Where was Abraham when God appeared to him before he dwelt in Haran?
God appeared to Abraham while he was still in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Haran. Stephen specifies that this was before Abraham moved out of Ur of the Chaldees, so the appearance occurred in Ur, in Mesopotamia, prior to his stay in Haran.
Les explains that Stephen's account clarifies Genesis 12:1. Genesis simply says the Lord had said to Abraham, but Stephen reveals that God actually appeared to him in a visible human form, which is called a theophany. The appearance happened in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Haran, meaning before he had moved out of Ur of the Chaldees. Les also notes the Greek word optomai, showing God appeared in a form Abraham could see with his eyes.
And he said, Men, brethren, and fathers, hearken; The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran,
More Questions
Did God actually appear to Abraham visibly?
Stephen, speaking by inspiration, says God actually appeared to Abraham in a visible form that Abraham could see with his eyes.
Does Acts 7 say God visibly appeared to Abraham?
Stephen in Acts 7 gives the impression that God visibly appeared to Abraham, using the Greek word 'optomiae' for 'appeared.'
How does Acts 7:2 clarify the appearance of God to Abraham in Genesis 12?
Acts 7:2 clarifies that God not only spoke to Abraham but also appeared to him in a human form, something Genesis 12:1 does not make clear by itself.