Genesis 22:10

10 And Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son.

Genesis 22:10 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 22:10

And Abraham stretched forth his hand
All things being ready for execution, the altar built, the wood laid on it, the sacrifice bound and laid on that, nothing remained but to cut the throat of the sacrifice; and in order to that, the instrument for it laying by him, 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, and shows he was sincere in it, and really designed to complete it; and this was taken by the Lord as if it was actually done. He had his knife in his hand, and was near the throat of his son, and just ready to give the fatal thrust; in another moment, as it were, it would have been all over; but in the nick of time God appeared and prevented it, as follows:

Genesis 22:10 In-Context

8 And Abraham said, "{God will provide} the lamb for a burnt offering, my son." And the two of them went together.

9 And they came to the place that God had told him. And Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood. Then he bound Isaac his son and placed him on the altar atop the wood.

10 And Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son.

11 And the angel of Yahweh called to him from heaven and said, "Abraham! Abraham!" And he said, "Here I [am]."

12 And he said, "Do not stretch out your hand against the boy; do not do anything to him. For now I know that you are {one who fears} God, since you have not withheld your son, your only child, from me."