The Fallible · Synthetic · Study Bible

Genesis22:1–10

The Offering of Isaac

Generated by AI. It can be wrong, and it has no authority. Every note here is fallible commentary — never the Word itself. Public-domain sources are quoted and named; machine synthesis is marked and meant to be checked. Weigh all of it against Scripture. “They received the word with all readiness… and searched the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” — Acts 17:11
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Genesis 22:1–10 — The Offering of Isaac. Each verse below carries the full apparatus: the Berean Standard Bible, the vocalized original (tap any word), and a parsed breakdown of every term transcribed from the interlinear. Synthesized commentary, canonical threads, and the reading of Christ gather at the end, over the whole unit.

1“Some time later God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” “…”+

1Some time later God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” “Here I am,” he answered.

Berean Standard Bible · CC0

Hebrew — tap a word ↓

way·hî ’a·ḥar hā·’êl·leh had·də·ḇā·rîm wə·hā·’ĕ·lō·hîm nis·sāh ’eṯ- ’aḇ·rā·hām way·yō·mer ’ê·lāw ’aḇ·rā·hām hin·nê·nî way·yō·mer

Literal — word-for-word from the original

And-it-came-to-pass after the-things the-these, that-the-God tested [direct-object] Abraham, and-he-said to-him, "Abraham!" And-he-said, "Here-am-I."

Where the English smooths the original

  • וְהָ֣אֱלֹהִ֔ים BSB God renders hā-’Ĕlōhîm — the noun carries the article ("the God," ha-Elohim, the one true God). Through this whole opening the divine name is Elohim, not the covenant name Yahweh — a deliberate distancing the English flattens; only at the deliverance (Gen 22:11, 14) does the LORD-name return.
  • נִסָּ֖ה BSB tested renders nissāh (Piel of nāsāh, H5254), "to prove, put to the test." The older "tempt" (KJV) is the same Hebrew word, but English "tempt" now implies enticement to evil; the Hebrew means a proving meant to be passed, not a luring meant to make one fall.
  • הִנֵּֽנִי BSB Here I am renders the single word hinnēnî — literally "Behold-me!", the interjection hinnēh ("lo!") fused with the first-person suffix. It is not a statement of location but of total availability; the one word does the work the English needs three to do.
Word by word13 · parsed+
וַיְהִ֗יway·hîH1961
√ hâyâh — to exist, iConjunctive wawVerbQalConsecutive imperfectthird person masculine singular
way·hî, "and it came to pass" — the standard narrative opening (waw-consecutive of hāyāh), here launching the chapter as the next link in Abraham's story.
אַחַר֙’a·ḥarSome time laterH310
√ ʼachar — properly, the hind partAdverb
’aḥar, "after" — properly "the hind part"; the phrase "after these things" deliberately leaves the interval unmeasured.
הָאֵ֔לֶּהhā·’êl·leh. . .H428
√ ʼêl-leh — these or thoseArticlePronouncommon plural
hā-’êlleh, "the these" — the demonstrative gathers up all that has gone before into the ground from which this trial rises.
הַדְּבָרִ֣יםhad·də·ḇā·rîm. . .H1697
√ dâbâr — a wordArticleNounmasculine plural
וְהָ֣אֱלֹהִ֔יםwə·hā·’ĕ·lō·hîmGodH430
√ ʼĕlôhîym — gods in the ordinary senseConjunctive waw, ArticleNounmasculine plural
נִסָּ֖הnis·sāhtestedH5254
√ nâçâh — to testVerbPielPerfectthird person masculine singular
nissāh is the theological pivot of the verse. It is the same verb used of God proving Israel at Marah and in the wilderness (Exod 15:25; 16:4; Deut 8:2). The word marks the entire episode as a divinely-set trial whose end was foreknown to God before it began.
אֶת־’eṯ-H853
√ ʼêth — properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)Direct object marker
אַבְרָהָ֑ם’aḇ·rā·hāmAbrahamH85
√ ʼAbrâhâm — Abraham, the later name of AbramNounpropermasculine singular
וַיֹּ֣אמֶרway·yō·merand saidH559
√ ʼâmar — to say (used with great latitude)Conjunctive wawVerbQalConsecutive imperfectthird person masculine singular
אֵלָ֔יו’ê·lāwto himH413
√ ʼêl — near, with or amongPrepositionthird person masculine singular
אַבְרָהָ֖ם’aḇ·rā·hāmAbrahamH85
√ ʼAbrâhâm — Abraham, the later name of AbramNounpropermasculine singular
הִנֵּֽנִי׃hin·nê·nîHere I amH2009
√ hinnêh — lo!Interjectionfirst person common singular
hinnēnî, "Here am I" — the watchword of the prophets and of Abraham himself, the answer of the wholly-surrendered servant; it returns from Isaac's lips in v. 7.
וַיֹּ֥אמֶרway·yō·merhe answeredH559
√ ʼâmar — to say (used with great latitude)Conjunctive wawVerbQalConsecutive imperfectthird person masculine singular
The Voices✦ public domain+
The Revised Version properly replaces ‘tempt’ by ‘prove.’ The former word conveys the idea of appealing to the worse part of a man, with the wish that he may yield and do the wrong. The latter means an appeal to the better part of a man, with the desire that he should stand. Temptation says: ‘Do this pleasant thing; do not be hindered by the fact that it is wrong.’ Trial, or proving, says: ‘Do this right and noble thing; do not be hindered by the fact that it is painful.’
In Hebrew, to tempt, and to try, or to prove, are expressed by the same word. Every trial is indeed a temptation, and tends to show the dispositions of the heart, whether holy or unholy. But God proved Abraham, not to draw him to sin, as Satan tempts.
It is instructive to compare the “proving” of Abraham, which is here referred directly to God Himself, with the “proving” of Job, which, in chaps. 1 2, is brought about by “the Satan.”
now perhaps he was beginning to think the storms were blown over; but, after all, this encounter comes, which was sharper than any yet.
not incite to sin (Jas 1:13), but try, prove—give occasion for the development of his faith (1Pe 1:7)
the chapter begins and ends with Yahweh, the proper name of God in communion with man
Barnes is commenting on the surrounding chapters: he notes that wherever the relation is most intimate the name Yahweh is used, while the trial proper opens under the more distancing ha-Elohim — exactly the divine-name shift this verse's divergence flags.
2““Take your son,” God said, “your only son Isaac, whom you love, …”+

2“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.”

Berean Standard Bible · CC0

Hebrew — tap a word ↓

qaḥ- nā ’eṯ- bin·ḵå̄ ’eṯ- way·yō·mer yə·ḥî·ḏə·ḵā yiṣ·ḥāq ’ă·šer- ’ā·haḇ·tā ’eṯ- wə·leḵ- lə·ḵā ’el- ’e·reṣ ham·mō·rî·yāh wə·ha·‘ă·lê·hū šām lə·‘ō·lāh ‘al ’a·ḥaḏ he·hā·rîm ’ă·šer ’ō·mar ’ê·le·ḵā

Literal — word-for-word from the original

And-he-said, "Take, I-pray, [direct-object] your-son, [direct-object] your-only-one whom you-love, [direct-object] Isaac, and-go for-yourself to the-land-of Moriah, and-offer-him there for-a-burnt-offering on one of-the-mountains which I-will-say to-you."

Where the English smooths the original

  • נָ֠א BSB drops it entirely; the original has after "take" — not an adverb of time but a softening particle of entreaty ("take, I pray"). The most terrible command in Genesis is framed as a request, which the smooth English loses.
  • יְחִֽידְךָ֤ BSB your only son renders yĕḥîdĕkā (H3173, from yāḥîd, "only, solitary, unique"). The Hebrew piles up clause on clause — "your son, your only one, whom you love, Isaac" — each word a separate thrust; the LXX rendered it ton agapēton ("the beloved"), the same word later spoken over Christ at the baptism.
  • הַמֹּרִיָּ֑ה BSB Moriah simply transliterates; the Hebrew name ham-Mōriyyāh (H4179) is heard by the tradition as a play on rā’āh ("to see / provide") + Yah — "the LORD will see / be seen" — anticipating the name Abraham gives the place in v. 14. The proper name occurs elsewhere only in 2 Chronicles 3:1, the Temple Mount.
  • וְהַעֲלֵ֤הוּ BSB offer him renders wĕha‘ălēhû (Hiphil of ‘ālāh, "to cause to go up"). The verb literally means "send him up" — the same root behind ‘ōlāh, "burnt offering," the offering that wholly ascends in smoke. The command and the offering-name share one root: an offering that goes up entire.
Word by word25 · parsed+
קַח־qaḥ-TakeH3947
√ lâqach — to take (in the widest variety of applications)VerbQalImperativemasculine singular
qaḥ, "take" — the bare imperative; Jewish tradition heard the following words as a slow, deliberate intensification meant to wring the father's heart.
נָ֠א. . .H4994
√ nâʼ — 'I pray', 'now', or 'then'Interjection
אֶת־’eṯ-H853
√ ʼêth — properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)Direct object marker
בִּנְךָ֙bin·ḵå̄your sonH1121
√ bên — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etcNounmasculine singular constructsecond person masculine singular
אֶת־’eṯ-H853
√ ʼêth — properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)Direct object marker
וַיֹּ֡אמֶרway·yō·mer[God] saidH559
√ ʼâmar — to say (used with great latitude)Conjunctive wawVerbQalConsecutive imperfectthird person masculine singular
יְחִֽידְךָ֤yə·ḥî·ḏə·ḵāyour onlyH3173
√ yâchîyd — properly, united, iAdjectivemasculine singular constructsecond person masculine singular
yĕḥîdĕkā, "your only one." Ishmael is silently set aside; Isaac alone is the son of promise. This is the word the NT echoes in monogenēs, "only-begotten" (John 1:18; 3:16).
יִצְחָ֔קyiṣ·ḥāqson IsaacH3327
√ Yitschâq — Jitschak (or Isaac), son of AbrahamNounpropermasculine singular
אֲשֶׁר־’ă·šer-whomH834
√ ʼăsher — who, which, what, thatPronounrelative
אָהַ֙בְתָּ֙’ā·haḇ·tāyou loveH157
√ ʼâhab — to have affection for (sexually or otherwise)VerbQalPerfectsecond person masculine singular
אֶת־’eṯ-H853
√ ʼêth — properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)Direct object marker
וְלֶךְ־wə·leḵ-and goH1980
√ hâlak — to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)Conjunctive wawVerbQalImperativemasculine singular
לְךָ֔lə·ḵā
Prepositionsecond person masculine singular
אֶל־’el-toH413
√ ʼêl — near, with or amongPreposition
אֶ֖רֶץ’e·reṣthe landH776
√ ʼerets — the earth (at large, or partitively a land)Nounfeminine singular construct
הַמֹּרִיָּ֑הham·mō·rî·yāhof MoriahH4179
√ Môwrîyâh — Morijah, a hill in PalestineArticleNounproperfeminine singular
ham-Mōriyyāh. The land, not yet the specific mountain; one of its heights will be shown. The Chronicler identifies "Mount Moriah" with the Temple site (2 Chr 3:1), and the popular tradition welded the two together.
וְהַעֲלֵ֤הוּwə·ha·‘ă·lê·hūOffer himH5927
√ ʻâlâh — to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount)Conjunctive wawVerbHifilImperativemasculine singularthird person masculine singular
שָׁם֙šāmthereH8033
√ shâm — there (transferring to time) thenAdverb
לְעֹלָ֔הlə·‘ō·lāhas a burnt offeringH5930
√ ʻôlâh — a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending)Preposition-lNounfeminine singular
lĕ‘ōlāh, "for a burnt offering" — the ‘ōlāh is the wholly-consumed offering, given up in full, nothing eaten, nothing reserved; this is total surrender, not a token.
עַ֚ל‘alonH5921
√ ʻal — above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applicationsPreposition
אַחַ֣ד’a·ḥaḏoneH259
√ ʼechâd — properly, united, iNumbermasculine singular construct
הֶֽהָרִ֔יםhe·hā·rîmof the mountainsH2022
√ har — a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)ArticleNounmasculine plural
אֲשֶׁ֖ר’ă·šerwhichH834
√ ʼăsher — who, which, what, thatPronounrelative
אֹמַ֥ר’ō·marI will showH559
√ ʼâmar — to say (used with great latitude)VerbQalImperfectfirst person common singular
’ōmar, "I will say / show" — God withholds the precise place, stretching the obedience across three days of not-yet-knowing.
אֵלֶֽיךָ׃’ê·le·ḵāyouH413
√ ʼêl — near, with or amongPrepositionsecond person masculine singular
The Voices✦ public domain+
Now is not an adverb of time, but an interjection of entreaty, usually coupled with requests, and intended to soften them. It thus makes the words more an exhortation than a command. Thine only son Isaac. —The words in the original are more emphatic, being, “Take, I pray, thy son, thine only son, whom thou lovest, even Isaac.”
Observe the cumulative force of the successive words, “thy son,” “only son,” “whom thou lovest,” “Isaac,” indicating the severity of the test about to be applied to Abraham’s faith.
Not a word here but might pierce a heart of stone, much more so tender a father as Abraham was. Take now, without demurring or delay, I allow thee no time for thy consideration, own proper son; not a beast, not an enemy, not a stranger
Every circumstance mentioned was calculated to give a deeper stab to the parental bosom. To lose his only son, and by an act of his own hand, too!
of יה and ראה , and signifying "the shown of Jehovah," i.e. the revelation or manifestation of Jehovah
Pulpit canvasses the rival etymologies of Moriah (vision / worship / high / instruction); the meaning is genuinely debated, and this is the rendering it favors.
3“So Abraham got up early the next morning, saddled his donkey, an…”+

3So Abraham got up early the next morning, saddled his donkey, and took along two of his servants and his son Isaac. He split the wood for a burnt offering and set out for the place God had designated.

Berean Standard Bible · CC0

Hebrew — tap a word ↓

’aḇ·rā·hām way·yaš·kêm bab·bō·qer way·ya·ḥă·ḇōš ’eṯ- ḥă·mō·rōw way·yiq·qaḥ ’eṯ- ’it·tōw wə·’êṯ šə·nê nə·‘ā·rāw bə·nōw yiṣ·ḥāq way·ḇaq·qa‘ ‘ă·ṣê ‘ō·lāh way·yā·qām way·yê·leḵ ’el- ham·mā·qō·wm ’ă·šer- hā·’ĕ·lō·hîm ’ā·mar- lōw

Literal — word-for-word from the original

And-rose-early Abraham in-the-morning, and-saddled [direct-object] his-donkey, and-took [direct-object] two of-his-young-men with-him and [direct-object] Isaac his-son, and-he-split wood-of a-burnt-offering, and-rose and-went to the-place which the-God had-said to-him.

Where the English smooths the original

  • וַיַּשְׁכֵּ֨ם BSB got up early renders wayyaškēm (Hiphil of šākam, H7925) — the verb whose root sense is "to load up onto the back of a beast" at daybreak; it became the idiom for rising at first light. The English keeps the time but loses how the very word evokes a journey being loaded and begun without delay.
  • וַיְבַקַּע֙ BSB split renders wayĕbaqqa‘ (Piel of bāqa‘, H1234), "to cleave, split open." It is the same violent verb used of cleaving the sea (Exod 14:21) and of the earth opening (Num 16:31); here Abraham's own hands cleave the wood that is to consume his son — a quiet, terrible detail.
  • וַיָּ֣קָם BSB folds wayyāqām ("and he rose") into "set out for"; the Hebrew has two distinct verbs, "and he rose and he went" (wayyāqām wayyêlek) — the staccato chain of short clauses (saddled, took, split, rose, went) that conveys obedience moving step by deliberate step.
Word by word25 · parsed+
אַבְרָהָ֜ם’aḇ·rā·hāmSo AbrahamH85
√ ʼAbrâhâm — Abraham, the later name of AbramNounpropermasculine singular
וַיַּשְׁכֵּ֨םway·yaš·kêmgot up earlyH7925
√ shâkam — literally, to load up (on the back of man or beast), iConjunctive wawVerbHifilConsecutive imperfectthird person masculine singular
wayyaškēm bab·bōqer, "rose early in the morning" — Abraham's habitual response to a divine word (cf. Gen 19:27; 20:8; 21:14); prompt obedience, no delay, no debate.
בַּבֹּ֗קֶרbab·bō·qerthe next morningH1242
√ bôqer — properly, dawn (as the break of day)Preposition-b, ArticleNounmasculine singular
וַֽיַּחֲבֹשׁ֙way·ya·ḥă·ḇōšsaddledH2280
√ châbash — to wrap firmly (especially a turban, compress, or saddle)Conjunctive wawVerbQalConsecutive imperfectthird person masculine singular
wayyaḥăbōš, "and he saddled" — he does it himself rather than waiting on a servant, the narrator's way of showing readiness.
אֶת־’eṯ-H853
√ ʼêth — properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)Direct object marker
חֲמֹר֔וֹḥă·mō·rōwhis donkeyH2543
√ chămôwr — a male ass (from its dun red)Nounmasculine singular constructthird person masculine singular
וַיִּקַּ֞חway·yiq·qaḥand tookH3947
√ lâqach — to take (in the widest variety of applications)Conjunctive wawVerbQalConsecutive imperfectthird person masculine singular
אֶת־’eṯ-H853
√ ʼêth — properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)Direct object marker
אִתּ֔וֹ’it·tōwalongH854
√ ʼêth — properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), nearPrepositionthird person masculine singular
וְאֵ֖תwə·’êṯH853
√ ʼêth — properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)Conjunctive wawDirect object marker
שְׁנֵ֤יšə·nêtwoH8147
√ shᵉnayim — twoNumbermasculine dual construct
נְעָרָיו֙nə·‘ā·rāwof his servantsH5288
√ naʻar — (concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescenceNounmasculine plural constructthird person masculine singular
בְּנ֑וֹbə·nōwand his sonH1121
√ bên — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etcNounmasculine singular constructthird person masculine singular
יִצְחָ֣קyiṣ·ḥāqIsaacH3327
√ Yitschâq — Jitschak (or Isaac), son of AbrahamNounpropermasculine singular
וַיְבַקַּע֙way·ḇaq·qa‘He splitH1234
√ bâqaʻ — to cleaveConjunctive wawVerbPielConsecutive imperfectthird person masculine singular
wayĕbaqqa‘, "he split [the wood]" — done in advance so that nothing at the place would distract from the act; the wood for the fire prepared by the father's hand.
עֲצֵ֣י‘ă·ṣêthe woodH6086
√ ʻêts — a tree (from its firmness)Nounmasculine plural construct
עֹלָ֔ה‘ō·lāhfor a burnt offeringH5930
√ ʻôlâh — a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending)Nounfeminine singular
וַיָּ֣קָםway·yā·qāmand set out forH6965
√ qûwm — to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)Conjunctive wawVerbQalConsecutive imperfectthird person masculine singular
וַיֵּ֔לֶךְway·yê·leḵ. . .H1980
√ hâlak — to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)Conjunctive wawVerbQalConsecutive imperfectthird person masculine singular
אֶל־’el-. . .H413
√ ʼêl — near, with or amongPreposition
הַמָּק֖וֹםham·mā·qō·wmthe placeH4725
√ mâqôwm — properly, a standing, iArticleNounmasculine singular
ham-māqôm, "the place" — a weighty word in Hebrew (later almost a name for the sanctuary); here "the place which God had said," the appointed spot, still unnamed.
אֲשֶׁר־’ă·šer-H834
√ ʼăsher — who, which, what, thatPronounrelative
הָאֱלֹהִֽים׃hā·’ĕ·lō·hîmGodH430
√ ʼĕlôhîym — gods in the ordinary senseArticleNounmasculine plural
אָֽמַר־’ā·mar-had designatedH559
√ ʼâmar — to say (used with great latitude)VerbQalPerfectthird person masculine singular
ל֥וֹlōw. . .
Prepositionthird person masculine singular
The Voices✦ public domain+
He rises early — Probably the command was given in the visions of the night, and early the next morning he sets himself about it, did not delay, did not demur. Those that do the will of God heartily, will do it speedily.
Abraham’s prompt unquestioning obedience is here depicted in the description of his successive acts. The mental struggle is passed over in silence. Calvin notes: “quasi oculis clausis pergit quo jubetur.”
Calvin's Latin: "as if with closed eyes he proceeds where he is bidden."
Abraham rose up early in the morning, that he might execute God’s command without doubt or delay; and saddled his ass, for greater expedition, not waiting for his servant to do it.
4“On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the dist…”+

4On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance.

Berean Standard Bible · CC0

Hebrew — tap a word ↓

haš·šə·lî·šî bay·yō·wm ’aḇ·rā·hām ’eṯ- way·yiś·śā ‘ê·nāw way·yar ’eṯ- ham·mā·qō·wm mê·rā·ḥōq

Literal — word-for-word from the original

On-the-day the-third and-lifted Abraham [direct-object] his-eyes and-saw [direct-object] the-place from-afar.

Where the English smooths the original

  • וַיִּשָּׂ֨א BSB looked up renders wayyiśśā’ ‘ênāyw, literally "and he lifted his eyes" (nāśā’, H5375, "to lift"). It is a Hebrew idiom for the deliberate raising of the gaze toward something significant; "looked up" loses the bodily gesture and the weight the phrase carries elsewhere in the narratives.
  • הַשְּׁלִישִׁ֗י BSB the third day faithfully renders hayyôm haššĕlîšî, but the English cannot carry what the third day will come to mean: the long interval (Beersheba to Moriah is reckoned over two days' travel) during which Isaac was, in his father's reckoning, already given up — a death and a not-yet-deliverance the tradition reads against the resurrection on the third day.
  • מֵרָחֹֽק BSB in the distance renders mērāḥōq (H7350), "from afar." The point is not merely geographic: the place of sacrifice is seen and approached from far off, the dread instant held at arm's length for as long as the road allows.
Word by word10 · parsed+
הַשְּׁלִישִׁ֗יhaš·šə·lî·šîOn the thirdH7992
√ shᵉlîyshîy — thirdArticleNumberordinal masculine singular
haššĕlîšî, "the third" (H7992) — the climactic third day of a three-day journey; the prolonged ordeal, not a sudden act. From the moment of the command Isaac is, in his father's reckoning, already given up, so that this is the day Isaac is in effect restored. ⚙ Hebrews 11:19 says Abraham "received him back" as "in a parable" (figuratively), and the tradition (so Gill) hears in "the third day" a forecast of resurrection — a typological inference the Hebrew does not assert on its own, but to which the ordinal lends itself (cf. Hosea 6:2, "on the third day he will raise us up").
בַּיּ֣וֹםbay·yō·wmdayH3117
√ yôwm — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated term), (often used adverb)Preposition-b, ArticleNounmasculine singular
אַבְרָהָ֧ם’aḇ·rā·hāmAbrahamH85
√ ʼAbrâhâm — Abraham, the later name of AbramNounpropermasculine singular
אֶת־’eṯ-H853
√ ʼêth — properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)Direct object marker
וַיִּשָּׂ֨אway·yiś·śālooked upH5375
√ nâsâʼ — to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relativeConjunctive wawVerbQalConsecutive imperfectthird person masculine singular
wayyiśśā’, "and he lifted [his eyes]" — the formulaic gesture preceding a decisive seeing (cf. Gen 13:10; 18:2).
עֵינָ֛יו‘ê·nāw. . .H5869
√ ʻayin — an eye (literally or figuratively)Nouncdcthird person masculine singular
וַיַּ֥רְאway·yarand sawH7200
√ râʼâh — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)Conjunctive wawVerbQalConsecutive imperfectthird person masculine singular
אֶת־’eṯ-H853
√ ʼêth — properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)Direct object marker
הַמָּק֖וֹםham·mā·qō·wmthe placeH4725
√ mâqôwm — properly, a standing, iArticleNounmasculine singular
ham-māqôm, "the place" — repeated from v. 3; what God had only spoken of now comes into sight.
מֵרָחֹֽק׃mê·rā·ḥōqin the distanceH7350
√ râchôwq — remote, literally or figuratively, of place or timePreposition-mAdjectivemasculine singular
mērāḥōq, "from afar" — the distance underscores how long the dread has been carried.
The Voices✦ public domain+
We may compare the patriarch’s feelings during these two weary days of travel with those of Hagar as she wandered in the wilderness, and each day felt the death of her child growing nearer and more certain. But hers were human sorrows only, while Abraham was giving up the son on whom his spiritual hopes depended.
"Lifted up his eyes." It is scarcely necessary to remind the reader of the Bible that this phrase does not imply that the place was above his poi
Barnes notes the idiom "lifted up his eyes" does not mean the place was higher than his standpoint; the text was truncated in the source.
The “place” was on a lofty eminence visible at a distance. Presumably “the third day” indicates a journey of 30 or 40 miles.
the deliverance of Isaac on this third day was doubtless typical of Christ's resurrection from the dead on the third day; for from the time that Abraham had the command to offer up his son, he was reckoned no other by him than as one dead, from whence he received him in a figure on this third day
Gill reads the third day against Hebrews 11:19 (“received him back in a figure”); the resurrection-on-the-third-day reading is old and widely-held but is a typological inference, not a claim the Hebrew text makes on its own.
5““Stay here with the donkey,” Abraham told his servants. “The boy…”+

5“Stay here with the donkey,” Abraham told his servants. “The boy and I will go over there to worship, and then we will return to you.”

Berean Standard Bible · CC0

Hebrew — tap a word ↓

šə·ḇū- lā·ḵem pōh ‘im- ha·ḥă·mō·wr ’aḇ·rā·hām way·yō·mer ’el- nə·‘ā·rāw wə·han·na·‘ar wa·’ă·nî nê·lə·ḵāh ‘aḏ- kōh wə·niš·ta·ḥă·weh wə·nā·šū·ḇāh ’ă·lê·ḵem

Literal — word-for-word from the original

And-said Abraham to his-young-men, "Stay here with the-donkey, and-I and-the-boy will-go as-far-as there, and-we-will-worship, and-we-will-return to-you."

Where the English smooths the original

  • וְנִֽשְׁתַּחֲוֶ֖ה BSB to worship renders wĕništaḥăweh (Hitpael of šāḥāh, H7812), literally "and we will bow ourselves down / prostrate ourselves." The Hebrew names the bodily act of self-abasement before God; here "worship" is the bowing-down that will end in laying a son on an altar.
  • וְנָשׁ֥וּבָה BSB and then we will return renders wĕnāšûbāh (cohortative of šûb, H7725) — first person plural: "we will return," both of us. Abraham does not say "I will return"; the plural either veils his intent or, as Hebrews 11:19 reads it, voices a real faith that Isaac too would come back. The English keeps the plural but cannot flag how loaded it is.
  • הַנַּ֔עַר BSB the boy renders han-na‘ar (H5288), "the lad" — the same word used in v. 3 for the two servants. The narrative deliberately calls Isaac a na‘ar even though tradition holds he was a grown man; the word keeps the pathos of a child and the obedience of one old enough to consent both in view.
Word by word17 · parsed+
שְׁבוּ־šə·ḇū-StayH3427
√ yâshab — properly, to sit down (specifically as judgeVerbQalImperativemasculine plural
šĕbû, "stay / sit" — the imperative leaving the servants behind; the last stretch must be walked alone with Isaac.
לָכֶ֥םlā·ḵem
Prepositionsecond person masculine plural
פֹּה֙pōhhereH6311
√ pôh — this place (French ici), iAdverb
עִֽם־‘im-withH5973
√ ʻim — adverb or preposition, with (iPreposition
הַחֲמ֔וֹרha·ḥă·mō·wrthe donkeyH2543
√ chămôwr — a male ass (from its dun red)ArticleNounmasculine singular
אַבְרָהָ֜ם’aḇ·rā·hāmAbrahamH85
√ ʼAbrâhâm — Abraham, the later name of AbramNounpropermasculine singular
וַיֹּ֨אמֶרway·yō·mertoldH559
√ ʼâmar — to say (used with great latitude)Conjunctive wawVerbQalConsecutive imperfectthird person masculine singular
אֶל־’el-. . .H413
√ ʼêl — near, with or amongPreposition
נְעָרָ֗יוnə·‘ā·rāwhis servantsH5288
√ naʻar — (concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescenceNounmasculine plural constructthird person masculine singular
וְהַנַּ֔עַרwə·han·na·‘arThe boyH5288
√ naʻar — (concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescenceConjunctive waw, ArticleNounmasculine singular
han-na‘ar, "the boy" — Isaac, called the same "lad" as the servants in v. 3.
וַאֲנִ֣יwa·’ă·nîand IH589
√ ʼănîy — IConjunctive wawPronounfirst person common singular
נֵלְכָ֖הnê·lə·ḵāhwill goH1980
√ hâlak — to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)VerbQalImperfect Cohortativefirst person common plural
עַד־‘aḏ-overH5704
√ ʻad — as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)Preposition
כֹּ֑הkōhthereH3541
√ kôh — properly, like this, iAdverb
וְנִֽשְׁתַּחֲוֶ֖הwə·niš·ta·ḥă·wehto worshipH7812
√ shâchâh — to depress, iConjunctive wawVerbHitpaelConjunctive imperfectfirst person common plural
wĕništaḥăweh, "and we will worship" — the act of prostration; Abraham names the coming sacrifice as worship.
וְנָשׁ֥וּבָהwə·nā·šū·ḇāhand then we will returnH7725
√ shûwb — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point)Conjunctive wawVerbQalConjunctive imperfect Cohortativefirst person common plural
wĕnāšûbāh ’ălêkem, "and we will return to you" — the plural "we" is the verse's hinge: dissimulation, prophecy, or resurrection-faith. Hebrews 11:19 takes it as faith that God could raise Isaac from the dead.
אֲלֵיכֶֽם׃’ă·lê·ḵemto youH413
√ ʼêl — near, with or amongPrepositionsecond person masculine plural
The Voices✦ public domain+
I and the lad will . . . come again to you. —In these words Abraham gives utterance to the hope ascribed to him in Hebrews 11:19 .
The servants were not to see what would take place there; for they could not understand this "worship," and the issue even to him, notwithstanding his saying "we will come again to you," was still involved in the deepest obscurity.
He did not doubt that God would accomplish his promise, even if he should sacrifice his son.
6“Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on hi…”+

6Abraham 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.

Berean Standard Bible · CC0

Hebrew — tap a word ↓

’aḇ·rā·hām ’eṯ- way·yiq·qaḥ ‘ă·ṣê hā·‘ō·lāh way·yā·śem ‘al- bə·nōw yiṣ·ḥāq way·yiq·qaḥ bə·yā·ḏōw ’eṯ- hā·’êš wə·’eṯ- ham·ma·’ă·ḵe·leṯ šə·nê·hem way·yê·lə·ḵū yaḥ·dāw

Literal — word-for-word from the original

And-took Abraham [direct-object] the-wood of-the-burnt-offering and-placed it-on Isaac his-son, and-he-took in-his-hand [direct-object] the-fire and [direct-object] the-knife, and-walked-on the-two-of-them together.

Where the English smooths the original

  • וַיָּ֙שֶׂם֙ BSB placed it on renders wayyāśem ... ‘al-Yiṣḥāq — Abraham "sets / lays" the wood upon the son. The bare verb is the same one used in v. 9 when he "lays" Isaac on the wood: first the wood is laid on the son, then the son on the wood — a chiasm the English does not mark.
  • הַֽמַּאֲכֶ֑לֶת BSB the sacrificial knife renders ham-ma’ăkelet (H3979), a rare word built on ’ākal, "to eat" — literally "the eating-instrument," the slaughtering blade. It occurs only four times in the whole OT; its very rarity makes its appearance here, in the father's hand, jarring and exact.
  • יַחְדָּֽו BSB together renders yaḥdāw (H3162), "as one, in union." Repeated identically in v. 8, it frames the ascent: father and son walk "as one" — the bearer of the wood and the bearer of the fire and knife, bound in a single will.
Word by word18 · parsed+
אַבְרָהָ֜ם’aḇ·rā·hāmAbrahamH85
√ ʼAbrâhâm — Abraham, the later name of AbramNounpropermasculine singular
אֶת־’eṯ-H853
√ ʼêth — properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)Direct object marker
וַיִּקַּ֨חway·yiq·qaḥtookH3947
√ lâqach — to take (in the widest variety of applications)Conjunctive wawVerbQalConsecutive imperfectthird person masculine singular
עֲצֵ֣י‘ă·ṣêthe woodH6086
√ ʻêts — a tree (from its firmness)Nounmasculine plural construct
הָעֹלָ֗הhā·‘ō·lāhfor the burnt offeringH5930
√ ʻôlâh — a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending)ArticleNounfeminine singular
וַיָּ֙שֶׂם֙way·yā·śemand placedH7760
√ sûwm — to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)Conjunctive wawVerbQalConsecutive imperfectthird person masculine singular
wayyāśem, "and he placed" — the wood laid on Isaac; in v. 9 the same verb lays Isaac on the wood.
עַל־‘al-it onH5921
√ ʻal — above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applicationsPreposition
בְּנ֔וֹbə·nōwhis sonH1121
√ bên — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etcNounmasculine singular constructthird person masculine singular
יִצְחָ֣קyiṣ·ḥāqIsaacH3327
√ Yitschâq — Jitschak (or Isaac), son of AbrahamNounpropermasculine singular
וַיִּקַּ֣חway·yiq·qaḥHe himself carriedH3947
√ lâqach — to take (in the widest variety of applications)Conjunctive wawVerbQalConsecutive imperfectthird person masculine singular
wayyiqqaḥ bĕyādô, "he took in his hand" — the father keeps the dangerous instruments, the fire and the blade, in his own hand; the son carries only the wood.
בְּיָד֔וֹbə·yā·ḏōw. . .H3027
√ yâd — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etcPreposition-bNounfeminine singular constructthird person masculine singular
אֶת־’eṯ-H853
√ ʼêth — properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)Direct object marker
הָאֵ֖שׁhā·’êšthe fireH784
√ ʼêsh — fire (literally or figuratively)ArticleNouncommon singular
וְאֶת־wə·’eṯ-H853
√ ʼêth — properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)Conjunctive wawDirect object marker
הַֽמַּאֲכֶ֑לֶתham·ma·’ă·ḵe·leṯand the sacrificial knifeH3979
√ maʼăkeleth — something to eat with,iArticleNounfeminine singular
ham-ma’ăkelet, "the knife" — a rare slaughtering-blade word (only Gen 22:6, 10; Judg 19:29; Prov 30:14); its sound is unsettling here.
שְׁנֵיהֶ֖םšə·nê·hemand the twoH8147
√ shᵉnayim — twoNumbermasculine dual constructthird person masculine plural
וַיֵּלְכ֥וּway·yê·lə·ḵūof them walked onH1980
√ hâlak — to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)Conjunctive wawVerbQalConsecutive imperfectthird person masculine plural
יַחְדָּֽו׃yaḥ·dāwtogetherH3162
√ yachad — properly, a unit, iAdverb
yaḥdāw, "together / as one" — the refrain of vv. 6 and 8; the unity of father and son on the road of sacrifice.
The Voices✦ public domain+
Isaac’s carrying the wood was a type of Christ, who carried his own cross, while Abraham, with a steady and undaunted resolution, carried the fatal knife and fire .
instinctively the mind reverts to the cross-bearing of Abraham's greater Son ( John 19:17 )
Isaac carries the heavy weight of the wood; Abraham, the more dangerous burden of the fire (i.e. a brazier) and the knife.
7“Then Isaac said to his father Abraham, “My father!” “Here I am, …”+

7Then Isaac said to his father Abraham, “My father!” “Here I am, my son,” he replied. “The fire and the wood are here,” said Isaac, “but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?”

Berean Standard Bible · CC0

Hebrew — tap a word ↓

yiṣ·ḥāq way·yō·mer ’el- ’ā·ḇîw ’aḇ·rā·hām way·yō·mer ’ā·ḇî hin·nen·nî ḇə·nî way·yō·mer hā·’êš wə·hā·‘ê·ṣîm hin·nêh way·yō·mer wə·’ay·yêh haś·śeh lə·‘ō·lāh

Literal — word-for-word from the original

And-said Isaac to Abraham his-father, and-he-said, "My-father!" And-he-said, "Here-am-I, my-son." And-he-said, "Behold the-fire and-the-wood, but-where is-the-lamb for-a-burnt-offering?"

Where the English smooths the original

  • אָבִ֔י BSB My father renders ’ābî — the intimate "my father," first word from Isaac's mouth in the whole chapter, breaking the long silence. The Hebrew word for father (’āb) and the relationship it names are precisely what the command of v. 2 is tearing apart; the address itself is a wound.
  • הִנֶּ֣נִּֽי BSB Here I am renders hinnennî — the very word Abraham answered God with in v. 1 (hinnēnî), now answered to his son. The same total availability that he gives to God he gives to Isaac; the English uses identical words but cannot show the deliberate echo.
  • וְאַיֵּ֥ה BSB but where renders wĕ’ayyēh (H346), the interrogative "and where?" The child's question is the unbearable one: every element of sacrifice is present except the victim. The Hebrew puts the missing lamb last for full effect — "the fire and the wood ... but where the lamb?"
Word by word17 · parsed+
יִצְחָ֜קyiṣ·ḥāqThen IsaacH3327
√ Yitschâq — Jitschak (or Isaac), son of AbrahamNounpropermasculine singular
וַיֹּ֨אמֶרway·yō·mersaidH559
√ ʼâmar — to say (used with great latitude)Conjunctive wawVerbQalConsecutive imperfectthird person masculine singular
אֶל־’el-toH413
√ ʼêl — near, with or amongPreposition
אָבִיו֙’ā·ḇîwhis fatherH1
√ ʼâb — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote applicationNounmasculine singular constructthird person masculine singular
אַבְרָהָ֤ם’aḇ·rā·hāmAbrahamH85
√ ʼAbrâhâm — Abraham, the later name of AbramNounpropermasculine singular
וַיֹּ֣אמֶרway·yō·merH559
√ ʼâmar — to say (used with great latitude)Conjunctive wawVerbQalConsecutive imperfectthird person masculine singular
אָבִ֔י’ā·ḇîMy fatherH1
√ ʼâb — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote applicationNounmasculine singular constructfirst person common singular
’ābî, "my father" — the first words Isaac speaks; the bond named at the moment it is most strained.
הִנֶּ֣נִּֽיhin·nen·nîHere I amH2009
√ hinnêh — lo!Interjectionfirst person common singular
hinnennî bĕnî, "Here am I, my son" — Abraham answers his son with the same word he gave God (v. 1). The Hebrew refuses to let him hide behind silence.
בְנִ֑יḇə·nîmy sonH1121
√ bên — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etcNounmasculine singular constructfirst person common singular
וַיֹּ֖אמֶרway·yō·merhe repliedH559
√ ʼâmar — to say (used with great latitude)Conjunctive wawVerbQalConsecutive imperfectthird person masculine singular
הָאֵשׁ֙hā·’êšThe fireH784
√ ʼêsh — fire (literally or figuratively)ArticleNouncommon singular
וְהָ֣עֵצִ֔יםwə·hā·‘ê·ṣîmand the woodH6086
√ ʻêts — a tree (from its firmness)Conjunctive waw, ArticleNounmasculine plural
הִנֵּ֤הhin·nêhare hereH2009
√ hinnêh — lo!Interjection
וַיֹּ֗אמֶרway·yō·mersaid IsaacH559
√ ʼâmar — to say (used with great latitude)Conjunctive wawVerbQalConsecutive imperfectthird person masculine singular
וְאַיֵּ֥הwə·’ay·yêhbut whereH346
√ ʼayêh — where?Conjunctive wawInterrogative
wĕ’ayyēh, "but where" — the question that exposes the whole trial.
הַשֶּׂ֖הhaś·śehis the lambH7716
√ seh — a member of a flock, iArticleNounmasculine singular
haś-śeh, "the lamb" — Isaac asks for the victim, not knowing he is it; the word for the flock-animal that v. 8 will answer with "God will see to it."
לְעֹלָֽה׃lə·‘ō·lāhfor the burnt offeringH5930
√ ʻôlâh — a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending)Preposition-lNounfeminine singular
The Voices✦ public domain+
My father; a compellation which might both wound Abraham’s heart, and admonish him how unbecoming to a father that action was which he was going about. Here am I, my son; which expression showed that he had not put off fatherly affection to him
The pathos of the narrative reaches its climax in the simple expression of boyish curiosity, indicating a knowledge of his father’s regular usages of sacrifice.
This is, 1st, A trying question to Abraham; how could he endure to think that Isaac is himself the lamb?
8“Abraham answered, “God Himself will provide the lamb for the bur…”+

8Abraham answered, “God Himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And the two walked on together.

Berean Standard Bible · CC0

Hebrew — tap a word ↓

’aḇ·rā·hām way·yō·mer ’ĕ·lō·hîm lōw yir·’eh- haś·śeh lə·‘ō·lāh bə·nî šə·nê·hem way·yê·lə·ḵū yaḥ·dāw

Literal — word-for-word from the original

And-said Abraham, "God will-see-for-Himself the-lamb for-the-burnt-offering, my-son." And-walked-on the-two-of-them together.

Where the English smooths the original

  • יִרְאֶה־ BSB will provide renders yir’eh (Qal of rā’āh, H7200), literally "will see" — Hebrew "see for himself" is the idiom for "provide." The same verb-root underlies the name Moriah (v. 2) and the name Abraham gives the place, "the LORD will see / be seen" (Yahweh-yireh, v. 14). "Provide" is correct but conceals the running pun on seeing.
  • אֱלֹהִ֞ים BSB God Himself renders ’Ĕlōhîm lô — here Elohim stands without the article ("God," the supreme power), unlike the articular ha-Elohim of v. 1. Keil notes the distinction: Abraham can name God as provider while still unable to name the victim.
  • הַשֶּׂ֛ה BSB the lamb renders haś-śeh with the definite article — "the lamb," the very lamb. The article quietly hands the choosing of the victim back to God; it is not "a lamb" Abraham will find, but "the lamb" God will see to.
Word by word11 · parsed+
אַבְרָהָ֔ם’aḇ·rā·hāmAbrahamH85
√ ʼAbrâhâm — Abraham, the later name of AbramNounpropermasculine singular
וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙way·yō·meransweredH559
√ ʼâmar — to say (used with great latitude)Conjunctive wawVerbQalConsecutive imperfectthird person masculine singular
אֱלֹהִ֞ים’ĕ·lō·hîmGodH430
√ ʼĕlôhîym — gods in the ordinary senseNounmasculine plural
’Ĕlōhîm, "God" — anarthrous here (no article), "God" as the all-pervading power who provides.
לּ֥וֹlōwHimself
Prepositionthird person masculine singular
יִרְאֶה־yir·’eh-will provideH7200
√ râʼâh — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)VerbQalImperfectthird person masculine singular
yir’eh, "will see / provide" — the theological center of the verse; God's seeing-to-it. The verb seeds the name of v. 14 and answers the riddle of v. 7. This single word holds Abraham's whole faith.
הַשֶּׂ֛הhaś·śehthe lambH7716
√ seh — a member of a flock, iArticleNounmasculine singular
haś-śeh lĕ‘ōlāh, "the lamb for the burnt offering" — śeh (H7716) is the small flock-animal, lamb or kid; the definite article ("the lamb") leaves the choosing of the provision wholly to God. The same word is the one Isaiah lays on the Suffering Servant, "as a lamb (śeh) that is led to the slaughter" (Isa 53:7) — a genuine verbal thread, the same lexeme carrying from Moriah to the Servant-song; and the NT hears the Lamb of God in both (John 1:29).
לְעֹלָ֖הlə·‘ō·lāhfor the burnt offeringH5930
√ ʻôlâh — a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending)Preposition-lNounfeminine singular
בְּנִ֑יbə·nîmy sonH1121
√ bên — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etcNounmasculine singular constructfirst person common singular
שְׁנֵיהֶ֖םšə·nê·hemAnd the twoH8147
√ shᵉnayim — twoNumbermasculine dual constructthird person masculine plural
וַיֵּלְכ֥וּway·yê·lə·ḵūwalked onH1980
√ hâlak — to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)Conjunctive wawVerbQalConsecutive imperfectthird person masculine plural
yaḥdāw, "together" — the refrain returns from v. 6, sealing the conversation; they walk on as one.
יַחְדָּֽו׃yaḥ·dāwtogetherH3162
√ yachad — properly, a unit, iAdverb
The Voices✦ public domain+
Heb. see for himself , cf. Genesis 41:33 . Abraham’s words express his self-control and his faith, and have a reference to Genesis 22:14 . The provision by God of a lamb for a burnt-offering lies at the root of the interpretation of the present passage in its typical application to the Sacrifice of Christ.
Abraham may have respect to the Messiah, the Lamb of God, John 1:29 , whom he had provided in council and covenant before the world was
The only way to overcome all temptation is to rest on God's providence.
the utterance of heroic faith rather than the language of pious dissimulation
the father replies, not "Thou wilt be it, my son," but "God (Elohim without the article - God as the all-pervading supreme power) will provide it;" for he will not and cannot yet communicate the divine command to his son
9“When they arrived at the place God had designated, Abraham built…”+

9When 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.

Berean Standard Bible · CC0

Hebrew — tap a word ↓

way·yā·ḇō·’ū ’el- ham·mā·qō·wm ’ă·šer hā·’ĕ·lō·hîm ’ā·mar- lōw ’aḇ·rā·hām ’eṯ- way·yi·ḇen ham·miz·bê·aḥ šām way·ya·‘ă·rōḵ ’eṯ- hā·‘ê·ṣîm way·ya·‘ă·qōḏ ’eṯ- bə·nōw yiṣ·ḥāq way·yā·śem ’ō·ṯōw ‘al- ham·miz·bê·aḥ mim·ma·‘al lā·‘ê·ṣîm

Literal — word-for-word from the original

And-they-came to the-place which the-God had-said to-him, and-built there Abraham [direct-object] the-altar, and-arranged [direct-object] the-wood, and-bound [direct-object] Isaac his-son, and-placed him on the-altar, atop the-wood.

Where the English smooths the original

  • וַֽיַּעֲקֹד֙ BSB bound renders wayya‘ăqōd (Qal of ‘āqad, H6123), "to bind by tying the limbs together," a word found nowhere else in the OT. From it the whole event takes its Jewish name, the Aqedah, "the Binding of Isaac." The English "bound" cannot carry that this single, unique verb has named the story for three thousand years.
  • וַֽיַּעֲרֹ֖ךְ BSB arranged renders wayya‘ărōk (H6186), "to set in order, lay out in rows" — the technical term for ordering wood on a sacrificial altar (cf. Lev 1:7; 1 Kgs 18:33). The word marks this as a proper, deliberate, liturgical act, not a panicked improvisation.
  • וַיָּ֤שֶׂם BSB placed him renders wayyāśem ’ōtô — the same verb (śûm) that in v. 6 placed the wood on Isaac; now it places Isaac on the wood. The deliberate reuse closes the chiasm: the son who bore the wood is laid upon it.
Word by word25 · parsed+
וַיָּבֹ֗אוּway·yā·ḇō·’ūWhen they arrivedH935
√ bôwʼ — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)Conjunctive wawVerbQalConsecutive imperfectthird person masculine plural
אֶֽל־’el-atH413
√ ʼêl — near, with or amongPreposition
הַמָּקוֹם֮ham·mā·qō·wmthe placeH4725
√ mâqôwm — properly, a standing, iArticleNounmasculine singular
אֲשֶׁ֣ר’ă·šerH834
√ ʼăsher — who, which, what, thatPronounrelative
הָאֱלֹהִים֒hā·’ĕ·lō·hîmGodH430
√ ʼĕlôhîym — gods in the ordinary senseArticleNounmasculine plural
אָֽמַר־’ā·mar-had designatedH559
√ ʼâmar — to say (used with great latitude)VerbQalPerfectthird person masculine singular
ל֣וֹlōw. . .
Prepositionthird person masculine singular
אַבְרָהָם֙’aḇ·rā·hāmAbrahamH85
√ ʼAbrâhâm — Abraham, the later name of AbramNounpropermasculine singular
אֶת־’eṯ-H853
√ ʼêth — properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)Direct object marker
וַיִּ֨בֶןway·yi·ḇenbuiltH1129
√ bânâh — to build (literally and figuratively)Conjunctive wawVerbQalConsecutive imperfectthird person masculine singular
wayyiben ham-mizbēaḥ, "and he built the altar" — the definite article ("the altar") may point to a known spot; the altar is raised by the father's own hands.
הַמִּזְבֵּ֔חַham·miz·bê·aḥthe altarH4196
√ mizbêach — an altarArticleNounmasculine singular
שָׁ֤םšāmthereH8033
√ shâm — there (transferring to time) thenAdverb
וַֽיַּעֲרֹ֖ךְway·ya·‘ă·rōḵand arrangedH6186
√ ʻârak — to set in a row, iConjunctive wawVerbQalConsecutive imperfectthird person masculine singular
wayya‘ărōk, "and he arranged" — the technical liturgical ordering of the wood.
אֶת־’eṯ-H853
√ ʼêth — properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)Direct object marker
הָעֵצִ֑יםhā·‘ê·ṣîmthe woodH6086
√ ʻêts — a tree (from its firmness)ArticleNounmasculine plural
וַֽיַּעֲקֹד֙way·ya·‘ă·qōḏHe boundH6123
√ ʻâqad — to tie with thongsConjunctive wawVerbQalConsecutive imperfectthird person masculine singular
wayya‘ăqōd, "and he bound" — the unique verb that names the Aqedah. The tradition is unanimous that Isaac, old and strong enough to resist, submitted; his binding is consent, not capture.
אֶת־’eṯ-H853
√ ʼêth — properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)Direct object marker
בְּנ֔וֹbə·nōwhis sonH1121
√ bên — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etcNounmasculine singular constructthird person masculine singular
יִצְחָ֣קyiṣ·ḥāqIsaacH3327
√ Yitschâq — Jitschak (or Isaac), son of AbrahamNounpropermasculine singular
וַיָּ֤שֶׂםway·yā·śemand placedH7760
√ sûwm — to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)Conjunctive wawVerbQalConsecutive imperfectthird person masculine singular
wayyāśem ’ōtô, "and he placed him" — Isaac laid on the wood he himself had carried.
אֹתוֹ֙’ō·ṯōwhimH853
√ ʼêth — properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)Direct object markerthird person masculine singular
עַל־‘al-onH5921
√ ʻal — above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applicationsPreposition
הַמִּזְבֵּ֔חַham·miz·bê·aḥthe altarH4196
√ mizbêach — an altarArticleNounmasculine singular
מִמַּ֖עַלmim·ma·‘alatopH4605
√ maʻal — properly, the upper part, used only adverbially with prefix upward, above, overhead, from the top, etcPreposition-mAdverb
לָעֵצִֽים׃lā·‘ê·ṣîmthe woodH6086
√ ʻêts — a tree (from its firmness)Preposition-l, ArticleNounmasculine plural
The Voices✦ public domain+
Another technical word, for binding the limbs of the sacrificial animal, only found here in O.T. Amongst the Jews the sacrifice of Isaac was known as “the binding ( ‘akêdah ) of Isaac.”
And that Isaac might be the more exact type of Christ, he was bound by his own consent, otherwise his age and strength seem sufficient to have made an effectual resistance.
Be astonished, O heavens, at this, and wonder, O earth! here is an act of faith and obedience which deserves to be a spectacle to God, angels, and men; Abraham’s darling, the church’s hope, the heir of promise, lies ready to bleed and die by his own father’s hands!
There is a wonderful pathos in the words his son, his father, introduced in the sacred style in this and similar narratives.
10“Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to slaughte…”+

10Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son.

Berean Standard Bible · CC0

Hebrew — tap a word ↓

’aḇ·rā·hām ’eṯ- way·yiš·laḥ yā·ḏōw way·yiq·qaḥ ’eṯ- ham·ma·’ă·ḵe·leṯ liš·ḥōṭ ’eṯ- bə·nōw

Literal — word-for-word from the original

And-reached-out Abraham [direct-object] his-hand, and-took [direct-object] the-knife to-slaughter his-son.

Where the English smooths the original

  • וַיִּשְׁלַ֤ח BSB reached out renders wayyišlaḥ yādô (Qal of šālaḥ, H7971), "and he sent forth his hand." The verb normally means "send away / send out"; here the hand is "sent" toward the son — the same hand that in v. 12 the angel commands not to be sent against the boy. The narrative pivots on this one stretched-out hand.
  • לִשְׁחֹ֖ט BSB to slaughter renders lišḥōṭ (H7819), the technical sacrificial verb for killing the victim by cutting the throat — the word used of slaying the Passover lamb (Exod 12:6). It is not a generic "kill"; it is the precise cultic act, applied here to a son.
  • הַֽמַּאֲכֶ֑לֶת BSB the knife renders the rare ham-ma’ăkelet again (cf. v. 6) — the slaughtering-blade word. Its second and final appearance in the chapter brings the trial to its edge: the unique knife now in the hand, raised over the bound son.
Word by word10 · parsed+
אַבְרָהָם֙’aḇ·rā·hāmThen AbrahamH85
√ ʼAbrâhâm — Abraham, the later name of AbramNounpropermasculine singular
אֶת־’eṯ-H853
√ ʼêth — properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)Direct object marker
וַיִּשְׁלַ֤חway·yiš·laḥreached outH7971
√ shâlach — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)Conjunctive wawVerbQalConsecutive imperfectthird person masculine singular
wayyišlaḥ yādô, "he stretched out his hand" — the obedience carried to its last possible point; the willing is complete, the deed all but done.
יָד֔וֹyā·ḏōwhis handH3027
√ yâd — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etcNounfeminine singular constructthird person masculine singular
וַיִּקַּ֖חway·yiq·qaḥand tookH3947
√ lâqach — to take (in the widest variety of applications)Conjunctive wawVerbQalConsecutive imperfectthird person masculine singular
wayyiqqaḥ ... ham-ma’ăkelet, "and he took the knife" — the rare blade-word (H3979) seen first in v. 6.
אֶת־’eṯ-H853
√ ʼêth — properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)Direct object marker
הַֽמַּאֲכֶ֑לֶתham·ma·’ă·ḵe·leṯthe knifeH3979
√ maʼăkeleth — something to eat with,iArticleNounfeminine singular
לִשְׁחֹ֖טliš·ḥōṭto slaughterH7819
√ shâchaṭ — to slaughter (in sacrifice or massacre)Preposition-lVerbQalInfinitive construct
lišḥōṭ, "to slaughter" — the technical sacrificial verb (cutting the throat); the narrative stops here, on the verge, for God to speak in v. 11.
אֶת־’eṯ-H853
√ ʼêth — properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)Direct object marker
בְּנֽוֹ׃bə·nōwhis sonH1121
√ bên — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etcNounmasculine singular constructthird person masculine singular
The Voices✦ public domain+
who even in the last moment offers no resistance, but behaves like a type of him who was led like a lamb to the slaughter ( Isaiah 53:7 ).
The technical sacrificial word for killing the victim by cutting its throat.
he put forth his hand, one would think in a trembling manner, for it is enough to make one tremble to think of it: and took the knife to slay his son; with a full intention to do it, which was carrying his obedience to the divine will to the last extremity

The verse-by-verse work is done. What follows gathers the whole unit. All three layers below are machine-generated (⚙). Weigh them; they have no authority.

Grand Commentary — the unit, read wholesynthesis · verify+

AI synthesis — woven from the public-domain voices above and the original text; generated and fallible.

i. Proved, not tempted: the word that means both — Genesis 22:1

The chapter turns on a single Hebrew verb, nissāh ("he proved / put to the test"), and the whole tradition labours to keep its two senses apart. Matthew Henry notes that "in Hebrew, to tempt, and to try, or to prove, are expressed by the same word," yet insists "God proved Abraham, not to draw him to sin, as Satan tempts." Alexander Maclaren draws the line with great precision: "Temptation says: 'Do this pleasant thing; do not be hindered by the fact that it is wrong.' Trial, or proving, says: 'Do this right and noble thing; do not be hindered by the fact that it is painful.'" The Cambridge Bible sharpens the point by contrast: "the 'proving' of Abraham, which is here referred directly to God Himself," stands over against "the 'proving' of Job, which ... is brought about by 'the Satan.'" The grammar agrees: the subject is ha-Elohim, "the God" with the article. And Abraham's one-word reply, hinnēnî ("Here am I"), is the watchword of the wholly-available servant. ⚙ The narrator's own theology is set in the first verse: this is a test whose outcome God already holds, given to display and to strengthen a faith God means to pass, not to break.

ii. Every word a sword: the command and its slow obedience — Genesis 22:2–6

The command is built to wound. Charles Ellicott observes that the Hebrew is "more emphatic" than the English — "Take, I pray, thy son, thine only son, whom thou lovest, even Isaac" — and that the opening particle is "not an adverb of time, but an interjection of entreaty ... intended to soften them," so that the most terrible order in Scripture comes dressed as a request. The Cambridge Bible marks "the cumulative force of the successive words ... indicating the severity of the test," and Matthew Poole feels each clause: "Not a word here but might pierce a heart of stone." Then the obedience: Joseph Benson notes Abraham "rises early ... did not delay, did not demur," and the Cambridge Bible quotes Calvin's image, "quasi oculis clausis pergit quo jubetur" (as if with closed eyes he proceeds where he is bidden). The wood is split by the father's own hand (wayĕbaqqa‘) and then, at the foot of the mountain, laid on the son. ⚙ The Hebrew runs the same root through command and offering: "send him up" (ha‘ălēhû) and "burnt offering" (‘ōlāh) — what is asked is an ascent that holds nothing back.

iii. The wood, the knife, and the unanswerable question — Genesis 22:6–8

The ascent is told in short, tolling clauses. The rare word ham-ma’ăkelet ("the knife," found only four times in the whole Hebrew Bible) appears in the father's hand, and twice the narrator says they walked on yaḥdāw, "together, as one." Into that silence Isaac speaks: "My father ... but where is the lamb?" Joseph Benson calls it "a trying question to Abraham; how could he endure to think that Isaac is himself the lamb?" Abraham's answer turns on yir’eh, "God will see / provide": the Cambridge Bible renders the Hebrew "see for himself" and finds that here "the provision by God of a lamb for a burnt-offering lies at the root of the interpretation of the present passage in its typical application to the Sacrifice of Christ." The Geneva Study Bible draws the practical edge: "The only way to overcome all temptation is to rest on God's providence." ⚙ The verb of provision (rā’āh, to see) is the same root the tradition hears in "Moriah" and that Abraham will plant in the place-name of v. 14 — the whole episode is a sustained pun on God's seeing-to-it.

iv. The Binding: obedience carried to the knife's edge — Genesis 22:9–10

At the place the act becomes liturgy: the altar built, the wood "arranged" (wayya‘ărōk, the technical term for ordering a sacrifice), and the son "bound" by the verb wayya‘ăqōd, which the Cambridge Bible notes is "another technical word, for binding the limbs of the sacrificial animal, only found here in O.T." — and from which "the sacrifice of Isaac was known as 'the binding (‘akêdah) of Isaac.'" The tradition is unanimous that the son consented: Matthew Poole reasons "he was bound by his own consent, otherwise his age and strength seem sufficient to have made an effectual resistance." Joseph Benson cries out, "Be astonished, O heavens, at this, and wonder, O earth!" Then the hand is stretched out and the knife taken "to slaughter" (lišḥōṭ, the precise cultic verb) — and the narrative stops, mid-motion, for God to speak. ⚙ Hebrew narrative rarely pauses; this pause, with the blade raised over the bound son, is the point at which the will is counted as the deed (cf. Heb 11:17–19).

Read under Sola Scriptura — this tool’s own fallible reading (⚙)

⚙ Under Sola Scriptura, this fallible reader offers a reading to be tested by the Word itself. The text never tells us what Abraham felt — Maclaren rightly calls it "the pathos of reticence" — and that silence is itself the sermon: faith is measured not by the storm of emotion but by the steadiness of the feet on the road. Three times the narrative withholds and then provides: the place is unnamed for three days, the victim is unnamed until the angel speaks, and the resolution is withheld until the knife is in the air. The running root rā’āh ("to see / provide") is the spine of the chapter — Moriah, "God will see to the lamb," and the place named "the LORD will see" (v. 14). The reading I would submit for testing is this: the Aqedah is not chiefly a story about how much God can ask of a man, but about Whom a man trusts when God's command and God's promise seem to contradict — and the answer the text presses is that the God who proves is the same God who provides, and that He is seen most clearly precisely at the edge of the knife. This is the reader's synthesis, fallible, and to be weighed against Genesis 22 entire and against Hebrews 11.

The God who tells you to give up the son is the same God who will see to the lamb — and He is seen most clearly at the edge of the knife. (a fallible reading, not Scripture)

Canonical Threads — out to the whole of Scripturecross-refs · verify+

AI-generated connections. Each carries a verification badge with a recorded basis; contested links are flagged.

Moriah → Mount Moriah, the Temple Mount (2 Chronicles 3:1) verbal / quotation — confirmed

The proper name Mōriyyāh occurs in only two verses in the entire Hebrew Bible — here and in 2 Chronicles 3:1, "in mount Moriah ... in the place that David had prepared in the threshing-floor of Ornan." The shared rare lexeme makes the verbal link itself indisputable; what it means is debated. The Cambridge Bible cautions that "the land of Moriah" of Genesis cannot simply be Jerusalem, and suspects "the Chronicler ... has recorded the popular tradition of his own time" identifying the two. The connection of word is certain; the geographic identification is the tradition's reading.

Genesis 22:2 · 2 Chronicles 3:1

basis: shared rare lexeme H4179 Môwrîyâh (occurs in only 2 verses in the OT) — Verifier-confirmed; also H2022 har (in 486 vv)

The rare knife: ma’ăkelet (Judges 19:29; Proverbs 30:14) verbal / quotation — confirmed

The slaughtering-blade ham-ma’ăkelet (H3979) appears only four times in the Hebrew Bible: twice in this chapter (vv. 6, 10), once in the Levite's dismembering of the concubine (Judges 19:29), and once in Agur's portrait of a generation "whose teeth are as knives" (Proverbs 30:14). The rarity is the link: the word is a marked, unsettling term reserved for moments of dread. Its presence in Abraham's hand is a deliberate verbal jolt, not a neutral choice of vocabulary.

Genesis 22:6 · Genesis 22:10 · Judges 19:29 · Proverbs 30:14

basis: shared rare lexeme H3979 maʼăkeleth (occurs in only 4 verses in the OT) — Verifier-confirmed across Gen 22:6/22:10/Judg 19:29/Prov 30:14

"Whom thou lovest": the first love-command (Deuteronomy 6:5) structural / thematic — confirmed

The first occurrence of the verb "to love" (’āhab, H157) with God's people in view is here — "thy son ... whom thou lovest" — and the most famous use of the same root is the Shema's "thou shalt love the LORD thy God" (Deut 6:5). The link is the shared lexeme, not a quotation: Genesis dramatizes a love for a son set against love for God, and Deuteronomy commands the love that the Aqedah proved. The connection is thematic, carried by a common (not rare) word, so it must be argued and not asserted.

Genesis 22:2 · Deuteronomy 6:5

basis: shared lexeme H157 ʼâhab (in 197 vv) — common word; link is thematic (love of son vs. love of God), not verbal quotation

The patriarchal-promise formula: Abraham–Isaac (Genesis 25:19; Exodus 3:15) structural / thematic — confirmed

The names Abraham (H85) and Isaac (H3327) recur together across the canon as the standing formula of covenant continuity — the generations of Isaac (Gen 25:19), the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob revealed to Moses (Exod 3:15), the remembered covenant (Exod 2:24). These are frequent names, so the Verifier rightly tiers the connection structural, not verbal: the Aqedah is the hinge on which the promise to Isaac is tested and re-secured, and these later texts presuppose that it held.

Genesis 22:1 · Genesis 25:19 · Exodus 3:15 · Exodus 2:24

basis: shared lexemes H85 ʼAbrâhâm + H3327 Yitschâq (common proper names, 159 / 101 vv) — structural covenant-formula link, not a rare-word quotation

"By faith Abraham ... offered up Isaac" (Hebrews 11:17–19) flagged — verify source

The NT's fullest interpretation of the Aqedah reads Abraham as "accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead." Ellicott and Matthew Poole both hear this faith already in Abraham's plural "we will return to you" (v. 5). Because Hebrews is Greek and Genesis is Hebrew, no shared Strong's lexeme can exist; the link is genuine but cross-Testament, and where a NT quotation's provenance or precise force is weighed, the recorded basis must be flagged rather than asserted as verbal.

Genesis 22:5 · Genesis 22:9 · Hebrews 11:17

basis: Greek↔Hebrew: Verifier finds no shared original-language lexeme (the index cannot bridge Testaments); the connection is interpretive (Hebrews' reading of the Aqedah) and is recorded as flagged, not verbal

"The lamb": Moriah's śeh and the Servant led to slaughter (Isaiah 53:7) structural / thematic — confirmed

Abraham's "God will see to the lamb" uses śeh (H7716), the small flock-animal — the very word Isaiah lays upon the Suffering Servant, "as a lamb (śeh) that is led to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb" (Isa 53:7). The Pulpit Commentary already feels the pull at v. 10, where Isaac "behaves like a type of him who was led like a lamb to the slaughter (Isaiah 53:7)." The shared lexeme is genuine but not rare (39 verses), so the tier is structural, not a quotation-claim: the same Hebrew word carries from the mountain of provision to the Servant-song, and both are heard in John 1:29.

Genesis 22:8 · Isaiah 53:7

basis: shared lexeme H7716 seh (in 39 vv) — Verifier-confirmed; a moderate-frequency word, so the link is thematic (provided lamb / Servant-lamb), not a rare-word quotation

"On the third day": the day of restoration (Hosea 6:2) structural / thematic — confirmed

Isaac, given up from the hour of the command, is restored to Abraham "on the third day" (bayyôm haššĕlîšî). John Gill reads it against the resurrection: "the deliverance of Isaac on this third day was doubtless typical of Christ's resurrection from the dead on the third day," comparing Hosea 6:2, "after two days will he revive us; on the third day he will raise us up." The Verifier confirms the shared ordinal shᵉlîshî (H7992, "third"); but it is a common word and the resurrection-reading is a typological inference, not a textual claim. The thread is recorded structural, and the figural force marked as ancient and widely-held rather than asserted as the verse's own meaning.

Genesis 22:4 · Hosea 6:2

basis: shared lexeme H7992 shᵉlîyshî (in 94 vv) + H3117 yôwm (in 1930 vv) — Verifier-confirmed; common words, so the link is thematic/typological (third-day restoration), not a rare-word quotation

The altar and the place: built sacrifice (Exodus 20:24) structural / thematic — confirmed

Abraham "built the altar" (mizbēaḥ, H4196) at "the place" (māqôm, H4725), and the altar-law of Exodus 20:24 — "an altar of earth ... in all places where I record my name" — is read by Matthew Poole as the very pattern: "an altar, made of earth slightly put together, as God afterwards prescribed, Exodus 20:24." The shared words are common, so the tier is structural: the Aqedah anticipates the ordered, place-bound worship that the Sinai legislation will codify.

Genesis 22:9 · Exodus 20:24

basis: shared lexemes H4196 mizbêach (in 338 vv) + H4725 mâqôwm (in 379 vv) — common cultic vocabulary; link is structural (altar/place), not a rare-word quotation

Christ in the Unittypology · verify+

AI-generated reading; weigh it against the text.

The only/beloved son not withheld ancient/widely-held

The piling-up of "thy son, thine only son, whom thou lovest" (v. 2) was heard by the Fathers and the Reformers alike as a figure of the Father giving the Son. Ellicott writes that the command set forth "the mystery of the Father giving the Son to die for the sins of the world," and Maclaren notes that Paul "quotes the very words of this chapter" in "He that spared not His own Son" (Rom 8:32). The Greek of Genesis (LXX) renders "only son" as ton agapēton, "the beloved" — the very word spoken over Christ. ⚙ This is the ancient and widely-held reading, attested from Barnabas and Irenaeus onward.

Genesis 22:2 · Genesis 22:12

Isaac bearing the wood: the cross-bearing son ancient/widely-held

That the son carried the wood of his own sacrifice up the hill (v. 6) was read as a type of Christ bearing His cross from the earliest centuries. Joseph Benson: "Isaac's carrying the wood was a type of Christ, who carried his own cross"; Matthew Poole: "an eminent type of Christ, who carried that wood upon which he was crucified"; the Pulpit Commentary: "instinctively the mind reverts to the cross-bearing of Abraham's greater Son (John 19:17)." ⚙ Augustine drew the same figure; the typology is ancient and widely-held, not novel.

Genesis 22:6 · Genesis 22:9

"God will provide Himself the lamb" (v. 8) → the Lamb of God ancient/widely-held

Abraham's yir’eh ... haś-śeh, "God will see to / provide the lamb," is read straight through to John 1:29, "Behold the Lamb of God." The Cambridge Bible finds here "the root of the interpretation of the present passage in its typical application to the Sacrifice of Christ," and John Gill sees "the Messiah, the Lamb of God, John 1:29, whom he had provided ... before the world was." The same Hebrew word for the lamb, śeh, is the one Isaiah lays on the Servant "led ... to the slaughter" (Isa 53:7; see threads). ⚙ The Lamb-of-God reading is ancient and widely-held; the bolder claim — that Abraham himself consciously foresaw Christ — is the more contested (Gill's stronger version), which this reader holds more loosely.

Genesis 22:8

Received back on the third day: the resurrection figure ancient/widely-held

Hebrews 11:19 says Abraham reasoned "that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence he did also in a parable receive him back" — and the church heard in "the third day" (v. 4) a forecast of the resurrection on the third day. John Gill: "the deliverance of Isaac on this third day was doubtless typical of Christ's resurrection from the dead on the third day; for from the time that Abraham had the command ... he was reckoned no other by him than as one dead, from whence he received him in a figure on this third day." Albert Barnes grounds the same point: "in the triumph of faith he accounted that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead." ⚙ The resurrection-typology is the reading Hebrews itself models (a "parable"), and is ancient and widely-held; but it is a figural reading laid upon the text, not a claim the Genesis narrative makes in its own words — held here as figure, not as exegesis of the bare Hebrew.

Genesis 22:4 · Genesis 22:5

Apparatus & Provenance

The biblical text is the Berean Standard Bible (BSB), public domain (CC0). Hebrew/Greek text, transliteration, morphology and Strong’s are transcribed from the Berean interlinear (CC0) + Strong’s lexicons (PD); the literal renderings, divergence notes, word notes and all synthesis are this tool’s own work (⚙) — fallible; verify them.

Named voices, quoted verbatim from public-domain works:

The biblical text is the Berean Standard Bible (BSB), public domain. Parsing, glosses, and Strong's numbers follow the Berean interlinear; where a note depends on grammar it is taken from that sourced data and not from the synthesist's invention. The named voices (✦) are quoted verbatim from public-domain commentaries on biblehub.com and attributed in place: Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers, Maclaren's Expositions, Benson, Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary, Barnes, Jamieson-Fausset-Brown, Poole, Gill, the Geneva Study Bible, the Cambridge Bible, the Pulpit Commentary, and Keil & Delitzsch. Several voices preserve Latin from Calvin and Luther; their force is glossed in the editorial notes but the Latin itself is left as the source printed it. Honesty notes specific to this unit: (1) The Verifier's two strongest links rest on genuinely rare lexemes — Môwrîyâh (2 verses) and ma’ăkelet (4 verses) — and are tiered "verbal — confirmed" on that basis alone; the further claim that Moriah is the Jerusalem Temple Mount is a tradition (the Chronicler's), flagged as such within the thread, not a lexical certainty. (2) The Hebrews 11:17–19 link is real and important but cannot be verbal, since Greek and Hebrew share no Strong's index; it is recorded as "flagged — verify source" per the cross-Testament rule. (3) The age of Isaac ("lad" vs. grown man), the meaning of "Moriah," and whether "we will return" (v. 5) is dissimulation or faith are all genuinely disputed among the named voices; the synthesis reports the dispute rather than resolving it. (4) The Christ typology of the wood-bearing son and the provided lamb is ancient and widely-held; the stronger claim that Abraham consciously foresaw Christ is the synthesist's clearly-marked, more-tentative reading. (5) Two further intra-Hebrew threads added in this pass — Moriah's śeh ("lamb") to the Servant "led as a lamb to the slaughter" (Isaiah 53:7, shared H7716), and "the third day" to the day of restoration (Hosea 6:2, shared H7992) — are both Verifier-confirmed but rest on common, not rare, lexemes; they are therefore tiered "structural / thematic," not "verbal," and the resurrection-on-the-third-day force is marked as a typological reading (the one Hebrews 11:19 itself models as a "parable"), not as the bare narrative's own assertion. (6) The Septuagint's rendering of "only son" as ton agapēton ("the beloved"), noted in the Christ section, is a real datum of the Greek tradition but bridges Hebrew and Greek and so is never tiered "verbal"; it is offered as the LXX's witness, not as a Strong's-indexed link. This unit (Genesis 22:1–10) is wholly Hebrew narrative; it contains no Joshua 1:5 material, so the mandatory Joshua-1:5→Hebrews-13:5 flag does not apply here.

= human, public-domain source, quoted and named. = machine synthesis, to be verified. Flagged cross-references are left visible on purpose — the verifier working in the open. “Search the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” (Acts 17:11)