The spelling of the Hebrew name "Terach" includes two different sounds that English speakers may find tricky to identify. The initial letter "t" is pronounced with a subtle "h" sound, more like "th" in "thin" than a hard "t" like in "top". The second syllable features an "a" sound similar to that in "cat", followed by a rolled "r" and a subdued "kh" sound represented by the letter "ch" in English. To spell it in IPA phonetic transcription, it would look like this: tɛ'rakh.
Terach is a biblical figure mentioned in the book of Genesis in the Old Testament. He was the father of Abram (later known as Abraham) and the grandfather of Lot. Terach was born and lived in Ur of the Chaldeans, which was a wealthy and influential city in Mesopotamia.
According to the biblical account, Terach's family worshiped idols and practiced idolatry. However, at the age of 70, Terach migrated with his family from Ur to the land of Canaan. They settled in the city of Haran and stayed there for some time.
Terach's significance lies in his role as the father of Abraham, who is considered one of the most important figures in the Hebrew Bible and the founding father of the Israelite nation. Terach's family journey, from Ur to Haran and eventually to Canaan, is seen as part of God's plan to establish a chosen people and fulfill His covenant with Abraham.
In Jewish tradition, Terach is regarded as a conflicted figure. While he made the initial move to leave Ur, he halted the journey before reaching Canaan. Some interpretations suggest that Terach was hesitant to fully commit to God's command and continued to worship idols.
Overall, Terach is primarily known for being the father of Abraham, and his story serves as a crucial background to the narrative of the formation of the Israelite nation.
The name Terach is of Hebrew origin. It is derived from the Hebrew root word rach, which means breath or scent. In Hebrew, Terach could be interpreted as odor or scent.