Genesis22

God tested Abraham by commanding him to offer his beloved son, Isaac, as a burnt offering in the land of Moriah. Abraham faithfully obeyed, preparing to sacrifice Isaac, but an angel of the Lord intervened at the last moment. A ram was provided as a substitute sacrifice, and God reaffirmed His covenant promises to Abraham for his obedience.

God Tests Abraham

1
After these things, God tested Avraham. He said to him, "Avraham!" and he answered, "Here I am." ​
2
He said, "Take your son, your only son, whom you love, Yitz'chak; and go to the land of Moriyah. There you are to offer him as a burnt offering on a mountain that I will point out to you." ​

The Journey to Moriah

3
Avraham got up early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, together with Yitz'chak his son. He cut the wood for the burnt offering, departed and went toward the place God had told him about. ​
4
On the third day, Avraham raised his eyes and saw the place in the distance. ​
5
Avraham said to his young men, "Stay here with the donkey. I and the boy will go there, worship and return to you." ​
6
Avraham took the wood for the burnt offering and laid it on Yitz'chak his son. Then he took in his hand the fire and the knife, and they both went on together. ​
7
Yitz'chak spoke to Avraham his father: "My father?" He answered, "Here I am, my son." He said, "I see the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?" ​
8
Avraham replied, "God will provide himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son"; and they both went on together. ​
9
They came to the place God had told him about; and Avraham built the altar there, set the wood in order, bound Yitz'chak his son and laid him on the altar, on the wood. ​
10
Then Avraham put out his hand and took the knife to kill his son.

The Lord Provides

11
But the angel of ADONAI called to him out of heaven: "Avraham? Avraham!"He answered, "Here I am." ​
12
He said, "Don't lay your hand on the boy! Don't do anything to him! For now I know that you are a man who fears God, because you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me." ​
13
Avraham raised his eyes and looked, and there behind him was a ram caught in the bushes by its horns. Avraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering in place of his son. ​
14
Avraham called the place ADONAI Yir'eh [ADONAI will see (to it), ADONAI provides] -as it is said to this day, "On the mountain ADONAI is seen." ​

Covenant Confirmed by Oath

15
The angel of ADONAI called to Avraham a second time out of heaven.
16
He said, "I have sworn by myself - says ADONAI- that because you have done this, because you haven't withheld your son, your only son, ​
17
I will most certainly bless you; and I will most certainly increase your descendants to as many as there are stars in the sky or grains of sand on the seashore. Your descendants will possess the cities of their enemies, ​
18
and by your descendants all the nations of the earth will be blessed - because you obeyed my order." ​
19
So Avraham returned to his young men. They got up and went together to Be'er-Sheva, and Avraham settled in Be'er-Sheva.

Nahor’s Descendants

20
Afterwards, Avraham was told, "Milkah too has borne children, to your brother Nachor - ​
21
'Utz his firstborn, Buz his brother, K'mu'el the father of Aram,
22
Kesed, Hazo, Pildash, Yidlaf and B'tu'el.
23
B'tu'el fathered Rivkah. These eight Milkah bore to Nachor Avraham's brother. ​
24
His concubine, whose name was Re'umah, bore children also: Tevach, Gacham, Tachash and Ma'akhah.

Study Notes for Genesis 22

Verse 1

The Hebrew word for 'tempt' (*nissah*) means to test or prove, not to entice toward sin. This event, known as the Akedah ('the binding'), is the supreme test of Abraham's faith and obedience.

Verse 2

The command is emphasized by listing the relationship four times (thy son, thine only son, Isaac, whom thou lovest), highlighting the agonizing nature of the demand. Moriah is traditionally identified with the future location of the Temple in Jerusalem (2 Chr 3:1).

Verse 3

Abraham's immediate and silent obedience contrasts sharply with the magnitude of the command, demonstrating his complete submission to God’s will.

Verse 4

The journey lasted three days, providing ample time for Abraham to reconsider or doubt the command. This detail emphasizes that his obedience was sustained and deeply resolved, not merely impulsive.

Verse 5

Abraham’s statement, 'we... will come again to you,' reveals his profound faith, as he believed God would raise Isaac from the dead to keep the promises of the covenant (cf. Heb 11:19).

Verse 6

Isaac carrying the wood for the sacrifice is often interpreted typologically, foreshadowing Christ carrying the cross to the place of his own sacrifice.

Verse 7

Isaac’s innocent question heightens the dramatic tension of the narrative, forcing Abraham to confront the impending reality of the sacrifice.

Verse 8

Abraham’s response, 'God will provide himself a lamb,' is a statement of prophetic faith that is immediately fulfilled, leading to the naming of the place.

Verse 9

The binding (*akedah*) and placement of Isaac on the altar mark the completion of Abraham’s obedience in action, demonstrating his willingness to sacrifice the heir of the promise.

Verse 11

The intervention of the Angel of the LORD (often interpreted as a Christophany or divine messenger) occurs at the absolute last moment, confirming the test was about commitment, not execution.

Verse 12

The purpose of the test is revealed: 'now I know.' Abraham’s willingness proves his 'fear of God,' meaning his profound reverence, loyalty, and obedience, which validates his status as the father of the faithful.

Verse 13

The provision of the ram 'in the stead of his son' establishes the principle of substitution—that God accepts a substitute offering for the life required—a foundational concept in biblical theology.

Verse 14

Abraham names the place 'Jehovahjireh' (The LORD will provide). The concluding phrase, 'In the mount of the LORD it shall be seen,' suggests this location will forever be a place where God's provision and revelation occur.

Verse 16

Because Abraham obeyed the ultimate command, God swears an oath 'by myself,' making the covenant promises absolutely irrevocable and binding.

Verse 17

The covenant promises (seed, blessing, victory) are restated and magnified. Abraham's faith secured the covenant not only for himself but also for all his descendants.

Verse 18

The universal scope of the covenant is confirmed: 'all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in your seed.' This links the promise back to Genesis 12:3 and points forward to Christ (Gal 3:16).

Verse 20

This genealogical interlude serves a crucial narrative function, introducing the family line of Abraham's brother, Nahor, specifically identifying the lineage from which Isaac's future wife will come.

Verse 23

The mention of Bethuel begetting Rebekah establishes her as a key figure. Her introduction sets the stage for the next major covenant event: securing Isaac's marriage and the continuity of the promised line (Gen 24).

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