Genesis 22:3
What does Genesis 22:3 mean?
A plain-English look at Genesis 22:3 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Genesis 22:3 means
Abraham's response is one of immediate and unwavering obedience. He rises early, demonstrating resolve, and prepares for the journey with practical steps: saddling his donkey, taking two servants, and Isaac. His action of cleaving the wood for the offering shows his intention to fulfill the command precisely, even though the full implication must have weighed heavily upon him. This swift compliance, despite the emotional and spiritual cost, highlights his extraordinary faith and submission to God's will.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And Abraham rose early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son; and he clave the wood for the burnt-offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And Abraham rose early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son; and he clave the wood for the burnt-offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And Abraham got up early in the morning, and made ready his ass, and took with him two of his young men and Isaac, his son, and after the wood for the burned offering had been cut, he went on his way to the place of which God had given him word.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And Abraham riseth early in the morning, and saddleth his ass, and taketh two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and he cleaveth the wood of the burnt-offering, and riseth and goeth unto the place of which God hath spoken to him.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752So Abraham rising up in the night, saddled his ass, and took with him two young men, and Isaac his son: and when he had cut wood for the holocaust, he went his way to the place which God had commanded him.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And Abraham rose early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son; and he clave the wood for the burnt-offering, and rose up and went to the place thatGod had told him of.
Context
This verse directly follows God's command and Abraham's initial response, marking the swift beginning of the journey to Moriah. It shows Abraham's immediate and practical obedience, without hesitation or argument, setting the journey in motion. The preparations described here foreshadow the difficult act Abraham is prepared to perform, building narrative tension as the group begins their trek toward the appointed place.
v.2And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son, whom thou lovest, even Isaac, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt-offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.
v.3This passage
v.4On the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place afar off.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Galatians 1:16
to reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the Gentiles; straightway I conferred not with flesh and blood:
- Genesis 21:14
And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and took bread and a bottle of water, and gave it unto Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, and gave her the child, and sent her away: and she departed, and wandered in the wilderness of Beer-sheba.
- Hebrews 11:17
By faith Abraham, being tried, offered up Isaac: yea, he that had gladly received the promises was offering up his only begotten son;
- Ecclesiastes 9:10
Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in Sheol, whither thou goest.
- Matthew 10:37
He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
- Genesis 17:23
And Abraham took Ishmael his son, and all that were born in his house, and all that were bought with his money, every male among the men of Abraham’s house, and circumcised the flesh of their foreskin in the selfsame day, as God had said unto him.
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