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FAMILY · TOLD GENTLY

Bible Stories

“Suffer little children to come unto me.” — Mark 10:14 · KJV

"My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering."

Genesis 22:8 · King James Bible

The story

Isaac is the long-awaited son of Abraham and Sarah — born when they are very old. Genesis 22 records the great trial: God tells Abraham to offer Isaac on Mount Moriah. Isaac carries the wood himself. He asks, "Where is the lamb for a burnt offering?" His father answers, "God will provide himself a lamb." At the last moment God stops Abraham's hand and provides a ram caught in a thicket. Isaac lives. Later, Abraham's servant travels back to Mesopotamia and brings home Rebekah to be Isaac's wife. Isaac and Rebekah have twins — Esau and Jacob. Isaac dies old and full of days at 180 years.

Why he matters

Isaac is the quiet centre-son of the patriarchs. Christian tradition has always read Genesis 22 as a foreshadowing of Christ: the beloved son carrying wood up a mountain of sacrifice. Isaac lives because a substitute dies for him. So do we all.

Where to read

Genesis 21 · 22 · 24 · 25:19–26 · 26 · 27 · 35:27–29 (KJV).

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Where else this page opens into the household library.

AbrahamIsaac's fatherSarahIsaac's motherJacobIsaac's sonMount MoriahWhere Isaac was almost sacrificedGenesis 22The binding of Isaac
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