And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you.

GENESIS 22:5KJV
Know the Bible

Genesis 22:5 (KJV)

What does Genesis 22:5 mean?

Genesis 22:5 shows Abraham telling his servants to stay behind with the donkey while he and his son Isaac go further to worship and then return. Abraham’s words suggest he expects both he and Isaac will come back, even though he knows God has asked him to sacrifice Isaac.

Abraham is speaking to his young servants as they arrive at the place God has shown him. He asks them to wait with the donkey while he and Isaac go “yonder” (a little farther) to worship. The verse quietly highlights Abraham’s faith and trust, as he tells the servants they will both return, despite the difficult command he is facing from God.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 22:5

  • The word for “worship” is שָׁחָה (shachah), which means to bow down or prostrate oneself. In this context, it points to an act of deep reverence and submission to God, not just a ritual or song.
  • The word for “lad” is נַעַר (na'ar), which can mean a boy, youth, or young man. This term shows Isaac is still young, but not necessarily a small child.
  • The word for “again” is שׁוּב (shuv), meaning to return or come back. Abraham’s use of this word when he says “and come again to you” hints at his expectation that both he and Isaac will return, which adds a layer of faith to his statement.

Why Genesis 22:5 matters

  • This verse is often noticed for Abraham’s confidence that both he and Isaac will return, which some readers see as a sign of his faith in God’s promise.
  • The use of the word for “worship” here is significant, as it is the first time this word appears in the Bible, marking the moment as deeply important.
  • Genesis 22:5 sets the stage for the dramatic events that follow, showing Abraham’s obedience and trust even before the test reaches its climax.

Where else these words appear

“yonder” Hebrew H3541 · used in 21 verses

  • Genesis 15:5 And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.
  • Numbers 11:31 And there went forth a wind from the LORD, and brought quails from the sea, and let them fall by the camp, as it were a day's journey on this side, and as it were a day's journey on the other side, round about the camp, and as it were two cubits high upon the face of the earth.
  • 1 Kings 22:20 And the LORD said, Who shall persuade Ahab, that he may go up and fall at Ramothgilead? And one said on this manner, and another said on that manner.

“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.