Sacrifice of Isaac [Akedah] 

Basic Info

Genesis 22:1–19

Isaac was Abraham’s only son by his wife Sarah. God had promised Abraham descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky. One day, to test Abraham, God asked him to offer Isaac as a sacrifice (child sacrifice was fairly common in those days). The Bible does not report Abraham’s emotional response to this and does not say how old Isaac was at this time.

Faithful to God, Abraham set off with Isaac to the place of sacrifice. He didn’t tell Isaac what was going on. He piled the wood on the altar, tied Isaac up, and was about to cut him open when an angel (messenger) from God called out from Heaven and told him to stop and not hurt the boy. There was a ram caught in the bushes nearby, so Abraham got it and sacrificed the ram instead. The Bible does not report on Isaac’s emotional reaction to all of this either.

The story is most often understood as a test of Abraham’s faith and loyalty to God. Another interpretation is that this was God’s way of finally putting a stop to the practice of human sacrifice. Isaac is also seen as a foreshadowing of Jesus Christ and his submitting to the will of God the Father.

Historical Notes

Jews tend to interpret this story as being about a test of Abraham’s faith and about the end of human sacrifice. Christians have often accepted those interpretations and have added the idea that this event foreshadows the sacrifice of God’s Son, Jesus. Sometimes Isaac has been interpreted as being a willing participant, like Jesus Christ. Because more of the artworks are Christian, the interpreter should look for or expect this Christian perspective.

What to Look For

• Abraham’s emotional response to this event
• Signs of Abraham’s faith in God (expressions, gestures, action in spite of his emotions, etc.)
• Isaac’s emotional response to the event
• Whether the angel’s presence is physical
• The physical appearance of the angel
• The interaction between the angel and Abraham (holding his arm, the looks and gestures between them)
• Whether Isaac is bound or loose as Abraham raises the knife to sacrifice him
• Signs of Isaac’s faith
• Visual parallels with Jesus Christ

Questions to Focus a General Interpretation

Does the emotional content of the artwork seem human or superhuman? In other words, are Abraham and Isaac reacting in a normal human way to the extremity of the task God has set before them, or do they seem faithful and accepting of God’s request beyond what a normal human being could do?

Does the artwork seem to emphasize Abraham’s and / or Isaac’s faith or God’s ultimate mercy in sending the angel to stop this abhorrent practice?

Does the artwork seem to contain references to Jesus’ sacrifice?

Questions to Guide a Personal Interpretation

Does the artwork call to mind any of the times in your life when your faith has been tested? Does it offer any support for choosing faith instead of doubt?

Questions to Suggest a Historical Interpretation



Tests of faith arise in everyone’s life. In some times and places, however, the tests are for everyone (i.e., major hurricanes and tsunamis). This story can offer balm for people suffering loss. Was there any such major test of faith going on in the artist’s time and place (Black Plague, famine, earthquakes, etc.)? Can you see any specific reference to such an event in this artwork?