Why Abraham Gave All That He Had to Isaac the Birthright

Midrash Aggadah, Genesis 25:5

Curated by Arthur·Told by Maggid·

"And Abraham gave all that he had to Isaac" — this is the birthright. Another interpretation: What did he give him? His blessing. Therefore it says "and he gave." "And Abraham again [took a wife]." And why is this passage juxtaposed to the one above? To tell you that if a person has a grown son, he must marry him off first, and afterward he himself may take a wife. "And Abraham gave" etc. Because the Holy One, blessed be He, said to him, "For in Isaac shall seed be called to you" (Genesis 21:12), therefore he gave him all that he had.

Themes

CovenantAbrahamPatriarchsBirthCreation

Biblical References

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Book of JubileesCovenant of Abraham of IsaacIn this ancient text, which some consider to be part of the broader Jewish apocrypha, we find a pivotal moment concerning Abraham, his wife Sarah, and a promiseBook of JubileesIsaac's Journey of AbrahamIsaac, son of Abraham, certainly knew that feeling. Our story picks up with him journeying towards Gerar, a Philistine territory, seeking refuge with King AbimeApocalypse of AbrahamGod Promises Abraham Descendants Like the StarsThe Eternal Mighty One said: "Abraham, Abraham!" "Here I am." "Look down at the stars beneath your feet. Count them for me. Make known to me their number." AbraLegends of the JewsThe Covenant With AbimelechIt's a story about covenants, wells, and the surprising ways God's presence is revealed in the world. After living among the Philistines for 26 years, Abraham mLegends of the JewsAngel Tears Fell on the Knife and Made It UselessThe familiar story centers on Abraham and Isaac, the binding, the near sacrifice. But the details, as the legends tell it, are astonishing. The scene: Abraham, Sefer Yetzirah Gra VersionGra at the Dawn of CreationThe Sefer Yetzirah, the "Book of Formation," is a short but incredibly dense mystical text that attempts to explain just that. It lays out a system where the 22