“... For example, many references to Isaac's willingness in documents such as L.A.B. and 4 Maccabees, while certain, are brief. The passing nature of such remarkable references to Isaac's willingness indicate that the content could be taken for granted, for recent innovations necessitate detailed presentation, not longstanding traditions. For instance, one of the brothers of 4 Maccabees calls out to another, "Remember whence you came and at the hand of what father Isaac gave himself to be sacrificed for piety's sake" (13:12). Later, it is also related that Isaac, "seeing his father's hand, with knife in it, fall down against him, did not cower" (16:20). The particular character of the manner of the appropriation of the Akedah in such instances indicates that the concept of a willing, obedient, fearless Isaac had common cultural currency and thus (in Vermes's words) "echoes traditional views." ...”

“... This marvellous text from Targum Pseudo-Jonathan illustrates three things: Abraham's awareness of his pure intentions; his motivation to carry out God's decree with joy; and his intercession on behalf of his descendants, that when they enter 'the hour of distress' God may 'remember' them and 'redeem' them. [...] The Targum to Genesis 22 enhances the Akedah narrative by depicting Isaac as a willing participant in the human sacrifice: he asks his father Abraham to bind his hands and body tightly so that he will neither move nor flinch. This may be why Abraham calls upon God to have mercy upon Isaac's children, aware of the merit accruing to his son for such willingness. At the same time, Abraham is aware of the role that his honest, joyful obedience plays in the act itself, a fact he brings to God's attention when requesting mercy upon his descendants when they are in distress. ...”