Fear of Isaac

Sources

AND THE FEAR OF ISAAC. Isaac’s fear of the Lord aided me, for the merits of a father help his son.

Ibn Ezra on Genesis 31:42:1

AND THE FEAR OF ISAAC HAD BEEN ON MY SIDE. “He did not want to say “G-d of Isaac” because G-d does not associate His name with the righteous during their lifetime. Although G-d said to Jacob when he was departing from the Land of Israel, I am the Eternal, the G-d of Abraham thy father and the G-d of Isaac, this was because Isaac’s eyes were dim, and he might therefore be regarded as dead. Jacob, however, feared to say so, [and instead said, ‘the Fear of Isaac’].” Thus the words of Rashi. It is also the opinion of Onkelos that pachad Yitzchak means “his G-d…

Ramban on Genesis 31:42:1

לולי אלוקי אבי, after having used this term, Yaakov amplifies whom he meant by it, i.e. אלוקי אברהם ופחד יצחק היה לי, as explained by Onkelos פחד יצחק is the G’d Yitzchok was in awe of. Yitzchok had subjected himself to slaughter by his father as he had been in awe of his father’s G’d. One can explain the words פחד יצחק as referring to Yaakov who was afraid that if he did not go home now he would never see his father again while he was alive.

Radak on Genesis 31:42:1

ופחד יצחק היה לי, “and the Dread of Yitzchak had been with me, etc.” The plain meaning of these words is that “the same G’d whom Yitzchak reveres has been with me.” This, at least is what Onkelos had in mind. There are commentators who believe that he referred to the merit Yitzchak had acquired when he lay bound on the altar on Mount Moriah, a merit which had now benefited his son Yaakov. He was lying bound on the altar on Mount Moriah expecting to be sacrificed as a burnt-offering for G’d.
Alternatively…

Rabbeinu Bahya, Bereshit 31:42:1-3

Jacob had an additional thought when he spoke about "אלוקי אבי" (in addition to אלוקי אברהם). First he spoke about the "G'd of my father," i.e. the merit of his fathers, which assisted him. In the case of Abraham this was the merit of חסד, Abraham's outstanding virtue (compare Micha 7,20). In the case of his father Isaac it was the virtue of justice referred to by Jacob as פחד יצחק, "the One whom Isaac stood in awe of…

Or HaChaim on Genesis 31:42:2

[FOR HARM.] To do harm. Others say that it means, thou shalt not pass over this heap to harm me and I will not pass over this heap to harm thee. [THE GOD OF THEIR FATHER.] Each one said: the God of our Father judge betwixt us. However, Jacob referred to the God of Abraham and Laban to the god of Nahor, his grandfather who worshiped idols as is attested by Joshua.

Ibn Ezra on Genesis 31:52:2-53:1

The Fear (or “fear”) of Yitzchok. Lavan did not fear Avraham — who was already dead — but only his God. Yitzchok, on the other hand, was still alive and very powerful and it was primarily out of fear of him that Lavan refrained from harming Yaakov.

Kli Yakar on Genesis 31:42:1

The God of Abraham and the God of Nachor shall judge between us, the God of their fathers. But Jakob sware by the God whom his father Izhak feared.

Targum Jonathan on Genesis 31:53

Relatedראו גם

God of the Patriarchs

Sheetsדפי מקורות

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