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People of the Bible
Who Was Isaac?
In short
Isaac was the long-promised son of Abraham and Sarah, born in their old age against all odds, the child of laughter and of God's faithfulness to His promise.
His life is marked most of all by the moment on the mountain, when God provided a substitute in his place: a striking foreshadowing of the sacrifice of Christ.
“And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together.”
Genesis 22:8 · King James Version (public domain)
Isaac at a glance
| Name | Isaac |
|---|---|
| Where to read about them | Genesis |
| Key passage on this page | Genesis 22:8 |
| Passages linked to that verse | 10 |
| Translation on this page | King James Version (public domain) |
Read it in context
Read it beside its neighbours. These are the passages readers most often set next to this one.
- John 1:36
- John 1:29
- Revelation 5:12
- Revelation 13:8
- Genesis 18:14
- Matthew 19:26
- Revelation 7:14
- 1 Peter 1:19-20
- 2 Chronicles 25:9
- Revelation 5:6
Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info, used under CC BY.
Questions people ask
Where can I read about Isaac in the Bible?
Isaac appears in Genesis. Start with the key passage on this page, then read the whole chapter around it.
What other passages sit beside Genesis 22:8?
Readers most often set it next to John 1:36, John 1:29, Revelation 5:12, Revelation 13:8.
Why does Isaac matter to Christians today?
Because the story of Isaac is told to point to Christ and to teach us to love one another. Read it as part of the one story of Scripture, not as a stand-alone biography.
Pray this
Lord Christ, you love the people of Isaac more than we can. We bring you Isaac, Genesis. Teach us to love one another, as you have loved us. In the name of Jesus, amen.
Live this
Where to begin this week.
- Read the key passage, Genesis 22:8, aloud once today.
- Write one sentence about what Isaac's story says about God, not only about Isaac.
- Tell one person what you noticed, and ask what Bible story has stayed with them.
Where this fits in the walk with Christ
Christ meets people in a place, and then walks on with them. Here are doors that walk on.
Read the story of Isaac
You can read the story of Isaac in Genesis on The Living Bread, free, with audio, and with Simon to answer your questions along the way.
