Abstract
The Aqedah in Jewish tradition is an alleged theology for the sacrifice of Isaac which has an atoning concept and has influenced the atonement theology of the New Testament (NT), but it has not been proved by the NT. The purpose of this article is to investigate all verses in the NT that are alleged to refer to Abraham’s offering of Isaac. The reflections of Genesis 22 in the NT verses do not grant atoning power to the sacrifice of Isaac. Abraham’s portrait suggests Christ as the Beloved Son, but the vicarious death of Jesus on the Cross is unrelated to Isaac in Genesis 22. Isaac is the type of Christ only in the preparation of death. Jesus as the Tamid lamb (not as the Paschal lamb) refers to Genesis 22 without granting expiation of sin by Isaac. The resurrection motif as well as the promise-fulfilment scheme referring to Genesis 22 also does not validate the Aqedah. Thus, the NT does not assume the Aqedah.Keywords: Aqedah; sacrifice of Isaac; Genesis 22; canonical interpretation; typology; OT-NT relation, Jewish tradition, Jewish influence on the NT
Highlights
The Aqedah is a Jewish understanding of the sacrifice of Isaac (SI) in Genesis 22
The focus should be kept on the father
sacrificing his son is reflected in Romans 8:32
Summary
The Aqedah is a Jewish understanding of the sacrifice of Isaac (SI) in Genesis 22. Some scholars have argued that the Aqedah has an atoning concept and that it has influenced Jesus’ selfunderstanding of his own destiny as well as the Pauline theology of atonement in the New Testament (NT) (Daly 1977:74; Vermes 1961:223). Other scholars have claimed that the Aqedah is rather influenced by Christian theology (Davies & Chilton 1978:517) This dispute has a long history because it includes two important issues of understanding: the relationship between Judaism and Christianity, as well as the relationship between the Old and the New Testament.. When Abraham announced to Isaac that he is going to be sacrificed, Isaac is described to be willing and determined to be sacrificed as an act of piety He does consent to be sacrificed and requests to be bound (Fragmentary Tg Gn. 22:10). Midrashim Mekhilta shows that Isaac even sheds one quarter of blood and his blood is turned into ashes All of this emphasises the prominent role of Isaac in the story of the SI to grant Isaac an atoning function for Israel (Mekhilta Ex. 12:13; 32:13). The Aqedah became the paradigm for the suffering of Jesus (Vermes 1961:219–220)
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