Genesis 22:1
וַיְהִ֗י אַחַר֙ הַדְּבָרִ֣ים הָאֵ֔לֶּה וְהָ֣אֱלֹהִ֔ים נִסָּ֖ה אֶת־אַבְרָהָ֑ם וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֵלָ֔יו אַבְרָהָ֖ם וַיֹּ֥אמֶר הִנֵּֽנִי׃
And it was, after these things that God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” and he said, “Behold me.”
Paraphrase: Now after Isaac was born and had grown into a young adult, that God decided to put Abraham to the test. Therefore, He summoned Abraham into His presence. “Abraham!” He called out. Abraham heard the voice of God and replied, “Yes, I am here. What is it that you want to say to me?”
Comments:
Genesis 22:2
וַיֹּ֡אמֶר קַח־נָ֠א אֶת־בִּנְךָ֙ אֶת־יְחִֽידְךָ֤ אֲשֶׁר־אָהַ֙בְתָּ֙ אֶת־יִצְחָ֔ק וְלֶךְ־לְךָ֔ אֶל־אֶ֖רֶץ הַמֹּרִיָּ֑ה וְהַעֲלֵ֤הוּ שָׁם֙ לְעֹלָ֔ה עַ֚ל אַחַ֣ד הֶֽהָרִ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֖ר אֹמַ֥ר אֵלֶֽיךָ׃
And He said, “Take please, your son, your only, who you love, Isaac, and go for yourself to the land of Moriah and offer him up there for an Olah on one of the mountains which I will say to you.”
Paraphrase: “Abraham, I want you to do something for Me,” He said. “Tomorrow morning, I want you to take your son; yes, I mean Isaac, your only son, the one whom you love so much; I want you to take him and to offer him as an Olah (Leviticus 1:3 and here) to Me. You will do this in the region of Moriah. When you get there, I’ll show you on which hill I want you to make this sacrifice.
Comments:
Luther: Therefore Abraham’s heart was wounded far more deeply now than previously, when he cast out Ishmael. But it is impossible for us to comprehend the greatness of this trial. The reason is that Isaac had the promise of the future blessing. Therefore the command to kill him was all the more painful. Works 4:92.
Calvin (p560): For the great source of grief to him was not his own bereavement, not that he was commanded to slay his only heir, the hope of future memorial and of name, the glory and support of his family; but that, in the person of this son, the whole salvation of the world seemed to be extinguished and to perish. His contest, too, was not with his carnal passions, but, seeing that he wished to devote himself wholly to God, his very piety and religion filled him with distracting thoughts. For God, as if engaging in personal contest with him, requires the death of the boy, to whose person He himself had annexed the hope of eternal salvation. So that this latter command was, in a certain sense, the destruction of faith.
Genesis 22:3
וַיַּשְׁכֵּ֨ם אַבְרָהָ֜ם בַּבֹּ֗קֶר וַֽיַּחֲבֹשׁ֙ אֶת־חֲמֹר֔וֹ וַיִּקַּ֞ח אֶת־שְׁנֵ֤י נְעָרָיו֙ אִתּ֔וֹ וְאֵ֖ת יִצְחָ֣ק בְּנ֑וֹ וַיְבַקַּע֙ עֲצֵ֣י עֹלָ֔ה וַיָּ֣קָם וַיֵּ֔לֶךְ אֶל־הַמָּק֖וֹם אֲשֶׁר־אָֽמַר־ל֥וֹ הָאֱלֹהִֽים׃
And Abraham rose early in the morning and saddled his donkey and took two of his young men with him and Isaac, his son, and split the sticks of the Olah and got up and went to Moriah which God told him.
Paraphrase: Upon hearing this, Abraham was completely stunned and speechless. What could this possibly mean? Is it possible that he had really just heard God commanding him to sacrifice his only son Isaac on an altar? What could God possibly mean with this? Was not Isaac the beginning of the fulfillment of all that God had promised him? Had not God promised him the land of Canaan, a numerous seed, and that blessing would flow to the nations through his family? How could these promises ever be realized if Isaac’s life was taken? Everything depended on Isaac. As the night passed, Abraham’s thoughts continued; but finally, the morning was coming and Abraham knew it was time to set out. God had spoken, and Abraham knew that God’s way was best. With all these questions still swirling about in his mind, he rolled out of bed and proceeded to make preparations for the trip. The sun wasn’t even up yet when his two servant boys brought him his donkey. Abraham saddled it up and then inquired about the wood needed for the Olah. The two young men went off to split some logs. Once the wood was loaded on the donkey, Abraham, Isaac, and the two young men started off to Moriah as God had directed.
Comments:
Genesis 22:4
בַּיּ֣וֹם הַשְּׁלִישִׁ֗י וַיִּשָּׂ֨א אַבְרָהָ֧ם אֶת־עֵינָ֛יו וַיַּ֥רְא אֶת־הַמָּק֖וֹם מֵרָחֹֽק׃
On the third day, Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw the place at a distance.
Paraphrase: After three days of travelling, Abraham saw Moriah off in the distance.
Comments:
Genesis 22:5
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר אַבְרָהָ֜ם אֶל־נְעָרָ֗יו שְׁבוּ־לָכֶ֥ם פֹּה֙ עִֽם־הַחֲמ֔וֹר וַאֲנִ֣י וְהַנַּ֔עַר נֵלְכָ֖ה עַד־כֹּ֑ה וְנִֽשְׁתַּחֲוֶ֖ה וְנָשׁ֥וּבָה אֲלֵיכֶֽם׃
And Abraham said to his young men, “Stay for yourself here with the donkey, and I and the young man will go to there, and we will worship and will return to you.
Paraphrase: Then Abraham called a halt. “You boys stay here with the donkey,” he said to the two servants. “Isaac and I will will continue on to Moriah where we will offer our sacrifice in worship to God. When we are finished, we will return to you here and head home.”
Comments:
Genesis 22:6
וַיִּקַּ֨ח אַבְרָהָ֜ם אֶת־עֲצֵ֣י הָעֹלָ֗ה וַיָּ֙שֶׂם֙ עַל־יִצְחָ֣ק בְּנ֔וֹ וַיִּקַּ֣ח בְּיָד֔וֹ אֶת־הָאֵ֖שׁ וְאֶת־הַֽמַּאֲכֶ֑לֶת וַיֵּלְכ֥וּ שְׁנֵיהֶ֖ם יַחְדָּֽו׃
And Abraham took the sticks of the Olah and placed on Isaac, his son, and he took in his hand fire and the knife, and they went the two of them together.
Paraphrase: So Abraham lifted the bundle of wood off the donkey and placed it on Isaac. Then, he took the fire and the knife from his servants, and he and Isaac headed off to Moriah.
Comments:
Genesis 22:7
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר יִצְחָ֜ק אֶל־אַבְרָהָ֤ם אָבִיו֙ וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אָבִ֔י וַיֹּ֖אמֶר הִנֶּ֣נִּֽי בְנִ֑י וַיֹּ֗אמֶר הִנֵּ֤ה הָאֵשׁ֙ וְהָ֣עֵצִ֔ים וְאַיֵּ֥ה הַשֶּׂ֖ה לְעֹלָֽה׃
And Isaac said to Abraham, his father, and said, “My father.” And he said, “Behold me, my son.” And he said, “Behold the fire and the wood, but where the lamb for the Olah?”
Paraphrase: As they walked along, Isaac suddenly drew up short. “Father,” he said. “What is it, Isaac?” Abraham replied. “Look! we have wood and fire, but we have no animal to offer up to God? How can we have an Olah without an animal?”
Comments:
Genesis 22:8
וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ אַבְרָהָ֔ם אֱלֹהִ֞ים יִרְאֶה־לּ֥וֹ הַשֶּׂ֛ה לְעֹלָ֖ה בְּנִ֑י וַיֵּלְכ֥וּ שְׁנֵיהֶ֖ם יַחְדָּֽו׃
And Abraham said, “God will see to it, a lamb for the Olah, my son.” And they went on the two of them together.
Paraphrase: Abraham sighed to himself and ignored him. He dreaded the follow-up question which he knew was coming. Sure enough; Isaac pressed his point. “Father!” he said sharply, “We forgot to bring an animal to offer to God! We can’t have an Olah without an animal.”
“God will see to it that we have the right animal to offer up, my son.” he said. Isaac looked perplexed at this answer but said nothing and followed after his father.
Comments:
Genesis 22:9
וַיָּבֹ֗אוּ אֶֽל־הַמָּקוֹם֮ אֲשֶׁ֣ר אָֽמַר־ל֣וֹ הָאֱלֹהִים֒ וַיִּ֨בֶן שָׁ֤ם אַבְרָהָם֙ אֶת־הַמִּזְבֵּ֔חַ וַֽיַּעֲרֹ֖ךְ אֶת־הָעֵצִ֑ים וַֽיַּעֲקֹד֙ אֶת־יִצְחָ֣ק בְּנ֔וֹ וַיָּ֤שֶׂם אֹתוֹ֙ עַל־הַמִּזְבֵּ֔חַ מִמַּ֖עַל לָעֵצִֽים׃
And they came to Moriah which God had told to him, and Abraham built there an altar and arranged the sticks and bound Isaac, his son, and placed him on the altar, on top of the sticks.
Paraphrase: Finally they arrived at the place which God had indicated was the hill on which this sacrifice was to take place. (Genesis 22:2) Isaac let down the bundle of wood he was carrying while Abraham gathered stones to build the altar. When the altar was finished, Abraham carefully arranged the wood on it so that it would burn well. Then with great dread, he took his son Isaac, bound his hands and feet, lifted him up onto the altar placing him squarely on top of the wood.
Comments:
Genesis 22:10
וַיִּשְׁלַ֤ח אַבְרָהָם֙ אֶת־יָד֔וֹ וַיִּקַּ֖ח אֶת־הַֽמַּאֲכֶ֑לֶת לִשְׁחֹ֖ט אֶת־בְּנֽוֹ׃
And Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knife to kill his son.
Paraphrase: Then, Abraham reached for the knife, took it in his hand, and lifted it up to strike the fatal blow.
Comments:
Genesis 22:11
וַיִּקְרָ֨א אֵלָ֜יו מַלְאַ֤ךְ יְהוָה֙ מִן־הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם וַיֹּ֖אמֶר אַבְרָהָ֣ם׀ אַבְרָהָ֑ם וַיֹּ֖אמֶר הִנֵּֽנִי׃
And an angel of YHWH called out to him from the heavens and said, “Abraham! Abraham!” And he said, “Behold me.”
Paraphrase: Now just as Abraham had lifted his arm to strike the blow and to take the life of his son Isaac, there was the sound of a loud, clear voice from the heavens. (Revelation 10:3) It was the voice of the messenger of YHWH, the Great King of heaven and earth. “Abraham! Abraham!” the messenger cried out. Abraham paused and looked up, “Yes, I am here.” he said.
Comments:
Genesis 22:12
וַיֹּ֗אמֶר אַל־תִּשְׁלַ֤ח יָֽדְךָ֙ אֶל־הַנַּ֔עַר וְאַל־תַּ֥עַשׂ ל֖וֹ מְא֑וּמָּה כִּ֣י׀ עַתָּ֣ה יָדַ֗עְתִּי כִּֽי־יְרֵ֤א אֱלֹהִים֙ אַ֔תָּה וְלֹ֥א חָשַׂ֛כְתָּ אֶת־בִּנְךָ֥ אֶת־יְחִידְךָ֖ מִמֶּֽנִּי׃
And He said, “Do not stretch out your hand on the youth and do not to him anything, for now I know that a fearer of God you are, and you did not spare your son, your only from Me.
Paraphrase: “Stop!” shouted the angel with great urgency, “Go no further! Don’t harm the boy or do anything further to him. It’s no longer necessary to offer him up to YHWH. YHWH has seen your trust in Him and your unqualified willingness to give over to Him even your most prized possession. You have withheld nothing from YHWH; and now, He is satisfied that you fear God. Yes, your loyalty and devotion to Him is no longer in question. You have demonstrated that you love and serve Him above everything in heaven and earth. (Exodus 20:3)
Comments:
Genesis 22:13
וַיִּשָּׂ֨א אַבְרָהָ֜ם אֶת־עֵינָ֗יו וַיַּרְא֙ וְהִנֵּה־אַ֔יִל אַחַ֕ר נֶאֱחַ֥ז בַּסְּבַ֖ךְ בְּקַרְנָ֑יו וַיֵּ֤לֶךְ אַבְרָהָם֙ וַיִּקַּ֣ח אֶת־הָאַ֔יִל וַיַּעֲלֵ֥הוּ לְעֹלָ֖ה תַּ֥חַת בְּנֽוֹ׃
And Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw and behold a ram behind; he was caught in a bush by his horns, and Abraham went and took the ram and offered him up for an Olah in place of his son.
Paraphrase: Astonished, Abraham put down his knife, untied Isaac, and helped him down from the altar. He was completely speechless and had no idea what to do. He remembered what he had said to Isaac where he had assured him that God would provide an animal for the burnt offering. (Genesis 22:8) Now, however, there really was no animal to offer up to God. What was to become of this sacrifice? It was then that Abraham heard a commotion some distance behind him. Turning, he looked off into the countryside and saw in the distance a young ram desperately trying to free itself from the branches of a bush. The ram’s horns, however, were completely entangled in the brush, and its best efforts were not sufficient. Abraham looked at Isaac and immediately they both knew what to do. They killed the ram, dragged it back to the place of sacrifice, and there Abraham placed it on the altar and lit the fire. As the carcass burned and smoked, both Abraham and Isaac reflected on what had taken place. God had provided an animal as Abraham had said, and this animal had taken the place of Isaac on the altar. What did this all mean? (Luke 2:19; John 1:29; Galatians 3:13)
Comments:
Genesis 22:14
וַיִּקְרָ֧א אַבְרָהָ֛ם שֵֽׁם־הַמָּק֥וֹם הַה֖וּא יְהוָ֣ה׀ יִרְאֶ֑ה אֲשֶׁר֙ יֵאָמֵ֣ר הַיּ֔וֹם בְּהַ֥ר יְהוָ֖ה יֵרָאֶֽה׃
Genesis 22:15
וַיִּקְרָ֛א מַלְאַ֥ךְ יְהוָ֖ה אֶל־אַבְרָהָ֑ם שֵׁנִ֖ית מִן־הַשָּׁמָֽיִם׃
Genesis 22:16
וַיֹּ֕אמֶר בִּ֥י נִשְׁבַּ֖עְתִּי נְאֻם־יְהוָ֑ה כִּ֗י יַ֚עַן אֲשֶׁ֤ר עָשִׂ֙יתָ֙ אֶת־הַדָּבָ֣ר הַזֶּ֔ה וְלֹ֥א חָשַׂ֖כְתָּ אֶת־בִּנְךָ֥ אֶת־יְחִידֶֽךָ׃
Genesis 22:17
כִּֽי־בָרֵ֣ךְ אֲבָרֶכְךָ֗ וְהַרְבָּ֨ה אַרְבֶּ֤ה אֶֽת־זַרְעֲךָ֙ כְּכוֹכְבֵ֣י הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם וְכַח֕וֹל אֲשֶׁ֖ר עַל־שְׂפַ֣ת הַיָּ֑ם וְיִרַ֣שׁ זַרְעֲךָ֔ אֵ֖ת שַׁ֥עַר אֹיְבָֽיו׃
Genesis 22:18
וְהִתְבָּרֲכ֣וּ בְזַרְעֲךָ֔ כֹּ֖ל גּוֹיֵ֣י הָאָ֑רֶץ עֵ֕קֶב אֲשֶׁ֥ר שָׁמַ֖עְתָּ בְּקֹלִֽי׃
Genesis 22:19
וַיָּ֤שָׁב אַבְרָהָם֙ אֶל־נְעָרָ֔יו וַיָּקֻ֛מוּ וַיֵּלְכ֥וּ יַחְדָּ֖ו אֶל־בְּאֵ֣ר שָׁ֑בַע וַיֵּ֥שֶׁב אַבְרָהָ֖ם בִּבְאֵ֥ר שָֽׁבַע׃פ
Genesis 22:20
וַיְהִ֗י אַחֲרֵי֙ הַדְּבָרִ֣ים הָאֵ֔לֶּה וַיֻּגַּ֥ד לְאַבְרָהָ֖ם לֵאמֹ֑ר הִ֠נֵּה יָלְדָ֨ה מִלְכָּ֥ה גַם־הִ֛וא בָּנִ֖ים לְנָח֥וֹר אָחִֽיךָ׃
Genesis 22:21
אֶת־ע֥וּץ בְּכֹר֖וֹ וְאֶת־בּ֣וּז אָחִ֑יו וְאֶת־קְמוּאֵ֖ל אֲבִ֥י אֲרָֽם׃
Genesis 22:22
וְאֶת־כֶּ֣שֶׂד וְאֶת־חֲז֔וֹ וְאֶת־פִּלְדָּ֖שׁ וְאֶת־יִדְלָ֑ף וְאֵ֖ת בְּתוּאֵֽל׃
Genesis 22:23
וּבְתוּאֵ֖ל יָלַ֣ד אֶת־רִבְקָ֑ה שְׁמֹנָ֥ה אֵ֙לֶּה֙ יָלְדָ֣ה מִלְכָּ֔ה לְנָח֖וֹר אֲחִ֥י אַבְרָהָֽם׃
Genesis 22:24
וּפִֽילַגְשׁ֖וֹ וּשְׁמָ֣הּ רְאוּמָ֑ה וַתֵּ֤לֶד גַּם־הִוא֙ אֶת־טֶ֣בַח וְאֶת־גַּ֔חַם וְאֶת־תַּ֖חַשׁ וְאֶֽת־מַעֲכָֽה׃ס