Patriarchs and their families · Old Testament
The Story of Abraham and Isaac
The son God promised is born to Abraham and Sarah in their old age; years later God tests Abraham on Mount Moriah and provides a ram in Isaac’s place.
Editorial text in English. Scripture is quoted from the version you choose; references stay the same in every version.
Introduction
God promised Abraham descendants through Sarah, and Isaac was born when both were old. Genesis 22 then tells how God tested Abraham by telling him to offer Isaac on a mountain in the land of Moriah. Genesis 21:1–7Genesis 22:1–2
An angel stops Abraham, a ram is offered instead, and God renews his promise of blessing. The New Testament returns to this story as an example of faith. Genesis 22:11–18Hebrews 11:17–19
Principal passages
People in this story
Places named
- The land of Moriah Genesis 22:2
- Beersheba Genesis 22:19
Only places the passages name. Locations are not guessed.
The story, event by event
In the order Scripture presents them. Expand an event to read its passage here.
A son promised
Three visitors come to Abraham at Mamre; the LORD says Sarah will have a son within a year, and Sarah, listening at the tent, laughs.
Isaac is born
The LORD does for Sarah as he promised: she bears Abraham a son in his old age, and they name him Isaac.
God tests Abraham
God tells Abraham to take Isaac, his only son whom he loves, to the land of Moriah and offer him as a burnt offering.
The journey to the mountain
Abraham sets out early with Isaac, the wood and the fire. When Isaac asks where the lamb is, Abraham answers that God will provide it.
On the altar
Abraham builds an altar, binds Isaac and takes the knife, but the angel of the LORD calls to him and stops him.
The LORD will provide
Abraham sees a ram caught in a thicket and offers it instead of his son. He names the place “The LORD will provide”.
The promise renewed
Because Abraham has not withheld his son, the angel repeats God’s promise of descendants as many as the stars and of blessing for all nations through his offspring. They return to Beersheba.
People: Abraham
Later in the Bible
Later passages that recall or interpret this story. They are not events within it.
- Hebrews 11:17–19 Direct reference — Abraham offered Isaac by faith, reasoning that God could raise the dead.
- James 2:21–23 Teaching or quotation mentioning them — James uses Abraham’s offering of Isaac to show faith working with deeds.
- 2 Chronicles 3:1 Direct reference — Solomon builds the temple on Mount Moriah. The text names the mountain; it does not draw a connection with Genesis 22.
- Romans 8:32 Interpretive or typological connection (an interpretation, not a statement of the text) — “He who didn’t spare his own Son” is often read as an echo of Genesis 22. This is an interpretive connection.
Connected themes
- Faith Illustrates the theme
Hebrews and James return to Abraham’s offering of Isaac as faith. Hebrews 11:17–19
- Covenant
The covenant promise is renewed with an oath. Genesis 22:15–18
- Providence Illustrates the theme
“The LORD will provide.” Genesis 22:14
Related life situations
- Waiting
The long wait for Isaac. Genesis 21:1–5
Questions for study
Written by BibleKenya editors. They are not Scripture.
- What does Genesis 22:1 tell the reader that Abraham does not know?
- How does Abraham answer Isaac’s question in Genesis 22:7-8?
- What reason does the angel give in Genesis 22:12 and 22:16?
- How do Hebrews 11:17-19 and James 2:21-23 read the story differently?
Study guides
- Understanding the Book of Genesis
Lesson four in story form. Genesis 22:1–19
Use offline
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