How did the "Children of Abraham" see sacrificing children?

Sacrifices of children, "first fruits", only child in particular, Near East

 

               Sacrifices, not only human sacrifices, but the sacrifice of children and particularly the first born were of common acceptance in the near east from time immemorial. ( The Bible, Gilgamesh, Homer, to mention a few well known publications substantiate this.)  From the Bible, almost the first thing the first born men (Cain and Abel, Genesis 4:3) did, according to legend and/or text is to make an offering.

 

"Children of Abraham"

When those who deemed themselves to be the "Children of Abraham", who did not believe in sacrificing children, were asked why they did not sacrifice children they would respond with a parable still published today in several collections of books and stories. It is still being published in an included book called Genesis (chapter 22, verses 1-19)under the cover title "The Holy Bible".  It can also be found in the Jewish scriptures (Torah, etc.) and is referred to in the Islamic Readings.  (It is celebrated in the Islamic tradition as Eid al-Adha right after Hagg around the world.) (An animal is supposed to be sacrificed.)

*Abraham's first born named Ismael, according to the Torah and other "scriptural publications" was the son of his second wife Hagar, one of his wife's slaves. (Genesis 16) Ishmael was purportedly the father of the Arabs, later, after Mohammed, to become Islam.  Still, in this story, Genesis names Izaac as Abraham's "only son"(whom he loved).(Genesis 22)  As I say, disagreement is culpable.

 

 

            Understanding this story is aided by knowing something of the story's characters.  (Let other scholars debate whether Abraham was a actual character or a combination of personalities).   The story of Abraham is told in this Book of Genesis (translation of Hebrew word Genesis meaning more or less "In the beginning")  Abram (later named Abraham, purportedly by his deity) first appears in Genesis chapter 11, verse 20.

The Story

            By Genesis chapter 22 Abraham's character and situation have been established as well as possible, to be approximately 112 years old (believed to be normally past child generating age) and with only one child, a son.  The son's name is a bone of contention to say the least between Islamic and Jewish traditions as mentioned earlier, but as an illustration of the belief in sacrifice of children, especially first born, maybe especially only begottens, this debate does not change the belief statement about child sacrifice.

            The Story is already abbreviated to its bare bones in the Book of Genesis, I fully urge you have not read it to read it, those who have read it to re-read it preferably several times until you can feel the feelings between  Abraham, the central character, and both his son and his deity.  The story is also told, tinged by the oral tradition, by Josephus, a Jewish/Roman historian published about 70 AD ("Antiquities of the Jews").  He tells the story more elaborately saying that when the boy realized he was the impending sacrifice, he said something like, "Great, Dad. If that's what you want, and that's what God wants, then that's what I want.  Let's get it on!"

            Bob Dylan tried to modernize the story (or at least refers to it) in a song called Hi-Way  61, if you're interested.

Summary:  Despite ancient traditions, the people designated "Sons of Abraham" could in ancient times, when first fruit and child sacrifice were common, and thereafter, by telling this story, explain why they were not required to sacrifice their children (Abraham wasn't), especially only-begotten and first-borns, especially if you were beyond probable child generating age.  You should be dedicated to the deity enough to do it, but the deity did not require or desire it.

Notes:

"The Five Books Of Moses", by Robert Alter (2004) is probably my favorite translation/discussion of this story.

Reference is also taken from a number of talks and sermons from various Bible scholars, Christian ministers, rabbis, and Islamic scholars that were not transcribed.

Jewish tradition, as well as the story in the scriptures mentioned, holds the son involved to be Isaac (It-zack), progenitor of Jacob and Jacob's 12 sons (tribes Of Israel).

            Other sacrifices made by Abraham are recorded in Genesis, including a very elaborate living sacrifice (not human) made at the event of "sealing" a contract (Chapter 15). This was augmented later by circumcision of all hands including "slaves born in the household and slaves bought with your money from strangers."  (Genesis 17:25)

 

            This is how the Children of Abraham explained to themselves and others that they loved their deity enough to sacrifice their children, but their polynistic deity neither required nor allowed it.   Does this mean that none of them ever did it?  According to all texts, they were always wandering away from "the will of God."

 

                        For next time:  Just what is a sacrifice anyway?  Why give sacrifices?

            I can't believe how many reasons are given.