Θάρα

Terah

Definition

Θάρα is the Greek transliteration of the Hebrew name Terah, referring to Terah, the father of Abraham (Abram). In the biblical narrative, Terah is a pivotal ancestral figure who initiates the family's migration from Ur of the Chaldeans toward Canaan, settling instead in Haran (Genesis 11:24-32). His primary significance lies in his genealogical role as the immediate patriarch preceding Abraham, through whom God's covenantal promises flow. The New Testament reference in Luke 3:34 includes Terah within the genealogy of Jesus Christ, anchoring the Messiah's lineage in the foundational story of Israel's origins.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only once in the New Testament, in Luke 3:34, within the genealogy of Jesus. It functions strictly as a proper name, identifying a specific individual from the Old Testament narrative. The usage is genealogical and historical, serving to connect Jesus' lineage back to the patriarchs and ultimately to Adam, as presented in Luke's Gospel.

Etymology

Θάρα is a direct Greek transliteration of the Hebrew name תֶּרַח (Terach). The Hebrew name's meaning is uncertain but may be related to a word for 'station' or 'delay,' or possibly to a lunar term. In the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Old Testament), the Hebrew name was consistently rendered as Θάρα, which the New Testament author Luke adopted directly for his genealogy.

Semantic Range

Terah's inclusion in Luke's genealogy (Luke 3:34) is theologically significant as it links Jesus Christ directly to the pre-Abrahamic story of God's people. While Terah himself is not a major covenant figure, he represents the transitional generation from which the call of Abraham emerges. Understanding this name in its Greek form reminds readers that the New Testament consciously roots the story of Jesus in the full, continuous narrative of the Hebrew Scriptures, affirming the unity of God's redemptive plan across both testaments.

In the ancient Near Eastern context, genealogies were crucial for establishing identity, lineage, and inheritance rights. Naming an ancestor like Terah was not merely a historical note but a claim to a specific heritage and story. For Luke's original audience, which included Gentiles, listing names like Θάρα (Terah) from the Hebrew Scriptures served to authenticate Jesus' messianic credentials by demonstrating his legitimate descent from the founding family of Israel.

There are no direct synonyms for this proper name. Related genealogical terms include: πατήρ (patēr, G3962) — a general term for 'father' or 'ancestor'; and γενεά (genea, G1074) — meaning 'generation' or 'family descent'.

Word Details

Scripture References