Genesis 22:16

saying, “By Myself I have sworn, declares the LORD, that because you have done this and have not withheld your only son,

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — The angel of the LORD addresses Abraham immediately after a second heavenly call, delivering Yahweh’s declaration at the moment of covenant confirmation.

The words — נִשְׁבַּ֖עְתִּי (nish.Ba'.ti) means "I swear," and נְאֻם־יְהוָ֑ה (ne.'um-Yah.weh) translates to "utterance of Yahweh." These terms mark the statement as a binding divine oath rather than a mere promise.

The thread — This oath reappears in Luke 1:73 as the sworn pledge to Abraham, in Hebrews 6:13 where God swears by Himself since no greater authority exists, and in Psalms 105:9 as the covenant oath confirmed to Isaac.

Why it lands — The text states that covenant blessing follows directly from Abraham’s obedience in not withholding his son. A reader must acknowledge that divine commitment rests on God’s own sworn authority, not on human merit.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Hebrew words

וַיֹּ֕אמֶרva/i.Yo.merand/ he saidבִּ֥יb/iby <the>/ myselfנִשְׁבַּ֖עְתִּיnish.Ba'.tiI swear נְאֻם־ne.'um-[the] utterance of יְהוָ֑הYah.wehYahweh כִּ֗יKithat יַ֚עַןYa.'anbecause אֲשֶׁ֤ר'a.Sherthat עָשִׂ֙יתָ֙'a.Si.tayou have done אֶת־'et-<obj.>הַדָּבָ֣רha./da.Varthe/ thing הַזֶּ֔הha./Zeh<the>/ this וְלֹ֥אve./Lo'and/ not חָשַׂ֖כְתָּcha.Sakh.tayou have withheld אֶת־'et-<obj.>בִּנְךָ֥bin./Khason/ your אֶת־'et-<obj.>יְחִידֶֽךָ׃ye.chi.De./khaonly [son]/ your

King James Version

And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the Lord, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son:

Cross-references

Luke 1:73 the oath He swore to our father Abraham, to grant us
Hebrews 6:13 When God made His promise to Abraham, since He had no one greater to swear by, He swore by Himself,
Psalms 105:9 the covenant He made with Abraham, and the oath He swore to Isaac.
Jeremiah 51:14 The LORD of Hosts has sworn by Himself: “Surely I will fill you up with men as with locusts, and they will shout in triumph over you.”
Jeremiah 49:13 For by Myself I have sworn, declares the LORD, that Bozrah will become a desolation, a disgrace, a ruin, and a curse, and all her cities will be in ruins forever.”
Romans 4:13 For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world was not given through the law, but through the righteousness that comes by faith.
Isaiah 45:23 By Myself I have sworn; truth has gone out from My mouth, a word that will not be revoked: Every knee will bow before Me, every tongue will swear allegiance.
Genesis 12:2 I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.
Amos 6:8 The Lord GOD has sworn by Himself—the LORD, the God of Hosts, has declared: “I abhor Jacob’s pride and detest his citadels, so I will deliver up the city and everything in it.”