ISAAC
His name means "laughter". Isaac was named because his mother Sarah laughed when told she would have a child in her old age.
"And Sarah said, God has made me laugh, so that all who hear will laugh with me." - Genesis 21:6
ABRAHAM
His father, the patriarch. Isaac was the promised son of Abraham, through whom God would establish His covenant.
"Then God said: No, Sarah your wife shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac." - Genesis 17:19
SARAH
His mother who bore him in old age. Sarah conceived Isaac when she was 90 years old, fulfilling God's promise.
"For Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him." - Genesis 21:2
MORIAH
The mountain where he was offered. Abraham took Isaac to Mount Moriah to offer him as a sacrifice, but God provided a ram instead.
"Then He said, Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah." - Genesis 22:2
ALTAR
What Abraham built on the mountain. Abraham built an altar on Mount Moriah and bound Isaac upon it before God intervened.
"And Abraham built an altar there and placed the wood in order; and he bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar." - Genesis 22:9
RAM
The substitute sacrifice God provided. God provided a ram caught in a thicket as a substitute for Isaac when Abraham showed his faith.
"Then Abraham lifted his eyes and looked, and there behind him was a ram caught in a thicket by its horns." - Genesis 22:13
REBEKAH
His wife chosen by God. Rebekah was chosen as Isaac's wife through the faithful service of Abraham's servant.
"And Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah's tent; and he took Rebekah and she became his wife." - Genesis 24:67
WELL
Where his servant found his wife. Abraham's servant met Rebekah at a well, where she showed kindness by watering his camels.
"Now it came to pass, before he had finished speaking, that behold, Rebekah came out with her pitcher on her shoulder." - Genesis 24:15
CAMELS
Animals that led to meeting Rebekah. Rebekah's willingness to water the camels was the sign the servant had prayed for.
"And she said, Drink, my lord. Then she quickly let her pitcher down to her hand, and gave him a drink." - Genesis 24:18
TWINS
His sons born together. Isaac's wife Rebekah gave birth to twins, Esau and Jacob, who struggled even in the womb.
"And the children struggled together within her; and she said, If all is well, why am I like this?" - Genesis 25:22
ESAU
His firstborn son, a hunter. Esau was born first, red and hairy, and became a skillful hunter whom Isaac loved.
"So the boys grew. And Esau was a skillful hunter, a man of the field; but Jacob was a mild man, dwelling in tents." - Genesis 25:27
JACOB
His younger son, who received the blessing. Jacob was the younger twin who received Isaac's blessing through deception, but God's plan prevailed.
"And his father Isaac said to him, Come near now and kiss me, my son." - Genesis 27:26
BLESSING
What he gave to his younger son. Isaac blessed Jacob thinking he was Esau, giving him the birthright and God's promises.
"Therefore may God give you of the dew of heaven, of the fatness of the earth, and plenty of grain and wine." - Genesis 27:28
BIRTHRIGHT
What Esau sold for stew. Esau sold his birthright to Jacob for a bowl of red stew when he was hungry.
"And Esau said to Jacob, Please feed me with that same red stew, for I am weary." - Genesis 25:30
GERAR
The land where he lived and prospered. Isaac lived in Gerar during a famine and was blessed by God with great prosperity.
"So Isaac dwelt in Gerar. Then Isaac sowed in that land, and reaped in the same year a hundredfold." - Genesis 26:6,12
FAMINE
The hardship that led him to Gerar. There was a famine in the land, so Isaac went to Gerar as God directed him.
"There was a famine in the land, besides the first famine that was in the days of Abraham. And Isaac went to Abimelech king of the Philistines, in Gerar." - Genesis 26:1
COVENANT
God's promise renewed with him. God appeared to Isaac and renewed the covenant He had made with Abraham.
"And the Lord appeared to him and said: Do not go down to Egypt; live in the land of which I shall tell you." - Genesis 26:2
BEERSHEBA
Where God appeared to him. God appeared to Isaac at Beersheba and confirmed His covenant promises.
"And the Lord appeared to him the same night and said, I am the God of your father Abraham; do not fear, for I am with you." - Genesis 26:24
MEDITATION
What he did in the field at evening. Isaac went out to meditate in the field at evening when he first saw Rebekah approaching.
"And Isaac went out to meditate in the field in the evening; and he lifted his eyes and looked, and there, the camels were coming." - Genesis 24:63
PROMISE
What God fulfilled through his birth. Isaac was the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham and Sarah for a son.
"But My covenant I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah shall bear to you at this set time next year." - Genesis 17:21