📖 Biblical Definition
Genesis 22 records the Lord's testing of Abraham. He commanded Abraham to take his only son Isaac, the child of promise, and offer him as a burnt offering on a mountain in the land of Moriah. Abraham obeyed, traveled three days, bound Isaac on the altar, and raised the knife. The Angel of the Lord stopped him and provided a ram caught by its horns in a thicket. Abraham named the place Jehovah-Jireh: the Lord will see to it. The same mountain became the site of the Jerusalem temple and, Christian tradition holds, of Calvary itself.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
BINDING OF ISA, n.
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A scriptural event; the Lord's testing of Abraham at Moriah.
📖 Key Scripture
Genesis 22:2 — "Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering."
Genesis 22:8 — "My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering."
Genesis 22:13 — "Behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns."
Hebrews 11:19 — "Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Modern Christianity wants Abraham's blessing without Abraham's knife; the Lord tested him because the promise required it.
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Genesis 22 is one of the most theologically dense chapters in Scripture. The Lord asked Abraham to surrender the very son through whom every promise would be fulfilled. Hebrews 11:19 tells us how Abraham reasoned: he believed the Lord could raise Isaac from the dead. Faith was tested at the deepest possible point and held.
The same mountain became Mount Moriah where the temple stood; the same ridge holds Calvary. What the Lord asked of Abraham (offer your only son), He Himself accomplished (offered His only Son). Abraham was provided a ram; we are provided the Lamb. Modern Christianity wants the blessing of Abraham without his knife; the Lord tested him because the promise required someone whose hand would not tremble. Hold the promises with open hands; the Lord is faithful even when He asks for the most cherished gift.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Hebrew/Greek roots below.
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Usage
"Modern Christianity wants Abraham's blessing without Abraham's knife."
"Abraham was provided a ram; we are provided the Lamb."
"Hold the promises with open hands; the Lord is faithful even when He asks the most cherished gift."