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Meaning of the Name Isaac

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Meaning of the Name Isaac
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Old Testament Cultural Insights

Avram Shannon

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Contents

An Ancient Concept of Heredity
Angels
Authorship
Babylon
Beth-el
The Book of Leviticus
Camels
Categories of Animals
Cherubim
Child Sacrifice in the Old Testament
Circumcision
Deferential Speech
Esau and Edom
Firmament
Giants
Glory of the Lord
Gopher Wood
Hebrew
Hospitality
Introduction to Genesis
The Mark and Curse of Cain
Matzebot
Meaning of the Name Isaac
Melchizedek
Moab
Moses 1
Names and Covenants: Abraham and Sarah
Names of God
Polygamy
Pottage
Satan
Shekel
Shinar
Slavery
Sons of God
Soul
Symbolic Meaning of the Name Adam
Symbolic Meaning of the Name Eve
Symbolic Meaning of the Name Noah
Tree of Life
Tribe of Asher
Tribe of Benjamin
Tribe of Dan
Tribe of Gad
Tribe of Issachar
Tribe of Naphtali
Twelve Tribes of Israel
Urim and Thummim
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Contents

An Ancient Concept of Heredity
Angels
Authorship
Babylon
Beth-el
The Book of Leviticus
1 2 … 8 Next »

Avram Shannon, “Meaning of the Name Isaac,” in Old Testament Cultural Insights, ed. Taylor Halverson (Springville, UT: Book of Mormon Central, 2022).

Isaac comes from a Hebrew root that means “to laugh.” This word can mean both positive and negative laughter. It encompasses the laughter of joy and rejoicing, the laughter of disbelief, the laughter of derision, and even the private laughter of a married couple. The authors and editors of Genesis used the variety of meanings in this Hebrew root to produce numerous puns on Isaac’s name: When Abraham first heard the promise that Sarah would have a son, he fell on his face and laughed (Genesis 17:17). Likewise, when the three visiting strangers reiterated this promise, Sarah laughed, and Jehovah called her out for it (Genesis 18:9–15). She specifically referenced this when naming the baby, stating, “God hath made me to laugh, so that all that hear will laugh with me” (Genesis 21:6). In Genesis 21:9, the Hebrew word used for Ishmael’s “mocking” Isaac is the same root referencing laughter. Likewise, when the Philistine king Abimelech saw Isaac and Rebekah together “sporting,” it is the same root word used (Genesis 26:8).

Related Verses

Genesis 17:17
Genesis 18:12–15
Genesis 21:6
Genesis 21:9
Genesis 26:8

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