King James Version

What Does Genesis 22:13 Mean?

Genesis 22:13 in the King James Version says “And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham we...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 22 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son.”

Genesis 22:13 · KJV

Context

11

And the angel of the LORD called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I.

12

And he said, 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.

13

And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son.

14

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. Jehovahjireh: that is, The Lord will see, or, provide

15

And the angel of the LORD called unto Abraham out of heaven the second time,

Read Genesis 22 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his h... This passage is part of the Abrahamic narratives which shift from universal human history to God's particular covenant people. The Abraham cycle (Genesis 12-25) demonstrates God's sovereign election, covenant faithfulness, and the development of faith through testing and promise fulfillment.

Central themes include God's unconditional covenant promises (land, descendants, blessing to nations), the call to faith and obedience, the testing of faith through delays and impossibilities, the contrast between divine promises and human schemes, and God's gracious persistence despite human failures. Abraham emerges as the father of faith whose trust in God's promises becomes the model for all believers (Romans 4, Galatians 3, Hebrews 11).

Theologically, these narratives establish: (1) salvation by grace through faith rather than works; (2) covenant as God's gracious initiative binding Himself to His people; (3) the necessity of patient trust when promises seem impossible; (4) the consequences of attempting to fulfill God's promises through human effort; (5) the pattern of divine testing producing mature faith. The Abraham cycle foreshadows Christ as the ultimate seed through whom blessing extends to all nations (Galatians 3:16).

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Historical & Cultural Context

The patriarchal narratives (Genesis 12-50) reflect the cultural, social, and legal customs of the ancient Near East during the Middle Bronze Age (2000-1500 BCE). Archaeological discoveries including the Mari tablets, Nuzi tablets, and Egyptian records confirm many details: nomadic pastoralism, covenant-making ceremonies, marriage customs, property laws, and international travel patterns described in Genesis.

The cultural practices reflected include: treaty/covenant forms (Genesis 15), bride-price customs (Genesis 24, 29), inheritance laws favoring firstborn sons (Genesis 25, 27), adoption practices (Genesis 15, 30), levirate-type arrangements (Genesis 38), and Egyptian administrative systems (Genesis 41, 47). These parallels confirm Genesis's historical reliability while showing how God worked within ancient cultural frameworks to accomplish His purposes.

For later Israelites, these narratives established their identity as Abraham's descendants, explained their claim to Canaan, justified their possession of Joseph's bones (Exodus 13:19), and provided models of faith despite imperfection. The patriarchs' failures and God's faithfulness encouraged Israel that covenant relationship depended on God's grace rather than human merit. The movement from Mesopotamia to Canaan to Egypt set the stage for the Exodus and conquest narratives.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse contribute to the biblical doctrine of creation, fall, or redemption?
  2. How does this passage challenge modern cultural assumptions about identity, purpose, or morality?
  3. In what ways does this narrative foreshadow or typify aspects of Christ's redemptive work?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
וַיִּשָּׂ֨א1 of 20

“lifted up”

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

אַבְרָהָם֙2 of 20

“And Abraham”

H85

abraham, the later name of abram

אֶת3 of 20
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

עֵינָ֗יו4 of 20

“his eyes”

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

וַיַּרְא֙5 of 20

“and looked”

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

וְהִנֵּה6 of 20
H2009

lo!

הָאַ֔יִל7 of 20

“him a ram”

H352

properly, strength; hence, anything strong; specifically an oak or other strong tree

אַחַ֕ר8 of 20

“and behold behind”

H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

נֶֽאֱחַ֥ז9 of 20

“caught”

H270

to seize (often with the accessory idea of holding in possession)

בַּסְּבַ֖ךְ10 of 20

“in a thicket”

H5442

a copse

בְּקַרְנָ֑יו11 of 20

“by his horns”

H7161

a horn (as projecting); by implication, a flask, cornet; by resemblance. an elephant's tooth (i.e., ivory), a corner (of the altar), a peak (of a moun

וַיֵּ֤לֶךְ12 of 20
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

אַבְרָהָם֙13 of 20

“And Abraham”

H85

abraham, the later name of abram

וַיִּקַּ֣ח14 of 20

“and took”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

אֶת15 of 20
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הָאַ֔יִל16 of 20

“him a ram”

H352

properly, strength; hence, anything strong; specifically an oak or other strong tree

וַיַּֽעֲלֵ֥הוּ17 of 20

“and offered him up”

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

לְעֹלָ֖ה18 of 20

“for a burnt offering”

H5930

a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke)

תַּ֥חַת19 of 20

“in the stead”

H8478

the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc

בְּנֽוֹ׃20 of 20

“of his son”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Genesis. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Genesis 22:13 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Genesis 22:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Corinthians 10:132 Corinthians 1:9-10Psalms 40:6-81 Peter 1:19-20Isaiah 30:21Genesis 22:8

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