Bible Dictionaries

Smith's Bible Dictionary

Haran

Ha'ran. (a mountaineer).

1. The third son of Terah, and, therefore, the youngest brother of Abram. Genesis 11:26. (B.C. 1926). Three children are ascribed to him - Lot, Genesis 11:27; Genesis 11:31, and two daughters, namely, Milcah, who married her uncle Nahor, Genesis 11:29, and Iscah. Genesis 11:29. Haran was born in Ur of the Chaldees, and he died there, while his father was still living. Genesis 11:28.

2. A Gershonite Levite, in the time of David, one of the family of Shimei. 1 Chronicles 23:9.

3. A son of the great Caleb, by his concubine, Ephah. 1 Chronicles 2:46.

4. Haran or Charran, Acts 7:2; Acts 7:4, name of the place whither Abraham migrated, with his family, from Ur of the Chaldees, and where the descendants of his brother, Nahor, established themselves. Compare Genesis 24:10 with Genesis 27:43.

It is said to be in Mesopotamia, Genesis 24:10, or more definitely in Padan-aram, Genesis 25:20, the cultivated district at the foot of the hills, a name well applying to the beautiful stretch of country which lies below Mount Masius between the Khabour and the Euphrates. Here, about midway in this district, is a small village still called Harran. It was celebrated among the Romans, under the name of Charrae, as the scene of the defeat of Crassus.