Second patriarch; son of Abraham and Sarah. He was the child of
a miracle, for at the time of his birth his mother, hitherto
childless, was ninety years old, and his father a hundred. By
the command of God the child was named "Isaac" (; in poetical
language = "laughter"), because Abraham had, covertly, laughed
in incredulity when, a year previously, he had received the
promise of God that a son would be born to him by Sarah (Gen.
xvii. 17); so also did Sarah as, standing at the door of the
tent, she heard the promise reiterated by the angel (Gen. xviii.
12). Isaac was circumcised when he was eight days old, and at
his weaning the parents manifested their joy by giving a great
feast. As a solicitous mother Sarah urged Abraham to send away
Ishmael, his son by the servant-maid Hagar, whom she had seen
mocking Isaac. At first Abraham hesitated, but at the command of
God he complied with the wish of his wife; Isaac was thus
declared the sole heir of his father.Birth of Jacob and Esau. A
critical event in Isaac's l