Genesis 11:30Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Once Abraham matured, his father arranged a marriage for him, selecting a beautiful wife from his own kin. This woman was named Sarah, who would later be renamed by God for acknowledging the faith and virtues of her husband. The Holy Apostle Paul commends her faith (Hebrews 11:11), while St. Peter cites her as a model for wives through her pure, gentle, and submissive conduct toward her husband (1 Pet. 3:6). This revered couple, Abraham and Sarah, became entangled in both flesh and spirit, likened to thorns among thorns, sparks among ashes, and gold amid filth. While all nations had succumbed to idolatry and led godless lives filled with iniquity, they alone recognized and served the one true God, pleasing Him through righteous deeds. They proclaimed His holy name to those around them, educating them in the knowledge of the Divine. God led them on a journey from one land to another—from Chaldea to Harran, then to Canaan, to Egypt, and back to Canaan—so that His name might be revealed among the unfaithful Gentiles, and His glory recognized. Thus, during that time, Abraham and Sarah were chosen instruments of God, bearing His name before both Gentiles and rulers. Their sacred way of life continues to be a foundation of faith, a mirror of righteousness, and a standard for godly conduct for generations to come. Hence, in the prophecy of Isaiah, God calls the corrupt Jewish people to repentance, presenting Abraham and Sarah as exemplars: “Look to Abraham your father, and to Sarah who bore you” (Isaiah 51:2). The Lord seems to urge, “Emulate the faith and lives of Abraham and Sarah.” Biblical scholars suggest that although Abraham is mentioned first in Scripture, he was in fact the youngest son of Terah, following his brothers Arran and Nahor. It is surmised that Arran was the firstborn by one wife, with Nahor next, and Abraham by another. Sarah, as interpreters note, is considered the daughter of Arran. Arran had three children: a son, Lot, and two daughters, named Melchah and Eschah. Scripture states, “This is the father of Melchah and the father of Eschah” (Genesis 11:29). The name Eschah is interpreted by scholars as referring to Sarah, as designated by Abraham. Melchah married Nahor, while Abraham married Eschah, his brother's daughter. The reason Abraham renamed his wife Eschah to Sarah is noteworthy; she honored him as the Apostle Peter states, calling him her master, and in turn, Abraham called her mistress. He chose to call her Sarah, which means “mistress” in Hebrew. If Eschah was indeed the daughter of Arran, and later named Sarah, it follows that Abraham was younger than Arran; the Scripture shows that Abraham was merely ten years older than Sarah (Genesis 17:17), indicating that if he had been the elder brother, their age difference would have been significant. It would not typically happen for a younger brother to marry before the elder brothers per societal customs. When Arran gave birth to Sarah and raised her to marriageable age, Abraham had not yet wed. Therefore, it is evident that Arran was the eldest sibling, with Nahor next, and then Abraham as the youngest. Saint Moses placed Abraham first in his genealogy to focus solely on the steadfast faith and devout life of Abraham because from his lineage the promised Messiah would emerge. We should seek favor not in chronological age but in the virtuous lives of those who have pleased God. Regarding the emergence of Abraham's faith in the one true God, George Kedrin records that at the age of twenty-four, he recognized the living God of heaven, who is omnipresent, sovereign over all, and began to worship Him. He discerned the Creator through the visible world, having been taught by his ancestors to study celestial movements and natural phenomena, and immersed himself in the Chaldean wisdom that his father Farrah, grandfather Nahor, and great-grandfather Seruch practiced. Yet, despite their wisdom, they remained foolish, worshiping the works of their own hands—idols. Blessed Abraham, reflective at a young age, pondered the origins and governance of all creation. One night, gazing at the starry sky, the light of divine understanding illuminated his mind. According to Kedrin, an angel of the Lord served as his teacher, fitting for such an eager disciple! As he grasped the truth of the one God, he sought to guide his father and brothers to that understanding, but he found them unyielding except for his devoted wife Sarah, who shared his faith—together they prayed to the true God. By the time Abraham turned sixty, observing his family's unyielding idolatry, he became zealous for God, secretly setting fire to their idol temple. When the temple burned, his brothers woke and ran to save the idols. In his fervor, Arran rushed in to salvage the idols but was severely burned, ultimately leading to his death. It is recounted that Arran was the first to die before his parents—a significant event, as no son had died before his father until that moment. Jewish tradition suggests that the Chaldeans were furious with Abraham for demolishing the idols and attempted to burn him, yet he emerged unscathed by God's protection. When Farrah saw this miracle, he was astonished, recognized the true God, and forsook idol worship, thereafter serving the one God alongside Abraham. Afterward, Abraham received a vision from God, instructing him to leave that place, as recounted by the holy first martyr Stephen: “Men, brethren, and fathers, listen: The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Harran, and said to him, Depart from your country and from your relatives, and go to the land that I shall show you” (Acts 7:2-3). Upon receiving this divine command, Abraham persuaded his father Farrah to leave their idolatrous homeland, as the community opposed their devotion to God. They left Ur of Chaldea with Abraham, Lot, Sarah, his wife, and intended to travel to Canaan, although Nahor chose to remain among the idolaters. Reaching Harran, Farrah settled there, and later, as stated by Governor Ahior, “These men are of the tribe of the Chaldeans, who once inhabited Mesopotamia; they abandoned their fathers’ gods and chose to dwell in Canaan because God commanded them to do so” (Judith 5:6-9). Farrah did not reach Canaan and passed away in Harran at the age of two hundred five. Nahor arrived in Harran shortly before their father died and helped bury him. Subsequently, Nahor remained there with his household but continued in idolatry, a trait evident in his grandson Laban as well.