Isaac facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Isaac |
|
|---|---|
Isaac digging for the wells, imagined in a Bible illustration (c. 1900)
|
|
| Personal | |
| Born | Canaan |
| Died | Canaan |
| Spouse | Rebecca |
| Children | Esau Jacob |
| Parents | |
According to the Bible, Isaac (pronounced EYE-zak) was a very important person. He was the son of Abraham and Sarah, and the father of Jacob. His name means "He laughs" or "will laugh." This is because his mother, Sarah, laughed when she was told she would have a child, as she was very old.
Isaac is one of the three main leaders, called patriarchs, of the Israelites in the Bible. He is special because his name was never changed, and he was the only one of the main leaders who stayed in Canaan his whole life. The Bible says he lived to be 180 years old, which was longer than the other two patriarchs.
Stories about Isaac have been important to many religions, including Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Many scholars today study these stories as important religious texts.
Abraham's Test of Faith
When Isaac was young, his father Abraham took him to a mountain called Moriah. God had asked Abraham to build a special altar there and offer his son Isaac. Abraham loved God very much and was ready to do as he was asked.
Just as Abraham was about to do this, an angel from God stopped him. The angel told Abraham not to harm Isaac. Instead, a ram (a male sheep) was found nearby, caught in some bushes, and was offered instead. This story shows Abraham's great faith in God.
Isaac's Burial Place
People believe that Isaac and his wife, Rebekah, are buried in a special cave. This cave is called the Cave of the Patriarchs. It is also believed to be the burial place of Abraham and Sarah, and Jacob and Leah. This cave is in a city called Hebron.
Images for kids
-
The Akedah, a mosaic showing the story of Abraham and Isaac, from the Beit Alfa Synagogue.
-
A painting by Benjamin West showing Isaac with his sons, Esau and Jacob.
-
A painting by Giotto di Bondone showing Isaac blessing his son.
-
Isaac embracing his father Abraham after the Binding of Isaac story.
-
The outside of the Cave of the Patriarchs in Hebron.
-
The name "Ishaq" (Isaac) on what is believed to be his grave.
See also
In Spanish: Isaac para niños
