TERAH, or Thare, Son of Nabor, and Father of Nahor, Haran, and Abraham. He Gen. xi. 24.was born in the Year of the World 1878, before Christ 2122, before the Vulgar Era 2126. He had Abraham at the Age of seventy-two Years, in the Year of the World 2008, before Christ 1992, before the Vulgar Æra 1996. He came with Abraham out of Ur of the Chaldeans, to go to settle at Haran in Mesopotamia, in the Year of the World 2082. He died there the same Year, Gen. xi. 31, 32.aged two hundred and seventy-five Years, in the Year of the World 1918, before Christ 1922, before the Vulgar Era 1926.
The Scripture says plainly, that Terah had fallen into Idolatry. Your Fathers Josh. xxiv. 2, 14.dwelt on the other side of the flood in old
a Vagenseil. in Sota. p. 192. ex Schalschelet hakkabala; p. 8. time; even Terah, the Father of Abraham, and the Father of Nahor; and they served other Gods. Some think that Abraham himself was at first addicted to the Worship of Idols; but that afterwards God was so gracious to him as to make him sensible of the Vanity of this Worship, and that he also undeceived his Father Terah. See our Commentary upon Gen. xi. 31. Judith v. 7. Isai. xliii. 23.
Biblioth. Orient. p. 12.The Arabians and Turks say, that one Azar was the Father of Abraham, and that Terah was his Grandfather. Justin says, Justin. l. 36.that Adores, Abraham, and Israel, reigned successively at Damascus. Suidas assures us, Suidas in Abraham. Syncel. Chronic. p. 99.that Abraham converted his Father Terah, who was an Idolater; and Georgius Syncellus acquaints us, that he threw his Father Terah’s Idols into the Fire, and that Haran endeavouring to rescue them from the Flames, was burned with them; that Terah having at first quitted the Worship of these false Gods, afterwards relapsed into his former Idolatry, and continued obstinate in it till his dying Day.
The Jews relate, a that Terah was not only an Idolater, but also a Carver and Dealer in Idols. That one Day when Terah was gone a Journey, he left Abraham to take care of the Shop; but Abraham being already convinced of the Vanity of Idols, asked all that came to buy Gods of him, How old are you? They told him their Age, and he replied to them, This God that you would buy and worship is younger than you are; it is but a few Days since it was made of a vile and contemptible Matter, therefore, believe me, and renounce this vain Worship. The Buyers were struck with Confusion at these Reproaches, and went away without buying. One Day there came an old Woman bringing a Mess of Pottage, saying she would offer it to all the Gods in Terah’s Shop. Then Abraham was out of patience, and taking a Stick, he broke all the Idols in pieces, except the largest of all, in whose Hands he put the Stick that had performed this Execution. When Terah came home, and found all his Images in this Condition, he asked Abraham the Reason of it, who told him, that a certain Person came thither to offer some Pottage to the Gods; but they could not agree among themselves who should have it. Then the great one of all took a Stick, beat the rest to pieces, and seized the Offering. Terah easily perceived that Abraham intended to insult his vain Superstition; he went and accused his Son to King Nimrod, as an Enemy to the Worship of the Gods. The King caused him to be thrown into a Fire; but he escaped miraculously, without suffering any harm. But these are mere Fables.
Several of the Orientals think, that Hazor is the same as Terah, and that he was Abraham’s Father. The Persians and the Turks call him Pour-Tirasch; that is to say, The Carver of Idols. For it is a Tradition among the Mussulmen that he was not only an Idolater, but also a Maker and Vender of Idols; that he had great Disputes with his Son Abraham upon this Account; that he accused him before Nimrod, who caused him to be cast into a burning Furnace.