The consent of Isaac

Abstract

Christian tradition insists that in the sacrifice of Isaac the sacrifice of Christ is foreshadowed. But how can this be? Christ consents to his treatment – Isaac does not. Jewish and Islamic authorities represent Isaac (or Ismail) rather differently and these representations, read alongside the Gospel accounts of Christ’s Passion, suggest that there is unanimity among the Abrahamic faiths in rejecting the slaughter of innocents as a means of redeeming the world.