PTSD and the Binding of Isaac in Genesis

The Unseen Scars

The story of Abraham and Isaac, a cornerstone of the Abrahamic faiths, is often presented as a testament to faith and obedience. Abraham, commanded by his God to sacrifice his son, is held up as an exemplar of unwavering devotion. However, a closer look, informed by modern understanding of trauma, raises profound questions about the psychological toll this event likely took, particularly on Isaac. While the Genesis narrative focusses on Abraham’s obedience and his God’s ultimate mercy, it seems to completely gloss over the potential for lasting damage to the young man who was nearly offered as a human sacrifice. Could the authors of Genesis, living in a time when concepts like Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) were unknown, have truly appreciated the depth of Isaac’s potential suffering?

The central issue is this: Isaac, by all accounts, was a participant in an incredibly traumatic event. He was bound, likely against his will, placed on an altar, and faced the imminent threat of a violent death. The emotional and physical duress of this moment would have been immense. While Abraham, at the story’s conclusion, is described as relieved and blessed, the narrative gives us no insight into Isaac’s experience. Yet, based on what we know about trauma, it’s highly probable that he would have faced profound psychological consequences.

Imagine the terror, confusion, and helplessness that Isaac must have felt. The betrayal by his own father, the man who should have been his protector, would have been deeply wounding. The sudden shift from the potential of his imminent death to his life suddenly being spared, does not erase the preceding experience. These are precisely the elements that contribute to the development of PTSD including:

• Intrusive Memories: Flashbacks or recurring nightmares of the altar, the knife, and the feeling of his own vulnerability could have haunted his waking hours.
• Avoidance: Isaac might have consciously or unconsciously avoided places, people, or situations that would remind him of his near-death experience. Perhaps he would withdraw from close relationships, even with his own father.
• Negative Cognitions and Mood: He may have developed a persistent sense of unease, feeling detached or numb, and battling crippling self-doubt. He may have questioned the safety of the world around him.
• Hyperarousal: Heightened startle responses, difficulty sleeping, and constant anxiety might have been daily realities for a man who had been so close to death.

The lack of any discussion about these potential effects in the Genesis narrative speaks volumes about the limitations of the authors’ understanding of human psychology. They were focussed on the theological implications of the story, the demonstration of faith and the ultimate salvation, but not the lasting impact of trauma.

Furthermore, the story raises another crucial question: How could Isaac ever fully trust a so-called God who seemed so willing to allow him to be sacrificed? The experience is not one of divine love and protection, but a demonstration of capricious power and conditional favour. If the story were real, how could Isaac move forward having been used as a tool, a test of his father’s faith? The act that should have demonstrated his father’s love instead would have been one where he was almost murdered. The trauma of the event would cast a dark shadow over his relationship with his father and with the so-called God who commanded it.

The Binding of Isaac, while a powerful narrative of faith for many, also presents a chilling case study of potential trauma. The lack of attention to Isaac’s experience in the Genesis account highlights the limitations of ancient understanding of human psychology. It also reminds us of the importance of viewing religious narratives through a modern lens, one that recognises the often-unseen wounds that trauma can leave, and the need to consider the perspectives of all individuals involved, particularly those who were most vulnerable and in pain. The very silence surrounding Isaac’s experience in Genesis suggests that his suffering, too, is part of this complex story and demands recognition.