Genesis 11:27 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

These are the generations of Terah— It may be proper to remark, that it appears, from this genealogy, that these patriarchs begat children about the age of thirty, which may therefore serve as a mean number in any calculation. When it is said, that Terah lived seventy years, and begat three sons, it means, that of these three the eldest was then first born; the same method of speaking is used with regard to Noah, ch. Genesis 5:32. And as Shem is mentioned first, though youngest of the sons of Noah, so Abram is here mentioned first, though youngest of the sons of Terah; "who begat him," says Mr. Locke, "at one hundred and thirty." It was necessary to give this account of these three sons of Terah, as they are connected so much with the subsequent history; but it does not follow from this, that these were the only children Terah had: nay indeed, it appears to the contrary, Sarah having been his daughter by another wife, and so half-sister to her husband Abraham, see ch. Genesis 20:12. The eastern writers unanimously agree, that Terah was a statuary, or carver of idols, which employment was judged a very honourable one among the Chaldaeans, the person who followed it being considered as a maker of gods. However it is added, that he was converted by his son Abraham, and by his persuasions prevailed upon to leave Ur. See Dr. Herbelot's Bibl. Orientale. Josephus says, he quitted Chaldaea, not being able to endure the country after the loss of his son Haran.