Haran Place Name

† I. חָרָן n.pr.loc. city in northern Mesopotamia (Assyrian ḫarrânu = road, path COTGloss.; cf. DlPa 185; JensenKosmologie 28 ‘junction of trading-routes’ = cross-roads)—mentioned as city of Abram’s sojourn Gn 11:31, where his father Teraḥ died v 32, and whence he departed for Canaan 12:4, 5; where Laban, Jacob’s uncle, lived, and whither Jacob fled 27:43; 28:10 (both חָרָ֫נָה), 29:4; as conquered by fathers of Sennacherib 2 K 19:12 = Is 37:12; as place of trade Ez 27:23; Assyrian Ḫarrana (-ni), SchrCOT on Gn 11:31; 27:43 𝔊 Χαρραν. It was an ancient seat of worship of moon-god (Sin), v. SchrKG 355, 536; see further ChwolsohnSsabier i, 303 ff. WüstenfeldZMG 1864, 443 f. SchrKG 355, 536 SachauReise 217 ff. Mez Gesch. d. Stadt Harran, 1892.

† הָרָן n.pr.m. (mountaineer; i.e. mountain-people (or land)? cf. Di Gn 11:27);— 1. son of Teraḥ, brother of Abram and father of Lot Gn 11:27(×2), 31 (all P), v 28 (J); also father of Milcah (Nahor’s wife) & Iscah v 29 (J). 2. a Levite (Gershonite) 1 Ch 23:9.—On הָרָן in n.pr.loc. v. sub בֵּית הָרָן" dir="rtl" >בית הרם, p. 111.

χαρράν indecl. (in FlJ., Ant., i, 16, 1, Κάρρα, -ας, ib. 6, 5, Χαρρά, -ᾶς; so LXX: Gen.29:4 E, Eze.27:28 B, elsewhere -άν­Heb. חָרָן), Haran, a town in N.W. Mesopotamia: Act.7:2, 4.† (From Abbott-Smith. LSJ has no entry)

† II. חָרָן n.pr.m. son of Caleb of Judah 1 Ch 2:46(×2); 𝔊 Αρραν, 𝔊L Ωρων (Sab. n.pr. חרן DHMEpigr. Dakm. 56).

† בֵּית הָרָם n.pr.loc. in Gad Jos 13:27 = בֵּית הָרָן Nu 32:36, mod. Beit Harrân, 1 hour E. of Jordan, opp. Jericho, TristrMoab 348; name Tell er-Râm MerrillPESoc iv. 1877 SchickZPV 1879. 3, 246 (cf. LagOnom. 103. 16, 2nd ed. 137 al.)