Abraham and Isaac

Cultural  

1. The first two patriarchs of the Old Testament. According to the Book of Genesis, God made a covenant with Abraham, telling him to leave his own country and promising to give his family (the Hebrews) the land of Canaan. This was the Promised Land. God also promised to maintain the covenant with Abraham's son Isaac. After a time, God tested Abraham by telling him to sacrifice Isaac as a burnt offering. Abraham obediently placed Isaac on an altar and took a knife to kill him. Then an angel of the Lord appeared and told Abraham to spare his son, because Abraham had proved his faith.

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Both Jews (see also Jews) and Arabs (see Arab-Israeli conflict) claim descent from Abraham: Jews through Isaac, Arabs through Abraham's other son, Ishmael. Abraham's devotion to God makes him a model of faith to Jews (see also Jews) and Christians (see also Christian) alike.

“The bosom of Abraham” is a term used in the Gospel of Luke, and in poetry often refers to the peace of heaven.

Example Sentences

In addition to his Holocaust art, which he began in the 1980s, he painted circles as symbols of life’s continuity and representational pieces depicting angels and biblical stories like that of Abraham and Isaac.

From New York Times • Feb. 4, 2023

With references to Greek tragedy and the bible story of Abraham and Isaac, the story of fighting for redemption has resonance with the ongoing conflict.

From Reuters • May 21, 2022

It’s an alternative version of the biblical story of Abraham and Isaac.

From Washington Times • Feb. 27, 2020

“One archetype I see in this story is a kind of Abraham and Isaac situation,” he said.

From Slate • May 19, 2016

It was needful that Abraham and Isaac should be in perfect harmony with the Divine will.

From The Expositor's Bible: The Book of Genesis by Dods, Marcus