Bible Strands
Genesis 22:4
On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Abraham travels with Isaac and two servants after departing early the previous morning to obey a divine command. On the third day of this journey, he visually locates the designated mountain from afar before instructing the servants to wait with the donkey.
The words — The Hebrew phrase בַּיּוֹם הַשְּׁלִישִׁי (ba-yom ha-shlishi) literally means "on the third day," while וַיִּשָּׂא אַבְרָהָם אֶת־עֵינָיו (va-yissa 'avraham et-'einav) translates to "and Abraham lifted up his eyes."
The thread — This temporal marker connects to later biblical patterns of restoration and revelation, appearing in Hosea 6:2 regarding revival, Matthew 17:23 concerning resurrection, and Luke 13:32 within a three-day prophetic timeline.
Why it lands — The verse requires the reader to acknowledge the deliberate pacing of divine instruction and the moment of visual confirmation that precedes obedience. It demands attention to how physical sight and delayed fulfillment operate within the narrative of faith.
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
King James Version
Then on the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place afar off.
Cross-references
- Hosea 6:2 After two days He will revive us; on the third day He will raise us up, that we may live in His presence.
- Matthew 17:23 They will kill Him, and on the third day He will be raised to life.” And the disciples were deeply grieved.
- Luke 13:32 But Jesus replied, “Go tell that fox, ‘Look, I will keep driving out demons and healing people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach My goal.’
- 1 Corinthians 15:4 that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,
- 1 Samuel 26:13 Then David crossed to the other side and stood atop the mountain at a distance; there was a wide gulf between them.
- 2 Kings 20:5 “Go back and tell Hezekiah the leader of My people that this is what the LORD, the God of your father David, says: ‘I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. I will surely heal you. On the third day from now you will go up to the house of the LORD.
- Esther 5:1 On the third day, Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the palace across from the king’s quarters. The king was sitting on his royal throne in the royal courtroom, facing the entrance.
- Exodus 5:3 “The God of the Hebrews has met with us,” they answered. “Please let us go on a three-day journey into the wilderness to sacrifice to the LORD our God, or He may strike us with plagues or with the sword.”
- Exodus 15:22 Then Moses led Israel from the Red Sea, and they went out into the Desert of Shur. For three days they walked in the desert without finding water.
- Exodus 19:11 and be prepared by the third day, for on the third day the LORD will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people.