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Name means
Laughter
Role
Son of promise; patriarch
When
c. 1900 BC (traditional)

What they did

Born to Abraham and Sarah in their old age. He was laid on the altar on mount Moriah, where God provided a ram in his place; he married Rebekah and fathered Esau and Jacob.

Why it matters: the purpose of their role

The covenant promises passed to Isaac, the child of promise. His near-sacrifice foreshadows God giving His own Son.

And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and will give unto thy seed all these countries; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; Genesis 26:4 (KJV)

Bible references

And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him. Genesis 17:19 (KJV)
And Abraham called the name of his son that was born unto him, whom Sarah bare to him, Isaac. Genesis 21:3 (KJV)
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. Genesis 22:2 (KJV)
Sojourn in this land, and I will be with thee, and will bless thee; for unto thee, and unto thy seed, I will give all these countries, and I will perform the oath which I sware unto Abraham thy father; And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and will give unto thy seed all these countries; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; Genesis 26:3-4 (KJV)
Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise. Galatians 4:28 (KJV)
By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. Hebrews 11:20 (KJV)

Family

Father
Abraham
Mother
Sarah
Spouse(s)
Rebekah
Children
Esau, Jacob
Brothers / sisters
Ishmael (half-brother); sons of Keturah (half-brothers)

Lived 180 years (Genesis 35:28).

A fuller character study, with strengths, failures, lessons and a relationship diagram:

Open the character study