Isaac

Isaac was the son of Abraham and the father of Jacob and Esau.

Appearances

• "The Rock" (Mentioned Only)

Real World Background

The name of Isaac (in Hebrew, יִצְחָק, transliterated as Yīṣḥāq) supposedly takes its meaning how Abraham and Sarah laughed when they were told by God that Sarah would give birth to their son so late in their mutual lives. (Genesis 17:17, 18:12) The name is likely Canaanite in origin, where Yīṣḥāq is short for Yitzhakel meaning "May El (God) laugh". [1][2]

Isaac was the subject of one of the trials to test Abraham's faith. At God's command, Abraham and Isaac journeyed to Mount Moriah where Abraham built a sacrificial altar and sacrifice his own son. Just before he drew his knife on him, an Angel prevented Abraham from killing Isaac. A ram was later substituted and Abraham's faith was rewarded with not only his son's life spared, but with the promise that Abraham's descendants would be as "numerous as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore." (Genesis 22:17)

In his old age, Isaac became blind. With the help of his wife, Rebekah, Isaac was deceived into giving the birthright of his eldest son, Esau, to his youngest, Jacob. (Genesis 27)