Genesis 22:6-12

6 Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them went on together,

7 Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, “Father?” “Yes, my son?” Abraham replied. “The fire and wood are here,” Isaac said, “but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?”

8 Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And the two of them went on together.

9 When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood.

10 Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son.

11 But the angel of the LORD called out to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied.

12 “Do not lay a hand on the boy,” he said. “Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.”

Genesis 22:6-12 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO GENESIS 22

In this chapter we have an account of an order given by God to Abraham to sacrifice his son, Ge 22:1,2; of his readiness to obey the will of God, he immediately preparing everything for that purpose, Ge 22:3-10, of the order being reversed, and another sacrifice substituted in its room, which occasioned the giving a new name to the place where it was done, Ge 22:11-14; upon which the promise of special blessings, of a numerous offspring, and of the seed in whom all nations should be blessed, is renewed, Ge 22:15-18; after this Abraham returns to Beersheba, where he is informed of the increase of his brother Nahor's family, Ge 22:19-24.

Cross References

• 1. John 19:17
• 2. ver 10; Judges 19:29
• 3. Exodus 29:38-42; Leviticus 1:10; Revelation 13:8
• 4. ver 14
• 5. ver 13; S John 1:29
• 6. ver 2
• 7. S Genesis 4:26; S Genesis 8:20
• 8. Leviticus 1:7; 1 Kings 18:33
• 9. Hebrews 11:17-19; James 2:21
• 10. S ver 6
• 11. ver 3; S Genesis 18:19
• 12. S Genesis 16:7
• 13. S Genesis 21:17
• 14. Genesis 46:2
• 15. S ver 1
• 16. S Genesis 18:19; Genesis 42:18; Exodus 18:21; 1 Samuel 15:22; Job 1:1; Job 37:24; Proverbs 8:13; James 2:21-22
• 17. S ver 2; John 3:16; 1 John 4:9