Scholarly Reflections
Daly, Robert J. "Part 2: From the Old Testament to the New. Chapter Four: The Sacrifice of Isaac." Christian Sacrifice: The Judaeo-Christian Background Before Origen. Washington, D.C.: The Catholic University of America Press, 1978, 175-186.
The incident from Genesis 22 speaking of the near sacrifice of Isaac was considered very important both in late Judaism and early Christianity. Daly observes its importance in terms of "(1) the rejection of human sacrifice; (2) the identification of Mt. Moriah with the site of the Jerusalem temple; (3) Abraham's faith obedience relationship with God" (Daly 1978, 175).
Daly considers the narrative to have originally been related to a sanctuary for human sacrifice, then to have been adapted by a redactor (the Elohist) for insertion into the Genesis narrative (Daly 1978, 175). Regardless of the etiology, the passage does establish Mount Moriah as a site of sacrifice, which is later associated with Jerusalem as the place of sacrifice. It also establishes the faith of Abraham in God (Daly 1978, 176).
Daly finds the passage discussed in the Targums, where there ae expansions for homiletical purposes. The passage about Isaac is connected with Passover, describing Isaac as mature, consenting to the offering, and being really presented to God before receiving a vision in conjunction with God's rescue (Daly 1978, 177).
Jubilees (late 2nd century B.C.) treats the event as a foreshadowing of Passover, having happened on Mount Zion on 15 Nisan (Daly 1978, 178). Philo's treatment of the event emphasizes the unity of Abraham and Isaac and God's acceptance of the offering based on Abraham's obedience. IV Maccabees sees the sacrifice of Abraham and Isaac "as models for the Jewish martyrs" (Daly 1978, 179). Jophus describes it in similar terms, and, in Daly's opinion, in the terms which were generally adopted into Christian thought. By the time of the New Testament the common Jewish thought made the offering of Isaac into an event which made all other sacrifices effectual (Daly 1978, 180).
The New Testament makes little reference to the offering of Isaac. here are only a few other references, as well as a number of possible allusions. Daly considers Hebrews 11:17-20 to be a significant and direct passage (Daly 1978, 181), along with James 2:21 and Romans 8:32. In these passages Abraham's offering of Isaac is considered in terms of God's giving of his only son (Daly 1978, 182). Daly further considers the statements of Christ as the "only son" to normally allude to the offering of Isaac.