Concept

Abraham

Overview

foundational legendary figure among adherents of the eponymous Abrahamic religions

Overview adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0; see the article history for authors).

In the original texts

Passages from public-domain books where Abraham is discussed.

But Abraham had faith, and had faith for this life. Indeed, had his faith been but concerning the life to come, then might he more easily have cast away all, in order to hasten out of this world which was not his....
Søren Kierkegaard, Selections from the Writings of Kierkegaard
names the idea; a chapter is titled for it; author linked in the graph; opens on it
Read the chapter · Open in the reader
This is it which is called the Old Covenant, or Testament; and containeth a Contract between God and Abraham; by which Abraham obligeth himself, and his posterity, in a peculiar manner to be subject to Gods positive Law; for to the Law Morall he was obliged before, as by an Oath of Allegiance. And though the name of King be not yet given to God, nor of Kingdome to Abraham and his seed; yet the thing is the same…
Thomas Hobbes, Leviathan
names the idea; states what it is; opens on it
Read the chapter · Open in the reader
The narration of the war among the nine kings (ibid. xiv.) shows how, by means of a miracle, Abraham, with a few undisciplined men, defeated four mighty kings. It illustrates at the same time how Abraham sympathized with his relative, who had been brought up in the same faith, and how he exposed himself to the dangers of warfare in order to save him. We further learn from this narrative how contented and satisfied…
Moses Maimonides, The guide for the perplexed
states what it is; names the idea; opens on it
Read the chapter · Open in the reader
Abraham is now ninety-nine years old, and the promises of a numerous posterity are constantly repeated: so that, in the end, the pair regard them as ridiculous. And yet Sarai becomes at last pregnant, and brings forth a son, to whom the name of Isaac is given. History, for the most part, rests upon the legitimate propagation of the human race.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Autobiography
states what it is; names the idea; opens on it
Read the chapter · Open in the reader
We need a redeeming, not an exemplary Christ, to save us. Paul is here speaking of the redeeming Christ and the believing Abraham, not of the model Christ or the sweating Abraham. The believing Abraham is not to lie buried in the grave. He is to be dusted off and brought out before the world. He is to be praised to the sky for his faith. Heaven and earth ought to know about him and about his faith in Christ.
Martin Luther, Commentary on the Epistle to the Galatians
names the idea; states what it is; opens on it
Read the chapter · Open in the reader

Abraham

Overview

In the original texts

Philosophers who discussed Abraham

Related ideas

Place in the tradition