Interesting Facts

• The Chaldees were associated with the city of ‘Ara of the Chaldees, built by ‘Ûr, the son of Kesed.
• They were known for their practice of making and worshipping molten images and idols.
• The Chaldees had a tradition of researches used for divination and augury, based on the signs of heaven, as taught to Nahor in Ur of the Chaldees.
• Ur of the Chaldees is mentioned as the dwelling place of Serug and Nahor, indicating it was a significant center for them.
• The region of the Chaldees was designated as the inheritance portion of Arpachshad, son of Shem.

Genealogy

• According to Jubilees, ‘Ûr, who built ‘Ara of the Chaldees, was the son of Kesed. Kesed is mentioned as a son of Tubal, son of Japheth in Jasher. However, the connection of this ‘Ûr directly to the broader Chaldean population isn’t explicitly detailed.
• The land of the region of the Chaldees was allotted to Arpachshad, who was a son of Shem. His descendants would therefore be considered part of the lineage associated with this region.
• Serug, who dwelt in Ur of the Chaldees, is mentioned as the father of Nahor. Serug’s ancestry traces back to Shem through Arphaxad.
• Nahor, son of Serug, also dwelt in Ur of the Chaldees. His descendants, including Terah and his children Abram, Nahor, and Haran, had ties to this location.

Historical Context

The Chaldees are situated in the narrative following the flood, within the generations descending from Noah’s sons, particularly Shem through Arpachshad. The building of cities and the establishment of distinct groups are characteristic of this post-flood era. The text indicates a prevalence of idolatry in the land where the Chaldees resided, as Serug worshipped idols in Ur of the Chaldees. Terah and his household, including Abram in his early years, were also involved in the service of such gods in this region. This context of widespread idolatry contrasts with the emerging monotheistic understanding of God by figures like Noah, Shem, and eventually Abram. The confrontation between Abram and the prevailing Chaldean practices of idol worship, culminating in Abram’s destruction of his father’s idols and subsequent persecution by Nimrod, highlights a significant religious and cultural conflict within this historical timeframe. The mention of Chaldean “researches” for divination suggests a cultural emphasis on understanding and interpreting celestial signs, a practice that Kainam, Arpachshad’s grandson, also engaged in, influenced by the teachings of the Watchers.

Narrative

The Chaldees feature prominently in the early life of Abram. Ur of the Chaldees is the birthplace of Abram and his family. The narrative depicts the Chaldean society as one deeply entrenched in idol worship, with individuals like Serug and Nahor actively participating in these practices. The conjurors of Nimrod, likely representing Chaldean wisdom and divination practices, observed celestial signs at Abram’s birth, predicting his future power and posing a threat to Nimrod’s reign. This leads to Nimrod’s attempts to kill Abram, forcing Abram’s concealment. Abram’s eventual rejection of idolatry and his conflict with his father Terah over these practices mark a significant point of divergence from Chaldean customs. Abram’s defiance of the Chaldean king Nimrod and his miraculous deliverance from the fiery furnace in “Casdim” (likely a region or city of the Chaldees) further underscore the tension between Abram’s nascent faith and the prevailing Chaldean beliefs. The narrative thus portrays the Chaldees as a people characterized by their urban centers, their engagement in idolatry and divination, and their initial opposition to Abram’s monotheistic beliefs, ultimately serving as the backdrop against which Abram’s faith and destiny are forged. The departure of Abram from Ur of the Chaldees is a pivotal moment, signifying a separation from this culture and the beginning of his divinely ordained journey.