What was Abraham's former name?

Study for the Bible Fencing Test. Deepen your scriptural knowledge with multiple choice questions and flashcards, each accompanied by helpful hints and explanations. Prepare yourself effectively for your test!

Multiple Choice

What was Abraham's former name?

Abraham’s former name was Abram. This change happens in Genesis 17 when God establishes a covenant with him and renames him to reflect the promised role he will play—becoming “father of many nations.” Abram means “exalted father,” while Abraham means “father of a multitude,” signaling the expansive blessings tied to the covenant. The other names listed are not his earlier name—Isaac is his son, Ishmael is another son, and Lot is his nephew—so they don’t fit as the former name.

Abraham’s former name was Abram. This change happens in Genesis 17 when God establishes a covenant with him and renames him to reflect the promised role he will play—becoming “father of many nations.” Abram means “exalted father,” while Abraham means “father of a multitude,” signaling the expansive blessings tied to the covenant. The other names listed are not his earlier name—Isaac is his son, Ishmael is another son, and Lot is his nephew—so they don’t fit as the former name.

More practice questions