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Haran (2)

Locations
Modern Location Harran, Turkey
Coordinates 37.0000, 38.9833

Geographical Setting

Haran was an ancient urban center in Upper Mesopotamia that served as a major commercial hub and religious site dedicated to the moon god Sin.

What is the meaning of Haran (2) in the Bible?

Haran was a significant city in Upper Mesopotamia where the patriarch Terah resided before his family migrated to Canaan, and it served as the residence of Laban, where Jacob acquired his wives and managed livestock.

SIGNIFICANCE

Understanding Haran's role as a Mesopotamian religious and commercial center provides essential context for the patriarchal narratives, illustrating the cultural and geographical transition of the biblical ancestors from their origins in the East to the land of Canaan.

Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide

Geopolitical & Terrain Context: Haran (2) (located near modern Harran, Turkey) held strategic importance. Understanding its position and trade routes explains why key biblical events unfolded here.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
  • Why did the biblical author mention Haran (2) in this passage?
  • What cultural or historical assumption does Haran (2) clarify?

Source Attribution

Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.

How to Cite This Entry

"Haran (2)." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/haran-2/
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