themselves. God chose to destroy everything and begin again. He chose Noah to build the ark and begin the process of rebuilding. Noah listened and obeyed God’s commands.
God used Noah to fulfill His plan. This is a reminder that God can use anyone to further His kingdom at any time. Every person is important.
Genesis also mentions a second man named Nahor, Abram’s brother and Terah’s son.
“After Terah had lived 70 years, he became the father of Abram, Nahor, and Haran” (Genesis 11:26 NIV).
Scripture also shares that Nahor was married to Milkah, the daughter of his brother Haran. In this period, interfamily marrying seems to have been much more accepted.
Later, the Bible also tells that Nahor’s father, Terah, moved from Ur of the Chaldean to Harran, although he had planned to go even further and settle in Canaan (Genesis 11:31-32). Abram, his wife Sarai, and Abram’s nephew Lot came with him. While the Bible doesn’t mention Nahor coming with them, scholars have identified “the towny of Nahor” (Genesis 24:10 NIV) mentioned later as being in Harran (an area now known as southwestern Turkey). References to Nahor’s descendant Laban living in Harran (Genesis 29:1-7) confirm this. So, it seems Nahor followed his father’s directions and moved to Harran, but he didn’t follow his brother Abram all the way to Canaan.
Nahor was named after his grandfather, Nahor, son of Serug. Nahor’s brother Haran was born in Ur of the Chaldeans (Genesis 11:28), and it appears Nahor and Abram were raised there.
Nahor’s brother Haran died while the family lived in Ur of the Chaldeans. It was probably after Haran’s death that Terah moved the family. What would this journey have looked like? Traveling on dusty roads, perhaps dramatic weather changes, tackling a diminishing food supply, and maybe anger and fear at times could have been daily encounters. Though the journey may have been tough, the people continued to the city of Harran, where they settled.
While Nahor stayed in Harran, Abram encountered God and followed the command to go to Canaan. Over the next few decades, Abram became Abraham, his wife became Sarah, and Abraham struck a covenant with God. Nahor had a son named Bethuel (Genesis 24:20), who bore him grandchildren Laban and Rebekah.
After Abraham split from his brother Nahor, life continued. After Abraham’s wife Sarah died, he was determined to find a wife for his son Isaac. Abraham sent a servant to select a bride from his family instead of a local woman. Scripture shares that Abraham sent jewelry, clothing, and other items as gifts to the family of the bride selected.
The servant sent to find a wife gave a test. He prayed to God while standing in Abraham’s birthplace.
“May it be that when I say to a young woman, ‘Please let down your jar that I may have a drink,’ and she says, ‘Drink, and I’ll water your camels too’ —let her be the one you have chosen for your servant Isaac. By this I will know that you have shown kindness to my master” (Genesis 24:14 NIV).
His answer came when a young woman came and immediately offered water for him and the camels.
Scripture shares that Rebekah saw Issac praying and was taken by his prayers. She inquired about the man and realized he was the man she would marry.
Isaac is recorded as being 40 years old when he married Rebekah. After years of praying for children, Rebekah finally became pregnant. The pregnancy was tough and uncomfortable, according to historians. Rebekah is said to have received a prophecy that she would have twins. One child would be stronger than the other. These two boys, Esau and Jacob, would fight throughout their lives.
After the boys grew, Esau became a hunter while Jacob studied. Deception entered when Rebekah devised a plan to deceive Isaac and make sure his blessings went to the child she desired to be blessed. As the plan played out, Esau began to hate his brother Jacob for taking away his birthright and the blessing from their father.
Rebekah learned Esau planned to kill Jacob, so she sent Jacob to her brother Laban.
The Bible depicts Nahor’s grandson Laban as a complicated man. When Abraham’s servant came to find a wife for Isaac, Laban welcomed the servant and acknowledged God’s blessing when they met.
“This is from the Lord; we can say nothing to you one way or the other. Here is Rebekah; take her and go, and let her become the wife of your master’s son, as the Lord has directed.” (Genesis 24:50-51 NIV).
Years later, Laban met Rebekah’s son Jacob, who came to work for him. Jacob worked for Laban and married Laban’s daughters Leah and Rachel, but their relationship soured. Laban tricked Jacob into marrying Leah and changed Jacob’s wages several times (Genesis 31:6-7). When Jacob decided to leave, the Bible gives this telling detail about Laban’s religious life.
“But Laban said to him, “If I have found favor in your eyes, please stay. I have learned by divination that the Lord has blessed me because of you” (Genesis 30:27 NIV).
Did that mean that Laban always followed God’s will? No. Even today, though we have faith and believe in God, we stray, and sin enters.
Details about when Jacob left Laban (taking Leah, Rachel, and the livestock he had acquired over the years) provide another telling detail. Rachel secretly stole Laban’s household idols, and he came back to get them.
“Now you have gone off because you longed to return to your father’s household. But why did you steal my gods?” (Genesis 31:30 NIV)
Laban was sometimes faithful to God. Other times, he chose a different way. Unsurprisingly, when he didn’t behave honorably, he had to deal with the consequences (like becoming estranged from his daughters and grandchildren when they moved away with Jacob).
Today, as in the past, some people follow God and some do not. The conflict between the values and lifestyles that choice makes can break apart families.
Nahor’s family had great conflicts because not everyone chose to live for God. Some members (Abraham and Sarah) worshipped God and taught their children the law of God. Other family members (Lot, Laban) looked to idol worship and divination. After the fights between Laban and Jacob, these two worldviews came to a head and split the family.
Reading Scripture and learning about people like Nahor can be a reminder to share the message of God with our loved ones. Sometimes, the only way someone learns about God is through another person sharing the message through words and actions.
We can also learn an important lesson from the second Nahor and his granddaughter Rebekah. Abraham’s servant trusted God to show him the right partner for Isaac, and it worked. We should not try to take matters into our own hands. God has a plan, and His way is always best. When we try to control a situation without God’s help, the result is often chaotic and stressful. Going to God in prayer first allows our relationship with God to deepen.
God continues to use various people to bring others closer to Him. The weak, the poor, the humble, the lonely, and more are some examples of people God chooses to further His message. God also uses the wealthy, the healthy, and the wise to lead people to Him. In other words, God can and does provide the opportunity for everyone to have a deep and meaningful relationship with Him. The choice is ours. Will you choose God today and every day?
In His Name,
Melissa Henderson
Photo Credit: Getty Images/f9photos
Melissa is the author of Licky the Lizard and Grumpy the Gator. Her passions are helping in the community and church. Melissa is an Elder, Deacon, and Stephen Minister.
Follow Melissa on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and at http://www.melissaghenderson.com
This article is part of our People of Christianity catalog that features the stories, meaning, and significance of well-known people from the Bible and history. Here are some of the most popular articles for knowing important figures in Christianity:
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