Genesis 22

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 22

Chapter 22 We have here the famous story of Abraham's offering up his son Isaac, that is, his offering to offer him, which is justly looked upon as one of the wonders of the church. Here is, I. The strange command which God gave to Abraham concerning it, Gen. 22:1, 2. II. Abraham's strange obedience to this command, Gen. 22:3-10. III. The strange issue of this trial. 1. The sacrificing of Isaac was countermanded, Gen. 22:11, 12. 2. Another sacrifice was provided, Gen. 22:13, 14. 3. The... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 22:1-2

Here is the trial of Abraham's faith, whether it continued so strong, so vigorous, so victorious, after a long settlement in communion with God, as it was at first, when by it he left his country: then it was made to appear that he loved God better than his father; now that he loved him better than his son. Observe here, I. The time when Abraham was thus tried (Gen. 22:1): After these things, after all the other exercises he had had, all the hardships and difficulties he had gone through. Now,... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 22:3-10

We have here Abraham's obedience to this severe command. Being tried, he offered up Isaac, Heb. 11:17. Observe, I. The difficulties which he broke through in this act of obedience. Much might have been objected against it; as, 1. It seemed directly against an antecedent law of God, which forbids murder, under a severe penalty, Gen. 9:5, 6. Now can the unchangeable God contradict himself? He that hates robbery for burnt-offering (Isa. 61:8) cannot delight in murder for it. 2. How would it... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 22:11-14

Hitherto this story has been very melancholy, and seemed to hasten towards a most tragical period; but here the sky suddenly clears up, the sun breaks out, and a bright and pleasant scene opens. The same hand that had wounded and cast down here heals and lifts up; for, though he cause grief, he will have compassion. The angel of the Lord, that is, God himself, the eternal Word, the angel of the covenant, who was to be the great Redeemer and comforter, he interposed, and gave a happy issue to... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 22:15-19

Abraham's obedience was graciously accepted; but this was not all: here we have it recompensed, abundantly recompensed, before he stirred from the place; probably while the ram he had sacrificed was yet burning God sent him this gracious message, renewed and ratified his covenant with him. All covenants were made by sacrifice, so was this by the typical sacrifices of Isaac and the ram. Very high expressions of God's favour to Abraham are employed in this confirmation of the covenant with him,... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 22:20-24

This is recorded here, 1. To show that though Abraham saw his own family highly dignified with peculiar privileges, admitted into covenant, and blessed with the entail of the promise, yet he did not look with contempt and disdain upon his relations, but was glad to hear of the increase and prosperity of their families. 2. To make way for the following story of the marriage of Isaac to Rebekah, a daughter of this family. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 22

INTRODUCTION TO GENESIS 22 In this chapter we have an account of an order given by God to Abraham to sacrifice his son, Genesis 22:1 ; of his readiness to obey the will of God, he immediately preparing everything for that purpose, Genesis 22:3 , of the order being reversed, and another sacrifice substituted in its room, which occasioned the giving a new name to the place where it was done, Genesis 22:11 ; upon which the promise of special blessings, of a numerous offspring, and of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 22:1

And it came to pass after these things ,.... Recorded in the preceding chapter: according to the Talmudists F2 T. Bab. Sanhedrin: fol. 89. 2. , the following affair was transacted quickly after the weaning of Isaac, when he was about five years old, which is the opinion of some, as Aben Ezra on Genesis 22:4 ; makes mention of; but that is an age when it can hardly be thought he should be able to carry such a load of wood as was sufficient to make a fire to consume a burnt offering, ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 22:2

And he said, take now thy son ,.... Directly, immediately; not thine ox, nor thy sheep, nor thy ram, nor thy lamb, nor thy servant, but thy son: thine only son Isaac ; for, though Ishmael was his son, he was a son by his maid, by his concubine, and not by his wife; Isaac was his only legitimate son, his only son by his lawful wife Sarah; the only son of the promise, his only son, in whom his seed was to be called: whom thou lovest ; on whom his affections were strongly set, being a... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 22:3

And Abraham rose up early in the morning ,.... For it seems it was in a dream or vision of the night that the above orders were given; and as soon as it was morning he rose and prepared to execute them with all readiness, and without any hesitation and delay: and saddled his ass ; for his journey, not to carry the wood and provision on, which probably were carried by his servants, but to ride on; and this Jarchi thinks he did himself, and the words in their precise sense suggest this;... read more

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