### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew verb 'âqad (`{{H6123}}`) is a primitive root, carrying the fundamental meaning "to bind" or "to tie with thongs." The specific mention of "thongs" or "straps" suggests a deliberate and secure form of restraint, often implying a preparation for a specific purpose, such as sacrifice or immobility. Unlike a general tying, 'âqad denotes a methodical and perhaps ritualistic act of securing. Its primitive nature indicates a foundational concept of physical restraint.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The verb 'âqad (`{{H6123}}`) is remarkably rare in the Hebrew Bible, appearing only once in its verbal form. This singular occurrence amplifies its significance within the text:
* **[[Genesis 22:9]]**: "And they came to the place of which God had told him; and Abraham built the altar there and arranged the wood, and bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood." The phrase "and bound Isaac" (וַיַּעֲקֹד֙ יִצְחָק֙) is the sole instance of 'âqad as a verb. In this pivotal narrative, known in Jewish tradition as the 'Aqedah (the binding), Abraham's act of binding Isaac is the crucial step in preparing him for the commanded sacrifice. This action renders Isaac submissive and immobile on the altar, demonstrating Abraham's complete and unwavering obedience to God's most challenging command. The binding is not merely practical; it is laden with theological weight, symbolizing Abraham's profound trust and Isaac's (implied) passive acceptance of his fate.
### Related Words & Concepts
While 'âqad is unique in its specific context, other Hebrew verbs convey the general idea of binding or tying:
* **`{{H631}}`** (*'āsar*): This is a much more common verb for "to bind, imprison, tie up." It is used in a variety of contexts, from binding prisoners ([[Genesis 42:24]]) to binding animals ([[Numbers 30:3]]) or vows ([[Numbers 30:5]]).
* **`{{H70}}`** (*'āgad*): Means "to bind together, make a bond," often implying a joining or covenantal connection ([[Exodus 28:28]]).
* **`{{H2280}}`** (*ḥābaš*): Conveys "to bind, bind up, restrain." It is used for binding wounds ([[Isaiah 1:6]]), saddling animals ([[Genesis 22:3]]), or restraining individuals.
The distinction of 'âqad lies in its singular, highly specific, and consecrated context. While the other verbs denote general acts of binding, 'âqad carries the unique connotation of binding for sacrifice, specifically within the foundational narrative of the 'Aqedah. Its rarity underscores the unique and profound nature of the event it describes. Thematically, 'âqad is deeply connected to concepts of sacrifice, obedience, submission, divine testing, and covenant.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of 'âqad (`{{H6123}}`) is immense, primarily due to its singular occurrence in the 'Aqedah narrative:
* **Ultimate Obedience and Trust:** The binding of Isaac by Abraham is the supreme demonstration of Abraham's faith and absolute obedience to God's command, even when it demanded the sacrifice of his beloved son. It represents an unparalleled act of trust in God's wisdom and faithfulness.
* **Isaac's Submission:** Though the narrative focuses on Abraham, Isaac's allowing himself to be bound without resistance is often interpreted as an act of willing submission, prefiguring later sacrificial themes in biblical theology.
* **Prefiguration of Christ:** In Christian theology, the 'Aqedah is widely understood as a powerful type or foreshadowing of God the Father offering His only Son, Jesus Christ, as the ultimate sacrifice for sin. Just as Isaac was bound and laid upon the wood, Jesus was bound (both by divine will and physically by His captors) and laid upon the wood of the cross. The ram provided as a substitute in [[Genesis 22:13]] is seen as a prophetic pointer to Christ's substitutionary atonement.
* **Divine Provision and Grace:** The act of binding is followed by God's miraculous intervention and the provision of a substitute, emphasizing God's faithfulness to His covenant promises and His ultimate plan of redemption. The 'Aqedah, initiated by the act of 'âqad, culminates in a profound revelation of divine mercy and grace.
### Summary
The Hebrew verb 'âqad (`{{H6123}}`), meaning "to bind" or "to tie with thongs," holds profound theological weight despite its singular occurrence in the Hebrew Bible. Found exclusively in [[Genesis 22:9]], it describes Abraham's act of binding Isaac on the altar, a pivotal moment in the 'Aqedah narrative. This specific act of binding symbolizes Abraham's ultimate obedience and unwavering trust in God, as well as Isaac's implicit submission. Distinct from more general terms for binding like `{{H631}}` or `{{H2280}}`, 'âqad is intrinsically linked to the context of sacrificial preparation, imbuing it with unique spiritual significance. Theologically, the 'Aqedah, initiated by this binding, is a foundational narrative that explores themes of divine testing, human faithfulness, and God's sovereign provision, often interpreted as a powerful prefiguration of the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The rarity of 'âqad underscores the singular and weighty nature of the event it describes in salvation history.
TRV