The Symbolic Relationship of the Patriarch Narratives to the Two Altars of the Temple

In Israelite temples there are two altars: the altar of sacrifice in the courtyard and the altar of incense in the holy place. These two kinds of sacrifices, as one progresses toward God, are often reflected in the life narratives of men and women in scripture. The stories of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are strong examples of this. Each patriarch is depicted in their narratives as sons being sacrificed and then later the narrative portrays them as fathers who must offer up a beloved son. Such examples help us to understand the kinds of sacrifices we are all being asked to offer as part of our divine journey to become more like God.