Abraham
Father of Nations
Abraham is the foundational patriarch shared by Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. His willingness to sacrifice his son and his covenant with God form the bedrock of all three Abrahamic faiths. The Restoration adds the Book of Abraham and temple covenant context.
Across Traditions
Judaism
Name
Avraham
Role
Patriarch and father of the covenant
Summary
Abraham is the first patriarch, called by God to leave Ur and establish the covenant people. His binding of Isaac (the Akedah) is central to Jewish theology and liturgy. The covenant of circumcision marks the Jewish people as God's chosen.
Source Text
And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant
Genesis 17:7
Christianity
Name
Abraham
Role
Father of faith
Summary
Abraham is the exemplar of faith, justified by believing God's promises before the law existed. Paul uses Abraham to argue that salvation comes through faith, not works of the law. He is the spiritual ancestor of all believers.
Source Text
And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness
Genesis 15:6
Islam
Name
Ibrahim
Role
Friend of God (Khalilullah)
Summary
Ibrahim is one of the greatest prophets in Islam, who built the Kaaba with his son Ismail in Mecca. His submission to God's command to sacrifice his son is commemorated during Eid al-Adha. He is the model of pure monotheism (hanif).
Source Text
And who is better in religion than one who submits himself to Allah while being a doer of good and follows the religion of Abraham, inclining toward truth?
Quran 4:125
LDS
Name
Abraham
Role
Covenant patriarch and temple figure
Summary
Abraham received the Abrahamic covenant promising posterity, priesthood, and land. The Book of Abraham adds his astronomy vision, knowledge of pre-mortal life, and creation account. Temple ordinances trace to Abrahamic covenant promises.
Source Text
And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee above measure, and make thy name great among all nations
Abraham 2:9
Connected Figures
Theme
Common Ground
Description
All four traditions honor Abraham as a foundational figure of faith and covenant. His willingness to sacrifice his son is a defining narrative across all traditions.
Theme
Unique Insight
Description
Islam uniquely identifies Ismail (not Isaac) as the son Abraham was asked to sacrifice, and connects Abraham to the founding of the Kaaba in Mecca.
Theme
Restoration Addition
Description
The Book of Abraham adds a pre-mortal council, astronomy teachings, and an Egyptian context for Abraham's life that no other tradition preserves.