Keraia
Genesis 22

Genesis 22:12

The LORD Provides the Sacrifice · Genesis 22:11–19
Read Genesis 22

Translations

Modern
“Do not lay a hand on the boy or do anything to him,” said the angel, “for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your only son from me.”
Traditional
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.
Literal
And he said, “Do not stretch out your hand upon the boy, and do not do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only one, from me.”
Latin
Dixitque ei: Non extendas manum tuam super puerum, neque facias illi quidquam: nunc cognovi quod times Deum, et non pepercisti unigenito filio tuo propter me.

Original

Hebrew
English
“Do not lay a hand on the boy or do anything to him,” said the angel, “for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your only son from me.”

Notes

Genesis 22:12

  • Now God knew that Abraham would hold nothing back from him, that he did truly fear God. To fear the Lord means to reverence him as sovereign, trust him implicitly, and obey him without protest. The sacrifice that pleases God is a heart broken of self-will, surrendered to God (Psalms 40:6–8; 51:17).

  • you have not withheld: Compare Romans 8:32, which uses the same verb (“spare”) as the Greek Old Testament here. If God gave us his most precious possession, he will surely provide everything we need.

Genesis 22:9–19

God’s intervention was dramatic and instructive, confirming that he never intended for Isaac to be sacrificed. God later made it clear that child sacrifice was an abomination to him (see Leviticus 18:21; 20:1–5; Deuteronomy 18:10; 2 Kings 16:2–3; Isaiah 57:5; Jeremiah 32:35). God wanted Abraham to sacrifice his own will and surrender it to God, and when he did, God intervened.

This story sets an example for all who worship through sacrifice. Like Abraham, true worshipers understand that everything belongs to God. They acknowledge that all things come from God and are his. A true worshiper obediently gives God what he asks for. They trust that God will provide all needs. Through this trust, they experience that God always provides.

Theme notes and profiles

Abraham Isaac Altars Faith and Good Deeds Symbolic Numbers

Glossary

Abraham Angel of the Lord Architecture Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Ebla Tablets Family Life and Relations Genesis, Book of Isaac Jerusalem Patriarchs, Period of the Samaritans

Topics

Abraham: Piety of Abraham: Trial of his Faith in the offering of Isaac Afflictions and Adversities: Benefits of, Illustrated Angel (A Spirit): Appearances of To Abraham Anthropomorphisms: Miscellaneous Figures Children: Isaac Communion: Abraham Consecration: Abraham, of Isaac Courage: The Courage of Conviction in offering Isaac Faith: Trial of Abraham, when Commanded to offer Isaac Fear of God: Conspicuous Instances of Those Who Feared: Abraham, Tested in the offering of his Son Isaac Godly Fear: Abraham Isaac: The Miraculous Son of Abraham: Offered in Sacrifice by his Father Obedience to God: Abram Obedience: Abraham Offerings: Human Sacrifices: Abraham Self-Denial: General Scriptures Concerning Temptation: A Test The Burnt offering: Abraham Tried by the Command to offer Isaac As