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
[Genesis 22:15](/genesis/22-15 "The Angel of the LORD's Second Call to Abraham") records the second divine address to Abraham following his supreme act of obedience on Mount Moriah, where he demonstrated his willingness to sacrifice Isaac. This verse signals God's emphatic reaffirmation of His covenant promises, delivered through the "Angel of the LORD," underscoring divine approval of Abraham's unwavering faith and paving the way for the solemn, oath-bound promises that follow.

### CONTEXT
This pivotal verse immediately follows Abraham's profound demonstration of faith and obedience, as he prepared to offer his beloved son, Isaac, as a sacrifice on [Mount Moriah](/genesis/22-2 "God's command to Abraham regarding Isaac"). The [first call from the Angel of the LORD](/genesis/22-11 "The first divine intervention in Genesis 22") in [Genesis 22:11-12](/genesis/22-11 "The Angel of the LORD stops Abraham") had intervened, stopping Abraham's hand just as he was about to slay Isaac. The phrase "the second time" in [Genesis 22:15](/genesis/22-15 "The second call to Abraham") emphasizes the profound significance and certainty of the message that follows, confirming God's pleasure in Abraham's unwavering faith and setting the stage for the solemn oath detailed in the subsequent verses.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
[Genesis 22:15](/genesis/22-15 "The Angel of the LORD's Second Call to Abraham") marks a crucial moment of divine commendation and covenant renewal. After Abraham's ultimate act of surrender, God does not merely acknowledge his obedience but reiterates and expands upon His prior promises with unparalleled solemnity. 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.

* **Divine Approval and Confirmation:** The Angel's second call serves as a powerful endorsement of Abraham's faith and obedience. God explicitly acknowledges Abraham's willingness to withhold nothing from Him, even his only son, thereby demonstrating his profound reverence for God. This act of radical trust solidified Abraham's standing before God, not as a means to earn salvation, but as a demonstration of a faith already counted as righteousness.

* **Covenant Reaffirmation and Oath:** This call is not merely a commendation but a solemn reiteration and expansion of the [promises made to Abraham](/genesis/12-2 "God's initial covenant with Abraham") much earlier in [Genesis](/genesis/12 "God's call to Abraham"). The subsequent verses, [Genesis 22:16-18](/genesis/22-16 "God's oath to Abraham"), reveal that God now binds Himself by an oath, making His promises unbreakable and foundational for the future of Israel and, indeed, for all humanity through Christ. This oath signifies the absolute certainty and unchangeable nature of God's word, sealed by His own divine character.

* **The "Angel of the LORD" (Malakh Yahweh):** The phrase "the Angel of the LORD" (Hebrew: _Malakh Yahweh_) is highly significant throughout the Old Testament. While sometimes referring to a created angelic being, in many instances—including this one—it is understood as a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus Christ (a Christophany) or a direct manifestation of God Himself. The fact that the Angel speaks with divine authority, declaring "by myself have I sworn" in [Genesis 22:16](/genesis/22-16 "God swears by Himself"), strongly supports this interpretation, highlighting the divine nature of the messenger and the supreme authority behind the promises. This divine messenger is not merely a proxy but the very presence of God, confirming His word with ultimate authority.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
* **The Nature of True Faith:** Abraham's obedience in [Genesis 22](/genesis/22 "The testing of Abraham") exemplifies that genuine faith is not merely intellectual assent but active trust expressed through radical obedience, even when the command is incomprehensible or costly.
* **God's Covenant Faithfulness:** [Genesis 22:15](/genesis/22-15 "The Angel of the LORD's Second Call to Abraham") underscores God's unwavering commitment to His covenant promises, which are reaffirmed and sealed by His own oath, demonstrating His immutable character.
* **Divine Provision and Substitution:** The narrative of the ram caught in the thicket ([Genesis 22:13](/genesis/22-13 "God provides a ram")) illustrates God's principle of providing a substitute, foreshadowing the ultimate divine provision for sin.
* **Blessing Through Obedience:** The passage powerfully illustrates the principle that genuine faith demonstrated through obedience is met with abundant divine blessing, not as a reward earned, but as a gracious consequence of faithful surrender.
* **Theological Significance of the Akedah:** The "binding of Isaac" is a foundational narrative in Jewish and Christian theology, symbolizing ultimate sacrifice, divine testing, and God's sovereign plan of salvation.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
[Genesis 22:15](/genesis/22-15 "The Angel of the LORD's Second Call to Abraham") powerfully reminds us that God intimately sees and responds to our faith and obedience, especially when we are tested in profound ways. Our willingness to surrender our dearest possessions, aspirations, or even our very future to Him, as Abraham did with Isaac, leads not to loss but to a deeper experience of His faithfulness and the confirmation of His unchanging promises. This passage encourages believers to trust implicitly in God's perfect timing and His sovereign provision, knowing that ultimate blessings follow radical obedience. Just as Abraham's faith was counted for righteousness ([Romans 4:3](/romans/4-3 "Abraham's faith counted as righteousness")), our trust in the Lord, even in the face of the seemingly impossible, secures a deeper relationship with Him and positions us to receive His abundant grace.

### 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 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 the narrative.

**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 and certainty of the message. The [first call](/genesis/22-11 "The first divine intervention in Genesis 22") was to stop Abraham's hand from sacrificing Isaac, while this second call is a solemn, unprompted reaffirmation of God's covenant promises, sealed by an oath. It underscores the divine approval of Abraham's completed act of obedience and signifies the absolute reliability and unchangeable nature of God's word, now doubly confirmed.

### 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. The "Angel of the LORD" who speaks with divine authority is often understood as a Christophany, a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus Christ, making Him the divine messenger and the very one who would ultimately fulfill the promises. 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 only beloved Son, Jesus Christ, as the ultimate sacrifice for the sins of humanity. Just as Isaac was "as good as dead" and received back, so Christ died and was resurrected. The subsequent oath in [Genesis 22:16-18](/genesis/22-16 "God's oath to Abraham"), promising that "in your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed," points directly to Christ, the ultimate "seed" of Abraham, through whom salvation and blessing extend to all who believe, fulfilling God's covenant promises in their fullest redemptive scope.

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.