Genesis 22:15

KJV

¶ And the angel of the LORD called unto Abraham out of heaven the second time,

KJV (with Strong's)

And the angel {H4397} of the LORD {H3068} called {H7121} unto Abraham {H85} out of heaven {H8064} the second time {H8145},

Complete Jewish Bible

The angel of ADONAI called to Avraham a second time out of heaven.

Berean Standard Bible

And the angel of the LORD called to Abraham from heaven a second time,

American Standard Version

And the angel of Jehovah called unto Abraham a second time out of heaven,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Records the second, emphatic divine address to Abraham, delivered by the Angel of the LORD from heaven, immediately following his supreme act of obedient faith on Mount Moriah. This crucial verse signals God's profound approval of Abraham's willingness to sacrifice Isaac, setting the stage for the solemn, oath-bound reaffirmation of the Abrahamic Covenant that follows, underscoring the unshakeable certainty of God's promises in response to radical trust.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated at the climax of the "Akedah," or the "binding of Isaac," a narrative of profound theological significance in [Genesis 22](/genesis/22 "The Testing of Abraham"). Immediately preceding [Genesis 22:15](/genesis/22-15 "The Angel of the LORD's Second Call to Abraham"), Abraham has fully demonstrated his obedience by raising the knife to sacrifice Isaac, only to be stopped by the [first call of the Angel of the LORD](/genesis/22-11 "The Angel of the LORD's first intervention") in [Genesis 22:11-12](/genesis/22-11-12 "The Angel of the LORD stops Abraham"). The provision of a ram as a substitute in [Genesis 22:13](/genesis/22-13 "God provides a ram") further highlights God's faithfulness. The repetition of the divine call in [Genesis 22:15](/genesis/22-15 "The Angel of the LORD's Second Call to Abraham") emphasizes the momentous nature of the subsequent covenant reaffirmation, which is then detailed in [Genesis 22:16-18](/genesis/22-16-18 "God's oath to Abraham and renewed promises"), solidifying the promises with a divine oath, a unique and powerful act.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, the concept of divine testing and covenant oaths was well-established. While child sacrifice was practiced by some surrounding cultures, God's command to Abraham was a test of faith, not an endorsement of such practices, ultimately demonstrating His abhorrence of human sacrifice by providing a substitute. Oaths, especially those sworn by a deity, were considered absolutely binding and irrevocable, carrying immense weight. For God to swear "by myself" ([Genesis 22:16](/genesis/22-16 "God swears by Himself")) was the highest possible assurance of His commitment, a concept deeply understood in the cultural milieu as an unchangeable decree. The "Angel of the LORD" (often a Christophany) speaking from "heaven" would have been perceived as a direct, authoritative pronouncement from the divine realm, reinforcing the absolute truth and certainty of the message.

* **Key Themes:** [Genesis 22:15](/genesis/22-15 "The Angel of the LORD's Second Call to Abraham") contributes significantly to several overarching themes within Genesis and the broader biblical narrative. It underscores the theme of **divine testing and human obedience**, revealing that genuine faith is demonstrated through costly surrender, as seen in Abraham's willingness to offer Isaac ([Genesis 22:2-3](/genesis/22-2-3 "Abraham's obedience to God's command")). It powerfully reinforces **God's covenant faithfulness**, demonstrating His unwavering commitment to the promises made to Abraham in [Genesis 12](/genesis/12 "God's Call and Promises to Abraham") and [Genesis 15](/genesis/15 "God's Covenant with Abraham"). The "second time" call also highlights the **certainty and irrevocability of God's word**, especially when sealed by an oath ([Genesis 22:16](/genesis/22-16 "God swears by Himself")). Furthermore, the narrative subtly introduces the theme of **divine provision and substitution**, foreshadowing God's ultimate provision for humanity's sin through a greater sacrifice, a theme that resonates throughout the biblical narrative, culminating in the New Testament.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
[Genesis 22:15](/genesis/22-15 "The Angel of the LORD's Second Call to Abraham") serves as a pivotal moment, marking God's profound commendation and the solemn reaffirmation of His covenant promises to Abraham. This second, unprompted divine address highlights the depth of God's approval and the foundational nature of Abraham's faith for the unfolding of redemptive history.

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Angel (Hebrew, _mălʼâk'_):** From an unused root meaning "to despatch as a deputy," this term refers to a messenger. While it can denote a created angelic being, in contexts like this, where the "Angel of the LORD" speaks with divine authority and identifies as God Himself (as seen in [Genesis 22:16](/genesis/22-16 "God swears by Himself")), it is often understood as a Christophany—a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus Christ—or a direct manifestation of God. This signifies the divine origin and supreme authority of the message delivered.
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** This is the sacred, personal name of God, often rendered "Yahweh," derived from a root meaning "to be" or "to exist." It signifies God's self-existence, eternality, and covenant-keeping nature. The presence of "Yᵉhôvâh" in the phrase "Angel of the LORD" underscores that the messenger is intimately connected with, if not identical to, the covenant God of Israel, lending ultimate weight and certainty to the divine pronouncement.
* **Second time (Hebrew, _shênîy'_):** This word literally means "double" or "second," and adverbially, "again." Its inclusion here is highly significant, emphasizing the deliberate and reinforced nature of this divine communication. It distinguishes this call from the first, which was an intervention to stop Abraham, and elevates this call to a solemn, unprompted reaffirmation, signifying the absolute certainty and unchangeable nature of the promises that follow.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the angel of the LORD called unto Abraham":** This phrase identifies the divine messenger, the "Angel of the LORD," who initiates communication with Abraham. As discussed, this figure carries divine authority, often interpreted as a Christophany, indicating that God Himself is directly addressing Abraham. The act of "calling" (qârâʼ) signifies a personal, authoritative summons and declaration, drawing Abraham's attention to a message of immense importance.
* **"out of heaven":** This specifies the origin of the divine voice, emphasizing its celestial and transcendent nature. The message is not of human origin but comes directly from God's dwelling place, reinforcing its absolute truth, divine authority, and unchallengeable nature. It highlights that this is a revelation from the highest authority.
* **"the second time":** This critical adverbial phrase underscores the repetition and therefore the profound significance and certainty of this divine communication. The first call (in [Genesis 22:11](/genesis/22-11 "The Angel of the LORD's first call")) was an intervention to prevent the sacrifice; this "second time" call is a solemn, unprompted reaffirmation of God's covenant promises, a divine endorsement of Abraham's completed act of obedience, and a prelude to the unbreakable oath that follows. It signifies a new, deeper level of divine affirmation.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Repetition** is paramount, with the phrase "the second time" highlighting the deliberate and emphatic nature of this divine address. This repetition serves to underscore the certainty and importance of the message, distinguishing it from the preceding intervention. The use of **Divine Voice/Speech** from "heaven" emphasizes the transcendence and supreme authority of the speaker, reinforcing that the subsequent promises are not merely human declarations but immutable divine decrees. There is also an element of **Symbolism**, where "heaven" represents the source of ultimate authority and truth, and the "Angel of the LORD" (often understood as a Christophany) symbolizes God's direct and personal engagement with humanity, even in a pre-incarnate form. This direct divine communication serves to validate Abraham's faith and solidify the covenant.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
[Genesis 22:15](/genesis/22-15 "The Angel of the LORD's Second Call to Abraham") profoundly illustrates God's active engagement with humanity, His unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises, and the transformative power of radical obedience. It reveals that God not only tests faith but also graciously affirms and richly blesses those who respond with wholehearted trust. This verse sets the stage for the solemn oath of God, demonstrating that His word is immutable and His promises are secure, providing a bedrock of assurance for all who believe. It underscores that God's ultimate plan of blessing is inextricably linked to the faithfulness of His chosen instruments.

* [Hebrews 6:13-14](/hebrews/6-13-14 "God's Oath to Abraham") - Explains how God swore by Himself to Abraham because He had no one greater to swear by, emphasizing the unchangeable nature of His promise.
* [Romans 4:20-22](/romans/4-20-22 "Abraham's Faith and Righteousness") - Highlights Abraham's unwavering faith, giving glory to God, and how his faith was credited to him as righteousness.
* [Galatians 3:16](/galatians/3-16 "The Seed of Abraham is Christ") - Identifies the "seed" through whom the nations would be blessed as Christ, connecting Abraham's covenant to the coming Messiah.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
[Genesis 22:15](/genesis/22-15 "The Angel of the LORD's Second Call to Abraham") offers profound encouragement for believers today. It reminds us that God not only observes our faith and obedience, especially in moments of deep testing, but He also actively responds with reaffirmation and renewed blessing. Just as Abraham's willingness to surrender his most cherished possession, Isaac, led to a deeper experience of God's faithfulness and the solemn confirmation of His promises, so too does our radical obedience in surrendering our own "Isaacs"—our deepest desires, plans, or even fears—position us to witness God's unwavering faithfulness. This passage calls us to trust implicitly in God's perfect timing and His sovereign provision, knowing that ultimate blessings and the securement of His promises follow a faith that is willing to hold nothing back. Our trust, even in the face of the seemingly impossible, deepens our relationship with Him and opens the way for His abundant grace to flow into our lives.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "Isaacs" (cherished possessions, plans, or relationships) might God be asking you to surrender in faith today, and how might your obedience lead to a deeper confirmation of His promises in your life?**
* **How does the "second time" emphasis in this verse assure you of God's unwavering commitment to His word, even when circumstances seem to contradict His promises?**
* **In what areas of your life do you need to exercise radical trust in God's provision, believing that He will provide a "ram" even when you cannot see it?**

### FAQ

**Who is the "Angel of the LORD" in this passage?**

Answer: The "Angel of the LORD" (Hebrew: _Malakh Yahweh_) in [Genesis 22:15](/genesis/22-15 "The Angel of the LORD's Second Call to Abraham") is widely understood by theologians as a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus Christ, known as a Christophany, or a direct manifestation of God Himself. This interpretation is strongly supported by the fact that the Angel speaks with divine authority, using first-person pronouns for God ("by myself have I sworn," [Genesis 22:16](/genesis/22-16 "God swears by Himself")), and is often indistinguishable from Yahweh in various Old Testament narratives. This signifies the ultimate authority and divine nature of the messenger and the message delivered.

**Why does the text emphasize "the second time" the Angel of the LORD called to Abraham?**

Answer: The emphasis on "the second time" in [Genesis 22:15](/genesis/22-15 "The Angel of the LORD's Second Call to Abraham") highlights the extraordinary significance, certainty, and solemnity of the message. The [first call](/genesis/22-11 "The Angel of the LORD's first intervention") was an intervention to stop Abraham's hand from sacrificing Isaac. This second call, however, is an unprompted and emphatic reaffirmation of God's covenant promises, now sealed by a divine oath in [Genesis 22:16-18](/genesis/22-16-18 "God's oath to Abraham and renewed promises"). It underscores God's profound approval of Abraham's completed act of obedience and signifies the absolute reliability and unchangeable nature of God's word, which is now doubly confirmed and made immutable.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
[Genesis 22:15](/genesis/22-15 "The Angel of the LORD's Second Call to Abraham") and the broader narrative of the Akedah find profound Christ-centered fulfillment, serving as a powerful prefiguration of God's ultimate redemptive plan. The "Angel of the LORD" who speaks with divine authority in this verse is often understood as a Christophany, a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus Christ Himself, making Him the divine messenger and the very one who would ultimately fulfill the promises made to Abraham. The entire event on [Mount Moriah](/genesis/22-2 "God's command to Abraham regarding Isaac"), where God provided a substitute ram for Isaac, powerfully foreshadows God the Father offering His own beloved Son, Jesus Christ, as the ultimate, perfect sacrifice for the sins of humanity ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "God so loved the world")). Just as Isaac was "as good as dead" and received back by his father, so Christ truly died and was gloriously resurrected ([Romans 6:9-10](/romans/6-9-10 "Christ's Death and Resurrection")), conquering death and securing eternal life. The subsequent divine oath in [Genesis 22:16-18](/genesis/22-16-18 "God's oath to Abraham"), promising that "in your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed," points directly to Christ, the singular "seed" of Abraham ([Galatians 3:16](/galatians/3-16 "The Seed of Abraham is Christ")), through whom salvation and blessing extend to all who believe, fulfilling God's covenant promises in their fullest redemptive scope for all peoples ([Acts 3:25-26](/acts/3-25-26 "Blessing through Abraham's Seed")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.