Abraham is regarded as the founder of the Israelite religion because he is the figure with whom God initiated a covenant to mark the beginning of Judaism. This covenant, detailed in the Hebrew Bible (Tanakh), promised that Abraham and his descendants would be God's chosen people, and that they would inherit the land of Canaan.

The significance of Abraham's role is highlighted by the fact that his lineage continued with Isaac and Jacob (who was later named Israel). These patriarchs are considered foundational to Judaism, as their stories establish many of the beliefs and traditions that define the faith. Through Abraham, the concept of monotheism and the unique relationship between God and the Israelites was introduced, setting the stage for the development of Jewish spiritual and ethical values.