Abraham’s Two Servants- A “Couple” Midrashim
“Two are better than one.” (Ecclesiastes 4:9)
This relates to the story of the king who went out of his home for a journey with his two servants in tow. They got to the crossroads and one went off a way to relieve himself. While the one was gone, the king was attacked by a couple of brigands and the servant kept them at bay. The king was grateful and said; “you see? Two are better than one.” From here we learn that important people are not considered prepared for a journey unless they have two people with them, for if one of them has to go and use their holes (relieve themselves or take care of their needs), one remains.[1] Further proof for this is seen in connection to Balaam, “…He was riding on his she-ass, with his two servants alongside” (Numbers 22:22)[2], Saul, “…he put on different clothes and set out with two men.” (1 Samuel 28:8), and Abraham, “Abraham saddled his ass and took with him two of his servants…” (Genesis 22:3)
“A person shall be put to death only on the testimony of two or more witnesses; he must not be put to death on the testimony of a single witness.” (Deuteronomy 17:6)
When Abraham was commanded to sacrifice his son, “he took two of his young men with him, Ishmael and Eliezer[3], and while they were walking in the road, the young men spoke these words to each other. Said Ishmael to Eliezer: ‘Now my father Abraham is going with Isaac to bring him up for a burnt offering to the Lord, and when he returneth, he will give unto me all that he possesses, to inherit after him, for I am his first-born.’ Eliezer answered: ‘Surely, Abraham did cast thee off with thy mother, and swear that thou shouldst not inherit anything of all he possesses. And to whom will he give all that he has, all of his precious things, but unto his servant, who has been faithful in his house, to me, who have served him night and day, and have done all that he desired me?’” [4] God did not want Abraham to be put on trial or found guilty of a sin for having obeyed his command so he answered: “‘Neither this one nor that one will inherit Abraham.’”[5] Hearing that the servants were excited and eager to witness what he was about to do, and out of fear for his own life[6], Abraham went up the mountain alone so that God would be the only witness to the act as we learn, “A person shall be put to death only on the testimony of two or more witnesses; he must not be put to death on the testimony of a single witness.” (Deuteronomy 17:6)
Another interpretation: Abraham took the two servants and upon realizing that they could be used as witnesses to the sacrifice of his son, left them behind with the donkeys so that they could not testify[7] or put him to death.[8]
[1] Genesis Raba: 55:8
[2] Rashi comments on Numbers 22:22 that important people departing on a journey take two servants
[3] Rashi, Gen 22:5
[4] Legends of the Bible. L. Ginsberg. JPS, Philadelphia 1966. (p 129-130)
[5] ibid.
[6] If Ishmael and Eliezer were so eager to inherit his portion, what would keep them from killing him that same day?! (also see footnote #8)
[7] This is the opposite reason given by the commentators B’Chor Shor and Sforno who said: “Sit here with the donkey.” It was because he did not want them to come with so that they could not interfere with/stop him from sacrificing his son.
[8] Deuteronomy chapter 17 continues with verse 7; “Let the hands of the witnesses be the first against him to put him to death, and the hands of the rest of the people thereafter…” Abraham had already removed himself from the second situation (“rest of the people”) by leaving early in the morning before they could see and was now separating himself from any other potential witnesses who could turn and kill him.
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