Genesis 22:2

KJV

And he said, Take now thy son, thine only [son] Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.

KJV (with Strong's)

And he said {H559}, Take now {H3947} thy son {H1121}, thine only {H3173} son Isaac {H3327}, whom thou lovest {H157}, and get thee {H3212} into the land {H776} of Moriah {H4179}; and offer him {H5927} there for a burnt offering {H5930} upon one {H259} of the mountains {H2022} which I will tell {H559} thee of.

Complete Jewish Bible

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."

Berean Standard Bible

“Take your son,” God said, “your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah. Offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains, which I will show you.”

American Standard Version

And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son, whom thou lovest, even Isaac, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt-offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 22:2 presents God's momentous and deeply challenging command to Abraham: to take his uniquely beloved son, Isaac, the very child of promise, and offer him as a burnt offering upon a mountain in the distant land of Moriah. This pivotal divine instruction initiates the ultimate test of Abraham's faith, obedience, and trust in God's character and covenant promises, even when the command appears to contradict the means by which those promises were to be fulfilled.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the resolution of the conflict between Abraham's two sons, Ishmael and Isaac, culminating in Ishmael's departure from Abraham's household ([Genesis 21:9-21](/genesis/21-9-21 "Genesis 21:9-21 - Ishmael's Departure")). With Ishmael gone, Isaac stands as the sole heir, the "only" son through whom God's covenant promises of a great nation and blessing to all families of the earth would be realized ([Genesis 12:2-3](/genesis/12-2-3 "Genesis 12:2-3 - God's Promise to Abraham"); [Genesis 17:19](/genesis/17-19 "Genesis 17:19 - The Covenant with Isaac")). The command in [Genesis 22:2](/genesis/22-2 "Genesis 22:2 - The Command to Sacrifice Isaac") thus comes at a moment when Isaac's status as the undisputed son of promise is firmly established, intensifying the profound dilemma Abraham faces. The narrative structure emphasizes the stark contrast between the recent joy of Isaac's birth and the devastating demand now placed upon his father.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Burnt offerings (`ʻôlâh`) were a recognized form of worship in the ancient Near East, symbolizing complete devotion and propitiation, where the entire animal was consumed by fire. While human sacrifice was practiced by some surrounding pagan cultures (e.g., Molech worship), it was vehemently forbidden by Yahweh to Israel and considered an abomination ([Deuteronomy 12:31](/deuteronomy/12-31 "Deuteronomy 12:31 - Abominable Practices"); [Jeremiah 32:35](/jeremiah/32-35 "Jeremiah 32:35 - Child Sacrifice Condemned")). This makes God's command to Abraham particularly shocking and unprecedented within the developing monotheistic framework. The journey to Moriah, a three-day trek, would have provided ample time for Abraham to wrestle with the command, further highlighting the deliberateness of his obedience.
* **Key Themes:** [Genesis 22](/genesis/22 "Genesis 22 - The Testing of Abraham") is a foundational text for several enduring theological themes. Foremost among them is the theme of **faith and obedience**, as Abraham is called to trust God's character and promises even when His commands seem illogical or contradictory ([Hebrews 11:17-19](/hebrews/11-17-19 "Hebrews 11:17-19 - Abraham's Faith")). The narrative also powerfully explores the theme of **divine testing**, revealing the depth and authenticity of Abraham's devotion. Furthermore, the passage introduces the concept of **divine provision**, with God ultimately providing a substitute sacrifice ([Genesis 22:13-14](/genesis/22-13-14 "Genesis 22:13-14 - God Provides a Ram")), foreshadowing a greater redemptive provision. The unique language used to describe Isaac ("thine only son, whom thou lovest") also establishes a profound **typological connection** to God the Father's sacrifice of His own Son.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
God's command in [Genesis 22:2](/genesis/22-2 "Genesis 22:2 - The Command to Sacrifice Isaac") is delivered with striking specificity, emphasizing the immense personal cost to Abraham and highlighting the nature of the test.

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Son (Hebrew, _bên'_):** This common Hebrew term (H1121) for "son" is used here to denote Isaac's literal relationship to Abraham. However, in this context, it carries immense weight, emphasizing that the command concerns not just *a* son, but *the* son, the specific individual through whom Abraham's lineage and the covenant promises were to be established. The choice of this word, rather than a more generic term for "child," highlights the direct paternal connection and the inherent pain of the request.
* **Only (Hebrew, _yâchîyd'_):** The Hebrew word *yachid* (H3173), translated as "only," means "unique," "sole," or "beloved." While Abraham had Ishmael, Isaac was his "only" son in the covenantal sense, the unique heir of the promise. This word underscores Isaac's irreplaceable status and the profound singularity of the sacrifice being requested. It conveys not merely numerical uniqueness but also a sense of preciousness and isolation, emphasizing that this son stands alone as the recipient of God's special favor and promise.
* **Lovest (Hebrew, _ʼâhab'_):** The verb *ʼahab* (H157) signifies deep affection, love, or endearment. God's explicit mention of Abraham's love for Isaac is crucial. It highlights that God is not asking for a casual offering, but for the most precious and cherished relationship Abraham possesses. This detail amplifies the emotional intensity of the command, making it clear that the test is not merely one of obedience, but of prioritizing God above even the deepest human affections.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he said, Take now thy son":** The opening phrase immediately establishes the divine origin and imperative nature of the command. The "he" refers to God, who speaks directly to Abraham. "Take now" conveys an urgent, immediate directive, allowing no room for delay or negotiation. This is not a suggestion but a direct, authoritative instruction that demands prompt action from Abraham.
* **"thine only [son] Isaac, whom thou lovest":** This clause is laden with emotional and theological significance. God precisely identifies the object of the command: Isaac. The repetition of "son," followed by the emphatic "thine only" (referring to Isaac's unique covenantal status), and the poignant addition "whom thou lovest," underscores the immense personal cost and the depth of Abraham's attachment to Isaac. It highlights that God is fully aware of the magnitude of His demand, making the test of Abraham's devotion all the more profound.
* **"and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering":** This part specifies the required action and location. "Get thee into the land of Moriah" indicates a journey to a specific, though at that moment undisclosed, destination. The command "offer him there for a burnt offering" specifies the type of sacrifice, a `ʻôlâh` (H5930), which involved the complete consumption of the offering by fire, symbolizing total dedication. This instruction is shocking, given that human sacrifice was anathema to God's character.
* **"upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.":** This final clause adds an element of suspense and further tests Abraham's blind obedience. Abraham is not given the precise mountain immediately, requiring him to embark on the journey in faith, trusting that God will reveal the exact location at the appointed time. This detail emphasizes that the journey itself is part of the test, a period of sustained reliance on divine guidance.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices. **Emphasis** is achieved through repetition and specific word choice, particularly in the description of Isaac: "thy son, thine only [son] Isaac, whom thou lovest." This triple description underscores Isaac's unique status and the profound emotional weight of the command. The use of **Foreshadowing** is evident in the mention of "Moriah," a location later associated with the Temple Mount in Jerusalem ([2 Chronicles 3:1](/2_chronicles/3-1 "2 Chronicles 3:1 - Solomon Builds the Temple on Moriah")), subtly hinting at future acts of divine sacrifice and worship. The command itself creates a profound sense of **Irony** and **Paradox**, as God, who promised to build a great nation through Isaac, now commands his sacrifice. This tension highlights the testing nature of the command and sets the stage for God's ultimate provision.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 22:2 stands as a monumental theological statement about the nature of faith, obedience, and God's sovereign right to demand ultimate devotion. It reveals a God who tests His chosen ones not to break them, but to refine their trust and reveal the depth of their commitment. This passage profoundly illustrates that true faith is not merely intellectual assent but a willingness to obey God's commands, even when they seem to contradict His prior promises or human logic. It underscores that God's ways are higher than human ways, and His faithfulness is unwavering, even in the most extreme circumstances.

* [Hebrews 11:17-19](/hebrews/11-17-19 "Hebrews 11:17-19 - Abraham's Faith and Resurrection Belief")
* [James 2:21-23](/james/2-21-23 "James 2:21-23 - Abraham Justified by Works")
* [Micah 6:6-8](/micah/6-6-8 "Micah 6:6-8 - What the Lord Requires")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The command to Abraham in Genesis 22:2 confronts us with the radical nature of biblical faith. It challenges us to examine the idols of our own hearts—those things we cherish above God, whether they be relationships, security, comfort, or even our understanding of God's promises. Abraham's willingness to obey, despite the profound cost, teaches us that genuine trust in God means relinquishing control and surrendering our most precious possessions or aspirations to His sovereign will. This passage calls us to a faith that is not merely convenient but costly, a faith that believes God is good and faithful even when His path seems inscrutable or painful. It reminds us that true worship may involve laying down what we hold dearest, trusting that God's ultimate plan is always for our good and His glory.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "Isaacs" in your life might God be asking you to lay down or surrender to Him?**
* **How does Abraham's immediate obedience, despite the apparent contradiction, challenge your own understanding of trust in God?**
* **In what areas of your life do you find it most difficult to trust God's provision or His plan when it seems counter-intuitive?**

### FAQ
**Why would God command Abraham to do something seemingly so cruel and contradictory to His own character (human sacrifice)?**

Answer: This command was a unique and ultimate test of Abraham's faith, not an endorsement of human sacrifice. God's character is fundamentally opposed to human sacrifice, as seen in the later Mosaic Law ([Leviticus 18:21](/leviticus/18-21 "Leviticus 18:21 - Prohibition of Child Sacrifice")). The purpose of the command was to reveal the depth of Abraham's trust and obedience, demonstrating that his faith in God superseded even his deepest natural affections and understanding. God never intended for Isaac to be sacrificed, as evidenced by His timely intervention and provision of a substitute ram ([Genesis 22:11-13](/genesis/22-11-13 "Genesis 22:11-13 - God Intervenes and Provides")). The test served to confirm Abraham's righteous standing and to provide a powerful prophetic type for future divine provision.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Genesis 22:2 finds its ultimate and profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Just as God commanded Abraham to offer his "only son, Isaac, whom thou lovest," so too did God the Father offer His "one and only Son" ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God So Loved the World")), Jesus, whom He deeply loved, as the ultimate sacrifice for the sins of humanity. The land of Moriah, traditionally identified with the Temple Mount, is geographically proximate to Golgotha, the site of Christ's crucifixion, suggesting a divinely orchestrated continuity of redemptive history. While Abraham was spared from sacrificing Isaac, God did not spare His own Son ([Romans 8:32](/romans/8-32 "Romans 8:32 - God Did Not Spare His Own Son")), willingly delivering Him up for us all. Isaac's carrying of the wood for the burnt offering ([Genesis 22:6](/genesis/22-6 "Genesis 22:6 - Isaac Carries the Wood")) foreshadows Christ carrying His own cross to Calvary ([John 19:17](/john/19-17 "John 19:17 - Jesus Carries His Cross")). The ram caught in the thicket, provided by God as a substitute for Isaac ([Genesis 22:13](/genesis/22-13 "Genesis 22:13 - God Provides a Ram")), powerfully prefigures Jesus as the "Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world" ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), the perfect and final substitute sacrifice provided by God Himself for all who believe.

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.

Cross-References

John 3:16

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Romans 8:32

He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

Hebrews 11:17

By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten [son],

1 John 4:9

In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.

1 John 4:10

Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son [to be] the propitiation for our sins.

Genesis 22:16

And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the LORD, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only [son]:

Genesis 17:19

And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, [and] with his seed after him.