Topical Bible: Sacrifices were offered by the Patriarchs

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In the biblical narrative, sacrifices play a crucial role in the relationship between God and humanity, serving as acts of worship, atonement, and covenant. The patriarchs—Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—are depicted as offering sacrifices to God, establishing a pattern of devotion and obedience that is foundational to the faith of Israel.

Abraham

Abraham, the father of the Hebrew nation, is frequently associated with the practice of building altars and offering sacrifices. His journey of faith is marked by several key instances where he offers sacrifices to God. In Genesis 12:7, upon God's promise to give the land of Canaan to his descendants, Abraham builds an altar to the LORD. The Berean Standard Bible states, "Then the LORD appeared to Abram and said, 'I will give this land to your offspring.' So Abram built an altar there to the LORD, who had appeared to him."

One of the most significant sacrificial acts in Abraham's life is the binding of Isaac, known as the Akedah, in Genesis 22. God commands Abraham to offer his son Isaac as a burnt offering on Mount Moriah. Abraham's willingness to obey demonstrates his profound faith, and God intervenes by providing a ram as a substitute. Genesis 22:13 records, "Then Abraham looked up and saw behind him a ram in a thicket, caught by its horns. So he went and took the ram and offered it as a burnt offering in place of his son."

Isaac

Isaac, the son of Abraham, also participates in the tradition of sacrifice, though the biblical record of his offerings is less detailed. In Genesis 26:25, Isaac builds an altar at Beersheba after God reaffirms the covenant made with Abraham. The BSB notes, "So Isaac built an altar there and called on the name of the LORD, and he pitched his tent there. His servants also dug a well."

Jacob

Jacob, later named Israel, continues the practice of offering sacrifices, reflecting his encounters with God and his role as the father of the twelve tribes. In Genesis 31:54, after making a covenant with Laban, Jacob offers a sacrifice on the mountain. The BSB states, "Then Jacob offered a sacrifice on the mountain and invited his relatives to eat a meal. So they ate a meal and spent the night on the mountain."

Another significant moment occurs in Genesis 35:1-7, when God instructs Jacob to go to Bethel and build an altar. Jacob responds by purifying his household and offering sacrifices. Genesis 35:7 records, "There Jacob built an altar, and he called the place El-bethel, because it was there that God had revealed Himself to Jacob as he fled from his brother."

Significance

The sacrifices offered by the patriarchs are emblematic of their faith and obedience to God. These acts of worship not only signify their personal devotion but also foreshadow the sacrificial system that would later be established under the Mosaic Law. The patriarchal sacrifices underscore the themes of covenant, atonement, and divine provision, which are central to the biblical narrative and the unfolding plan of redemption.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Genesis 22:2,13
And he said, Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and get you into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering on one of the mountains which I will tell you of.
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Genesis 31:54
Then Jacob offered sacrifice on the mount, and called his brothers to eat bread: and they did eat bread, and tarried all night in the mount.
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Genesis 46:1
And Israel took his journey with all that he had, and came to Beersheba, and offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac.
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Job 1:5
And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually.
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Library

Whether a Suitable Cause Can be Assigned for the Ceremonies which ...
... the flesh of Christ; and the wine, His blood, whereby we were redeemed; oil betokens ...
Reply to Objection 14: Honey was not offered in the sacrifices to God ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether a suitable cause can.htm

Whether the Ceremonies of the Law were in Existence Before the Law ...
... ceremonies, because they were not as yet established by legislation. Reply to Objection
1: The patriarchs offered up these oblations, sacrifices and holocausts ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the ceremonies of the 2.htm

The Crucifixion
... All the old sacrifices, the lambs which were daily offered up to God in the Jewish
Temple, the lambs which Abel, and after him the patriarchs offered up, the ...
/.../kingsley/twenty-five village sermons/sermon xvi the crucifixion.htm

Book 3 Footnotes
... to me to have been the practice of God's people, patriarchs, Jews, and ... the days of
Pompey, according to the same Josephus, the sacrifices were offered in the ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/book 3 footnotes.htm

The Priesthood of Christ
... the Kingly offices, which also obtained among the holy patriarchs after the ... the unction
of the Holy Spirit, that, if they were offered as sacrifices to God ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/oration iv the priesthood of.htm

Of the Mass for the Dead.
... we have if forgiveness of sin were here offered us, and ... They were men, and could
err and be deceived ... sins, not freely by faith, but through sacrifices ex opere ...
/.../melanchthon/the apology of the augsburg confession/part 34 of the mass.htm

The Coming of a Deliverer
... Thus the sacrifices and the ordinances designed of Heaven ... Christ, the true Sacrifice,
was offered on Calvary ... the gospel; the disciples who were scattered abroad ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 58 the coming of.htm

Appendix
... were several altars upon which human sacrifices were occasionally offered when they ...
he revived: and these changes of condition were duly exhibited ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bullinger/commentary on revelation/appendix.htm

Scenes in the Lives of the Patriarchs.
... expostulating with his guest, generously offered him a ... their anniversary festivals,
which were hallowed by ... and affectionate father offering sacrifices on such ...
/.../headley/half hours in bible lands volume 2/scenes in the lives of.htm

The Woman and Dragon.
... Patriarchs and prophets"the messengers of the church"were stars in her crown of ... The
sacrifices which smoked on Jewish altars, were offered to Jehovah ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the woman and dragon.htm