King James Version

What Does Genesis 22:9 Mean?

Genesis 22:9 in the King James Version says “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 ...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 22 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Genesis 22:9 · KJV

Context

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.

10

And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son.

11

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

Read Genesis 22 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the... 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).

KJV Study — Public Domain

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 deepen our understanding of God's character and His relationship with creation?
  2. What obstacles prevent us from living out the truths presented in this verse?
  3. In what ways does this narrative foreshadow or typify aspects of Christ's redemptive work?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 25 words
וַיָּבֹ֗אוּ1 of 25

“And they came”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

אֶֽל2 of 25
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַמָּקוֹם֮3 of 25

“to the place”

H4725

properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)

אֲשֶׁ֣ר4 of 25
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

אָֽמַר5 of 25

“had told”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

ל֣וֹ6 of 25
H0
הָֽאֱלֹהִים֒7 of 25

“which God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

וַיִּ֨בֶן8 of 25

“built”

H1129

to build (literally and figuratively)

שָׁ֤ם9 of 25
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

אַבְרָהָם֙10 of 25

“him of and Abraham”

H85

abraham, the later name of abram

אֶת11 of 25
H853

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

הַמִּזְבֵּ֔חַ12 of 25

“an altar”

H4196

an altar

וַֽיַּעֲרֹ֖ךְ13 of 25

“in order”

H6186

to set in a row, i.e., arrange, put in order (in a very wide variety of applications)

אֶת14 of 25
H853

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

לָֽעֵצִֽים׃15 of 25

“the wood”

H6086

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

וַֽיַּעֲקֹד֙16 of 25

“and bound”

H6123

to tie with thongs

אֶת17 of 25
H853

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

יִצְחָ֣ק18 of 25

“Isaac”

H3327

jitschak (or isaac), son of abraham

בְּנ֔וֹ19 of 25

“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

וַיָּ֤שֶׂם20 of 25

“and laid”

H7760

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

אֹתוֹ֙21 of 25
H853

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

עַל22 of 25
H5921

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

הַמִּזְבֵּ֔חַ23 of 25

“an altar”

H4196

an altar

מִמַּ֖עַל24 of 25

“upon”

H4605

properly,the upper part, used only adverbially with prefix upward, above, overhead, from the top, etc

לָֽעֵצִֽים׃25 of 25

“the wood”

H6086

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

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 22:9 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 22:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

James 2:21Hebrews 11:17-19Philippians 2:7-8Genesis 22:2-4Matthew 21:1-46Genesis 8:20

Test Your Knowledge

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

Continue Your Study

Read Genesis 22 with CommentaryAll Genesis ChaptersComplete Genesis QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes