Isaac
From Encyclopædia
The biblical patriarch Isaac was the promised son of the aged ABRAHAM and
Sarah and the father by
Rebecca of the twins
Esau and JACOB. When Isaac was a boy, he was almost sacrificed by his obedient father, but God spared the boy. This story (Genesis 22) may illustrate ancient Israel's rejection of child
sacrifice. Serving as a
bridge in the patriarchal tradition, Isaac is also an important character in the Jacob story. According to Genesis 27, Jacob and his mother,
Rebecca, deceived the old and feeble Isaac into giving his final blessing to Jacob instead of the firstborn
Esau. In the
Bible, God is called the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
