And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him.

GENESIS 22:3KJV
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Genesis 22:3 (KJV)

What does Genesis 22:3 mean?

Genesis 22:3 describes Abraham getting up early in the morning to prepare for the journey God commanded, taking his son Isaac, two servants, and wood for a burnt offering, and setting out for the place God had told him about. The verse highlights Abraham’s prompt and careful obedience to God’s instructions.

Abraham is the main figure here, responding directly to God’s earlier command to offer Isaac as a burnt offering. The verse details Abraham’s actions step by step: rising early, saddling his donkey, preparing the wood, and taking Isaac and two young men with him. This careful description shows Abraham’s deliberate and willing response, setting the stage for the dramatic events that follow in the story.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 22:3

  • The word for “early” (שָׁכַם, shakam) often carries the sense of eagerness or diligence, showing that Abraham did not delay in obeying God’s command.
  • The word for “clave” (בָּקַע, baqa) means to split or cut, emphasizing that Abraham personally prepared the wood for the offering, not leaving it to his servants.
  • The word for “place” (מָקוֹם, maqom) refers to a specific location God had indicated, underscoring that Abraham was following very precise instructions.

Why Genesis 22:3 matters

  • This verse makes clear that Abraham’s obedience was immediate and thorough, not hesitant or half-hearted, which is important for understanding his faith.
  • The detailed actions show Abraham’s personal involvement, rather than delegating the task, highlighting the seriousness with which he took God’s command.
  • The verse sets up the tension for the rest of the chapter, as readers see Abraham’s faith in action before knowing how the story will resolve.

Where else these words appear

“saddled” Hebrew H2280 · used in 30 verses

  • Exodus 29:9 And thou shalt gird them with girdles, Aaron and his sons, and put the bonnets on them: and the priest's office shall be theirs for a perpetual statute: and thou shalt consecrate Aaron and his sons.
  • 1 Kings 13:23 And it came to pass, after he had eaten bread, and after he had drunk, that he saddled for him the ass, to wit, for the prophet whom he had brought back.
  • Isaiah 30:26 Moreover the light of the moon shall be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun shall be sevenfold, as the light of seven days, in the day that the LORD bindeth up the breach of his people, and healeth the stroke of their wound.

“clave” Hebrew H1234 · used in 50 verses

  • Genesis 7:11 In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, the same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened.
  • 2 Chronicles 21:17 And they came up into Judah, and brake into it, and carried away all the substance that was found in the king's house, and his sons also, and his wives; so that there was never a son left him, save Jehoahaz, the youngest of his sons.
  • Isaiah 48:21 And they thirsted not when he led them through the deserts: he caused the waters to flow out of the rock for them: he clave the rock also, and the waters gushed out.

“early” Hebrew H7925 · used in 64 verses

  • Genesis 19:2 And he said, Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into your servant's house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet, and ye shall rise up early, and go on your ways. And they said, Nay; but we will abide in the street all night.
  • Judges 7:1 Then Jerubbaal, who is Gideon, and all the people that were with him, rose up early, and pitched beside the well of Harod: so that the host of the Midianites were on the north side of them, by the hill of Moreh, in the valley.
  • 2 Chronicles 36:15 And the LORD God of their fathers sent to them by his messengers, rising up betimes, and sending; because he had compassion on his people, and on his dwelling place:

“ass” Hebrew H2543 · used in 93 verses

  • Genesis 12:16 And he entreated Abram well for her sake: and he had sheep, and oxen, and he asses, and menservants, and maidservants, and she asses, and camels.
  • Numbers 31:30 And of the children of Israel's half, thou shalt take one portion of fifty, of the persons, of the beeves, of the asses, and of the flocks, of all manner of beasts, and give them unto the Levites, which keep the charge of the tabernacle of the LORD.
  • 1 Samuel 25:42 And Abigail hasted, and arose, and rode upon an ass, with five damsels of hers that went after her; and she went after the messengers of David, and became his wife.