The Binding of Isaac

Scholar Shalom Sabar, a professor of Jewish Art and Folklore at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel, presented a lecture on the binding (or sacrifice) of Isaac in Jewish, Christian, and Islamic Art. The “binding of Isaac” refers to the biblical story in which God commands Abraham to build an altar and kill Isaac, the only son of Abraham and Sarah born when the couple was very old. His birth displaced first born son Ishmael, who considered by some to be an ancestor of the Arab people, from his inheritance. Through divine providence, Isaac is spared at the last moment and a ram is sacrificed in his stead. The narrative holds significant meaning for many religions and is depicted in Jewish, Christian, and Muslim art, with much imagery devoted to telling the story.

As a narrative, the story was central to my Christian upbringing since it shows an example of the strong faith of Abraham, the trust of loving son Isaac, and God’s ultimately compassion for those who are devoted to Him. I can only imagine how much more powerful the imagery must have seemed to early illiterate Christians who were expected to give their unconditional support to God and the church.

Since my religious training was not very open or analytic, I was not taught to recognize the similarities between the Isaac and Jesus story. Dr. Sabar outlined these as being promised son, miracle birth (old mother / virgin), sacrifice by father, reprieve from death. This example binds the two faiths to one tradition. The further interpretation in the Muslim tradition speaks to the power of the story and its meaning.


What I found amazing at the lecture was similarities and difference in interpretation of the narrative found in the art presented by Dr. Sabar. His first example was of the 3rd century synaogue in Duro-Europos Syria. Imagery above the altar contained a menorah, temple, hand of God, Isaac, tent, and a ram. Another example showed a primitively styled mosaic on the floor of 6th century synagogue in Beit Alpha with stylized figures and a sideways ram. Photos of these two sites can be found at the educational website. Stone crosses in Ireland depicted a weathered version of the story with the lamb playing a prominent role. Renaissance art by Caravaggio and Rembrandt are much more graphic, almost theatrical, in their interpretation of the event as a drama. Rembrandt’s art is particularly interesting since the imagery of the story changed the angel stopping Abraham’s knife to later image in an etching with the angel embracing both father and son. The later portrays a more nurturing God, as Rembrandt matured. I do wonder how much of the interpretation by artists presents church views verses artist interpretations.

Dr. Sabar also discussed Islamic art and modern interpretations. The Islamic art binds Mecca and Jerusalam and brings Mohammed into the story. Much of the modern art questions the lack of God’s intervention during the Holocaust as presented in the painting entitled “Sarah” and the photographic work by Adi Ness.

The strangest outcome of attending this lecture was finding that an internet search of the “binding of Isaac” primarily yielded discussion and imagery of a recently released video game by the same title.  It is described by a gaming web site as “creepy dark action shooter game,” much like the legend of Zelda. In the game Abraham is pretty much out of the picture as Isaac’s “god loving mother” hides him in the basement where monsters lurk in the dark. My daughter recognized this Isaac for his appearances on popular YouTubes that she has watched recently. Ultimately the lecture demonstrated how inspirational and deeply the narrative can be interpreted.