Genesis 22:3

3. Rose up early An early start on a journey is all-important in the East . Thus would the traveller avoid the heat of the day in the open sun, by travelling before the sun was up, and resting in the heat of the day .

Saddled his ass The modern saddle was not then known, but pieces of cloth and garments (Mark 11:7) were bound ( חבשׁ ) on the back of the animal . The saddling also implied the binding on of whatever baggage the traveller would take along . The Oriental ass is a nobler animal than that which we of the West associate with that name . (See the Bible Dictionaries on the word . )

Took two of his young men An incident which shows the naturalness and accuracy of the narrative. A chief like Abraham would not travel far unattended.