Sacrifice of the Son or Sons?: Genesis 22 and the Question of Child Sacrifice in Ancient Israel

Abstract

Among the many stories about Abraham in the biblical book of Genesis, there is one text in particular that has intrigued or irritated commentators, the story of Abraham’s sacrifice in Genesis 22. There is little doubt that this text has to do with the question of human sacrifice in ancient Israel and Judah. This question was apparently topical at the time when the story of Abraham’s sacrifice came to light. The article will show the evidence for the practice of human sacrifice in ancient Israel, as well as strategies for putting an end to such practices.