King James Version

What Does Genesis 22:6 Mean?

Genesis 22:6 in the King James Version says “And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering, and laid it upon Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 22 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering, and laid it upon Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife; and they went both of them together.”

Genesis 22:6 · KJV

Context

4

Then on the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place afar off.

5

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.

6

And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering, and laid it upon Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife; and they went both of them together.

7

And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering? lamb: or, kid

8

And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together.

Read Genesis 22 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering, and laid it upon Isaac his son; and he took the fir... 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. What does this passage reveal about God's sovereignty and human responsibility?
  2. What obstacles prevent us from living out the truths presented in this verse?
  3. What connections can we trace from this verse to Jesus' life, death, and resurrection?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
וַיִּקַּ֣ח1 of 18

“and he took”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

אַבְרָהָ֜ם2 of 18

“And Abraham”

H85

abraham, the later name of abram

אֶת3 of 18
H853

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

עֲצֵ֣י4 of 18

“the wood”

H6086

a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)

הָֽעֹלָ֗ה5 of 18

“of the burnt offering”

H5930

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

וַיָּ֙שֶׂם֙6 of 18

“and laid”

H7760

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

עַל7 of 18
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

יִצְחָ֣ק8 of 18

“it upon Isaac”

H3327

jitschak (or isaac), son of abraham

בְּנ֔וֹ9 of 18

“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

וַיִּקַּ֣ח10 of 18

“and he took”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

בְּיָד֔וֹ11 of 18

“in his hand”

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

אֶת12 of 18
H853

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

הָאֵ֖שׁ13 of 18

“the fire”

H784

fire (literally or figuratively)

וְאֶת14 of 18
H853

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

הַֽמַּאֲכֶ֑לֶת15 of 18

“and a knife”

H3979

something to eat with, i.e., a knife

וַיֵּֽלְכ֥וּ16 of 18
H1980

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

שְׁנֵיהֶ֖ם17 of 18

“both”

H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

יַחְדָּֽו׃18 of 18

“of them together”

H3162

properly, a unit, i.e., (adverb) unitedly

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 22:6 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 22:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

John 19:171 Peter 2:24Isaiah 53:6Matthew 8:17Luke 24:26-27

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