KJB Abraham Character Analysis

While there aren’t any physical descriptions of Abraham, he is described to be “Abraham the Hebrew,” (14:13). Abraham is also childless, as his wife Sarah initially cannot have children (15:2).

God intends for Abraham to have a great nation, be a known man, and be blessed (12:2). But Abraham must leave Haran in order for this to happen, which he does. This shows Abraham to be obedient and a believer of God. Abraham builds the altar that God had requested for him to build, on a mountain west of Beth-el and east of Haran, and calls upon him like he was told to do–further showing his loyalty to God (12:8).

Before Abraham and Sarah reach Egypt, Abraham warns his wife that the Egyptians will find her beautiful and desire her, and that for his own safety he should pass as her brother instead of her husband. This shows Abraham to be smart and resourceful. Because of this resourcefulness, Abraham and his wife leave Egypt with their lives and Abraham ends up “very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold (13:2).

Abraham is an amicable person, desiring for there to be peace between him and Lot when instead there could be issues: “Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdsmen and thy herdsmen; for we be brethren (13:8). Abraham continues to display his desire for peace when gets 318 of his armed trained servants to retrieve his brother from captivity (14:14). Through saving his brother, Abraham is able to bring back goods to his people, showing that he is a hero to them (14:16).

God has great intentions for Abraham and his significance to the story from the very start. God continues to persuade and encourage Abraham to explore, discover, and conquer new lands, while assuring Abraham that he will obtain these lands: “For all the land thou seest, to thee I will give it, and to thy seed for ever,” (14:15). God also appears to Abraham when he is 99 years old and tells him, “walk before me, and be thou perfect (17:1), showing God’s growing interest and faith in Abraham–ultimately desiring for him to be the perfect man, to have children, rule over other people and lands, and be blessed.