Abraham’s journey

Leaving home. Following a promise.

All journeys

Illustrated map of Mesopotamia, Canaan, and Egypt, with the Euphrates and Tigris rivers.

MEDITERRANEAN
SEA MESOPOTAMIA Euphrates Tigris CANAAN EGYPT

01 Leaving Ur

Illustrative routeAncient locations · approximate

CHAPTER 01 OF 06

Illustrative map · locations approximate

Leaving Ur

Mesopotamia · A family begins its journey

Terah takes his son Abram, his grandson Lot, and Abram’s wife Sarai out of Ur of the Chaldeans. They set out for Canaan, but settle in Haran along the way.

Genesis 11:27–32

Abraham is called Abram at this point in the story.

You might be wondering...

Where was Ur?

This map uses the traditional identification of Ur in southern Mesopotamia, near the head of the Persian Gulf. The identification of the biblical Ur is debated, so the marker is approximate.

Did they go straight to Canaan?

No. Genesis 11 says that the family set out for Canaan but stopped and settled in Haran. The next chapter tells of Abram’s departure from Haran.