Genesis 22:9

KJV

And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood.

KJV (with Strong's)

And they came {H935} to the place {H4725} which God {H430} had told {H559} him of; and Abraham {H85} built {H1129} an altar {H4196} there, and laid {H6186} the wood {H6086} in order {H6186}, and bound {H6123} Isaac {H3327} his son {H1121}, and laid {H7760} him on the altar {H4196} upon {H4605} the wood {H6086}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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.

Berean Standard Bible

When they arrived at the place God had designated, Abraham built the altar there and arranged the wood. He bound his son Isaac and placed him on the altar, atop the wood.

American Standard Version

And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built the altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar, upon the wood.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 22:9 captures the profound climax of Abraham's ultimate test of faith, meticulously detailing his solemn and deliberate actions: building the altar, arranging the wood, binding Isaac, and laying his son upon the altar. This verse powerfully illustrates Abraham's unwavering commitment to God's command and his absolute trust in divine provision, marking the critical moment of his obedience just before God's miraculous intervention.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the dramatic culmination of the narrative initiated in [Genesis 22:1-2](/genesis/22-1-2 "God's Command to Abraham"), where God issues the astonishing command for Abraham to sacrifice his "only son, Isaac, whom you love." Following a three-day journey to the designated "land of Moriah," the preceding verses describe Abraham's quiet preparation, his separation from his servants, and Isaac's poignant question about the lamb for the burnt offering, to which Abraham prophetically responds, "God will provide for himself the lamb" [Genesis 22:8](/genesis/22-8 "Abraham's Prophecy of Provision"). Genesis 22:9 then describes the immediate, physical steps Abraham takes, demonstrating his full intent to obey, leading directly into the divine intervention in [Genesis 22:10-14](/genesis/22-10-14 "God Intervenes and Provides").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, altars were central to worship and sacrifice, serving as places where humans sought to commune with or appease deities through offerings. The act of building an altar, as Abraham does, signifies a deliberate and formal act of worship and preparation for a sacred ritual. While human sacrifice was practiced by some surrounding pagan cultures (e.g., Moabites, Ammonites), it was explicitly condemned by Yahweh (e.g., [Deuteronomy 12:31](/deuteronomy/12-31 "Warning Against Child Sacrifice")). God's command to Abraham, therefore, was not an endorsement of child sacrifice but a unique, profound test of faith designed to demonstrate Abraham's absolute devotion and to teach a deeper truth about divine provision and the nature of true worship, ultimately culminating in the provision of a substitute.
* **Key Themes:** Genesis 22:9 is a pivotal point for several overarching themes in the Abrahamic narrative and the broader biblical story. It powerfully underscores the theme of **radical obedience** to God, even when His commands seem incomprehensible or morally challenging. It is the ultimate demonstration of **Abraham's faith**, illustrating his profound trust in God's character and His ability to fulfill His promises, even to the point of raising the dead [Hebrews 11:17-19](/hebrews/11-17-19 "Abraham's Faith in Resurrection"). The meticulous preparation for sacrifice highlights the **cost of true devotion** and the concept of **ultimate surrender** to God's will. Furthermore, the entire narrative, culminating in this verse, deeply foreshadows the theme of **divine provision** and sets the stage for the **typological connection** to God's ultimate sacrifice of His own Son, Jesus Christ, as the "Lamb of God" [John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **built (Hebrew, _bânâh'_):** From H1129, meaning "to build (literally and figuratively); (begin to) build(-er), obtain children, make, repair, set (up), [idiom] surely." Abraham's act of building the altar is not a casual or hesitant one; it is a deliberate, purposeful construction, indicating his full intention to carry out God's command with solemnity and precision. This word emphasizes the intentionality behind his actions.
* **altar (Hebrew, _mizbêach'_):** From H4196, meaning "an altar." An altar is a designated sacred structure, typically for offering sacrifices. Its construction here signifies the establishment of a hallowed space for a profound act of worship and covenant interaction. The presence of the altar underscores the ritualistic and sacrificial nature of the event, preparing for a burnt offering.
* **bound (Hebrew, _ʻâqad'_):** From H6123, meaning "to tie with thongs; bind." This specific Hebrew verb is significant because it is primarily used in ancient Near Eastern contexts for binding an animal for sacrifice. Its application to Isaac highlights that Abraham was treating his son as a true burnt offering, emphasizing the gravity of his intent and his complete commitment to following God's instructions for a ceremonial sacrifice, rather than a mere restraint.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they came to the place which God had told him of;":** This opening clause signifies the culmination of Abraham's three-day journey to Mount Moriah, the location divinely revealed to him. The arrival at this specific, God-designated "place" (H4725, _mâqôwm'_) marks the point of no return, where Abraham's faith is brought to its ultimate, tangible test. It underscores God's precise guidance and Abraham's obedient following.
* **"and Abraham built an altar there, ":** Immediately upon arrival, Abraham constructs an altar. This act is deliberate and ritualistic, signifying his unwavering resolve to fulfill God's command. The building of the altar is a physical manifestation of his internal commitment and preparation for the sacrifice, demonstrating that he is not acting impulsively but with full intent.
* **"and laid the wood in order, ":** This detail highlights Abraham's meticulous obedience and the solemnity of the occasion. The careful arrangement of the wood (H6086, _ʻêts'_) indicates that every step is precise and purposeful, reflecting the gravity of the intended offering and adhering to the proper procedure for a burnt sacrifice.
* **"and bound Isaac his son, ":** This is arguably the most poignant action in the verse. The use of the specific verb "bound" (H6123, _ʻâqad'_) implies a ritualistic binding, typically for an animal sacrifice. Isaac, as Abraham's "son" (H1121, _bên'_) and the child of promise (H3327, _Yitschâq'_), is now treated as a sacrificial offering. While Isaac's explicit submission is not stated, his allowing himself to be bound by his elderly father implies either profound trust in Abraham or a shared understanding of the divine imperative.
* **"and laid him on the altar upon the wood.":** This final, climactic act completes Abraham's preparation for the sacrifice. Laying Isaac on the altar, atop the prepared wood, demonstrates Abraham's absolute surrender and willingness to offer his only son. It is the ultimate expression of his obedience and faith, bringing the narrative to its most intense moment just before divine intervention.

#### Literary Devices
Genesis 22:9 is masterfully crafted, employing several literary devices to heighten its dramatic and theological impact. The most prominent is **Suspense**, built through the methodical, step-by-step description of Abraham's actions. Each clause ("built an altar," "laid the wood," "bound Isaac," "laid him on the altar") meticulously details the preparations, drawing the reader closer to the seemingly inevitable, horrific climax, creating immense tension. **Symbolism** is rich, with the altar representing a place of ultimate surrender and communion with God, and the wood symbolizing the means of sacrifice and the burden carried by the one to be offered. The entire scene functions as profound **Foreshadowing** and **Typology**, where Isaac, the "only son" of promise, willingly laid on the altar, prefigures the ultimate sacrifice of God's "only begotten Son," Jesus Christ, who would also carry the wood of His own sacrifice. The **Repetition** of deliberate actions underscores Abraham's unwavering resolve and the gravity of the moment, emphasizing his obedience over his paternal instincts.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 22:9 stands as a monumental testament to Abraham's unparalleled faith and obedience, demonstrating a trust in God so profound that he was willing to surrender his most precious possession—the son through whom all God's promises were to be fulfilled. This act reveals that true faith is not merely intellectual assent but a radical, costly obedience that trusts God's character and promises even when His commands seem contradictory or beyond human comprehension. It underscores the biblical principle that God sometimes tests His people not to discover their faith, but to refine it, reveal it, and establish it more firmly, while simultaneously teaching profound truths about His own nature as a God who provides.

* [Hebrews 11:17-19](/hebrews/11-17-19 "Abraham's Faith in Resurrection")
* [James 2:21-23](/james/2-21-23 "Abraham's Faith and Works")
* [Romans 8:32](/romans/8-32 "God Did Not Spare His Own Son")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 22:9 profoundly challenges believers to examine the depth and authenticity of their own faith and obedience. It compels us to ask: What "Isaacs" do we hold onto so tightly that we are unwilling to lay them on God's altar? This narrative teaches that genuine trust in God may necessitate the surrender of our most cherished possessions, deepest hopes, or carefully laid plans, believing that God's ultimate design is always superior and His promises unfailing. It calls us to cultivate a radical trust in God's character, embracing obedient action even when it demands significant personal cost, and to anticipate God's miraculous intervention and provision in seemingly impossible situations. This verse reminds us that true worship often involves costly sacrifice, but it is always met with divine faithfulness and abundant provision.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "Isaacs"—whether dreams, possessions, relationships, or personal control—might God be asking me to lay on the altar of surrender today?**
* **How does Abraham's unwavering obedience in this moment challenge my own areas of hesitation or partial obedience to God's commands?**
* **In what ways can I cultivate a deeper, more radical trust in God's provision, even when circumstances seem to defy logical solutions?**

### FAQ
**Why did God command Abraham to sacrifice Isaac?**

Answer: God's command was a unique and profound test of Abraham's faith and obedience, not an endorsement of human sacrifice, which God explicitly condemned elsewhere (e.g., [Deuteronomy 18:10](/deuteronomy/18-10 "Warning Against Child Sacrifice")). The purpose was to reveal the depth of Abraham's devotion, to solidify his covenant relationship with God, and to teach profound truths about God's character, His provision, and the nature of true worship. The narrative culminates in God's intervention, preventing the sacrifice and providing a substitute, thereby condemning human sacrifice while simultaneously foreshadowing the ultimate divine sacrifice of Christ.

**Did Isaac willingly submit to his father?**

Answer: While the text does not explicitly record Isaac's words or actions of submission in [Genesis 22:9](/genesis/22-9 "Abraham Binds Isaac"), his being bound and laid upon the altar by his elderly father strongly implies a willing cooperation or profound trust. As a young man, Isaac would have possessed the physical strength to resist his elderly father, suggesting that his submission was either an act of his own faith, a deep respect for Abraham's understanding of God's will, or a combination of both. This implicit submission enhances the typological significance of the event.

**What is the significance of "bound Isaac his son"?**

Answer: The Hebrew word used for "bound" is *aqad* (עָקַד), which specifically means to bind an animal for sacrifice. Its use here underscores the ritualistic and sacrificial nature of Abraham's intent, emphasizing that he was treating Isaac as a genuine burnt offering, not merely restraining him. This detail highlights the gravity of Abraham's commitment to following God's instructions for a ceremonial sacrifice, making the impending divine intervention all the more dramatic and significant. It elevates the scene from a mere act of violence to a profound act of worship and obedience.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The profound narrative of Abraham's willingness to offer Isaac serves as a powerful and unparalleled type of God the Father's ultimate sacrifice of His only Son, Jesus Christ. Just as Isaac was the "only son" of promise, miraculously born, and willingly submitted to his father's will, so too did God willingly offer His beloved and "only begotten Son" [John 3:16](/john/3-16 "God's Love and the Gift of His Son"). Isaac carried the wood for his own sacrifice, a poignant parallel to Jesus carrying His own cross to Calvary [John 19:17](/john/19-17 "Jesus Carries His Cross"). The very location, Mount Moriah, is traditionally linked to the future site of Jerusalem and Calvary, further strengthening the connection. The moment Abraham laid Isaac on the altar, demonstrating absolute surrender, foreshadows God the Father "not sparing His own Son" but delivering Him up for us all [Romans 8:32](/romans/8-32 "God Did Not Spare His Own Son"). Ultimately, the ram provided as a substitute for Isaac points directly to Christ, the true "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"). This Genesis account thus reveals God's heart of sacrifice and His perfect provision for humanity's redemption through Christ.

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

James 2:21

Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?

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],

Hebrews 11:19

Accounting that God [was] able to raise [him] up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.

Philippians 2:7

But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

Philippians 2:8

And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Acts 8:32

The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth:

Galatians 3:13

Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed [is] every one that hangeth on a tree: