Bible Strands
Genesis 22:9
When they arrived at the place God had designated, Abraham built the altar there and arranged the wood. He bound his son Isaac and placed him on the altar, atop the wood.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Abraham and Isaac arrive at the location God previously designated, where Abraham prepares the site for a sacrifice. This occurs immediately after Abraham tells Isaac that God will provide the offering, and just before he takes the knife to slaughter him.
The words — וַ/יִּ֨בֶן (va/i.Yi.ven) translates literally as "and he built," describing Abraham’s construction of the altar. אֶֽל־ הַ/מָּקוֹם (el ha.ma.kOm) means "to the place," indicating the specific destination God had designated.
The thread — The narrative of Abraham’s obedience on the altar appears in Hebrews 11:17 and James 2:21 as the defining example of faith and justification by works. These passages treat the event as a completed historical action rather than a parable.
Why it lands — The text demands recognition of Abraham’s immediate compliance with a divine command that contradicts prior promises. It requires the reader to confront the tension between stated provision and enacted sacrifice without offering emotional consolation.
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
And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood.
Cross-references
- James 2:21 Was not our father Abraham justified by what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar?
- Hebrews 11:17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac on the altar. He who had received the promises was ready to offer his one and only son,
- Philippians 2:7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness.
- Genesis 8:20 Then Noah built an altar to the LORD. And taking from every kind of clean animal and clean bird, he offered burnt offerings on the altar.
- Genesis 12:7 Then the LORD appeared to Abram and said, “I will give this land to your offspring.” So Abram built an altar there to the LORD, who had appeared to him.
- Genesis 22:2 “Take your son,” God said, “your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah. Offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains, which I will show you.”
- Psalms 118:27 The LORD is God; He has made His light to shine upon us. Bind the festal sacrifice with cords to the horns of the altar.
- Isaiah 53:4 Surely He took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows; yet we considered Him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted.
- Matthew 21:1 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent out two disciples,
- Matthew 26:1 When Jesus had finished saying all these things, He told His disciples,