Chapter 01
Ancient Judaea (4000 – 1040 B.C.)
03.01.00.A. THE SACRIFICE OF ISAAC by Godfrey Durand. 1896. Abraham, depicted as holding the knife to sacrifice his one and only son, is the recognized father of Judaism and Christianity. While human sacrifice is strictly forbidden in the Bible, in the pre-biblical period of Abraham, it was a common practice. This event challenged Abraham’s faith to see if he was prepared to do anything for God – a profound test of devotion. However, unknown to him, God never intended to have Isaac sacrificed.