The Offering of Isaac
(John 3:1–21)

1Some time later God {Elohim} tested Abraham (father of many) and said to him, “Abraham!”

“Here I am,” he answered.

2“Take your son,” God said, “your only son Isaac (he laughs), whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah (chosen by YHWH). Offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains, which I will show you.”

3So Abraham (father of many) got up early the next morning, saddled his donkey, and took along two of his servants and his son Isaac (he laughs). He split the wood for a burnt offering and set out for the place God {Elohim} had designated.

4On the third day Abraham (father of many) looked up and saw the place in the distance. 5“Stay here with the donkey,” Abraham (father of many) told his servants. “The boy and I will go over there to worship, and then we will return to you⁺.”

6Abraham (father of many) took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac (he laughs). He himself carried the fire and the sacrificial knife, and the two of them walked on together.

7Then Isaac (he laughs) said to his father Abraham (father of many), “My father!”

“Here I am, my son,” he replied.

“The fire and the wood are here,” said Isaac, “but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?”

8Abraham (father of many) answered, “God {Elohim} Himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And the two walked on together.

9When they arrived at the place God {Elohim} had designated, Abraham (father of many) built the altar there and arranged the wood. He bound his son Isaac (he laughs) and placed him on the altar, atop the wood. 10Then Abraham (father of many) reached out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son.

The LORD Provides the Sacrifice

11Just then the angel (Angel)a of the LORD {YHWH} called out to him from heaven, “Abraham (father of many), Abraham!”

“Here I am,” he replied.

12“Do not lay a hand on the boy or do anything to him,” said the angel, “for now I know that you fear God {Elohim}, since you have not withheld your only son from me (from Me).b”

13Then Abraham (father of many) looked up and saw behind him a ram [saw one ram]c in a thicket, caught by its horns. So he went and took the ram and offered it as a burnt offering in place of his son. 14And Abraham (father of many) called that place The LORD Will Provide {YHWH Yireh}.d So to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the LORD it will be provided.”

15And the angel of the LORD {YHWH} called to Abraham (father of many) from heaven a second time, 16saying, “By Myself I have sworn, declares the LORD {YHWH}, that because you have done this and have not withheld your only son, 17I will surely bless you, and I will multiply your descendants <Heb 6:14>e like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will possess the gates of their enemies. 18And through your offspring all nations of the earth will be blessed <Act 3:25>,f because you have obeyed My voice.”

19Abraham (father of many) went back to his servants, and they got up and set out together for Beersheba (well of seven). And Abraham settled in Beersheba.

The Sons of Nahor

20Some time later, Abraham (father of many) was told, “Milcah (queen) has also borne sons to your brother Nahor (snorting): 21Uz (wooded) the firstborn, his brother Buz (contempt), Kemuel (raised of God) (the father of Aram (exalted)), 22Chesed (increase), Hazo (vision), Pildash (flame of fire), Jidlaph (weeping), and Bethuel (dweller in God).”

23And Bethuel (dweller in God) became the father of Rebekah (ensnarer). Milcah (queen) bore these eight sons to Abraham’s (father of many) brother Nahor (snorting). 24Moreover, Nahor’s concubine, whose name was Reumah (elevated), bore Tebah (a slaughter), Gaham (burning), Tahash (dugong), and Maacah (oppression).