Haran חָרָן
A descendant of Caleb, son of Caleb's concubine Ephah.
Biography
Haran is mentioned in 1Ch.2.46 as one of the descendants of Caleb, the son of Hezron, from the tribe of Judah. He was born to Caleb's concubine, Ephah, along with his brothers Moza and Gazez. Caleb is known for his faithfulness to God during the Israelites' journey in the wilderness and for receiving a special inheritance in the Promised Land (Num.14.24, Jos.14.6-15). The mention of Haran in Caleb's genealogy showcases the importance of family lineage and the recording of descendants in the Old Testament. It also highlights the practice of concubinage, which was common in ancient times, although not endorsed by God's original design for marriage.
Family
Parents
Siblings
- Hur Tribe of JudahAaron's compatriotA companion of Moses and grandfather of Bezalel.View full profile →
- Jesher Tribe of JudahSon of CalebA son of Caleb and Azubah.View full profile →
- Shobab Tribe of JudahSon of CalebSon of Caleb and Azubah.View full profile →
- Ardon Tribe of JudahSon of CalebSon of Caleb, brother of Jether and MeredView full profile →
- Mesha Tribe of JudahSon of CalebSon of Caleb and founder of Ziph.View full profile →
- Moza Tribe of JudahSon of CalebSon of Caleb by his concubine EphahView full profile →
- Gazez Tribe of JudahSon of CalebSon of Caleb and his concubine Ephah.View full profile →
- Sheber Tribe of JudahSon of CalebSon of Caleb and his concubine MaacahView full profile →
- Tirhanah Tribe of JudahSon of CalebSon of Caleb by his concubine MaacahView full profile →
- Regem Tribe of JudahSon of CalebSon of Jahdai, of the tribe of JudahView full profile →
- Jotham Tribe of JudahSon of CalebA son of Jahdai, a CalebiteView full profile →
- Geshan Tribe of JudahSon of CalebSon of Jahdai, a descendant of Caleb.View full profile →
- Pelet MaleDavid's warriorBenjamite warrior who joined David at ZiklagView full profile →
- Ephah Tribe of JudahSon of CalebSon of Jahdai, in Caleb's genealogy.View full profile →
- Shaaph Tribe of JudahSon of CalebSon of Jahdai, a CalebiteView full profile →
- Shaaph Tribe of JudahSon of CalebSon of Jahdai, a CalebiteView full profile →
- Sheva Tribe of JudahSon of CalebSon of Caleb's concubine MaacahView full profile →
- Achsah Tribe of JudahSister of HurDaughter of Caleb, the son of HurView full profile →
In Scripture
1 biblical book1 Chronicles 1 verse
- 1 Chronicles 2:46
"Ephah, Caleb’s concubine, bore Haran, Moza, and Gazez; and Haran became the father of Gazez."
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script | Strong's |
|---|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | חָרָן | H2771B |
Haran (2)
.12.1">Ge 12:1). It was probably "the city of Nahor" to which Abraham's servant came to find a wife for Isaac (Ge 24:10). Hither came Jacob when he fled from Esau's anger (Ge 27:43). Here he met his bride (Ge 29:4), and in the neighboring pastures he tended the flocks of Laban. It is one of the cities named by Rabshakeh as destroyed by the king of Assyria (2Ki 19:12; Isa 37:12). Ezekiel speaks of the merchants of Haran as trading with Tyre (27:23).
The name appears in Assyro-Babalonian as Charran, which means "road"; possibly because here the trade route from Damascus joined that from Nineveh to Carchemish. It is mentioned in the prism inscription of Tiglath-pileser I. It was a seat of the worship of Sin, the moon-god, from very ancient times. A temple was built by Shalmaneser II. Haran seems to have shared in the rebellion of Assur (763 BC, the year of the solar eclipse, June 15). The privileges then lost were restored by Sargon II. The temple, which had been destroyed, was rebuilt by Ashurbanipal, who was here crowned with the crown of Sin. Haran and the temple suffered much damage in the invasion of the Umman-Manda (the Medes). Nabuna`id restored temple and city, adorning them on a lavish scale. Near Haran the Parthians defeated and slew Crassus (53 BC), and here Caracalla was assassinated (217 AD). In the 4th century it was the seat of a bishopric; but the cult of the moon persisted far into the Christian centuries. The chief temple was the scene of heathen worship until the 11th century, and was destroyed by the Mongols in the 13th.
The ancient city is represented by the modern Charran to the Southeast of Edessa, on the river Belias, an affluent of the Euphrates. The ruins lie on both sides of the stream, and include those of a very ancient castle, built of great basaltic blocks, with square columns, 8 ft. thick, which support an arched roof some 30 ft. in height. Remains of the old cathedral are also conspicuous. No inscriptions have yet been found here, but a fragment of an Assyrian lion has been uncovered. A well nearby is identified as that where Eliezer met Rebekah.
In Ac 7:2,4, the King James Version gives the name as Charran.
W. Ewing
ha'-ra-rit (ha-harari, or ha-'arari): Literally, "mountaineer," more particularly an inhabitant of the hill country of Judah. Thus used of two heroes:
(1) Shammah, the son of Agee (<ref osisRef="Bible:2Sam.23.1