Ask the Chatbot Games & Quizzes History & Society Science & Tech Biographies Animals & Nature Geography & Travel Arts & Culture ProCon Money Videos
Isaac
Introduction References & Edit History Quick Facts & Related Topics
Images & Videos
Gilded bronze relief panel by Lorenzo Ghiberti shows Isaac, Jacob, and Esau in an architectural setting, with multiple figures and intricate detail, from the Gates of Paradise in Florence. Rebecca Meets Isaac by the Way by James Tissot shows Rebekah on a camel with attendants and camels behind her, meeting Isaac on a path in a biblical landscape.
Why is Abraham considered the first monotheist?
Quick Facts
Notable Family Members:
spouse Rebekah
father Abraham
mother Sarah
son Jacob
son Esau
See all related content
Britannica AI Icon
Adding us as a Preferred Source tells Google you trust our content, so our articles show up more often in your Google Search, Discover feed, and AI Overviews.
verifiedCite
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style
Feedback
Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login).
Thank you for your feedback

Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

External Websites
Gilded bronze relief panel by Lorenzo Ghiberti shows Isaac, Jacob, and Esau in an architectural setting, with multiple figures and intricate detail, from the Gates of Paradise in Florence.
Lorenzo Ghiberti: panel from Gates of Paradise Isaac, Jacob, and Esau, gilded bronze relief panel from the east doors (Gates of Paradise) of the Baptistery of the Duomo, Florence, by Lorenzo Ghiberti, 1425–52. 79.4 × 79.4 cm.

Isaac

Hebrew patriarch
Written and fact-checked by
Britannica Editors
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....
Britannica Editors
History

Isaac, in the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) book of Genesis, the second of the patriarchs of Israel, the only son of Abraham and Sarah, and the father of Esau and Jacob. Although Sarah was past the age of childbearing, God promised Abraham and Sarah that they would have a son, and Isaac was born. Later, to test Abraham’s obedience, God commanded Abraham to sacrifice the boy. Abraham made all the preparations for the ritual sacrifice, but God spared Isaac at the last moment.

In both the Old and the New Testament, God is called the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, because with them God’s relationship of promise and purpose was fixed for all those who descended from them. The story of Abraham’s acquiescence to God’s command to sacrifice Isaac was used in the early Christian church as an example of faith (Hebrews 11:17) and of obedience (James 2:21). In later Jewish tradition the sacrifice of Isaac was cited in appeals for the mercy of God.

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica This article was most recently revised and updated by Brian Duignan.
Discover the fascinating events that shaped the world, straight from our editors.
By clicking “Sign Up”, you consent to the Britannica Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.