In the opening scene, Abraham prays to God, thanking Him for His various blessings, most of all his favourite son, Isaac.
However, when he learns that it is God's will that he should die, Isaac acquiesces in his death, even urging his father not to tarry over the deed.
The text of the play was lost until the 19th century, when a manuscript was found in a commonplace book dating from around 1470–80 at Brome Manor, Suffolk, England.
A comparison of the texts reveals around 200 lines of striking similarity, in particular during the debates between Abraham and Isaac that are at the hearts of the plays.
[8] Adams noted that it was often reprinted due to its being "justly regarded as the best example of pathos in the early religious drama".