The earliest reference to Abraham may be the name of a town in the Negev listed in a victory inscription of Pharaoh Shishak I (biblical Sheshonk). The campaign occurred in about 925 B.C.E. during the reign of Rehoboam (1 Kings 14:25-26; 2 Chronicles 12:2-12)

A place name in the Negev section of the inscription is 

pa'ha-q-ru-a 'i-bi-ra-ma

which is best read "the fortification of Abram," or, more simply, "Fort Abram."

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