ESV Global Study Bible :: Footnotes for Genesis 22

Gen. 22:1–19 The conditional promises of 12:1–3 are now unconditionally guaranteed as a result of Abraham’s preparedness to sacrifice his son. Put to the test, Abraham displays remarkable trust in God. James 2:21–22 says that Abraham’s actions here “completed” the faith he had already expressed (see Gen. 15:6).

Gen. 22:1 God tested Abraham. While it is not unknown for God to test individuals, testing must be clearly distinguished from tempting. God does not tempt anyone to do evil (James 1:13). He does, however, test people’s commitment to him (e.g., Ex. 15:25; 16:4).

Gen. 22:2 your only son Isaac, whom you love. With Ishmael’s departure from Abraham’s household, Isaac had become Abraham’s cherished only son. land of Moriah. According to 2 Chron. 3:1, Solomon constructed the temple on Mount Moriah in Jerusalem. While Genesis 22 does not specify that the sacrifice of Isaac took place at or near Jerusalem, v. 14 may imply such a connection. A burnt offering involved the entire sacrifice being consumed by fire.

Gen. 22:3 Abraham rose early in the morning. Abraham promptly responds to the challenge placed before him.

Gen. 22:4 On the third day. It requires about two days to travel on foot from Beersheba to Jerusalem, a distance of about 45 miles (72 km). Elsewhere, two days represents the time set aside to prepare for a special encounter with God on the third day (see Ex. 19:11).

Gen. 22:5–8 I and the boy will . . . come again to you. While Abraham is committed to sacrificing Isaac, he believes that both of them will return (see Heb. 11:17–19). God will provide . . . the lamb. It is unclear whether Abraham is speaking ironically here (Isaac is the “lamb”), or whether he is expressing faith that somehow God will preserve his son.

Gen. 22:11 the angel of the Lord. See note on 16:7. The repetition of the name Abraham, Abraham underscores the urgency of the intervention (compare 22:1).

Gen. 22:12 now I know that you fear God. While Abraham’s faith was the means by which God counted him as righteous (15:6), that faith is now “active along with his works” and is “completed by his works” (James 2:21–23). His faith resulted in obedience.

Gen. 22:13 God provides a ram to be sacrificed as a burnt offering. In Genesis such sacrifices are associated with solemn promises made by God (see 8:20–22). instead of his son. The fact that a ram died in the place of Isaac suggests the principle of substitutionary atonement, especially the substitutionary death of Christ on the cross, as “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29).

Gen. 22:14 The Lord will provide. The belief developed (as it is said to this day) that God would provide the sacrifice necessary to atone for sin. The mount of the Lord probably refers to the hill on which the temple was later built in Jerusalem.

Gen. 22:15–18 By myself I have sworn. The oath concentrates on a single descendant of Abraham who will overcome his enemies and bring blessing to all the nations of the earth (v. 18). This oath to Abraham comes to fulfillment in Jesus Christ (Acts 3:25–26; Gal. 3:16).

Gen. 22:16–17 because you . . . have not withheld your son, your only son. Abraham’s actions prove his faith (see Rom. 4:3, 22–23; Gal. 3:6).

Gen. 22:24 concubine. See note on 25:5–6.