King James Version

What Does Genesis 22:7 Mean?

Genesis 22:7 in the King James Version says “And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fi...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 22 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Genesis 22:7 · KJV

Context

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.

9

And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood.

Read Genesis 22 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I, my son. And he... 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 can we apply the principles from this passage to contemporary challenges in family, work, or church?
  3. How does this verse fit into the broader biblical story culminating in Christ?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
וַיֹּ֗אמֶר1 of 17

“And he said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יִצְחָ֜ק2 of 17

“And Isaac”

H3327

jitschak (or isaac), son of abraham

אֶל3 of 17
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אַבְרָהָ֤ם4 of 17

“unto Abraham”

H85

abraham, the later name of abram

אָבִ֔י5 of 17

“My father”

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

וַיֹּ֗אמֶר6 of 17

“And he said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אָבִ֔י7 of 17

“My father”

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

וַיֹּ֗אמֶר8 of 17

“And he said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

הִנֶּ֣נִּֽי9 of 17
H2009

lo!

בְנִ֑י10 of 17

“Here am I my 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

וַיֹּ֗אמֶר11 of 17

“And he said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

הִנֵּ֤ה12 of 17
H2009

lo!

הָאֵשׁ֙13 of 17

“Behold the fire”

H784

fire (literally or figuratively)

וְהָ֣עֵצִ֔ים14 of 17

“and the wood”

H6086

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

וְאַיֵּ֥ה15 of 17
H346

where?

הַשֶּׂ֖ה16 of 17

“but where is the lamb”

H7716

a member of a flock, i.e., a sheep or goat

לְעֹלָֽה׃17 of 17

“for a burnt offering”

H5930

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

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 22:7 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 22:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Romans 8:15Matthew 26:39John 18:11Genesis 4:2-4Matthew 26:42Genesis 8:20

Test Your Knowledge

Genesis 22 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterGenesis Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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