Genesis 22:6

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיִּקַּ֣ח
and he took
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
#2
אַבְרָהָ֜ם
H85
And Abraham
abraham, the later name of abram
#3
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#4
עֲצֵ֣י
the wood
a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)
#5
הָֽעֹלָ֗ה
of the burnt offering
a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke)
#6
וַיָּ֙שֶׂם֙
and laid
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
#7
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#8
יִצְחָ֣ק
it upon Isaac
jitschak (or isaac), son of abraham
#9
בְּנ֔וֹ
his 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
#10
וַיִּקַּ֣ח
and he took
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
#11
בְּיָד֔וֹ
in his hand
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
#12
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#13
הָאֵ֖שׁ
the fire
fire (literally or figuratively)
#14
וְאֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#15
הַֽמַּאֲכֶ֑לֶת
and a knife
something to eat with, i.e., a knife
#16
וַיֵּֽלְכ֥וּ
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
#17
שְׁנֵיהֶ֖ם
both
two; also (as ordinal) twofold
#18
יַחְדָּֽו׃
of them together
properly, a unit, i.e., (adverb) unitedly

Analysis

The creation and providence theme here intersects with the broader canonical witness to God's character and purposes. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of progressive revelation that finds its culmination in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's consistent character and purposes.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of ancient Near Eastern narrative literature addressing origins and identity shapes this text's meaning. The development from creation to divine election established God's sovereign care over history Understanding a worldview where divine beings actively governed natural and historical processes helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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