1 And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, [here] I [am].
2 And he said, Take now thy son, thine only [son] Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.
3 And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him.
4 Then on the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place afar off.
5 And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you.
6 And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering, and laid [it] upon Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife; and they went both of them together.
7 And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and 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?
8 And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together.
9 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.
10 And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son.
11 And the angel of the LORD called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here [am] I.
12 And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only [son] from me.
13 And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind [him] a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son.
14 And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovahjireh: as it is said [to] this day, In the mount of the LORD it shall be seen.
15 And the angel of the LORD called unto Abraham out of heaven the second time,
16 And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the LORD, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only [son]:
17 That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which [is] upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;
18 And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.
19 So Abraham returned unto his young men, and they rose up and went together to Beersheba; and Abraham dwelt at Beersheba.
20 And it came to pass after these things, that it was told Abraham, saying, Behold, Milcah, she hath also born children unto thy brother Nahor;
21 Huz his firstborn, and Buz his brother, and Kemuel the father of Aram,
22 And Chesed, and Hazo, and Pildash, and Jidlaph, and Bethuel.
23 And Bethuel begat Rebekah: these eight Milcah did bear to Nahor, Abraham’s brother.
24 And his concubine, whose name [was] Reumah, she bare also Tebah, and Gaham, and Thahash, and Maachah.
Overview of Genesis 22
Genesis 22 is a pivotal chapter in the Bible that narrates the story of Abraham’s faith and obedience to God. This chapter is often referred to as the “Binding of Isaac” and is significant in both Jewish and Christian traditions. It explores themes of faith, sacrifice, and divine testing.
Key Themes
- Faith and Obedience: Abraham’s unwavering faith in God is showcased through his willingness to sacrifice his son Isaac.
- Divine Testing: The chapter illustrates the concept of God testing the faith of believers.
- Provision: The narrative emphasizes God’s provision, culminating in the substitution of a ram for Isaac.
- Foreshadowing: The story is often interpreted as a foreshadowing of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
Summary of the Chapter
- God’s Command (Verses 1-2): God tests Abraham by commanding him to sacrifice his son Isaac on Mount Moriah.
- Abraham’s Response (Verses 3-5): Without hesitation, Abraham prepares for the journey, taking Isaac, wood, and fire, demonstrating his obedience.
- The Journey (Verses 6-8): As they ascend the mountain, Isaac questions his father about the lamb for the offering, to which Abraham responds that God will provide.
- The Binding of Isaac (Verses 9-10): Upon reaching the designated place, Abraham builds an altar, binds Isaac, and prepares to sacrifice him.
- Divine Intervention (Verses 11-12): An angel of the Lord calls out to Abraham, stopping him just before the sacrifice, affirming that Abraham’s fear of God is evident.
- Provision of the Ram (Verses 13-14): Abraham sees a ram caught in a thicket, which he sacrifices in place of Isaac, naming the location “The Lord Will Provide.”
- God’s Promise Renewed (Verses 15-18): The angel of the Lord reaffirms God’s covenant with Abraham, promising blessings and numerous descendants as a result of his obedience.
- Return Home (Verses 19): Abraham and Isaac return together to Beersheba, marking the end of this profound test of faith.
Theological Implications
Genesis 22 serves as an essential text for understanding the nature of faith and the relationship between God and humanity. It raises several theological questions and implications:
- The Nature of God: The chapter explores God’s sovereignty and His right to test His followers.
- Human Sacrifice: It challenges the notion of human sacrifice and illustrates God’s ultimate provision.
- Faith in Action: Abraham’s actions exemplify the concept of faith being demonstrated through works.
Literary Structure
The chapter is structured in a narrative format, employing dialogue and action to convey its message. The tension builds as Abraham prepares to sacrifice Isaac, creating a dramatic climax that resolves with divine intervention. The use of repetition, especially in the phrases “Here I am” and “Do not lay a hand on the boy,” enhances the emotional weight of the story.
Conclusion
Genesis 22 is a profound chapter that encapsulates the essence of faith, obedience, and divine provision. It serves as a cornerstone for theological reflection and has been a source of inspiration and discussion throughout religious history. The narrative not only tests Abraham’s faith but also reveals the character of God as a provider and protector.
