The Binding of Isaac A Religious Model of Disobedience

Traditional interpretations in both Judaism and Christianity argue that the Akedah presents not only an ethical question but also an ethical reply. But for the intervention of the angel, Abraham would have killed his son. Obedience to God take precedence over morality as humanly conceived. Yet, the angel of YHWH that appears to Abraham is a later addition to the text; thus, in the original narrative Abraham actually disobeys the divine command to slay his son, and sacrifices a ram instead. This book shows how the version of the narrative did not contain the angelic figure and re-examines various religious interpretations of the text to show that exegetes such as Maimonides and his followers did point out Abraham's disobedience.