Why Isaac Was Named Yitzchak and the Letters of His Name

Midrash Aggadah, Genesis 17:18

Curated by Arthur·Told by Maggid·

"O that Ishmael might live before You" (Genesis 17:18). Abraham said: I do not want any to endure except Ishmael. The Holy One, blessed be He, answered him: Truly, "Sarah your wife shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac" (Genesis 17:19), for all will rejoice in him. And why was his name called Yitzchak? Yod (10) corresponds to the ten trials with which Abraham our father was tested, and he withstood them all. Tzadi (90), for Sarah was ninety years old at the time she bore him. Chet (8), for he was circumcised at eight, a son of eight days. Qof (100), corresponding to Abraham, who was a hundred years old when he was born to him.

Themes

PatriarchsAbrahamCreationFaithHumor

Biblical References

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Book of JubileesStory of AbrahamThe Book of Jubilees, a text not found in the canonical Tanakh, but considered sacred in some Jewish traditions. It retells much of Genesis and Exodus, but withBook of JubileesThe Binding of Isaac Retold in JubileesBook of Jubilees turns to The Binding of Isaac Retold in Jubilees. The familiar version gives us the basic story from Genesis 22. God commands Abraham to sacrifLegends of the JewsEphron Charged Abraham Four Hundred Silver ShekelsLegends of the Jews turns to Ephron Charged Abraham Four Hundred Silver Shekels. So, Sarah has passed, and Abraham needs a burial place. He approaches the ChildMekhilta DeRabbi YishmaelFlocks and Herds, a Great Crush of CattleWhen the Israelites finally left Egypt, they did not leave empty-handed. The Torah describes them departing with "flocks and herds, a great crush of cattle", a Targum OnkelosThree Angels Visit Abraham in OnkelosThe Hebrew Bible says God "appeared" to Abraham at the oaks of Mamre (Genesis 18:1). Targum Onkelos says God "became revealed." It sounds like the same thing. IMidrash AggadahWhy God Tested Abraham at the Binding of IsaacWhy does Scripture say the test came after these things? The word after always marks something set apart, and our sages opened two windows onto it. In the first