[luncheonmeat]

This is one where it baffles scholars. In the Bible we read of God's command to Abraham to sacrifice his only son Isaac. But Isaac was never an only son. How do you reconcile that?

Then He said, “Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.” (Genesis 22:2)


Yes, Isaac was his only son by Sarah , his only official wife whom he loved dearly. No mistake. Ishmael was born from Hagar, Sarah's personal maid that she arranged to have a child with Abraham. In today's monogamous society, we would call such women 'surrogates'. True Abraham married Hagar to legitimise Ishmael, but Ishmael was still the son of his concubine.
Isaac was the son God had promised to Abraham. Ishmael was not. [ie God anoints Isaac as Abraham's direct line]