Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Who were these grand old men, the patriarchs of Israel? Though we all know the biblical stories in which they star, the Bible does not provide a whole lot of information about their backgrounds. As a result, these men remain almost mythical characters whose faith is nearly beyond comprehension.
Who were these men whose readiness to believe in the one God – back when the rest of the world worshipped many – changed forever the way all mankind thinks and feels? Countless stories and legends have sprung up over the millennia to fill in the gaps. Just how much is true, how much is based on historical fact and how much is actually supported by the biblical record is another story.
We will use this feature to delve into the lives of these men, examining their historical, social and cultural settings as well as the way they personally interacted in these surroundings. Revisit these pages to study the fascinating lives of the founders of our faith.