Definition: And Haran died before his father Terah in the land of his nativity, in Ur of the Chaldees.
Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from Genesis 11:28 together. It’s a really important part of understanding how the story of the early Israelites begins. Here’s what it means in simple terms: Basically, this verse tells us that Terah, a man who was a leader and a father figure to Abraham, died before his son Isaac was born. Let's unpack that a little further: “Haran”: This is the name of Terah’s wife. It’s a biblical name for him. "Before his father Terah..." : This means he died while still young . He wasn't old enough to be a father himself. "...in the land of his nativity..." : This is where he lived. He was from the area around Ur of the Chaldees, which was a very important city in ancient Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq). "...in the first part of creation" : The Bible says this happened before the creation of all the other things we see in the beginning. It’s like the very first step in God's plan. So, what does it tell us about Terah? It shows that he was a respected and important man who played a significant role in the beginnings of the Jewish people. And it sets the stage for the story of Isaac, as we’ll see later. Why is this verse significant? It's one of the earliest recorded instances of a lineage being disrupted – a family line being cut short. It's a foundational moment in understanding how the Israelites came to be. Do you want me to explain any part of this verse in more detail, or perhaps explore why this event is important? For example, we could talk about: The context of Ur of the Chaldees – what was it like? How this story connects to the later events of Genesis 12 and Genesis 15.