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for that this would best manifest his religious disposition
towards him； if he preferred what was pleasing to God； before the
preservation of his own son。
2。 Now Abraham thought that it was not right to disobey God in
any thing； but that he was obliged to serve him in every
circumstance of life； since all creatures that live enjoy their
life by his providence； and the kindness he bestows on them。
Accordingly he concealed this command of God； and his own
intentions about the slaughter of his son； from his wife； as also
from every one of his servants； otherwise he should have been
hindered from his obedience to God； and he took Isaac； together
with two of his servants； and laying what things were necessary
for a sacrifice upon an ass； he went away to the mountain。 Now
the two servants went along with him two days； but on the third
day； as soon as he saw the mountain； he left those servants that
were with him till then in the plain； and； having his son alone
with him； he came to the mountain。 It was that mountain upon
which king David afterwards built the temple。 （28） Now they had
brought with them every thing necessary for a sacrifice；
excepting the animal that was to be offered only。 Now Isaac was
twenty…five years old。 And as he was building the altar； he asked
his father what he was about to offer； since there was no animal
there for an oblation ： … to which it was answered； 〃That God
would provide himself an oblation； he being able to make a
plentiful provision for men out of what they have not； and to
deprive others of what they already have； when they put too much
trust therein； that therefore； if God pleased to be present and
propitious at this sacrifice； he would provide himself an
oblation。〃
3。 As soon as the altar was prepared； and Abraham had laid on the
wood； and all things were entirely ready； he said to his son； 〃O
son； I poured out a vast number of prayers that I might have thee
for my son； when thou wast come into the world； there was nothing
that could contribute to thy support for which I was not greatly
solicitous； nor any thing wherein I thought myself happier than
to see thee grown up to man's estate； and that I might leave thee
at my death the successor to my dominion； but since it was by
God's will that I became thy father； and it is now his will that
I relinquish thee； bear this consecration to God with a generous
mind； for I resign thee up to God who has thought fit now to
require this testimony of honor to himself； on account of the
favors he hath conferred on me； in being to me a supporter and
defender。 Accordingly thou； my son； wilt now die； not in any
common way of going out of the world； but sent to God； the Father
of all men； beforehand； by thy own father； in the nature of a
sacrifice。 I suppose he thinks thee worthy to get clear of this
world neither by disease； neither by war； nor by any other severe
way； by which death usually comes upon men； but so that he will
receive thy soul with prayers and holy offices of religion； and
will place thee near to himself； and thou wilt there be to me a
succorer and supporter in my old age； on which account I
principally brought thee up； and thou wilt thereby procure me God
for my Comforter instead of thyself。〃
4。 Now Isaac was of such a generous disposition as became the son
of such a father； and was pleased with this discourse； and said；
〃That he was not worthy to be born at first； if he should reject
the determination of God and of his father； and should not resign
himself up readily to both their pleasures； since it would have
been unjust if he had not obeyed； even if his father alone had so
resolved。〃 So he went immediately to the altar to be sacrificed。
And the deed had been done if God had not opposed it； for he
called loudly to Abraham by his name； and forbade him to slay his
son； and said； 〃It was not out of a desire of human blood that he
was commanded to slay his son； nor was he willing that he should
be taken away from him whom he had made his father； but to try
the temper of his mind； whether he would be obedient to such a
command。 Since therefore he now was satisfied as to that his
alacrity； and the surprising readiness he showed in this his
piety； he was delighted in having bestowed such blessings upon
him； and that he would not be wanting in all sort of concern
about him； and in bestowing other children upon him； and that his
son should live to a very great age； that he should live a happy
life； and bequeath a large principality to his children； who
should be good and legitimate。〃 He foretold also； that his family
should increase into many nations （29） and that those patriarchs
should leave behind them an everlasting name； that they should
obtain the possession of the land of Canaan； and be envied by all
men。 When God had said this； he produced to them a ram； which did
not appear before； for the sacrifice。 So Abraham and Isaac
receiving each other unexpectedly； and having obtained the
promises of such great blessings； embraced one another； and when
they had sacrificed； they returned to Sarah； and lived happily
together； God affording them his assistance in all things they
desired。
CHAPTER 14。
Concerning Sarah Abraham's Wife； And How She
Ended Her Days。
Now Sarah died a little while after； having lived one hundred and
twenty…seven years。 They buried her in Hebron； the Canaanites
publicly allowing them a burying…place； which piece of ground
Abraham bought for four hundred shekels； of Ephron； an inhabitant
of Hebron。 And both Abraham and his descendants built themselves
sepulchers in that place。
CHAPTER 15。
How The Nation Of The Troglodytes Were Derived From Abraham By
Keturah。
Abraham after this married Keturah； by whom six sons were born to
him； men of courage； and of sagacious minds： Zambran； and Jazar；
and Madan； and Madian； and Josabak； and Sous。 Now the sons of
Sous were Sabathan and Dadan。 The sons of Dadan were Latusim； and
Assur； and Luom。 The sons of Madiau were Ephas； and Ophren； and
Anoch； and Ebidas； and Eldas。 Now； for all these sons and
grandsons； Abraham contrived to settle them in colonies； and they
took possession of Troglodytis； and the country of Arabia the
Happy； as far as it reaches to the Red Sea。 It is related of this
Ophren； that he made war against Libya； and took it； and that his
grandchildren； when they inhabited it； called it （from his name）
Africa。 And indeed Alexander Polyhistor gives his attestation to
what I here say； who speaks thus： 〃Cleodemus the prophet； who was
also called Malchus； who wrote a History of the Jews； in
agreement with the History of Moses； their legislator； relates；
that there were many sons born to Abraham by Keturah： nay； he
names three of them； Apher； and Surim； and Japhran。 That from
Surim was the land of Assyria denominated； and that from the
other two （Apher and Japbran） the country of Africa took its
name； because these men were auxiliaries to Hercules； when he
fought against Libya and Antaeus； and that Hercules married
Aphra's daughter； and of her he begat a son； Diodorus； and that
Sophon was his son； from whom that barbarous people called
Sophacians were denom