The Testament of Isaac is a work now regarded as part of the Old Testament
apocrypha
Apocrypha () are biblical or related writings not forming part of the accepted canon of scripture, some of which might be of doubtful authorship or authenticity. In Christianity, the word ''apocryphal'' (ἀπόκρυφος) was first applied to ...
. It is often treated as one of a trio of very similar works, the other two of which are the
Testament of Abraham and
Testament of Jacob, though there is no reason to assume that they were originally a single work. All three works are based on the
Blessing of Jacob, found in the Bible, in their style.
There is no definite date for the writing of this work, but is believed that it was written between 200AD and 400AD.
It is believed that the book was written in
Coptic, although versions exist in Arabic.
[Google Books website, ''The Apocryphal Old Testament, Volume 1'', by Hedley Frederick Davis Sparks, pp.423-439]
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Content
The Testament of Isaac has heavy Christian themes, though the Christian
A Christian () is a person who follows or adheres to Christianity, a Monotheism, monotheistic Abrahamic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus in Christianity, Jesus Christ. Christians form the largest religious community in the wo ...
elements are usually regarded as later additions to what was originally a purely Jew
Jews (, , ), or the Jewish people, are an ethnoreligious group and nation, originating from the Israelites of ancient Israel and Judah. They also traditionally adhere to Judaism. Jewish ethnicity, religion, and community are highly inte ...
ish work. The Testament begins with Isaac being told of his impending death by an angel
An angel is a spiritual (without a physical body), heavenly, or supernatural being, usually humanoid with bird-like wings, often depicted as a messenger or intermediary between God (the transcendent) and humanity (the profane) in variou ...
, and his message to his son in response. Isaac here is portrayed as foretelling both the Twelve Tribes of Israel and Jesus
Jesus (AD 30 or 33), also referred to as Jesus Christ, Jesus of Nazareth, and many Names and titles of Jesus in the New Testament, other names and titles, was a 1st-century Jewish preacher and religious leader. He is the Jesus in Chris ...
, the latter being a later Christian addition to the text. When a crowd assembles, Isaac gives a sermon about harmonious behaviour, as well as instruction on how to confess.hell
In religion and folklore, hell is a location or state in the afterlife in which souls are subjected to punishment after death. Religions with a linear divine history sometimes depict hells as eternal destinations, such as Christianity and I ...
according to the author), and then meeting the deceased Abraham. At this point Isaac is not quite dead, and so returns to earth, and on the instruction of Abraham, writes down his Testament, and then dies and returns to heaven in a flying chariot
A chariot is a type of vehicle similar to a cart, driven by a charioteer, usually using horses to provide rapid Propulsion, motive power. The oldest known chariots have been found in burials of the Sintashta culture in modern-day Chelyabinsk O ...
, much like Abraham in his Testament.JStor website, ''The Sahidic Version of the Testament of Isaac'', translated by K. H. Kuhn, published in ''The Journal of Theological Studies'', New Series, Vol. 8, No. 2 (October 1957), pp. 225-239
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Chapter 1
Opening - Isaac addresses his son Jacob and others with words of
instruction.
Chapter 2
God sends an angel (the same one who visited Abraham) to bring Isaac to heaven. Isaac believes this is his father, Abraham, but the angel corrects him.
Chapter 3
Isaac tells the angel he is worried about his son Jacob. The angel tells Isaac that the whole family is blessed; he then instructs Isaac to write down instructions for the family. Jacob hears this conversation.
Chapter 4
The angel returns to heaven. Isaac knows he will die the same day and Jacob tells him that he has heard everything. Isaac tells Jacob that in the future, in forty-two generations time, Christ will be born of a virgin
called Mary. He goes on to prophesy Christ's death and resurrection, the twelve disciples and the eucharist.
Chapter 5
Short narration of Isaac's life of fasting and prayer.
Chapter 6
Isaac gives instructions on clean speech and sacrifice to God.
Chapter 7
Isaac gives instructions to priests and general instructions for all men.
Chapter 8
The angel returns and takes Isaac to another realm where he sees sinners being punished.
Chapter 9
Isaac sees more sinners being punished.
Chapter 10
The angel takes Isaac to heaven where he meets Abraham and they visit God. God tells Abraham that all those who follow the testament of Abraham will be saved. Abraham and God discuss the best way to do this. God says that the best way is to give a sacrifice, by being compassionate and sharing with the poor. God says that the power of God, God's Son and the Holy Spirit will be with such people.
Chapter 11
The heavens worship God. God, the archangel Michael and Abraham then visit Isaac in his home.
Chapter 12
Isaac and Abraham hug. God says that in the future, He will become a man and die and rise on the third day. Isaac warns Jacob not to dishonour God. Isaac then dies and goes to heaven.
Chapter 13
The writer notes that Isaac died on the twenty-fourth of the month of Mesore. He also notes that any man who performs an act of mercy in the
name of Isaac or Abraham will be blessed.
See also
* Testaments of the Three Patriarchs
References
{{Christian-book-stub
Isaac
Apocrypha
1st-century books
2nd-century books
Old Testament pseudepigrapha
Jewish apocrypha
Apocalyptic literature
Texts in Koine Greek
Roman Egypt