Answer: Two men named Haran are mentioned in two separate genealogies in the Bible (see 1 Chronicles 2:46 and 23:9), and both were leaders among the tribes of Israel and are points of reference in biblical family lines. In Genesis 11, the Bible speaks of a third man named Haran who takes a larger role in Scripture. Haran was one of three sons born to a man named Terah, making this Haran the brother of one of the most well-known Bible characters, Abram (later known as Abraham). Haran was the father of Lot. He also had two daughters, Milcah and Iscah (Genesis 11:29).

Genesis 11 records that Terah’s whole family, including Haran and Abram, lived in Ur of the Chaldeans. Haran died before Abram left Ur. It seems Haran’s death occurred at a young age or in an untimely manner, for Haran’s father was still alive at the time of Haran’s death (Genesis 11:28). After Haran died, Terah gathered his family and possessions and set off toward Canaan. They stopped in a place called Harran, where Terah died. Some speculate that Terah may have named the town after his dead son, but the biblical text is not clear on this point. Haran’s brother Abram would later heed God’s call and resume the journey to Canaan, taking with him Haran’s son Lot and Lot’s family.