Genesis 22:6

KJV

And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering, and laid [it] upon Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife; and they went both of them together.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Abraham {H85} took {H3947} the wood {H6086} of the burnt offering {H5930}, and laid {H7760} it upon Isaac {H3327} his son {H1121}; and he took {H3947} the fire {H784} in his hand {H3027}, and a knife {H3979}; and they went {H3212} both {H8147} of them together {H3162}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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.

Berean Standard Bible

Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac. He himself carried the fire and the sacrificial knife, and the two of them walked on together.

American Standard Version

And Abraham took the wood of the burnt-offering, and laid it upon Isaac his son; and he took in his hand the fire and the knife; and they went both of them together.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 22:6 captures a moment of profound, almost unbearable, tension and faith as Abraham, in unwavering obedience to God's command, prepares for the sacrifice of his son, Isaac. He places the wood for the burnt offering upon Isaac's shoulders, while he himself takes the fire and the knife, and together, father and son proceed towards the designated place, embodying a silent, yet deeply symbolic, journey of trust and ultimate divine provision.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Genesis 22:6 is situated at the heart of the "Akedah," or the binding of Isaac (Genesis 22:1-19), which is arguably the climax of Abraham's faith journey in the book of Genesis. The preceding verses establish God's shocking command to Abraham to sacrifice his only son, Isaac, on Mount Moriah, a command that directly challenges God's earlier promises of a multitude of descendants through Isaac. Abraham's immediate and silent obedience in Genesis 22:3-5, rising early and setting out without question, sets the stage for the solemn procession described in verse 6. This verse depicts the physical preparation for the sacrifice, intensifying the dramatic irony and emotional weight before the pivotal dialogue in [Genesis 22:7-8](/genesis/22-7-8 "Isaac's Question and Abraham's Prophetic Answer") and the ultimate divine intervention.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The practice of child sacrifice, though abhorrent to Yahwistic faith, was tragically present in some ancient Near Eastern cultures (e.g., Molech worship, as seen in [Leviticus 18:21](/leviticus/18-21 "Prohibition against sacrificing children to Molech")). This historical backdrop underscores the radical nature of God's command to Abraham, not as an endorsement of such practices, but as an extreme test designed to reveal the depth of Abraham's singular devotion to Yahweh, distinguishing Him from the pagan deities who demanded such horrific acts. The setting of Mount Moriah, later associated with the Temple Mount in Jerusalem ([2 Chronicles 3:1](/2_chronicles/3-1 "Solomon Builds the Temple on Mount Moriah")), adds a layer of geographical and theological significance, connecting this foundational act of faith to the future center of Israelite worship.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes within Genesis and the broader biblical narrative. It powerfully illustrates the theme of **Radical Obedience and Faith**, showcasing Abraham's willingness to trust God even when His command seemed to contradict His promises and human understanding. The scene also develops the theme of **Divine Testing**, revealing that God refines and proves His servants through trials, not to discover their faith, but to strengthen and demonstrate it. Furthermore, the unwitting participation of Isaac carrying the wood, and Abraham's profound act of faith, deeply foreshadows the theme of **Sacrifice and Redemption**, laying theological groundwork for the ultimate divine provision of a substitute, a theme that culminates in the New Testament's revelation of Christ as the ultimate sacrifice, as seen in passages like [Hebrews 11:17-19](/hebrews/11-17-19 "Abraham's Faith in Offering Isaac").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Genesis 22:6 presents a stark and poignant image: Abraham, the father, places the wood for the burnt offering upon Isaac, his son, who will unknowingly be the intended sacrifice. Abraham then takes the fire and the knife, the other essential elements for the offering, into his own hand. The verse concludes with the profoundly simple yet weighty statement: "and they went both of them together."

#### Key Word Analysis
* **son (Hebrew, _bên'_):** From H1121, this word signifies a son as a "builder of the family name." In this context, Isaac is not merely a child but the promised heir through whom Abraham's lineage and the covenant promises would be established. His role as the "son" upon whom the wood is laid emphasizes the profound cost and significance of the impending sacrifice, as it directly imperils the future of God's covenant with Abraham.
* **hand (Hebrew, _yâd'_):** From H3027, this term refers to the "open hand," indicating power, means, and direction. Abraham taking the fire and knife "in his hand" underscores his active role and control as the sacrificer. It highlights his deliberate, resolute determination to carry out God's command, signifying his full commitment and the weighty responsibility he bears in this moment of ultimate obedience.
* **together (Hebrew, _yachad'_):** From H3162, this word means "unitedly" or "as a unit." The phrase "they went both of them together" emphasizes the shared journey and profound unity between Abraham and Isaac. It conveys the solemnity and quiet determination of Abraham, walking in obedience, and the innocent, trusting companionship of Isaac. This shared walk intensifies the emotional tension, as the reader knows the tragic purpose of their journey, while Isaac remains unaware.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering, and laid [it] upon Isaac his son":** This action is laden with profound **dramatic irony** and deep **symbolism**. Isaac, the son of promise, is made to carry the very fuel for his own intended immolation. This act highlights Abraham's complete and agonizing obedience, even to the point of involving his beloved son in the preparations for his own sacrifice. The "burnt offering" (Hebrew: *ʿōlāh*, H5930) signifies a sacrifice entirely consumed by fire, ascending to God, symbolizing complete devotion and atonement.
* **"and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife":** Abraham retains control of the instruments of death and consumption, emphasizing his role as the sacrificer. The fire (H784) and knife (H3979) are essential for the ritual, representing the means by which the offering would be consumed and slain. Abraham's calm, deliberate actions in gathering these items underscore his resolute determination to obey God's command, no matter how agonizing, demonstrating his unwavering faith.
* **"and they went both of them together":** This phrase (וַיֵּלְכוּ שְׁנֵיהֶם יַחְדָּו - *vayyel'khu sh'neyhem yachdav*) is repeated in [Genesis 22:8](/genesis/22-8 "Abraham's prophetic words and their shared journey"). The **repetition** powerfully emphasizes the shared, unified journey of father and son. It conveys the solemnity and quiet determination of Abraham, walking in obedience, and the innocent, trusting companionship of Isaac. The shared walk intensifies the emotional tension, as the reader knows the tragic purpose of their journey, while Isaac remains unaware, highlighting the profound trust between them.

#### Literary Devices
Genesis 22:6 masterfully employs several literary devices to heighten its emotional impact and theological depth. **Dramatic Irony** is central, as Isaac unknowingly carries the wood for his own sacrifice, creating a poignant tension between the reader's knowledge and Isaac's innocence. This act is rich in **Symbolism**, with Isaac carrying the wood prefiguring Christ carrying His cross, and the "burnt offering" itself symbolizing complete devotion and a foreshadowing of the ultimate atoning sacrifice. The deliberate, almost ritualistic, actions of Abraham—taking the wood, the fire, and the knife—underscore the solemnity of the moment. Furthermore, the concluding phrase, "and they went both of them together," functions as a powerful instance of **Repetition** (reappearing in [Genesis 22:8](/genesis/22-8 "The repeated phrase 'they went both of them together'")), emphasizing the unified, determined, and deeply significant journey of father and son towards an unknown, yet divinely purposed, destination.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 22:6 stands as a profound testament to Abraham's radical obedience and unwavering faith in the face of an unimaginable command. This scene is not merely a historical account but a theological paradigm, illustrating that true faith is not a passive belief but an active, costly, and often counter-intuitive trust in God's character and promises, even when circumstances seem to contradict them. The preparation for the sacrifice, with Isaac's unwitting participation, sets the stage for God's ultimate demonstration of His faithfulness and provision, revealing His nature as the one who tests, provides, and ultimately redeems.

* [Hebrews 11:17-19](/hebrews/11-17-19 "Abraham's Faith and the Offering of Isaac"): This New Testament passage explicitly commends Abraham's faith in offering Isaac, highlighting his belief that God was able to raise Isaac even from the dead, thereby demonstrating the depth of his trust in God's power and promise.
* [James 2:21-23](/james/2-21-23 "Abraham Justified by Works"): James uses Abraham's offering of Isaac as the prime example of faith being "completed by works," showing that genuine faith is evidenced by obedient action, not just intellectual assent.
* [John 19:17](/john/19-17 "Jesus Carries His Cross"): The imagery of Isaac carrying the wood for his own sacrifice serves as a striking Old Testament type, powerfully foreshadowing Jesus Christ carrying His own cross to Golgotha, the place of His crucifixion, underscoring the theme of the innocent Son bearing the instrument of His own sacrifice.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 22:6 challenges believers to examine the depth and authenticity of their own faith. Are we willing to trust God's wisdom and goodness even when His path seems illogical, demands immense personal sacrifice, or requires us to step into the profound unknown? This verse reminds us that genuine faith often involves walking forward in obedience, even when we don't fully comprehend the destination or the means by which God will work. It calls us to cultivate a radical trust in God's character that transcends our immediate understanding, comfort, and even our most cherished hopes, knowing that He is utterly faithful to provide and fulfill His promises in ways beyond our imagination. This passage encourages us to surrender our "Isaacs"—those things we hold most dear—to God, confident that His purposes are always good and His provision always sufficient.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "wood" might God be asking me to lay upon a cherished part of my life, trusting Him with the outcome?**
* **In what areas of my life am I being called to walk in obedience, even when the path ahead is unclear or seems to contradict my understanding?**
* **How does Abraham's profound trust in God's provision challenge my own anxieties about the future?**

### FAQ

**Why did Isaac carry the wood for the burnt offering?**

Answer: Isaac carried the wood for both practical and deeply symbolic reasons. Practically, it was a necessary component for the sacrifice, and distributing the load would have made the arduous journey up Mount Moriah more manageable. Symbolically, this act is profoundly significant, serving as a powerful foreshadowing of Jesus Christ. Just as Isaac, the beloved son, carried the wood for his own intended sacrifice, so too did Jesus, the only begotten Son of God, carry His own cross to the place of His crucifixion ([John 19:17](/john/19-17 "Jesus Carries His Cross to Golgotha")), highlighting the innocent victim's participation in their own sacrifice for a greater purpose.

**What is the significance of the phrase "they went both of them together"?**

Answer: The repetition of "they went both of them together" (Hebrew: *vayyel'khu sh'neyhem yachdav*, also found in [Genesis 22:8](/genesis/22-8 "Abraham's prophetic words and their shared journey")) emphasizes the profound unity, shared journey, and solemn determination of Abraham and Isaac. It underscores Abraham's unwavering resolve to obey God's command, even in the face of immense personal anguish, and Isaac's trusting, albeit unaware, companionship. This phrase intensifies the dramatic tension of the narrative, highlighting the quiet, yet immensely weighty, steps taken by father and son towards the ultimate test of faith and the revelation of divine provision. It speaks to a shared destiny, even if one party is unaware of its full implications.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Genesis 22:6 finds its ultimate and most profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. The imagery of Isaac, the beloved son, carrying the wood for his own intended sacrifice, serves as a powerful Old Testament type, directly prefiguring Jesus carrying His cross to Golgotha, the place of His crucifixion ([John 19:17](/john/19-17 "Jesus Carries His Cross")). Just as Isaac was Abraham's "only son" and the son of promise, so too is Jesus the "only begotten Son" of God ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "God So Loved the World")), uniquely qualified to be the perfect sacrifice. The narrative of God providing a substitute ram in [Genesis 22:13](/genesis/22-13 "God Provides a Ram as a Substitute") points directly to God's ultimate provision of His own Son as the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice for the sins of humanity ([Hebrews 9:28](/hebrews/9-28 "Christ Offered Once to Bear Sins")). The obedience of Abraham, willing to offer his son, pales in comparison to the Father's willingness to truly give His Son as the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John the Baptist Identifies Jesus as the Lamb of God")), fulfilling the "burnt offering" not with an animal, but with Himself, thereby securing eternal redemption for all who believe ([Hebrews 10:10](/hebrews/10-10 "We Have Been Sanctified Through the Offering of the Body of Jesus Christ Once for All")).

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 19:17

And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called [the place] of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha:

1 Peter 2:24

Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

Isaiah 53:6

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Matthew 8:17

That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare [our] sicknesses.

Luke 24:26

Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?

Luke 24:27

And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.