Genesis 22:5 kjv

And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you.

Genesis 22:5 nkjv

And Abraham said to his young men, "Stay here with the donkey; the lad and I will go yonder and worship, and we will come back to you."

Genesis 22:5 niv

He said to his servants, "Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you."

Genesis 22:5 esv

Then Abraham said to his young men, "Stay here with the donkey; I and the boy will go over there and worship and come again to you."

Genesis 22:5 nlt

"Stay here with the donkey," Abraham told the servants. "The boy and I will travel a little farther. We will worship there, and then we will come right back."

Genesis 22 verses

Genesis 22 5 Meaning

Genesis 22:5 encapsulates Abraham's profound faith and obedience during the test on Mount Moriah. It reveals his firm conviction that he and Isaac, his son of promise, would return together from the sacrificial worship. This statement underscores Abraham's belief in God's power to fulfill His covenant promises, even if it required raising Isaac from the dead, demonstrating a complete surrender to the divine will coupled with unwavering trust in divine providence.

Genesis 22 5 Context

Genesis chapter 22 recounts the severe test of Abraham's faith, famously known as the Akedah (the binding of Isaac). Following the command of God in Genesis 22:2 to offer Isaac, his "only son" and son of promise, as a burnt offering, Abraham demonstrates immediate and unwavering obedience. The journey to Mount Moriah lasts three days, providing time for deep reflection and confirming Abraham's resolve. Verse 5 is spoken as Abraham reaches the base of the mountain, a point where he separates from his accompanying young men and the donkey, signifying the deeply personal and sacred nature of the act that is about to unfold. This moment is critical because it reveals Abraham's conviction, spoken aloud, that both he and Isaac would return, implying a faith that superseded human understanding of sacrifice and death. The entire narrative culminates in God's provision of a ram, His oath to Abraham, and the prophetic foreshadowing of the Messiah's ultimate sacrifice.

Genesis 22 5 Word Analysis

• And Abraham: Signifies the continued action of Abraham's journey and obedience as recounted from previous verses. Abraham's character is already established as one of faith.
• said: Expresses a clear and verbal command, demonstrating leadership and intention.
• to his young men: Refers to servants or attendants (na'ar, נער) who accompanied Abraham and Isaac on the three-day journey. These individuals represent a level of common understanding and assistance, but they are excluded from the core, private act of worship.
• Stay here: An instruction for them to remain behind, indicating that the upcoming act is exclusive, intimate, and sacred. It marks a separation point for the deeper spiritual ascent.
• with the donkey: The mode of transport is left behind. This practical detail underscores that the next stage of the journey to the "place" (v.3) is an ascent by foot, symbolic of effort and solemnity in drawing near to God.
• I and the boy: "I" refers to Abraham, the father and executor of God's command. "The boy" is Isaac (na'ar, נער), here indicating a youth or young man capable of carrying wood (v.6). This highlights their singular, direct participation in the act. The bond between them is significant given the nature of the test.
• will go over there: Implies a specific, higher location on the mountain. "There" points to the place God "told him of" (v.3) and indicates a sacred, designated spot for worship and sacrifice.
• and worship: The Hebrew word for worship here is shachah (שָׁחָה), meaning "to bow down," "prostrate oneself," "pay homage." It signifies not merely ritualistic offering but deep submission, reverence, and adoration before God. Abraham frames the sacrificial act as an act of worship, demonstrating his mindset of submission rather than a mere obligation.
• and come back to you: This phrase is the pinnacle of Abraham's faith. It directly states his expectation of return with Isaac. Despite the command to sacrifice, Abraham fully expected Isaac to return with him, based on his conviction that God was able to raise Isaac from the dead (Heb 11:19) or somehow circumvent the death. It highlights Abraham's unwavering trust in God's power and faithfulness to His covenant promises concerning Isaac (Gen 17:19).

Genesis 22 5 Bonus section

The site "over there" on Mount Moriah, where Abraham intended to worship and offer Isaac, is traditionally identified with the location where the First and Second Temples were later built in Jerusalem (2 Chr 3:1). This continuity of sacred space highlights Moriah's significance as a place of divine encounter and sacrifice, linking the Akedah directly to the Temple worship that would follow for millennia. The phrase "his young men" or na'ar (נער) for Isaac in this chapter emphasizes Isaac's age and strength (being able to carry wood for the burnt offering), but more profoundly, it positions him as an innocent figure willingly submitting to his father, echoing aspects of Christ's submission. The "test" (נִסָּה, nasah) from God was not to discover Abraham's heart, which God already knew, but to refine his faith, solidify his character, and serve as an eternal testimony for all believers.

Genesis 22 5 Commentary

Genesis 22:5 provides a pivotal insight into Abraham's extraordinary faith during the "Akedah." His instruction to his young men to "stay here" signals a necessary spiritual isolation, reserving the impending, momentous act for only him and Isaac. This private encounter highlights the deep personal sacrifice required. By declaring "I and the boy will go over there and worship," Abraham elevates the act of sacrifice to one of profound worship and reverence towards God. Crucially, the statement "and come back to you" reveals a remarkable theological conviction. Faced with an impossible command—to sacrifice the very son through whom God's promises would be fulfilled—Abraham expresses an unshakeable belief that both he and Isaac would return. This is not naive optimism, but a profound trust in God's ability to overcome death and uphold His covenant word, echoing the faith described in Hebrews 11:19. Abraham understood that God, who brought Isaac into being through miraculous means, could certainly restore him from death. Thus, the verse testifies to Abraham's resolute obedience springing from an incredible faith in God's resurrection power and His inviolable promises. This serves as a timeless example of placing absolute trust in the Almighty, even when God's commands defy human logic.