Introduction
Isaac is the son of Abraham and Sarah, born when his parents were of advanced age, the specific son through whom Genesis identifies God's covenant promise to Abraham as continuing. His name, meaning "he laughs", reflects both Sarah's and Abraham's disbelieving laughter at the promise of his birth.
This article follows the biblical account in Genesis. Where later Jewish, Christian or Islamic tradition adds detail not found in the text itself, the article identifies it as such.
Family
- Father: Abraham
- Mother: Sarah
- Wife: Rebekah
- Sons: Esau, Jacob
- Siblings: Ishmael, Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, Shuah
Birth and the binding
Isaac's birth fulfils the covenant promise given to his elderly parents. In one of Genesis's most discussed episodes, God tested Abraham by commanding him to sacrifice Isaac; Abraham proceeded as far as binding Isaac on an altar before an angel intervened and a ram was provided as a substitute.
Marriage to Rebekah
After Sarah's death, Abraham sent his servant to find a wife for Isaac from his own kindred rather than from the local Canaanites, resulting in the servant's meeting with and selection of Rebekah, daughter of Bethuel, at a well in Aram-Naharaim. Isaac loved Rebekah, and the text notes he was comforted after his mother's death by the marriage.
Esau and Jacob
Rebekah, like Sarah before her, struggled with infertility until Isaac prayed for her; she then bore twins, Esau and Jacob, whose rivalry, beginning even before birth, shapes much of the following narrative, including Isaac's own later deception by Jacob, disguised as Esau, to receive the blessing intended for the firstborn.
Later life
Isaac lived to see both his sons established, and Genesis records his death at age 180, buried by Esau and Jacob together, echoing the earlier joint burial of Abraham by Isaac and Ishmael.