If we consider the first 11 chapters being sort of a prologue to the Bible, then this last section is sort of an epilogue to the prologue. It provides our bridge between this prologue and the rest of the Bible by linking the prehistory, with the story of the nation of Israel.

• Genesis 11

  Text from The Bible Gateway

  Genesis 11

• Scripture Audio:

  Presented as dramatizations from The Bible Gateway

  Genesis 11 Audio

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• Suggested Study Resources

  Most of the following links are short and provide varying insights to the questions thrown out for this week. Those of us interested in archaeology and history will appreciate the differences in these articles.

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• Resources for: Why did Terah leave Ur to go to Canaan?

  The Journey of Terah
  Why did Terah Leave the City of Ur?
  Have you ever wondered why Terah (the father of Abraham) left Ur of Chaldeans to go to Canaan?
  Genesis 11:27-32 – Life of Abraham

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• Where was Ur and Harrah? And who were the Chaldeans?

  Ur Kasdim: Where Is Abraham’s Birthplace?
  Where is Abraham’s Ur?
  Has Abraham’s Father, Terah, Been Discovered?

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• EXTRA CREDIT ARTICLES:

  If you want to dive deeper into this scripture, I have found a couple of resources that take some heavy turns from what we are used to. They are worth your time. One still has my head swimming. But in a good way.

  Hebrew Exegesis of Genesis 11:27-12:4

  This is a rather deep dive into a Hebrew word study. However, stick it out. The Exegetical comments starting in section IV are very interesting.

  Web Link

  THE LIFE OF ABRAHAM’S FATHER – TERAH

  I am still wrapping my head around this one but have to say that I’m having a hard time discounting it. This author looks at Stephens comments about Terah in the New Testament and uses it, along with many supporting scriptures to make the ages and dates in this week’s passage all line up.

  Web Link

This week’s passage appears simple and straight-forward on the surface. Western Christians usually take it at face value and just move on thinking “So they left Ur and were heading to Canaan….”. Once you start digging and consider societal norms, the pagan land they came from, the complex genealogical web, and what Terah experienced in Ur; the plot becomes very interesting.

Here are a few questions to think about this week’s scripture:

1. Who were the Chaldeans? Funny they weren’t listed in the Tables of Nations.
2. Why did Terah leave Ur to go to Canaan?
3. 1. Why did he only get as far as Harah/Harrah?
   2. Why did only four of the family go?
   3. Looking ahead (yep, we’re cheating), wasn’t Abram the one God told to go for Canaan?
4. Who did Terah’s family worship (might need sources outside of Genesis)?
5. Did Abram marry is half-sister (i.e. – was this an incestuous relationship)?
6. 1. Was Abram aware of the Holiness Code (rabbit hole clue)?
   2. CHEAT: Looking ahead, how will this play in the Abram – Pharaoh story (Ch 12)?
   3. Or was Sarai, Harah daughter and de to the patriarchal bindings, Abram married Sarai so that Harah’s line could continue through her. (remember our study of the patriarchal structure at the time)
7. Was Terah’s death physical, spiritual or the ‘second death’. (Rabbit hole clue)
8. The numbers in relation to ages and events don’t really add up. One way to make things work (and relies on us to investigate chapters after ch11 is that Abram would have left Harrah before Terah died. Meaning that he would have continued to Canaan without an heir and without an inheritance. And Terah would have effectively lost a second son. (Another rabbit hole clue). Does this fit your interpretation?

Here are a few questions to think about our Unconventional Walk Through Genesis (1-11).

1. Do you think of chapters 1-11 differently than you did before? How?
2. What new insights do you have of scripture do you have now?
3. Do you view God’s plan any differently now than before?