Sacrifice
In a heart-stopping climax of faith and obedience, Abraham and Isaac ascended the mount of Moriah, carrying the burden of a command that threatened to shatter their world. As Isaac, unaware of his father’s grim intent, innocently questioned the absence of a sacrificial lamb, Abraham’s resolve was tested by the divine directive to offer his beloved son. With the altar prepared and the knife poised, a moment of excruciating suspense loomed as Isaac, bound and resigned, awaited his fate. But just as Abraham’s hand was about to deliver the final blow, the heavens erupted with divine intervention—an angel’s voice called out, sparing Isaac and heralding a ram as the substitute offering.
The dramatic fallout of this event was as profound as the test itself. The ram, ensnared by Satan’s deceit but ultimately freed to become the sacrifice, symbolized divine provision and mercy. Abraham’s rejoicing and the naming of the place as Jehovahjireh marked a divine endorsement of his faith. However, the shadow of sorrow fell heavily as Sarah, misled by Satan’s cruel deception, was driven to despair. Her heart-wrenching grief upon learning of Isaac’s supposed death led to her untimely demise, her joy turning to ashes as her soul departed in the throes of sorrow.
In the resolution, Abraham and Isaac returned to Beersheba, their hearts heavy with both relief and mourning. They instituted a joyous annual festival in remembrance of their deliverance, a testament to their faith and God’s providence. Yet, the joy of their return was overshadowed by their deep grief at Sarah’s death, their lamentation echoing through Hebron as they mourned the loss of their beloved matriarch.
Major Characters
Minor Characters
Insignificant Characters
Watch an explainer video for the Sacrifice chapter:
Genesis
13%
Jasher
72%
Jubilees
15%
Exposition
Jubilee: 43
Year: 2086
Isaac gives YHWH the idea of having Abraham sacrifice him as an offering
Jasher 22:40-45
Month: 1
Day: 12
Discussion in heaven concerning Abraham’s faithfulness
Jasher 22:46-55
Jubilees 17:15-17
Rising Action
YHWH tests Abraham
Genesis 22:1-2
Jasher 23:1-2
Jubilees 18:1-2
Abraham tells Sarah that he needs to take Isaac away
Jasher 23:3-19
Day: 13
Abraham leaves with Isaac, Ishmael, and Eliezar
Genesis 22:3
Jasher 23:20-21
Jubilees 18:3
Ishmael talks with Eliezer
Jasher 23:22-24
Abraham’s conversation with Satan
Jasher 23:25-28
Isaac’s conversation with Satan
Jasher 23:29-34a
Satan transforms into a deep brook of water
Jasher 23:34b-40
Day: 16
Their destination is near
Genesis 22:4
Jasher 23:41-47a
Everyone but Abraham and Isaac stays behind
Genesis 22:5
Jasher 23:47b-48
Jubilees 18:4
Climax
Abraham prepares to sacrifice Isaac
Genesis 22:6-8
Jasher 23:49-58
Jubilees 18:5-7
Isaac is placed on the altar
Genesis 22:9-10
Jasher 23:59-65
Jubilees 18:8
The angels intervene
Jasher 23:66-68
Jubilees 18:9
The angel of YHWH stops Abraham
Genesis 22:11-12
Jasher 23:69
Jubilees 18:10-11
Falling Action
Abraham sacrifices a ram instead
Genesis 22:13-14
Jasher 23:70-75
Jubilees 18:12-13
The angel of YHWH blesses Abraham
Genesis 22:15-18
Jubilees 18:14-16
Sarah’s conversation with Satan and Sarah’s death
Jasher 23:76-86
Resolution
Day: 20
Sarah’s conversation with Satan and Sarah’s death
Genesis 22:19
Jasher 23:87
Jubilees 18:17
A new festival established
Jubilees 18:18-19
Abraham and Isaac weep over Sarah
Jasher 23:88-90
Jubilee: 43
Year: 2086
Isaac gives YHWH the idea of having Abraham sacrifice him as an offering
Jasher 22:40-45
40 And Isaac the son of Abraham was growing up in those days, and Abraham his father taught him the way of the Lord to know the Lord, and the Lord was with him.
41 And when Isaac was thirty-seven years old, Ishmael his brother was going about with him in the tent.
42 And Ishmael boasted of himself to Isaac, saying, I was thirteen years old when the Lord spoke to my father to circumcise us, and I did according to the word of the Lord which he spoke to my father, and I gave my soul unto the Lord, and I did not transgress his word which he commanded my father.
43 And Isaac answered Ishmael, saying, Why dost thou boast to me about this, about a little bit of thy flesh which thou didst take from thy body, concerning which the Lord commanded thee?
44 As the Lord liveth, the God of my father Abraham, if the Lord should say unto my father, Take now thy son Isaac and bring him up an offering before me, I would not refrain but I would joyfully accede to it.
45 And the Lord heard the word that Isaac spoke to Ishmael, and it seemed good in the sight of the Lord, and he thought to try Abraham in this matter.
Month: 1
Day: 12
Discussion in heaven concerning Abraham’s faithfulness
Jubilees 17:15
15 And it came to pass in the seventh week, in the first year thereof, [2003 A.M.] in the first month in this jubilee, on the twelfth of this month, there were voices in heaven regarding Abraham, that he was faithful in all that He told him, and that he loved the Lord, and that in every affliction he was faithful.
Jasher 22:46-54
46 And the day arrived when the sons of God came and placed themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came with the sons of God before the Lord.
47 And the Lord said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? and Satan answered the Lord and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.
48 And the Lord said to Satan, What is thy word to me concerning all the children of the earth? and Satan answered the Lord and said, I have seen all the children of the earth who serve thee and remember thee when they require anything from thee.
49 And when thou givest them the thing which they require from thee, they sit at their ease, and forsake thee and they remember thee no more.
50 Hast thou seen Abraham the son of Terah, who at first had no children, and he served thee and erected altars to thee wherever he came, and he brought up offerings upon them, and he proclaimed thy name continually to all the children of the earth.
51 And now that his son Isaac is born to him, he has forsaken thee, he has made a great feast for all the inhabitants of the land, and the Lord he has forgotten.
52 For amidst all that he has done he brought thee no offering; neither burnt offering nor peace offering, neither ox, lamb nor goat of all that he killed on the day that his son was weaned.
53 Even from the time of his son’s birth till now, being thirty-seven years, he built no altar before thee, nor brought any offering to thee, for he saw that thou didst give what he requested before thee, and he therefore forsook thee.
54 And the Lord said to Satan, Hast thou thus considered my servant Abraham? for there is none like him upon earth, a perfect and an upright man before me, one that feareth God and avoideth evil; as I live, were I to say unto him, Bring up Isaac thy son before me, he would not withhold him from me, much more if I told him to bring up a burnt offering before me from his flock or herds.
Jasher 22:55
55 And Satan answered the Lord and said, Speak then now unto Abraham as thou hast said, and thou wilt see whether he will not this day transgress and cast aside thy words.
Jubilees 17:16
16 And the prince Mastêmâ came and said before God, ‘Behold, Abraham loves Isaac his son, and he delights in him above all things else; bid him offer him as a burnt-offering on the altar, and Thou wilt see if he will do this command, and Thou wilt know if he is faithful in everything wherein Thou dost try him.
Jubilees 17:17
17 And the Lord knew that Abraham was faithful in all his afflictions; for He had tried him through his country and with famine, and had tried him with the wealth of kings, and had tried him again through his wife, when she was torn (from him), and with circumcision; and had tried him through Ishmael and Hagar, his maid-servant, when he sent them away.
YHWH tests Abraham
Genesis 22:1-2
1 And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am.
2 And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.
Jasher 23:1-2
1 At that time the word of the Lord came to Abraham, and he said unto him, Abraham, and he said, Here I am.
2 And he said to him, Take now thy son, thine only son whom thou lovest, even Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which shall be shown to thee, for there wilt thou see a cloud and the glory of the Lord.
Jubilees 18:1-2
1 And God said to him, ‘Abraham, Abraham’; and he said, Behold, (here) am I.’
2 And he said, Take thy beloved son whom thou lovest, (even) Isaac, and go unto the high country, and offer him on one of the mountains which I will point out unto thee.’
Abraham tells Sarah that he needs to take Isaac away
Jasher 23:3-19
3 And Abraham said within himself, How shall I separate my son Isaac from Sarah his mother, in order to bring him up for a burnt offering before the Lord?
4 And Abraham came into the tent, and he sat before Sarah his wife, and he spoke these words to her,
5 My son Isaac is grown up and he has not for some time studied the service of his God, now tomorrow I will go and bring him to Shem, and Eber his son, and there he will learn the ways of the Lord, for they will teach him to know the Lord as well as to know that when he prayeth continually before the Lord, he will answer him, therefore there he will know the way of serving the Lord his God.
6 And Sarah said, Thou hast spoken well, go my lord and do unto him as thou hast said, but remove him not at a great distance from me, neither let him remain there too long, for my soul is bound within his soul.
7 And Abraham said unto Sarah, My daughter, let us pray to the Lord our God that he may do good with us.
8 And Sarah took her son Isaac and he abode all that night with her, and she kissed and embraced him, and gave him instructions till morning.
9 And she said to him, O my son, how can my soul separate itself from thee? And she still kissed him and embraced him, and she gave Abraham instructions concerning him.
10 And Sarah said to Abraham, O my lord, I pray thee take heed of thy son, and place thine eyes over him, for I have no other son nor daughter but him.
11 O forsake him not. If he be hungry give him bread, and if he be thirsty give him water to drink; do not let him go on foot, neither let him sit in the sun.
12 Neither let him go by himself in the road, neither force him from whatever he may desire, but do unto him as he may say to thee.
13 And Sarah wept bitterly the whole night on account of Isaac, and she gave him instructions till morning.
14 And in the morning Sarah selected a very fine and beautiful garment from those garments which she had in the house, that Abimelech had given to her.
15 And she dressed Isaac her son therewith, and she put a turban upon his head, and she enclosed a precious stone in the top of the turban, and she gave them provision for the road, and they went forth, and Isaac went with his father Abraham, and some of their servants accompanied them to see them off the road.
16 And Sarah went out with them, and she accompanied them upon the road to see them off, and they said to her, Return to the tent.
17 And when Sarah heard the words of her son Isaac she wept bitterly, and Abraham her husband wept with her, and their son wept with them a great weeping; also those who went with them wept greatly.
18 And Sarah caught hold of her son Isaac, and she held him in her arms, and she embraced him and continued to weep with him, and Sarah said, Who knoweth if after this day I shall ever see thee again?
19 And they still wept together, Abraham, Sarah and Isaac, and all those that accompanied them on the road wept with them, and Sarah afterward turned away from her son, weeping bitterly, and all her men servants and maid servants returned with her to the tent.
Day: 13
Abraham leaves with Isaac, Ishmael, and Eliezar
Genesis 22:3
3 And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him.
Jasher 23:20-21
20 And Abraham went with Isaac his son to bring him up as an offering before the Lord, as He had commanded him.
21 And Abraham took two of his young men with him, Ishmael the son of Hagar and Eliezer his servant, and they went together with them, and whilst they were walking in the road the young men spoke these words to themselves,
Jubilees 18:3
3 And he rose early in the morning and saddled his ass, and took his two young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood of the burnt offering, and he went to the place on the third day, and he saw the place afar off.
Ishmael talks with Eliezer
Jasher 23:22-24
22 And Ishmael said to Eliezer, Now my father Abraham is going with Isaac to bring him up for a burnt offering to the Lord, as He commanded him.
23 Now when he returneth he will give unto me all that he possesses, to inherit after him, for I am his first born.
24 And Eliezer answered Ishmael and said, Surely Abraham did cast thee away with thy mother, and swear that thou shouldst not inherit any thing of all he possesses, and to whom will he give all that he has, with all his treasures, but unto me his servant, who has been faithful in his house, who has served him night and day, and has done all that he desired me? to me will he bequeath at his death all that he possesses.
Abraham’s conversation with Satan
Jasher 23:25-28
25 And whilst Abraham was proceeding with his son Isaac along the road, Satan came and appeared to Abraham in the figure of a very aged man, humble and of contrite spirit, and he approached Abraham and said to him, Art thou silly or brutish, that thou goest to do this thing this day to thine only son?
26 For God gave thee a son in thy latter days, in thy old age, and wilt thou go and slaughter him this day because he committed no violence, and wilt thou cause the soul of thine only son to perish from the earth?
27 Dost thou not know and understand that this thing cannot be from the Lord? for the Lord cannot do unto man such evil upon earth to say to him, Go slaughter thy child.
28 And Abraham heard this and knew that it was the word of Satan who endeavored to draw him aside from the way of the Lord, but Abraham would not hearken to the voice of Satan, and Abraham rebuked him so that he went away.
Isaac’s conversation with Satan
Jasher 23:29-34a
29 And Satan returned and came to Isaac; and he appeared unto Isaac in the figure of a young man comely and well favored.
30 And he approached Isaac and said unto him, Dost thou not know and understand that thy old silly father bringeth thee to the slaughter this day for naught?
31 Now therefore, my son, do not listen nor attend to him, for he is a silly old man, and let not thy precious soul and beautiful figure be lost from the earth.
32 And Isaac heard this, and said unto Abraham, Hast thou heard, my father, that which this man has spoken? even thus has he spoken.
33 And Abraham answered his son Isaac and said to him, Take heed of him and do not listen to his words, nor attend to him, for he is Satan, endeavoring to draw us aside this day from the commands of God.
34a And Abraham still rebuked Satan, and Satan went from them, and seeing he could not prevail over them he hid himself from them, and he went and passed before them in the road;
Satan transforms into a deep brook of water
Jasher 23:34b-40
34b and he transformed himself to a large brook of water in the road, and Abraham and Isaac and his two young men reached that place, and they saw a brook large and powerful as the mighty waters.
35 And they entered the brook and passed through it, and the waters at first reached their legs.
36 And they went deeper in the brook and the waters reached up to their necks, and they were all terrified on account of the water; and whilst they were going over the brook Abraham recognized that place, and he knew that there was no water there before.
37 And Abraham said to his son Isaac, I know this place in which there was no brook nor water, now therefore it is this Satan who does all this to us, to draw us aside this day from the commands of God.
38 And Abraham rebuked him and said unto him, The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan, begone from us for we go by the commands of God.
39 And Satan was terrified at the voice of Abraham, and he went away from them, and the place again became dry land as it was at first.
40 And Abraham went with Isaac toward the place that God had told him.
Day: 16
Their destination is near
Genesis 22:4
4 Then on the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place afar off.
Jasher 23:41
41 And on the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw the place at a distance which God had told him of.
Jasher 23:42-47a
42 And a pillar of fire appeared to him that reached from the earth to heaven, and a cloud of glory upon the mountain, and the glory of the Lord was seen in the cloud.
43 And Abraham said to Isaac, My son, dost thou see in that mountain, which we perceive at a distance, that which I see upon it?
44 And Isaac answered and said unto his father, I see and lo a pillar of fire and a cloud, and the glory of the Lord is seen upon the cloud.
45 And Abraham knew that his son Isaac was accepted before the Lord for a burnt offering.
46 And Abraham said unto Eliezer and unto Ishmael his son, Do you also see that which we see upon the mountain which is at a distance?
47a And they answered and said, We see nothing more than like the other mountains of the earth. And Abraham knew that they were not accepted before the Lord to go with them,
Everyone but Abraham and Isaac stay behind
Genesis 22:5
5 And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you.
Jasher 23:47b
47b and Abraham said to them, Abide ye here with the ass whilst I and Isaac my son will go to yonder mount and worship there before the Lord and then return to you.
Jubilees 18:4
4 And he came to a well of water, and he said to his young men, ‘Abide ye here with the ass, and I and the lad shall go (yonder), and when we have worshipped we shall come again to you.’
Jasher 23:48
48 And Eliezer and Ishmael remained in that place, as Abraham had commanded.
Abraham prepares to sacrifice Isaac i
Genesis 22:6-8
6 And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering, and laid it upon Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife; and they went both of them together.
7 And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?
8 And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together.
Jasher 23:49-51
49 And Abraham took wood for a burnt offering and placed it upon his son Isaac, and he took the fire and the knife, and they both went to that place.
50 And when they were going along Isaac said to his father, Behold, I see here the fire and wood, and where then is the lamb that is to be the burnt offering before the Lord?
51 And Abraham answered his son Isaac, saying, The Lord has made choice of thee my son, to be a perfect burnt offering instead of the lamb.
Jubilees 18:5-7
5 And he took the wood of the burnt-offering and laid it on Isaac his son, and he took in his hand the fire and the knife, and they went both of them together to that place.
6 And Isaac said to his father, ‘Father;’ and he said, ‘Here am I, my son.’ And he said unto him, ‘Behold the fire, and the knife, and the wood; but where is the sheep for the burnt-offering, father?’
7 And he said, ‘God will provide for himself a sheep for a burnt-offering, my son.’ And he drew near to the place of the mount of God.
Jasher 23:52-58
52 And Isaac said unto his father, I will do all that the Lord spoke to thee with joy and cheerfulness of heart.
53 And Abraham again said unto Isaac his son, Is there in thy heart any thought or counsel concerning this, which is not proper? tell me my son, I pray thee, O my son conceal it not from me.
54 And Isaac answered his father Abraham and said unto him, O my father, as the Lord liveth and as thy soul liveth, there is nothing in my heart to cause me to deviate either to the right or to the left from the word that he has spoken to thee.
55 Neither limb nor muscle has moved or stirred at this, nor is there in my heart any thought or evil counsel concerning this.
56 But I am of joyful and cheerful heart in this matter, and I say, Blessed is the Lord who has this day chosen me to be a burnt offering before Him.
57 And Abraham greatly rejoiced at the words of Isaac, and they went on and came together to that place that the Lord had spoken of.
58 And Abraham approached to build the altar in that place, and Abraham was weeping, and Isaac took stones and mortar until they had finished building the altar.
Isaac is placed on the altar
Genesis 22:9
9 And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood.
Jasher 23:59-60
59 And Abraham took the wood and placed it in order upon the altar which he had built.
60 And he took his son Isaac and bound him in order to place him upon the wood which was upon the altar, to slay him for a burnt offering before the Lord.
Jubilees 18:8a
8a And he built an altar, and he placed the wood on the altar, and bound Isaac his son, and placed him on the wood which was upon the altar,
Jasher 23:61-65a
61 And Isaac said to his father, Bind me securely and then place me upon the altar lest I should turn and move, and break loose from the force of the knife upon my flesh and thereof profane the burnt offering; and Abraham did so.
62 And Isaac still said to his father, O my father, when thou shalt have slain me and burnt me for an offering, take with thee that which shall remain of my ashes to bring to Sarah my mother, and say to her, This is the sweet smelling savor of Isaac; but do not tell her this if she should sit near a well or upon any high place, lest she should cast her soul after me and die.
63 And Abraham heard the words of Isaac, and he lifted up his voice and wept when Isaac spake these words; and Abraham’s tears gushed down upon Isaac his son, and Isaac wept bitterly, and he said to his father, Hasten thou, O my father, and do with me the will of the Lord our God as He has commanded thee.
64 And the hearts of Abraham and Isaac rejoiced at this thing which the Lord had commanded them; but the eye wept bitterly whilst the heart rejoiced.
65a And Abraham bound his son Isaac, and placed him on the altar upon the wood, and Isaac stretched forth his neck upon the altar before his father,
Genesis 22:10
10 And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son.
Jasher 23:65b
65b and Abraham stretched forth his hand to take the knife to slay his son as a burnt offering before the Lord.
Jubilees 18:8b
8b and stretched forth his hand to take the knife to slay Isaac his son.
The angels intervene
Jasher 23:66-68
66 At that time the angels of mercy came before the Lord and spake to him concerning Isaac, saying,
67 0 Lord, thou art a merciful and compassionate King over all that thou hast created in heaven and in earth, and thou supportest them all; give therefore ransom and redemption instead of thy servant Isaac, and pity and have compassion upon Abraham and Isaac his son, who are this day performing thy commands.
68 Hast thou seen, O Lord, how Isaac the son of Abraham thy servant is bound down to the slaughter like an animal? now therefore let thy pity be roused for them, O Lord.
Jubilees 18:9
9 And I stood before him, and before the prince Mastêmâ, and the Lord said, ‘Bid him not to lay his hand on the lad, nor to do anything to him, for I have shown that he fears the Lord.’
The angel of YHWH stops Abraham
Genesis 22:11
11 And the angel of the LORD called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I.
Jubilees 18:10
10 And I called to him from heaven, and said unto him: ‘Abraham, Abraham;’ and he was terrified and said: ‘Behold, (here) am I.’
Genesis 22:12
12 And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.
Jasher 23:69
69 At that time the Lord appeared unto Abraham, and called to him, from heaven, and said unto him, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him, for now I know that thou fearest God in performing this act, and in not withholding thy son, thine only son, from me.
Jubilees 18:11
11 And I said unto him: ‘Lay not thy hand upon the lad, neither do thou anything to him; for now I have shown that thou fearest the Lord, and hast not withheld thy son, thy first-born son, from me.’
Abraham sacrifices a ram instead
Genesis 22:13
13 And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son.
Jasher 23:70
70 And Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw, and behold, a ram was caught in a thicket by his horns; that was the ram which the Lord God had created in the earth in the day that he made earth and heaven.
Jubilees 18:12
12 And the prince Mastêmâ was put to shame; and Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold a ram caught . . . by his horns, and Abraham went and took the ram and offered it for a burnt-offering in the stead of his son.
Jasher 23:71-75
71 For the Lord had prepared this ram from that day, to be a burnt offering instead of Isaac.
72 And this ram was advancing to Abraham when Satan caught hold of him and entangled his horns in the thicket, that he might not advance to Abraham, in order that Abraham might slay his son.
73 And Abraham, seeing the ram advancing to him and Satan withholding him, fetched him and brought him before the altar, and he loosened his son Isaac from his binding, and he put the ram in his stead, and Abraham killed the ram upon the altar, and brought it up as an offering in the place of his son Isaac.
74 And Abraham sprinkled some of the blood of the ram upon the altar, and he exclaimed and said, This is in the place of my son, and may this be considered this day as the blood of my son before the Lord.
75 And all that Abraham did on this occasion by the altar, he would exclaim and say, This is in the room of my son, and may it this day be considered before the Lord in the place of my son; and Abraham finished the whole of the service by the altar, and the service was accepted before the Lord, and was accounted as if it had been Isaac; and the Lord blessed Abraham and his seed on that day.
Genesis 22:14
14 And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovahjireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the LORD it shall be seen.
Jubilees 18:13
13 And Abraham called that place ‘The Lord hath seen’, so that it is said in the mount the Lord hath seen: that is Mount Sion.
The angel of YHWH blesses Abraham
Genesis 22:15-18
15 And the angel of the LORD called unto Abraham out of heaven the second time,
16 And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the LORD, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son:
17 That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;
18 And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.
Jubilees 18:14-16
14 And the Lord called Abraham by his name a second time from heaven, as he caused us to appear to speak to him in the name of the Lord.
15 And he said: ‘By Myself have I sworn, saith the Lord, Because thou hast done this thing, And hast not withheld thy son, thy beloved son, from Me, That in blessing I will bless thee, And in multiplying I will multiply thy seed As the stars of heaven, And as the sand which is on the seashore. And thy seed shall inherit the cities of its enemies,
16 And in thy seed shall all nations of the earth be blessed; Because thou hast obeyed My voice, And I have shown to all that thou art faithful unto Me in all that I have said unto thee: Go in peace.’
Sarah’s conversation with Satan and Sarah’s death
Jasher 23:76-86
76 And Satan went to Sarah, and he appeared to her in the figure of an old man very humble and meek, and Abraham was yet engaged in the burnt offering before the Lord.
77 And he said unto her, Dost thou not know all the work that Abraham has made with thine only son this day? for he took Isaac and built an altar, and killed him, and brought him up as a sacrifice upon the altar, and Isaac cried and wept before his father, but he looked not at him, neither did he have compassion over him.
78 And Satan repeated these words, and he went away from her, and Sarah heard all the words of Satan, and she imagined him to be an old man from amongst the sons of men who had been with her son, and had come and told her these things.
79 And Sarah lifted up her voice and wept and cried out bitterly on account of her son; and she threw herself upon the ground and she cast dust upon her head, and she said, O my son, Isaac my son, O that I had this day died instead of thee. And she continued to weep and said, It grieves me for thee, O my son, my son Isaac, O that I had died this day in thy stead.
80 And she still continued to weep, and said, It grieves me for thee after that I have reared thee and have brought thee up; now my joy is turned into mourning over thee, I that had a longing for thee, and cried and prayed to God till I bare thee at ninety years old; and now hast thou served this day for the knife and the fire, to be made an offering.
81 But I console myself with thee, my son, in its being the word of the Lord, for thou didst perform the command of thy God; for who can transgress the word of our God, in whose hands is the soul of every living creature?
82 Thou art just, O Lord our God, for all thy works are good and righteous; for I also am rejoiced with thy word which thou didst command, and whilst mine eye weepeth bitterly my heart rejoiceth.
83 And Sarah laid her head upon the bosom of one of her handmaids, and she became as still as a stone.
84 She afterward rose up and went about making inquiries till she came to Hebron, and she inquired of all those whom she met walking in the road, and no one could tell her what had happened to her son.
85 And she came with her maid servants and men servants to Kireath-arba, which is Hebron, and she asked concerning her Son, and she remained there while she sent some of her servants to seek where Abraham had gone with Isaac; they went to seek him in the house of Shem and Eber, and they could not find him, and they sought throughout the land and he was not there.
86 And behold, Satan came to Sarah in the shape of an old man, and he came and stood before her, and he said unto her, I spoke falsely unto thee, for Abraham did not kill his son and he is not dead; and when she heard the word her joy was so exceedingly violent on account of her son, that her soul went out through joy; she died and was gathered to her people.
Day: 20
Abraham returns to Beersheba by the Well of the Oath
Genesis 22:19
19 So Abraham returned unto his young men, and they rose up and went together to Beersheba; and Abraham dwelt at Beersheba.
Jasher 23:87
87 And when Abraham had finished his service he returned with his son Isaac to his young men, and they rose up and went together to Beersheba, and they came home.
Jubilees 18:17
17 And Abraham went to his young men, and they arose and went together to Beersheba, and Abraham [2010 A.M.] dwelt by the Well of the Oath.
A new festival established
Jubilees 18:18-19
18 And he celebrated this festival every year, seven days with joy, and he called it the festival of the Lord according to the seven days during which he went and returned in peace.
19 And accordingly has it been ordained and written on the heavenly tablets regarding Israel and its seed that they should observe this festival seven days with the joy of festival.
Abraham and Isaac wept over Sarah
Jasher 23:88-90
88 And Abraham sought for Sarah, and could not find her, and he made inquiries concerning her, and they said unto him, She went as far as Hebron to seek you both where you had gone, for thus was she informed.
89 And Abraham and Isaac went to her to Hebron, and when they found that she was dead they lifted up their voices and wept bitterly over her; and Isaac fell upon his mother’s face and wept over her, and he said, O my mother, my mother, how hast thou left me, and where hast thou gone? O how, how hast thou left me!
90 And Abraham and Isaac wept greatly and all their servants wept with them on account of Sarah, and they mourned over her a great and heavy mourning.
Notes
i
Jasher 23:51 says Abraham told Isaac he was the sacrifice whereas Genesis 22:8 and Jubilees 18:7 says that Abraham believed that YHWH would provide a lamb.
Exposition
Jubilee: 43
Year: 2086
Isaac gives YHWH the idea of having Abraham sacrifice him as an offering
Jasher 22:40-45
Isaac, the son of Abraham, continued to grow, and his father taught him the ways of the Lord so that he would know Him. The Lord was with Isaac.
When Isaac was 37 years old, his brother Ishmael was spending time with him in the tent. Ishmael boasted to Isaac, saying, “I was 13 years old when the Lord spoke to our father to circumcise us, and I obeyed the word of the Lord, which He spoke to our father. I gave my life to the Lord and did not go against what He commanded our father.”
Isaac replied, “Why are you boasting to me about this—about a small piece of flesh you removed from your body, as the Lord commanded? As surely as the Lord lives—the God of my father Abraham—if the Lord were to say to my father, ‘Take your son Isaac and offer him to me,’ I wouldn’t hold back. I would go gladly.”
The Lord heard what Isaac said to Ishmael, and it pleased Him. So He decided to test Abraham in this matter.
Month: 1
Day: 12
Discussion in heaven concerning Abraham’s faithfulness
Jasher 22:46-55
Jubilees 17:15-17
During the 7th week, in the 1st year, in the 1st month of this jubilee—on the 12th day—voices were heard in heaven about Abraham. They declared that Abraham was faithful in everything the Lord told him, that he loved the Lord, and remained faithful through every trial.
Then the day came when the sons of God gathered to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came along with them. The Lord said to Satan, “Where have you come from?”
Satan answered, “From traveling throughout the earth and walking up and down in it.”
The Lord asked him, “What do you have to say about all the people on earth?”
Satan replied, “I’ve seen that people only serve you when they need something. Once you give them what they want, they become comfortable and forget you. Take Abraham, son of Terah. At first, he had no children, yet he still served you, built altars everywhere he went, offered sacrifices, and continually proclaimed your name to everyone. But now that he has a son—Isaac—he’s forgotten you. He threw a great feast for everyone in the land and offered you nothing—not a burnt offering, peace offering, ox, lamb, or goat. From the day Isaac was born until now—37 years—he hasn’t built an altar or given you any offering. Since you gave him what he asked for, he’s turned away from you.”
Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you really considered my servant Abraham? There’s no one like him on earth. He is blameless and upright before me, fears God, and avoids evil. As surely as I live, if I told him, ‘Offer your son Isaac to me,’ he wouldn’t hold back. All the more would he offer a burnt offering from his flocks or herds.”
Then Satan—also called Mastema, the prince—answered, “Look, Abraham loves his son Isaac more than anything else. Say the word, and you’ll see whether he won’t disobey and reject your command.”
But the Lord knew Abraham was faithful through all his trials—leaving his homeland, facing famine, dealing with kings and their riches, having his wife taken from him, undergoing circumcision, and sending away Ishmael and Hagar.
Rising Action
YHWH tests Abraham
Genesis 22:1-2
Jasher 23:1-2
Jubilees 18:1-2
After these events, God tested Abraham. He called out, “Abraham.”
Abraham replied, “Here I am.”
And God said, “Take your son—your only son Isaac, whom you love—and go to the land of Moriah. Offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will show you. You will see a cloud and the glory of the Lord there.”
Abraham tells Sarah that he needs to take Isaac away
Jasher 23:3-19
Abraham thought to himself, “How can I take my son Isaac away from his mother Sarah to offer him as a burnt offering to the Lord?”
He went into the tent and sat down in front of Sarah. He said to her, “Our son Isaac has grown, and he hasn’t studied the service of God for a while. Tomorrow I will take him to Shem and Eber, his son, so they can teach him the ways of the Lord. There, he’ll learn to know God and understand that when he prays constantly, God will hear him. That way, he’ll learn how to serve the Lord.”
Sarah replied, “You’ve spoken well. Go, my lord, and do as you’ve said. But don’t take him too far away from me or keep him away too long, because my soul is bound up with his.”
Abraham said, “My dear, let us pray to the Lord our God, that He will be kind to us.”
That night, Sarah kept Isaac with her. She kissed him, held him, and gave him instructions until morning. She said, “Oh my son, how can I let you go?”
She kept embracing and kissing him, then gave Abraham final instructions for him. She said, “My lord, please watch over our son. I have no other child—no son or daughter—but him. Don’t leave him. If he’s hungry, give him bread; if he’s thirsty, give him water. Don’t let him walk, don’t let him sit in the sun, and don’t let him travel alone. Don’t force him to do anything. Just do whatever he asks.”
Sarah wept bitterly through the night for Isaac and gave him more instructions until morning. Then she chose a fine and beautiful garment from her wardrobe—one that Abimelech had given her—and dressed Isaac in it. She placed a turban on his head and set a precious stone at the top. She packed food for the journey, and then Isaac set out with his father Abraham. Some of their servants went with them to see them off.
Sarah also walked with them for a while to say goodbye. When they told her, “Return to the tent,” she heard Isaac speak and began to cry bitterly. Abraham wept too, and Isaac wept with them. The others who were with them also cried deeply.
Sarah grabbed Isaac, held him tightly in her arms, and wept with him. She said, “Who knows if I’ll ever see you again after today?”
They all cried together—Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, and everyone who accompanied them. Then Sarah turned back, still weeping bitterly, and all her male and female servants returned with her to the tent.
Day: 13
Abraham leaves with Isaac, Ishmael, and Eliezar
Genesis 22:3
Jasher 23:20-21
Jubilees 18:3
Abraham saddled his donkey and set out with his son Isaac to offer him to the Lord, just as God had commanded. He took 2 young men with him—his son Ishmael and his servant Eliezer—and they all traveled together. As they walked along the road, the young men began talking among themselves.
Ishmael talks with Eliezer
Jasher 23:22-24
Ishmael said to Eliezer, “Now that my father Abraham is taking Isaac to offer him as a burnt offering to the Lord, when he comes back, he’ll give me everything he owns as his firstborn.”
But Eliezer replied, “Remember, Abraham sent you and your mother away and swore that you wouldn’t inherit anything from him. Who else would he leave his possessions to but me—his loyal servant—who’s been faithful in his house, who’s served him day and night, and done everything he’s asked? I’m the one he’ll leave everything to when he dies.”
Abraham’s conversation with Satan
Jasher 23:25-28
As Abraham and Isaac were walking, Satan appeared to Abraham in the form of a very old man with a humble and sorrowful look. He came up to Abraham and said, “Are you foolish or lacking in sense, that you’re going to do this to your only son? God gave him to you in your old age—will you really kill him today even though he’s done nothing wrong? Will you let your son’s life be taken for no reason? Don’t you realize that this can’t be from the Lord? God wouldn’t command a man to kill his own child.”
Abraham recognized that this was Satan trying to divert him from God’s path, and he refused to listen. He rebuked Satan, who then left.
Isaac’s conversation with Satan
Jasher 23:29-34a
Satan came again, this time to Isaac, disguised as a handsome young man. He approached Isaac and said, “Don’t you understand that your old and foolish father is bringing you to be slaughtered today for nothing? Don’t listen to him. He’s just a foolish old man. Don’t let your valuable life and good looks be wasted.”
Isaac turned to Abraham and said, “Father, did you hear what that man just said to me? That’s what he said.”
Abraham replied, “Watch out for him. Don’t listen to his words or pay him any attention. That’s Satan, trying to lead us away today from obeying God’s commands.”
Abraham rebuked Satan again, and Satan left. Realizing he couldn’t stop them, he hid himself and went ahead of them on the road.
Satan transforms into a deep brook of water
Jasher 23:34b-40
Satan then transformed into a large brook that blocked the road. When Abraham, Isaac, and the 2 young men reached the spot, they saw a stream of water as wide and powerful as a river. They stepped into it, and the water came up to their legs. As they continued, it reached their necks, and they were all frightened.
But Abraham recognized the area and realized there hadn’t been any water there before. He said to Isaac, “I know this place. There was no brook or water here. This is Satan again, trying to stop us from obeying God today.”
Abraham said to Satan, “The Lord rebuke you, Satan! Leave us! We are following the commands of God.”
At the sound of Abraham’s voice, Satan was terrified and fled. The place immediately returned to dry land, just as it had been before. Abraham continued on with Isaac to the place God had shown him.
Day: 16
Their destination is near
Genesis 22:4
Jasher 23:41-47a
On the 3rd day, Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance that God had told him about.
A pillar of fire stretched from the earth to the heavens, and a cloud of glory rested on the mountain. The glory of the Lord could be seen in the cloud. Abraham said to Isaac, “My son, do you see what I see on that mountain in the distance?”
Isaac replied, “I see it—a pillar of fire, a cloud, and the glory of the Lord in the cloud.”
Abraham knew then that Isaac was accepted by the Lord as a burnt offering. He turned to Eliezer and Ishmael and said, “Do you see what we see on that mountain?”
They answered, “We see nothing but a mountain like any other.”
Abraham knew then that they were not chosen to go any farther with him.
Everyone but Abraham and Isaac stays behind
Genesis 22:5
Jasher 23:47b-48
Jubilees 18:4
They reached a well, and Abraham said to the young men, “Stay here with the donkey. The boy and I will go up there to worship, and then we’ll return to you.”
So Eliezer and Ishmael stayed behind as Abraham had instructed.
Climax
Abraham prepares to sacrifice Isaac
Genesis 22:6-8
Jasher 23:49-58
Jubilees 18:5-7
Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac. He carried the fire and the knife himself, and the two of them walked on together. Isaac spoke to his father Abraham, saying, “My father.”
Abraham answered, “Here I am, my son.”
Isaac said, “Look, we have the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?”
Abraham replied, “My son, God will provide the lamb for the burnt offering.”
So the two of them continued on together.
Then Isaac said to his father, “I will do everything the Lord has told you, with joy and a cheerful heart.”
Abraham said to him again, “Is there anything in your heart—any thought or plan about this—that’s not right? Please, tell me, my son. Don’t hide it from me.”
Isaac answered, “O my father, as the Lord lives and as your soul lives, there is nothing in my heart that would make me stray to the right or to the left from what God has told you. Not a limb or muscle in me has moved because of this, and there is no evil thought or plan in my heart. I am joyful and cheerful about it, and I say, ‘Blessed is the Lord who has chosen me today to be a burnt offering before Him.’”
Abraham was overjoyed at Isaac’s words, and the two of them continued on and arrived at the place God had told them about. Abraham began building the altar, weeping as he did. Isaac gathered stones and mortar until they finished building the altar.
Isaac is placed on the altar
Genesis 22:9-10
Jasher 23:59-65
Jubilees 18:8
They reached the place God had shown them. Abraham built the altar, arranged the wood, tied up his son Isaac, and laid him on top of the wood.
Isaac said, “Bind me securely before you place me on the altar, so I don’t move or jerk away when the knife touches me, which would ruin the offering.”
Abraham did as Isaac asked. Then Isaac said, “O my father, after you kill me and burn me as an offering, please take my ashes to my mother Sarah and tell her, ‘This is the sweet-smelling offering of Isaac.’ But don’t tell her if she’s near a well or on a high place, or she might throw herself down and die.”
When Abraham heard Isaac say this, he cried out loud and wept. His tears poured down onto Isaac, and Isaac cried bitterly too. Isaac said to his father, “Please hurry, my father, and carry out the will of the Lord our God just as He commanded you.”
Both Abraham and Isaac felt joy in their hearts for obeying God’s command, even though their eyes were full of tears. Abraham bound Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. Isaac stretched out his neck before his father, and Abraham reached for the knife to offer his son as a burnt sacrifice to the Lord.
The angels intervene
Jasher 23:66-68
Jubilees 18:9
At that moment, the angels of mercy came before the Lord and pleaded for Isaac, saying, “O Lord, you are merciful and compassionate over everything you’ve created in heaven and on earth. You support them all. Please provide a ransom and a substitute for your servant Isaac. Have pity and show compassion to Abraham and his son Isaac, who are obeying your command today. Lord, have you seen how Isaac, the son of your servant Abraham, is bound and ready to be slaughtered like an animal? Let your mercy be stirred on their behalf, O Lord.”
Then the angel of the Lord stood in front of Him, and in front of the prince Mastêmâ, and the Lord said, “Stop him. Don’t let him lay a hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that he fears the Lord.”
The angel of YHWH stops Abraham
Genesis 22:11-12
Jasher 23:69
Jubilees 18:10-11
The angel of the Lord called to Abraham from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham.”
Abraham was terrified and answered, “Here I am.”
The angel said, “Do not lay a hand on the boy or do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.”
Falling Action
Abraham sacrifices a ram instead
Genesis 22:13-14
Jasher 23:70-75
Jubilees 18:12-13
The prince Mastêmâ was humiliated. Abraham looked up and saw a ram caught by its horns in a thicket. This was the same ram that the Lord God had created on the day He made the earth and the heavens.
God had prepared that ram long ago to be used as a burnt offering in place of Isaac. The ram had been approaching Abraham, but Satan grabbed it and tangled its horns in the thicket to prevent it from reaching him, hoping Abraham would go ahead and sacrifice his son. But Abraham saw the ram, and seeing that Satan was restraining it, he went over, freed it, brought it to the altar, untied Isaac, and placed the ram in his son’s place. Abraham killed the ram on the altar and offered it instead of Isaac.
Abraham sprinkled some of the ram’s blood on the altar and said, “This is in place of my son; may it be accepted this day before the Lord as if it were the blood of my son.”
Every part of the altar service Abraham performed that day, he said, “This is in place of my son; may it be accepted before the Lord as if it were my son.”
Abraham completed the entire service at the altar, and it was accepted by the Lord as if Isaac had been offered. And the Lord blessed Abraham and his descendants that day.
Abraham named that place Jehovahjireh, meaning “The Lord has seen.” And it is still said today, “On the mountain of the Lord it will be seen”—referring to Mount Zion.
The angel of YHWH blesses Abraham
Genesis 22:15-18
Jubilees 18:14-16
The angel of the Lord called to Abraham from heaven a second time and said, “By myself I have sworn, says the Lord: because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you. I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heavens and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will possess the gates of their enemies. Through your descendants, all the nations of the earth will be blessed—because you obeyed my voice. I have shown everyone that you are faithful to me in all that I commanded you. Go in peace.”
Sarah’s conversation with Satan and Sarah’s death
Jasher 23:76-86
Meanwhile, Satan went to Sarah and appeared to her as a very humble and gentle old man. At that time, Abraham was still offering the burnt sacrifice before the Lord. Satan said to her, “Do you know what Abraham has done today with your only son? He took Isaac, built an altar, killed him, and offered him up as a sacrifice. Isaac cried and wept before his father, but Abraham showed no pity and didn’t look at him.”
Satan kept repeating these words and then left. Sarah believed he was just an old man who had been with her son and had come to tell her what happened. She raised her voice, cried loudly, and fell to the ground, throwing dust on her head. She said, “O my son, Isaac, my son—if only I had died today instead of you!”
She kept weeping and said, “It hurts me, my son, my son Isaac—if only I had died in your place today.”
Still weeping, she said, “It hurts after raising you and bringing you up. Now my joy has turned into mourning. I longed for you and prayed for you until I gave birth to you at 90 years old. And now, this day, you’ve been given over to the knife and the fire as an offering. But I comfort myself that it was the Lord’s command, and you fulfilled God’s word. Who can disobey the command of our God, who holds every living soul in His hands? You are just, O Lord our God—everything you do is good and right. I rejoice in your word, even as my eyes weep bitterly.”
Sarah laid her head on a servant’s chest and became still as a stone. Later she rose up and began searching. She went to Hebron, asking everyone she met on the road if they had seen her son, but no one could tell her what happened. She and her servants arrived in Kireath-arba, which is Hebron, and she asked about her son. She stayed there and sent some of her servants to find out where Abraham and Isaac had gone. They looked for him in the house of Shem and Eber, but he wasn’t there. They searched the whole land, but still couldn’t find him.
Then Satan returned to Sarah, again in the form of an old man, and stood before her, saying, “I lied to you—Abraham didn’t kill his son, and Isaac is still alive.” When Sarah heard that, her joy was so overwhelming that her soul left her, and she died and was gathered to her people.
Resolution
Day: 20
Abraham returns to Beersheba by the Well of the Oath
Genesis 22:19
Jasher 23:87
Jubilees 18:17
Abraham returned to his young men, and they all rose and went together to Beersheba. Abraham settled there by the Well of the Oath.
A new festival established
Jubilees 18:18-19
He celebrated this event every year for 7 days with joy, and he called it the Festival of the Lord. It matched the 7 days during which he went and returned safely. This has been ordained and written on the heavenly tablets for Israel and its descendants to observe this 7-day festival with joy each year.
Abraham and Isaac weep over Sarah
Jasher 23:88-90
Abraham searched for Sarah but couldn’t find her. He asked around and was told, “She went to Hebron looking for you and Isaac—someone told her you went there.”
So Abraham and Isaac went to Hebron. When they found that Sarah had died, they wept loudly and bitterly over her. Isaac threw himself on his mother’s face and cried, “O my mother, my mother—why have you left me? Where have you gone? O how, how have you left me?”
Abraham and Isaac cried deeply, and all their servants mourned with them. They grieved for Sarah with heavy sorrow.