Genesis 22

The chapter

Genesis 22 tells of Abraham's greatest trial: God commands him to offer his son Isaac as a burnt offering on a mountain in the land of Moriah. Abraham obeys; at the last moment the angel of the LORD stays his hand; a ram caught in a thicket is offered in Isaac's place. The chapter is called by Christian and Jewish tradition the Akedah — 'the binding.'

Who wrote it

Traditionally attributed to Moses, as part of the Torah.

Historical and geographical context

Set c. 2050 BC (traditional dating) at 'a mountain… in the land of Moriah' (Genesis 22:2). 2 Chronicles 3:1 identifies Moriah with the temple mount of Jerusalem — the very ground on which Solomon's temple was later built, and beside which Christ was later crucified.

Important verses

• Genesis 22:2 (KJV) 'Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, 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.'
• Genesis 22:8 (KJV) 'My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together.'
• Genesis 22:12 (KJV) '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.'
• Genesis 22:13 (KJV) 'And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns…'
• Genesis 22:14 (KJV) 'And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovahjireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the LORD it shall be seen.'
• Genesis 22:18 (KJV) 'And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.'

Christ-centred reading

The Akedah is one of the Old Testament's clearest types of the Cross. A beloved son carries the wood of his own sacrifice up a mountain in Moriah — Christ carries His Cross up that same ridge. Abraham says: 'God will provide himself a lamb.' John the Baptist points across the Jordan: 'Behold the Lamb of God.' The parallel is not accidental; the Fathers read it deliberately.

In Christian tradition

• Read at every Easter Vigil in every Christian rite.
• Depicted in Christian art from the Roman catacombs onward.
• Cited in Hebrews 11:17-19 as the peak of Abraham's faith.
• The mountain of Moriah, per 2 Chronicles 3:1, is the site of Solomon's temple and (by extension) very close to Golgotha.

Connected People

• Abraham — the offerer.
• Isaac — the one bound.
• Christ Jesus — the true Isaac; the true Lamb.

Connected Places

• Mount Moriah — the mountain of the binding.
• Jerusalem — built later on the same ridge.
• Golgotha — where the true Lamb was offered on the same range.

Household application

Read Genesis 22 aloud on Good Friday afternoon, before the Cross procession. Let the little ones hear Isaac's question and Abraham's answer.

The place-name Jehovahjireh — 'the LORD will provide' — is a household prayer for every household under pressure.

Room connections

Where this entry meets the household in the wider house of CrossAIHub.

• Read (Library) — Read Genesis 22 aloud on Good Friday.
• Pray (Chapel) — Pray 'Jehovahjireh — the LORD will provide' for every family need.
• Family (Kitchen Table) — Discuss with the children the difference between what Abraham was asked and what he was given.
• Sing (Choir Room) — Sing 'The God of Abraham Praise' (Thomas Olivers, 1770).
• Learn (Workshop) — Study Hebrews 11:17-19 alongside Genesis 22.

Further reading

Genesis 22 in the KJV.

Hebrews 11:17-19.

Origen, Homilies on Genesis, Homily 8 (third century).

Elsewhere in the Atlas

• Abraham
• Isaac
• Mount Moriah
• Golgotha
• Jerusalem
• Return to the atrium — the Atlas's main room.