Genesis 22:2

Authorized King James Version

And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.

Word-by-Word Analysis

אֹמַ֥ר

H559

And he said

to say (used with great latitude)

קַח

H3947

Take now

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

נָ֠א

H4994

'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction

אֶת

H853

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

בִּנְךָ֙

H1121

thy son

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

אֶת

H853

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

יְחִֽידְךָ֤

H3173

thine only

properly, united, i.e., sole; by implication, beloved; also lonely; (feminine) the life (as not to be replaced)

אֲשֶׁר

H834

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

אָהַ֙בְתָּ֙

H157

whom thou lovest

to have affection for (sexually or otherwise)

#10

אֶת

H853

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

#11

יִצְחָ֔ק

H3327

son Isaac

jitschak (or isaac), son of abraham

#12

וְלֶךְ

H1980

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

#13

לְךָ֔

#14

אֶל

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

#15

אֶ֖רֶץ

H776

into the land

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

#16

הַמֹּֽרִיָּ֑ה

H4179

of Moriah

morijah, a hill in palestine

#17

וְהַֽעֲלֵ֤הוּ

H5927

and offer him

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

#18

שָׁם֙

H8033

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

#19

לְעֹלָ֔ה

H5930

there for a burnt offering

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

#20

עַ֚ל

H5921

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

#21

אַחַ֣ד

H259

upon one

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

#22

הֶֽהָרִ֔ים

H2022

of the mountains

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

#23

אֲשֶׁ֖ר

H834

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

#24

אֹמַ֥ר

H559

And he said

to say (used with great latitude)

#25

אֵלֶֽיךָ׃

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

Analysis

The divine love theme here intersects with God's covenantal faithfulness demonstrated throughout salvation history. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of progressive revelation from covenant love in the Old Testament to agape love in the New. The phrase emphasizing love fundamental to theology proper, revealing God's essential nature and character and connects to the broader scriptural witness about hesed in the Old Testament and agape in the New Testament.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of ancient Near Eastern narrative literature addressing origins and identity shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of divine love within the theological tradition of Genesis Understanding a worldview where divine beings actively governed natural and historical processes helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes love in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

In what ways does understanding love in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about divine love?
In what ways does this verse's emphasis on love address the problem of evil and suffering in light of God's goodness, and how should the church respond?
What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of divine love, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of theology proper and the doctrine of God?

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