Worthy.Bible » STRONG » Genesis » Chapter 22 » Verse 9

Genesis 22:9 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

9 And they came H935 to the place H4725 which God H430 had told H559 him of; and Abraham H85 built H1129 an altar H4196 there, and laid H6186 the wood H6086 in order, H6186 and bound H6123 Isaac H3327 his son, H1121 and laid H7760 him on the altar H4196 upon H4605 the wood. H6086

Cross Reference

John 10:17-18 STRONG

Therefore G5124 G1223 doth G25 my Father G3962 love G25 me, G3165 because G3754 I G1473 lay down G5087 my G3450 life, G5590 that G2443 I might take G2983 it G846 again. G3825 No man G3762 taketh G142 it G846 from G575 me, G1700 but G235 I G1473 lay G5087 it G846 down G5087 of G575 myself. G1683 I have G2192 power G1849 to lay G5087 it G846 down, G5087 and G2532 I have G2192 power G1849 to take G2983 it G846 again. G3825 This G5026 commandment G1785 have I received G2983 of G3844 my G3450 Father. G3962

Hebrews 11:17-19 STRONG

By faith G4102 Abraham, G11 when he was tried, G3985 offered up G4374 Isaac: G2464 and G2532 he that had received G324 the promises G1860 offered up G4374 his only begotten G3439 son, Of G4314 whom G3739 it was said, G2980 That G3754 in G1722 Isaac G2464 shall G2564 thy G4671 seed G4690 be called: G2564 Accounting G3049 that G3754 God G2316 was able G1415 to raise him up, G1453 even G2532 from G1537 the dead; G3498 from whence G3606 also G2532 he received G2865 him G846 in G1722 a figure. G3850

Philippians 2:7-8 STRONG

But G235 made G2758 himself G1438 of no reputation, G2758 and took upon him G2983 the form G3444 of a servant, G1401 and was made G1096 in G1722 the likeness G3667 of men: G444 And G2532 being found G2147 in fashion G4976 as G5613 a man, G444 he humbled G5013 himself, G1438 and became G1096 obedient G5255 unto G3360 death, G2288 even G1161 the death G2288 of the cross. G4716

Matthew 26:1-27 STRONG

And G2532 it came to pass, G1096 when G3753 Jesus G2424 had finished G5055 all G3956 these G5128 sayings, G3056 he said G2036 unto his G846 disciples, G3101 Ye know G1492 that G3754 after G3326 two G1417 days G2250 is G1096 the feast of the passover, G3957 and G2532 the Son G5207 of man G444 is betrayed G3860 to G1519 be crucified. G4717 Then G5119 assembled together G4863 the chief priests, G749 and G2532 the scribes, G1122 and G2532 the elders G4245 of the people, G2992 unto G1519 the palace G833 of the high priest, G749 who G3588 was called G3004 Caiaphas, G2533 And G2532 consulted G4823 that G2443 they might take G2902 Jesus G2424 by subtilty, G1388 and G2532 kill G615 him. But G1161 they said, G3004 Not G3361 on G1722 the feast G1859 day, lest G3363 there be G1096 an uproar G2351 among G1722 the people. G2992 Now G1161 when Jesus G2424 was G1096 in G1722 Bethany, G963 in G1722 the house G3614 of Simon G4613 the leper, G3015 There came G4334 unto him G846 a woman G1135 having G2192 an alabaster box G211 of very precious G927 ointment, G3464 and G2532 poured it G2708 on G1909 his G846 head, G2776 as he sat G345 at meat. But G1161 when his G846 disciples G3101 saw G1492 it, they had indignation, G23 saying, G3004 To G1519 what purpose G5101 is this G3778 waste? G684 For G1063 this G5124 ointment G3464 might G1410 have been sold G4097 for much, G4183 and G2532 given G1325 to the poor. G4434 When G1161 Jesus G2424 understood G1097 it, he said G2036 unto them, G846 Why G5101 trouble ye G2873 G3930 the woman? G1135 for G1063 she hath wrought G2038 a good G2570 work G2041 upon G1519 me. G1691 For G1063 ye have G2192 the poor G4434 always G3842 with G3326 you; G1438 but G1161 me G1691 ye have G2192 not G3756 always. G3842 For in that G1063 she G3778 G846 hath poured G906 this G5124 ointment G3464 on G1909 my G3450 body, G4983 she did G4160 it for G4314 my G3165 burial. G1779 Verily G281 I say G3004 unto you, G5213 Wheresoever G3699 G1437 this G5124 gospel G2098 shall be preached G2784 in G1722 the whole G3650 world, G2889 there shall also G2532 this, that G3739 this woman G3778 G846 hath done, G4160 be told G2980 for G1519 a memorial G3422 of her. G846 Then G5119 one G1520 of the twelve, G1427 called G3004 Judas G2455 Iscariot, G2469 went G4198 unto G4314 the chief priests, G749 And said G2036 unto them, What G5101 will ye G2309 give G1325 me, G3427 and G2504 I will deliver G3860 him G846 unto you? G5213 And G1161 they covenanted G2476 with him G846 for thirty G5144 pieces of silver. G694 And G2532 from G575 that time G5119 he sought G2212 opportunity G2120 to G2443 betray G3860 him. G846 Now G1161 the first G4413 day of the feast of unleavened bread G106 the disciples G3101 came G4334 to Jesus, G2424 saying G3004 unto him, G846 Where G4226 wilt thou G2309 that we prepare G2090 for thee G4671 to eat G5315 the passover? G3957 And G1161 he said, G2036 Go G5217 into G1519 the city G4172 to G4314 such a man, G1170 and G2532 say G2036 unto him, G846 The Master G1320 saith, G3004 My G3450 time G2540 is G2076 at hand; G1451 I will keep G4160 the passover G3957 at G4314 thy house G4571 with G3326 my G3450 disciples. G3101 And G2532 the disciples G3101 did G4160 as G5613 Jesus G2424 had appointed G4929 them; G846 and G2532 they made ready G2090 the passover. G3957 Now G1161 when the even G3798 was come, G1096 he sat down G345 with G3326 the twelve. G1427 And G2532 as they G846 did eat, G2068 he said, G2036 Verily G281 I say G3004 unto you, G5213 that G3754 one G1520 of G1537 you G5216 shall betray G3860 me. G3165 And G2532 they were exceeding G4970 sorrowful, G3076 and began G756 every one G1538 of them G846 to say G3004 unto him, G846 Lord, G2962 is G1510 it G3385 I? G1473 And G1161 he answered G611 and said, G2036 He that dippeth G1686 his hand G5495 with G3326 me G1700 in G1722 the dish, G5165 the same G3778 shall betray G3860 me. G3165 G3303 The Son G5207 of man G444 goeth G5217 as G2531 it is written G1125 of G4012 him: G846 but G1161 woe G3759 unto that G1565 man G444 by G1223 whom G3739 the Son G5207 of man G444 is betrayed! G3860 it had been G2258 good G2570 for that G1565 man G846 if G1487 he G444 had G1080 not G3756 been born. G1080 Then G1161 Judas, G2455 which G3588 betrayed G3860 him, G846 answered G611 and said, G2036 Master, G4461 is G1510 it G3385 I? G1473 He said G3004 unto him, G846 Thou G4771 hast said. G2036 And G1161 as they G846 were eating, G2068 Jesus G2424 took G2983 bread, G740 and G2532 blessed G2127 it, and brake G2806 it, and G2532 gave G1325 it to the disciples, G3101 and G2532 said, G2036 Take, G2983 eat; G5315 this G5124 is G2076 my G3450 body. G4983 And G2532 he took G2983 the cup, G4221 and G2532 gave thanks, G2168 and gave G1325 it to them, G846 saying, G3004 Drink ye G4095 all G3956 of G1537 it; G846

Matthew 21:1-46 STRONG

And G2532 when G3753 they drew nigh G1448 unto G1519 Jerusalem, G2414 and G2532 were come G2064 to G1519 Bethphage, G967 unto G4314 the mount G3735 of Olives, G1636 then G5119 sent G649 Jesus G2424 two G1417 disciples, G3101 Saying G3004 unto them, G846 Go G4198 into G1519 the village G2968 over against G561 you, G5216 and G2532 straightway G2112 ye shall find G2147 an ass G3688 tied, G1210 and G2532 a colt G4454 with G3326 her: G846 loose G3089 them, and bring G71 them unto me. G3427 And G2532 if G1437 any man G5100 say G2036 ought G5100 unto you, G5213 ye shall say, G2046 G3754 The Lord G2962 hath G2192 need G5532 of them; G846 and G1161 straightway G2112 he will send G649 them. G846 All G1161 G3650 this G5124 was done, G1096 that G2443 it might be fulfilled G4137 which G3588 was spoken G4483 by G1223 the prophet, G4396 saying, G3004 Tell ye G2036 the daughter G2364 of Sion, G4622 Behold, G2400 thy G4675 King G935 cometh G2064 unto thee, G4671 meek, G4239 and G2532 sitting G1910 upon G1909 an ass, G3688 and G2532 a colt G4454 the foal G5207 of an ass. G5268 And G1161 the disciples G3101 went, G4198 and G2532 did G4160 as G2531 Jesus G2424 commanded G4367 them, G846 And brought G71 the ass, G3688 and G2532 the colt, G4454 and G2532 put G2007 on G1883 them G846 their G846 clothes, G2440 and G2532 they set G1940 G1940 him thereon. G1883 G846 And G1161 a very great G4118 multitude G3793 spread G4766 their G1438 garments G2440 in G1722 the way; G3598 others G1161 G243 cut down G2875 branches G2798 from G575 the trees, G1186 and G2532 strawed G4766 them in G1722 the way. G3598 And G1161 the multitudes G3793 that went before, G4254 and G2532 that followed, G190 cried, G2896 saying, G3004 Hosanna G5614 to the Son G5207 of David: G1138 Blessed G2127 is he that cometh G2064 in G1722 the name G3686 of the Lord; G2962 Hosanna G5614 in G1722 the highest. G5310 And G2532 when he G846 was come G1525 into G1519 Jerusalem, G2414 all G3956 the city G4172 was moved, G4579 saying, G3004 Who G5101 is G2076 this? G3778 And G1161 the multitude G3793 said, G3004 This G3778 is G2076 Jesus G2424 the prophet G4396 of G575 Nazareth G3478 of Galilee. G1056 And G2532 Jesus G2424 went G1525 into G1519 the temple G2411 of God, G2316 and G2532 cast out G1544 all them G3956 that sold G4453 and G2532 bought G59 in G1722 the temple, G2411 and G2532 overthrew G2690 the tables G5132 of the moneychangers, G2855 and G2532 the seats G2515 of them that sold G4453 doves, G4058 And G2532 said G3004 unto them, G846 It is written, G1125 My G3450 house G3624 shall be called G2564 the house G3624 of prayer; G4335 but G1161 ye G5210 have made G4160 it G846 a den G4693 of thieves. G3027 And G2532 the blind G5185 and G2532 the lame G5560 came G4334 to him G846 in G1722 the temple; G2411 and G2532 he healed G2323 them. G846 And G1161 when the chief priests G749 and G2532 scribes G1122 saw G1492 the wonderful things G2297 that G3739 he did, G4160 and G2532 the children G3816 crying G2896 in G1722 the temple, G2411 and G2532 saying, G3004 Hosanna G5614 to the Son G5207 of David; G1138 they were sore displeased, G23 And G2532 said G2036 unto him, G846 Hearest thou G191 what G5101 these G3778 say? G3004 And G1161 Jesus G2424 saith G3004 unto them, G846 Yea; G3483 have ye never G3763 read, G314 G3754 Out of G1537 the mouth G4750 of babes G3516 and G2532 sucklings G2337 thou hast perfected G2675 praise? G136 And G2532 he left G2641 them, G846 and went G1831 out of G1854 the city G4172 into G1519 Bethany; G963 and G2532 he lodged G835 there. G1563 Now G1161 in the morning G4405 as he returned G1877 into G1519 the city, G4172 he hungered. G3983 And G2532 when he saw G1492 a G3391 fig tree G4808 in G1909 the way, G3598 he came G2064 to G1909 it, G846 and G2532 found G2147 nothing G3762 thereon, G1722 G846 but G1508 leaves G5444 only, G3440 and G2532 said G3004 unto it, G846 Let no G1096 fruit G2590 grow G1096 on G1537 thee G4675 henceforward G3371 for G1519 ever. G165 And G2532 presently G3916 the fig tree G4808 withered away. G3583 And G2532 when the disciples G3101 saw G1492 it, they marvelled, G2296 saying, G3004 How G4459 soon G3916 is the fig tree G4808 withered away! G3583 Jesus G2424 answered G611 and G1161 said G2036 unto them, G846 Verily G281 I say G3004 unto you, G5213 If G1437 ye have G2192 faith, G4102 and G2532 doubt G1252 not, G3361 ye shall G4160 not G3756 only G3440 do G4160 this G3440 which is done to the fig tree, G4808 but G235 also if G2579 ye shall say G2036 unto this G5129 mountain, G3735 Be thou removed, G142 and G2532 be thou cast G906 into G1519 the sea; G2281 it shall be done. G1096 And G2532 all things, G3956 whatsoever G302 G3745 ye shall ask G154 in G1722 prayer, G4335 believing, G4100 ye shall receive. G2983 And G2532 when he G846 was come G2064 into G1519 the temple, G2411 the chief priests G749 and G2532 the elders G4245 of the people G2992 came G4334 unto him G846 as he was teaching, G1321 and said, G3004 By G1722 what G4169 authority G1849 doest thou G4160 these things? G5023 and G2532 who G5101 gave G1325 thee G4671 this G5026 authority? G1849 And G1161 Jesus G2424 answered G611 and said G2036 unto them, G846 I also G2504 will ask G2065 you G5209 one G1520 thing, G3056 which G3739 if G1437 ye tell G2036 me, G3427 I in like wise G2504 will tell G2046 you G5213 by G1722 what G4169 authority G1849 I do G4160 these things. G5023 The baptism G908 of John, G2491 whence G4159 was it? G2258 from G1537 heaven, G3772 or G2228 of G1537 men? G444 And G1161 they reasoned G1260 with G3844 themselves, G1438 saying, G3004 If G1437 we shall say, G2036 From G1537 heaven; G3772 he will say G2046 unto us, G2254 Why G1302 did ye G4100 not G3756 then G3767 believe G4100 him? G846 But G1161 if G1437 we shall say, G2036 Of G1537 men; G444 we fear G5399 the people; G3793 for G1063 all G3956 hold G2192 John G2491 as G5613 a prophet. G4396 And G2532 they answered G611 Jesus, G2424 and said, G2036 We cannot G3756 tell. G1492 And G2532 he G846 said G5346 unto them, G846 Neither G3761 tell G3004 I G1473 you G5213 by G1722 what G4169 authority G1849 I do G4160 these things. G5023 But G1161 what G5101 think G1380 ye? G5213 A certain man G444 had G2192 two G1417 sons; G5043 and G2532 he came G4334 to the first, G4413 and said, G2036 Son, G5043 go G5217 work G2038 to day G4594 in G1722 my G3450 vineyard. G290 He answered G1161 G611 and said, G2036 I will G2309 not: G3756 but G1161 afterward G5305 he repented, G3338 and went. G565 And G2532 he came G4334 to the second, G1208 and said G2036 likewise. G5615 And G1161 he answered G611 and said, G2036 I G1473 go, sir: G2962 and G2532 went G565 not. G3756 Whether G5101 of G1537 them twain G1417 did G4160 the will G2307 of his father? G3962 They say G3004 unto him, G846 The first. G4413 Jesus G2424 saith G3004 unto them, G846 Verily G281 I say G3004 unto you, G5213 That G3754 the publicans G5057 and G2532 the harlots G4204 go G4254 into G1519 the kingdom G932 of God G2316 before G4254 you. G5209 For G1063 John G2491 came G2064 unto G4314 you G5209 in G1722 the way G3598 of righteousness, G1343 and G2532 ye believed G4100 him G846 not: G3756 but G1161 the publicans G5057 and G2532 the harlots G4204 believed G4100 him: G846 and G1161 ye, G5210 when ye had seen G1492 it, repented G3338 not G3756 afterward, G5305 that ye might believe G4100 him. G846 Hear G191 another G243 parable: G3850 There was G2258 a certain G444 G5100 householder, G3617 which G3748 planted G5452 a vineyard, G290 and G2532 hedged G5418 it G846 round about, G4060 and G2532 digged G3736 a winepress G3025 in G1722 it, G846 and G2532 built G3618 a tower, G4444 and G2532 let G1554 it G846 out G1554 to husbandmen, G1092 and G2532 went into a far country: G589 And G1161 when G3753 the time G2540 of the fruit G2590 drew near, G1448 he sent G649 his G846 servants G1401 to G4314 the husbandmen, G1092 that they might receive G2983 the fruits G2590 of it. G846 And G2532 the husbandmen G1092 took G2983 his G846 servants, G1401 and beat G1194 one, G3739 G3303 and G1161 killed G615 another, G3739 and G1161 stoned G3036 another. G3739 Again, G3825 he sent G649 other G243 servants G1401 more G4119 than the first: G4413 and G2532 they did G4160 unto them G846 likewise. G5615 But G1161 last of all G5305 he sent G649 unto G4314 them G846 his G846 son, G5207 saying, G3004 They will reverence G1788 my G3450 son. G5207 But G1161 when the husbandmen G1092 saw G1492 the son, G5207 they said G2036 among G1722 themselves, G1438 This G3778 is G2076 the heir; G2818 come, G1205 let us kill G615 him, G846 and G2532 let us seize G2722 on his G846 inheritance. G2817 And G2532 they caught G2983 him, G846 and cast G1544 him out of G1854 the vineyard, G290 and G2532 slew G615 him. When G3752 the lord G2962 therefore G3767 of the vineyard G290 cometh, G2064 what G5101 will he do G4160 unto those G1565 husbandmen? G1092 They say G3004 unto him, G846 He will miserably G2560 destroy G622 those G846 wicked men, G2556 and G2532 will let out G1554 his vineyard G290 unto other G243 husbandmen, G1092 which G3748 shall render G591 him G846 the fruits G2590 in G1722 their G846 seasons. G2540 Jesus G2424 saith G3004 unto them, G846 Did ye G314 never G3763 read G314 in G1722 the scriptures, G1124 The stone G3037 which G3739 the builders G3618 rejected, G593 the same G3778 is become G1096 G1519 the head G2776 of the corner: G1137 this G3778 is G3844 the Lord's G2962 doing, G1096 and G2532 it is G2076 marvellous G2298 in G1722 our G2257 eyes? G3788 Therefore G1223 G5124 say I G3004 unto you, G5213 G3754 The kingdom G932 of God G2316 shall be taken G142 from G575 you, G5216 and G2532 given G1325 to a nation G1484 bringing forth G4160 the fruits G2590 thereof. G846 And G2532 whosoever shall fall G4098 on G1909 this G5126 stone G3037 shall be broken: G4917 but G1161 on G1909 whomsoever G3739 G302 it shall fall, G4098 it will grind G3039 him G846 to powder. G3039 And G2532 when the chief priests G749 and G2532 Pharisees G5330 had heard G191 his G846 parables, G3850 they perceived G1097 that G3754 he spake G3004 of G4012 them. G846 But G2532 when they sought G2212 to lay hands G2902 on him, G846 they feared G5399 the multitude, G3793 because G1894 they took G2192 him G846 for G5613 a prophet. G4396

Isaiah 53:4-10 STRONG

Surely H403 he hath borne H5375 our griefs, H2483 and carried H5445 our sorrows: H4341 yet we did esteem H2803 him stricken, H5060 smitten H5221 of God, H430 and afflicted. H6031 But he was wounded H2490 for our transgressions, H6588 he was bruised H1792 for our iniquities: H5771 the chastisement H4148 of our peace H7965 was upon him; and with his stripes H2250 we are healed. H7495 All we like sheep H6629 have gone astray; H8582 we have turned H6437 every one H376 to his own way; H1870 and the LORD H3068 hath laid H6293 on him the iniquity H5771 of us all. He was oppressed, H5065 and he was afflicted, H6031 yet he opened H6605 not his mouth: H6310 he is brought H2986 as a lamb H7716 to the slaughter, H2874 and as a sheep H7353 before H6440 her shearers H1494 is dumb, H481 so he openeth H6605 not his mouth. H6310 He was taken H3947 from prison H6115 and from judgment: H4941 and who shall declare H7878 his generation? H1755 for he was cut off H1504 out of the land H776 of the living: H2416 for the transgression H6588 of my people H5971 was he stricken. H5061 And he made H5414 his grave H6913 with the wicked, H7563 and with the rich H6223 in his death; H4194 because he had done H6213 no violence, H2555 neither was any deceit H4820 in his mouth. H6310 Yet it pleased H2654 the LORD H3068 to bruise H1792 him; he hath put him to grief: H2470 when thou shalt make H7760 his soul H5315 an offering for sin, H817 he shall see H7200 his seed, H2233 he shall prolong H748 his days, H3117 and the pleasure H2656 of the LORD H3068 shall prosper H6743 in his hand. H3027

Genesis 22:2-4 STRONG

And he said, H559 Take now H3947 thy son, H1121 thine only H3173 son Isaac, H3327 whom thou lovest, H157 and get thee H3212 into the land H776 of Moriah; H4179 and offer him H5927 there for a burnt offering H5930 upon one H259 of the mountains H2022 which I will tell H559 thee of. And Abraham H85 rose up early H7925 in the morning, H1242 and saddled H2280 his ass, H2543 and took H3947 two H8147 of his young men H5288 with him, and Isaac H3327 his son, H1121 and clave H1234 the wood H6086 for the burnt offering, H5930 and rose up, H6965 and went H3212 unto the place H4725 of which God H430 had told H559 him. Then on the third H7992 day H3117 Abraham H85 lifted up H5375 his eyes, H5869 and saw H7200 the place H4725 afar off. H7350

Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Genesis 22

Commentary on Genesis 22 Matthew Henry Commentary


Chapter 22

We have here the famous story of Abraham's offering up his son Isaac, that is, his offering to offer him, which is justly looked upon as one of the wonders of the church. Here is,

  • I. The strange command which God gave to Abraham concerning it (v. 1, 2).
  • II. Abraham's strange obedience to this command (v. 3-10)
  • III. The strange issue of this trial.
    • 1. The sacrificing of Isaac was countermanded (v. 11, 12).
    • 2. Another sacrifice was provided (v. 13, 14).
    • 3. The covenant was renewed with Abraham hereupon (v. 15-19).
  • Lastly, an account of some of Abraham's relations (v. 20, etc.)

Gen 22:1-2

Here is the trial of Abraham's faith, whether it continued so strong, so vigorous, so victorious, after a long settlement in communion with God, as it was at first, when by it he left his country: then it was made to appear that he loved God better than his father; now that he loved him better than his son. Observe here,

  • I. The time when Abraham was thus tried (v. 1): After these things, after all the other exercises he had had, all the hardships and difficulties he had gone through. Now, perhaps, he was beginning to think the storms had all blown over; but, after all, this encounter comes, which is sharper than any yet. Note, Many former trials will not supersede nor secure us from further trials; we have not yet put off the harness, 1 Ki. 20:11. See Ps. 30:6, 7.
  • II. The author of the trial: God tempted him, not to draw him to sin, so Satan tempts (if Abraham had sacrificed Isaac, he would not have sinned, his orders would have justified him, and borne him out), but to discover his graces, how strong they were, that they might be found to praise, and honour, and glory, 1 Pt. 1:7. Thus God tempted Job, that he might appear not only a good man, but a great man. God did tempt Abraham; he did lift up Abraham, so some read it; as a scholar that improves well is lifted up, when he is put into a higher form. Note, Strong faith is often exercised with strong trials and put upon hard services.
  • III. The trial itself. God appeared to him as he had formerly done, called him by name, Abraham, that name which had been given him in ratification of the promise. Abraham, like a good servant, readily answered, "Here am I; what says my Lord unto his servant?' Probably he expected some renewed promise like those, ch. 15:1, and 17:1. But, to his great amazement, that which God has to say to him is, in short, Abraham, Go kill thy son; and this command is given him in such aggravating language as makes the temptation abundantly more grievous. When God speaks, Abraham, no doubt, takes notice of every word, and listens attentively to it; and every word here is a sword in his bones: the trial is steeled with trying phrases. Is it any pleasure to the Almighty that he should afflict? No, it is not; yet, when Abraham's faith is to be tried, God seems to take pleasure in the aggravation of the trial, v. 2. Observe,
    • 1. The person to be offered.
      • (1.) "Take thy son, not thy bullocks and thy lambs;' how willingly would Abraham have parted with them by thousands to redeem Isaac! "No, I will take no bullock out of thy house, Ps. 50:9. I must have thy son: not thy servant, no, not the steward of thy house, that shall not serve the turn; I must have thy son.' Jephthah, in pursuance of a vow, offered a daughter; but Abraham must offer his son, in whom the family was to be built up. "Lord, let it be an adopted son;' "No,
      • (2.) Thy only son; thy only son by Sarah.' Ishmael was lately cast out, to the grief of Abraham; and now Isaac only was left, and must he go too? Yes,
      • (3.) "Take Isaac, him, by name, thy laughter, that son indeed,' ch. 17:19. Not "Send for Ishmael back, and offer him;' no, it must be Isaac. "But, Lord, I love Isaac, he is to me as my own soul. Ishmael is not, and wilt thou take Isaac also? All this is against me:' Yea,
      • (4.) That son whom thou lovest. It was a trial of Abraham's love to God, and therefore it must be in a beloved son, and that string must be touched most upon: in the Hebrew it is expressed more emphatically, and, I think, might very well be read thus: Take now that son of thine, that only one of thine, whom thou lovest, that Isaac. God's command must overrule all these considerations.
    • 2. The place: In the land of Moriah, three days' journey off; so that he might have time to consider it, and, if he did it, must do it deliberately, that it might be a service the more reasonable and the more honourable.
    • 3. The manner: Offer him for a burnt-offering. He must not only kill his son, but kill him as a sacrifice, kill him devoutly, kill him by rule, kill him with all that pomp and ceremony, with all that sedateness and composure of mind, with which he used to offer his burnt-offerings.

Gen 22:3-10

We have here Abraham's obedience to this severe command. Being tried, he offered up Isaac, Heb. 11:17. Observe,

  • I. The difficulties which he broke through in this act of obedience. Much might have been objected against it; as,
    • 1. It seemed directly against an antecedent law of God, which forbids murder, under a severe penalty, ch. 9:5, 6. Now can the unchangeable God contradict himself? He that hates robbery for burnt-offering (Isa. 61:8) cannot delight in murder for it.
    • 2. How would it consist with natural affection to his own son? It would be not only murder, but the worst of murders. Cannot Abraham be obedient but he must be unnatural? If God insist upon a human sacrifice, is there none but Isaac to be the offering, and none but Abraham to be the offerer? Must the father of the faithful be the monster of all fathers?
    • 3. God gave him no reason for it. When Ishmael was to be cast out, a just cause was assigned, which satisfied Abraham; but here Isaac must die, and Abraham must kill him, and neither the one nor the other must know why or wherefore. If Isaac had been to die a martyr for the truth, or his life had been the ransom of some other life more precious, it would have been another matter; of if he had died as a criminal, a rebel against God or his parents, as in the case of the idolater (Deu. 13:8, 9), or the stubborn son (Deu. 21:18, 19), it might have passed as a sacrifice to justice. But the case is not so: he is dutiful, obedient, hopeful, son. "Lord, what profit is there in his blood?'
    • 4. How would this consist with the promise? Was it not said that in Isaac shall thy seed be called? But what comes of that seed, if this pregnant bud be broken off so soon?
    • 5. How should he ever look Sarah in the face again? With what face can he return to her and his family with the blood of Isaac sprinkled on his garments and staining all his raiment? "Surely a bloody husband hast thou been to me' would Sarah say (as Ex. 4:25, 26), and it would be likely to alienate her affections for ever both from him and from his God.
    • 6. What would the Egyptians say, and the Canaanites and the Perizzites who dwelt then in the land? It would be an eternal reproach to Abraham, and to his altars. "Welcome nature, if this be grace.' These and many similar objection might have been made; but he was infallibly assured that it was indeed a command of God and not a delusion, and this was sufficient to answer them all. Note, God's commands must not be disputed, but obeyed; we must not consult with flesh and blood about them (Gal. 1:15, 16), but with a gracious obstinacy persist in our obedience to them.
  • II. The several steps of obedience, all which help to magnify it, and to show that he was guided by prudence, and governed by faith, in the whole transaction.
    • 1. He rises early, v. 3. Probably the command was given in the visions of the night, and early the next morning he set himself about the execution of it-did not delay, did not demur, did not take time to deliberate; for the command was peremptory, and would not admit a debate. Note, Those that do the will of God heartily will do it speedily; while we delay, time is lost and the heart hardened.
    • 2. He gets things ready for a sacrifice, and, as if he himself had been a Gibeonite, it should seem, with his own hands he cleaves the wood for the burnt-offering, that it might not be to seek when the sacrifice was to be offered. Spiritual sacrifices must thus be prepared for.
    • 3. It is very probable that he said nothing about it to Sarah. This is a journey which she must know nothing of, lest she prevent it. There is so much in our own hearts to hinder our progress in duty that we have need, as much as may be, to keep out of the way of other hindrances.
    • 4. He carefully looked about him, to discover the place appointed for this sacrifice, to which God had promised by some sign to direct him. Probably the direction was given by an appearance of the divine glory in the place, some pillar of fire reaching from heaven to earth, visible at a distance, and to which he pointed when he said (v. 5), "We will go yonder, where you see the light, and worship.'
    • 5. He left his servants at some distance off (v. 5), lest they should interpose, and create him some disturbance in his strange oblation; for Isaac was, no doubt, the darling of the whole family. Thus, when Christ was entering upon his agony in the garden, he took only three of his disciples with him, and left the rest at the garden door. Note, It is our wisdom and duty, when we are going to worship God, to lay aside all those thoughts and cares which may divert us from the service, leave them at the bottom of the hill, that we may attend on the Lord without distraction.
    • 6. He obliged Isaac to carry the wood (both to try his obedience in a smaller matter first, and that he might typify Christ, who carried his own cross, Jn. 19:17), while he himself, though he knew what he did, with a steady and undaunted resolution carried the fatal knife and fire, v. 6. Note, Those that through grace are resolved upon the substance of any service or suffering for God must overlook the little circumstances which make it doubly difficult to flesh and blood.
    • 7. Without any ruffle or disorder, he talks it over with Isaac, as if it had been but a common sacrifice that he was going to offer, v. 7, 8.
      • (1.) It was a very affecting question that Isaac asked him, as they were going together: My father, said Isaac; it was a melting word, which, one would think, would strike deeper into the breast of Abraham than his knife could into the breast of Isaac. He might have said, or thought, at least, "Call me not thy father who am now to be thy murderer; can a father be so barbarous, so perfectly lost to all the tenderness of a father?' Yet he keeps his temper, and keeps his countenance, to admiration; he calmly waits for his son's question, and this is it: Behold the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb? See how expert Isaac was in the law and custom of sacrifices. This it is to be well-catechised: this is,
        • [1.] A trying question to Abraham. How could he endure to think that Isaac was himself the lamb? So it is, but Abraham, as yet, dares not tell him so. Where God knows the faith to be armour of proof, he will laugh at the trial of the innocent, Job 9:23.
        • [2.] It is a teaching question to us all, that, when we are going to worship God, we should seriously consider whether we have every thing ready, especially the lamb for a burnt-offering. Behold, the fire is ready, the Spirit's assistance and God's acceptance; the wood is ready, the instituted ordinances designed to kindle our affections (which indeed, without the Spirit, are but like wood without fire, but the Spirit works by them); all things are now ready, but where is the lamb? Where is the heart? Is that ready to be offered up to God, to ascend to him as a burnt-offering?
      • (2.) It was a very prudent answer which Abraham gave him: My son, God will provide himself a lamb. This was the language, either,
        • [1.] Of his obedience. "We must offer the lamb which God has appointed now to be offered;' thus giving him this general rule of submission to the divine will, to prepare him for the application of it to himself very quickly. Or,
        • [2.] Of his faith. Whether he meant it so or not, this proved to be the meaning of it; a sacrifice was provided instead of Isaac. Thus,
          • First, Christ, the great sacrifice of atonement, was of God's providing; when none in heaven or earth could have found a lamb for that burnt-offering, God himself found the ransom, Ps. 89:20.
          • Secondly, All our sacrifices of acknowledgment are of God's providing too. It is he that prepares the heart, Ps. 10:17. The broken and contrite spirit is a sacrifice of God (Ps. 51:17), of his providing.
    • 8. With the same resolution and composedness of mind, after many thoughts of heart, he applies himself to the completing of this sacrifice, v. 9, 10. He goes on with a holy wilfulness, after many a weary step, and with a heavy heart he arrives at length at the fatal place, builds the altar (an altar of earth, we may suppose, the saddest that ever he built, and he had built many a one), lays the wood in order for his Isaac's funeral pile, and now tells him the amazing news: "Isaac, thou art the lamb which God has provided.' Isaac, for aught that appears, is as willing as Abraham; we do not find that he raised any objection against it, that he petitioned for his life, that he attempted to make his escape, much less that he struggled with his aged father, or made any resistance: Abraham does it, God will have it done, and Isaac has learnt to submit to both, Abraham no doubt comforting him with the same hopes with which he himself by faith was comforted. Yet it is necessary that a sacrifice be bound. The great sacrifice, which in the fullness of time was to be offered up, must be bound, and therefore so must Isaac. But with what heart could tender Abraham tie those guiltless hands, which perhaps had often been lifted up to ask his blessing, and stretched out to embrace him, and were now the more straitly bound with the cords of love and duty! However, it must be done. Having bound him, he lays him upon the altar, and his hand upon the head of his sacrifice; and now, we may suppose, with floods of tears, he gives, and takes, the final farewell of a parting kiss: perhaps he takes another for Sarah from her dying son. This being done, he resolutely forgets the bowels of a father, and puts on the awful gravity of a sacrificer. With a fixed heart, and an eye lifted up to heaven, he takes the knife, and stretches out his hand to give a fatal cut to Isaac's throat. Be astonished, O heavens! at this; and wonder, O earth! Here is an act of faith and obedience, which deserves to be a spectacle to God, angels, and men. Abraham's darling, Sarah's laughter, the church's hope, the heir of promise, lies ready to bleed and die by his own father's hand, who never shrinks at the doing of it. Now this obedience of Abraham in offering up Isaac is a lively representation,
      • (1.) Of the love of God to us, in delivering up his only-begotten Son to suffer and die for us, as a sacrifice. It pleased the Lord himself to bruise him. See Isa. 53:10; Zec. 13:7. Abraham was obliged, both in duty and gratitude, to part with Isaac, and parted with him to a friend; but God was under no obligations to us, for we were enemies.
      • (2.) Of our duty to God, in return for that love. We must tread in the steps of this faith of Abraham. God, by his word, calls us to part with all for Christ,-all our sins, though they have been as a right hand, or a right eye, or an Isaac-all those things that are competitors and rivals with Christ for the sovereignty of the heart (Lu. 14:26); and we must cheerfully let them all go. God, by his providence, which is truly the voice of God, calls us to part with an Isaac sometimes, and we must do it with a cheerful resignation and submission to his holy will, 1 Sa. 3:18.

Gen 22:11-14

Hitherto this story has been very melancholy, and seemed to hasten towards a most tragical period; but here the sky suddenly clears up, the sun breaks out, and a bright and pleasant scene opens. The same hand that had wounded and cast down here heals and lifts up; for, though he cause grief, he will have compassion. The angel of the Lord, that is, God himself, the eternal Word, the angel of the covenant, who was to be the great Redeemer and comforter, he interposed, and gave a happy issue to this trial.

  • I. Isaac is rescued, v. 11, 12. The command to offer him was intended only for trial, and it appearing, upon trial, that Abraham did indeed love God better than he loved Isaac, the end of the command was answered; and therefore the order is countermanded, without any reflection at all upon the unchangeableness of the divine counsels: Lay not thy hand upon the lad. Note,
    • 1. Our creature-comforts are most likely to be continued to us when we are most likely to resign them up to God's will.
    • 2. God's time to help and relieve his people is when they are brought to the greatest extremity. The more imminent the danger is, and the nearer to be put in execution, the more wonderful and the more welcome is the deliverance.
  • II. Abraham is not only approved, but applauded. He obtains an honourable testimony that he is righteous: Now know I that thou fearest God. God knew it before, but now Abraham had given a most memorable evidence of it. He needed do no more; what he had done was sufficient to prove the religious regard he had to God and his authority. Note,
    • 1. When God, by his providence, hinders the performance of our sincere intentions in his services, he graciously accepts the will for the deed, and the honest endeavour, though it come short of finishing.
    • 2. The best evidence of our fearing God is our being willing of serve and honour him with that which is dearest to us, and to part with all to him or for him.
  • III. Another sacrifice is provided instead of Isaac, v. 13. Now that the altar was built, and the wood laid in order, it was necessary that something should be offered. For,
    • 1. God must be acknowledged with thankfulness for the deliverance of Isaac; and the sooner the better, when here is an altar ready.
    • 2. Abraham's words must be made good: God will provide himself a lamb. God will not disappoint those expectations of his people which are of his own raising; but according to their faith it is to them. Thou shalt decree a thing, and it shall be established.
    • 3. Reference must be had to the promised Messiah, the blessed seed.
      • (1.) Christ was sacrificed in our stead, as this ram instead of Isaac, and his death was our discharge. "Here am I (said he,) let these go their way.'
      • (2.) Though that blessed seed was lately promised, and now typified by Isaac, yet the offering of him up should be suspended till the latter end of the world: and in the mean time the sacrifice of beasts should be accepted, as this ram was, as a pledge of that expiation which should one day be made by that great sacrifice. And it is observable that the temple, the place of sacrifice, was afterwards built upon this mount Moriah (2 Chr. 3:1); and mount Calvary, where Christ was crucified, was not far off.
  • IV. A new name is given to the place, to the honour of God, and for the encouragement of all believers, to the end of the world, cheerfully to trust in God in the way of obedience: Jehovah-jireh, The Lord will provide (v. 14), probably alluding to what he had said (v. 8), God will provide himself a lamb. I was not owing to any contrivance of Abraham, nor was it in answer to his prayer, though he was a distinguished intercessor; but it was purely the Lord's doing. Let it be recorded for the generations to come,
    • 1. That the Lord will see; he will always have his eye upon his people in their straits and distresses, that he may come in with seasonable succour in the critical juncture.
    • 2. That he will be seen, be seen in the mount, in the greatest perplexities of his people. He will not only manifest, but magnify, his wisdom, power, and goodness, in their deliverance. Where God sees and provides, he should be seen and praised. And, perhaps, it may refer to God manifest in the flesh.

Gen 22:15-19

Abraham's obedience was graciously accepted; but this was not all: here we have it recompensed, abundantly recompensed, before he stirred from the place; probably while the ram he had sacrificed was yet burning God sent him this gracious message, renewed and ratified his covenant with him. All covenants were made by sacrifice, so was this by the typical sacrifices of Isaac and the ram. Very high expressions of God's favour to Abraham are employed in this confirmation of the covenant with him, expressions exceeding any he had yet been blessed with. Note, Extraordinary services shall be crowned with extraordinary honours and comforts; and favours in the promise, though not yet performed, ought to be accounted real and valuable recompences. Observe,

  • 1. God is pleased to make mention of Abraham's obedience as the consideration of the covenant; and he speaks of it with an encomium: Because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son, v. 16. He lays a strong emphasis on this, and (v. 18) praises it as an act of obedience: in it thou hast obeyed my voice, and to obey is better than sacrifice. Not that this was a proportionable consideration, but God graciously put this honour upon that by which Abraham had honoured him.
  • 2. God now confirmed the promise with an oath. It was said and sealed before; but now it is sworn: By myself have I sworn; for he could swear by no greater, Heb. 6:13. Thus he interposed himself by an oath, as the apostle expresses it, Heb. 6:17. He did (to speak with reverence) even pawn his own life and being upon it (As I live), that by all those immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, he and his might have strong consolation. Note, If we exercise faith, God will encourage it. Improve the promises, and God will ratify them.
  • 3. The particular promise here renewed is that of a numerous offspring: Multiplying, I will multiply thee, v. 17. Note, Those that are willing to part with any thing for God shall have it made up to them with unspeakable advantage. Abraham has but one son, and is willing to part with that one, in obedience to God. "Well,' said God, "thou shalt be recompensed with thousands and millions.' What a figure does the seed of Abraham make in history! How numerous, how illustrious, were his known descendants, who, to this day, triumph in this, that they have Abraham to their father! Thus he received a thousand-fold in this life, Mt. 19:29.
  • 4. The promise, doubtless, points at the Messiah, and the grace of the gospel. This is the oath sworn to our father Abraham, which Zacharias refers to, Lu. 1:73, etc. And so here is a promise,
    • (1.) Of the great blessing of the Spirit: In blessing, I will bless thee, namely, with that best of blessings the Gift of the Holy Ghost; the promise of the Spirit was that blessing of Abraham which was to come upon the Gentiles through Jesus Christ, Gal. 3:14.
    • (2.) Of the increase of the church that believers, his spiritual seed, should be numerous as the stars of heaven.
    • (3.) Of spiritual victories: Thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies. Believers, by their faith, overcome the world, and triumph over all the powers of darkness, and are more than conquerors. Probably Zacharias refers to this part of the oath (Lu. 1:74), That we, being delivered out of the hand of our enemies, might serve him without fear. But the crown of all is the last promise.
    • (4.) Of the incarnation of Christ: In thy see, one particular person that shall descend from thee (for he speaks not of many, but of one, as the apostle observers, Gal. 3:16), shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, or shall bless themselves, as the phrase is, Isa. 65:16. In him all may be happy if they will, and all that belong to him shall be so, and shall think themselves so. Christ is the great blessing of the world. Abraham was ready to give up his son for a sacrifice to the honour of God, and, on that occasion, God promised to give his Son a sacrifice for the salvation of man.

Gen 22:20-24

This is recorded here,

  • 1. To show that though Abraham saw his own family highly dignified with peculiar privileges, admitted into covenant, and blessed with the entail of the promise, yet he did not look with contempt and disdain upon his relations, but was glad to hear of the increase and prosperity of their families.
  • 2. To make way for the following story of the marriage of Isaac to Rebekah, a daughter of this family.