Genesis 22:12 "Do not lay a hand on the boy or do anything to him," said the angel, "for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your only son from me."

◄ Genesis 22:12 ►

New International Version
“Do not lay a hand on the boy,” he said. “Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.”

New Living Translation
“Don’t lay a hand on the boy!” the angel said. “Do not hurt him in any way, for now I know that you truly fear God. You have not withheld from me even your son, your only son.”

English Standard Version
He said, “Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.”

Berean Standard Bible
“Do not lay a hand on the boy or do anything to him,” said the angel, “for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your only son from me.”

King James Bible
And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.

New King James Version
And He said, “Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.”

New American Standard Bible
He said, “Do not reach out your hand against the boy, and do not do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.”

NASB 1995
He said, “Do not stretch out your hand against the lad, and do nothing to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.”

NASB 1977
And he said, “Do not stretch out your hand against the lad, and do nothing to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.”

Legacy Standard Bible
And He said, “Do not stretch out your hand against the boy, and do nothing to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only one, from Me.”

Amplified Bible
The LORD said, “Do not reach out [with the knife in] your hand against the boy, and do nothing to [harm] him; for now I know that you fear God [with reverence and profound respect], since you have not withheld from Me your son, your only son [of promise].”

Christian Standard Bible
Then he said, “Do not lay a hand on the boy or do anything to him. For now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your only son from me.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then He said, “Do not lay a hand on the boy or do anything to him. For now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your only son from Me.”

American Standard Version
And he said, Lay not thy hand upon the lad, neither do thou anything unto him; for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son, from me.

Contemporary English Version
"Don't hurt the boy or harm him in any way!" the angel said. "Now I know that you truly obey God, because you were willing to offer him your only son."

English Revised Version
And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son, from me.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"Do not lay a hand on the boy," he said. "Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you did not refuse to give me your son, your only son."

Good News Translation
"Don't hurt the boy or do anything to him," he said. "Now I know that you honor and obey God, because you have not kept back your only son from him."

International Standard Version
"Don't lay your hand on the youth!" he said. "Don't do anything to him, because I've just demonstrated that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only unique one, from me."

Majority Standard Bible
“Do not lay a hand on the boy or do anything to him,” said the angel, “for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your only son from me.”

NET Bible
"Do not harm the boy!" the angel said. "Do not do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God because you did not withhold your son, your only son, from me."

New Heart English Bible
He said, "Do not lay your hand on the boy, neither do anything to him. For now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only one, from me."

Webster's Bible Translation
And he said, Lay not thy hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing to him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld from me thy son, thy only son.

World English Bible
He said, “Don’t lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him. For now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.”

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
and He says, “Do not put forth your hand to the youth, nor do anything to him, for now I have known that you are fearing God, and have not withheld your son, your only one, from Me.”

Young's Literal Translation
and He saith, 'Put not forth thine hand unto the youth, nor do anything to him, for now I have known that thou art fearing God, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only one, from Me.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And he will say, Thou shalt not put forth thy hand upon the boy, and thou shalt do nothing to him; for now I know that thou fearest God, and thou didst not spare thy son thine only, from me.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And he said to him: Lay not thy hand upon the boy, neither do thou any thing to him: now I know that thou fearest God, and hast not spared thy only begotten son for my sake.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he said to him, “Do not extend your hand over the boy, and do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, since you have not spared your only begotten son for my sake.”

New American Bible
“Do not lay your hand on the boy,” said the angel. “Do not do the least thing to him. For now I know that you fear God, since you did not withhold from me your son, your only one.”

New Revised Standard Version
He said, “Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.”

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And he said to him, Do not lay your hand on the boy, neither shall you harm him; for now I know that you are a man who reveres God, seeing that you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And he said, “Do not stretch your hand against the boy and you shall not do anything to him, because now I have made known that you are in awe of God, for you have not kept your son, your only one, from me.”

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
And he said: 'Lay not thy hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him; for now I know that thou art a God-fearing man, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son, from Me.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the child, neither do anything to him, for now I know that thou fearest God, and for my sake thou hast not spared thy beloved son.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

The Sacrifice Averted
11Just then the angel of the LORD called out to him from heaven, “Abraham, 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, since you have not withheld your only son from me.” 13Then Abraham looked up and saw behind him a ram 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.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Hebrews 11:17-19
By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac on the altar. He who had received the promises was ready to offer his one and only son, / even though God had said to him, “Through Isaac your offspring will be reckoned.” / Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and in a sense, he did receive Isaac back from death.

James 2:21-23
Was not our father Abraham justified by what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? / You see that his faith was working with his actions, and his faith was perfected by what he did. / And the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called a friend of God.

Romans 4:3
For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”

John 3:16
For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.

1 John 4:9-10
This is how God’s love was revealed among us: God sent His one and only Son into the world, so that we might live through Him. / And love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as the atoning sacrifice for our sins.

Romans 8:32
He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also, along with Him, freely give us all things?

Galatians 3:6-9
So also, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” / Understand, then, that those who have faith are sons of Abraham. / The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and foretold the gospel to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.” ...

Matthew 10:37
Anyone who loves his father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me;

Luke 14:26
“If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be My disciple.

1 Peter 1:7
so that the proven character of your faith—more precious than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Exodus 20:20
“Do not be afraid,” Moses replied. “For God has come to test you, so that the fear of Him may be before you, to keep you from sinning.”

Deuteronomy 8:2
Remember that these forty years the LORD your God led you all the way in the wilderness, so that He might humble you and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep His commandments.

1 Samuel 15:22
But Samuel declared: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obedience to His voice? Behold, obedience is better than sacrifice, and attentiveness is better than the fat of rams.

Psalm 11:5
The LORD tests the righteous and the wicked; His soul hates the lover of violence.

Psalm 66:10
For You, O God, have tested us; You have refined us like silver.

Treasury of Scripture

And he said, Lay not your hand on the lad, neither do you any thing to him: for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son from me.

Lay.

1 Samuel 15:22
And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.

Job 5:19
He shall deliver thee in six troubles: yea, in seven there shall no evil touch thee.

Jeremiah 19:5
They have built also the high places of Baal, to burn their sons with fire for burnt offerings unto Baal, which I commanded not, nor spake it, neither came it into my mind:

now.

Genesis 20:11
And Abraham said, Because I thought, Surely the fear of God is not in this place; and they will slay me for my wife's sake.

Genesis 26:5
Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.

Genesis 42:18
And Joseph said unto them the third day, This do, and live; for I fear God:

seeing.

John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Romans 5:8
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 8:32
He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

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Genesis 22

1. Abraham is tested with the command to offer Isaac.
3. He gives proof of his faith and obedience.
11. The angel prevents him.
13. Isaac is exchanged for a ram.
14. The place is called Jehovah-jireh.
15. Abraham is again blessed.
20. The generations of Nahor unto Rebekah.

Berean Study Bible

Do not lay a hand on the boy
This phrase is a direct command from the angel of the Lord, halting Abraham's actions. The Hebrew word for "hand" is "yad," which often symbolizes power or action. In this context, it signifies the cessation of Abraham's intended sacrifice. The command underscores God's intervention and His ultimate authority over life and death. Historically, this moment is pivotal, as it marks a transition from human sacrifice, common in ancient Near Eastern cultures, to a faith-based relationship with God.

or do anything to him
The phrase emphasizes the totality of God's command to protect Isaac. The Hebrew word for "anything" is "me'umah," which implies not even the slightest harm should come to Isaac. This highlights God's care and the sanctity of life, reinforcing the idea that God values obedience over sacrifice. It also foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice God Himself would make through Jesus Christ, His only Son.

said the angel
The "angel of the Lord" is a significant figure in the Old Testament, often seen as a manifestation of God Himself. The Hebrew word "mal'ak" means "messenger," indicating that this angel speaks with divine authority. This encounter is a theophany, where God reveals His will directly to Abraham, demonstrating His intimate involvement in the lives of His people.

for now I know that you fear God
The phrase "fear God" is rooted in the Hebrew word "yare," which encompasses reverence, awe, and respect. This fear is not terror but a profound respect for God's holiness and authority. Abraham's willingness to sacrifice Isaac is the ultimate demonstration of his faith and reverence for God, proving his unwavering trust and obedience.

since you have not withheld your only son from Me
The term "withheld" comes from the Hebrew "chasak," meaning to hold back or restrain. Abraham's willingness to offer Isaac, his "only son," is a profound act of faith. The phrase "only son" echoes the future sacrifice of Jesus Christ, God's only Son, for the salvation of humanity. This parallel underscores the depth of God's love and the foreshadowing of the New Testament's redemptive narrative.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 12. - And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him. Abraham's surrender of the son of his affections having been complete, there was no need to push the trial further. The voice from heaven has been accepted as evidence of God's rejection of human sacrifices (Lange, Murphy), only that is not assigned as the reason for Isaac's deliverance. For now I knew - literally, have known; not caused thee to know (Augustine), but caused others to know (Lange); or the words are used anthropomorphically (Calvin) - that thou fearest God, - Elohim; the Divine intention being to characterize the patriarch as a God-fearing man, and not simply as a worshipper of Jehovah (cf. Quarry 'on Genesis,' p. 460) - seeing - literally, and (sc. in proof thereof) - thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me. Καὶ οὐκ ἐφείσω τοῦ ὑιοῦ σοῦ ἁγαπητοῦ δε ἐμέ (LXX.). Cf. ὅς γε τοῦ ἰδιοῦ ὑιοῦ οὐκ ἐφείσατο (Romans 8:32), as applied to the sacrifice of Christ. In this verse the angel of Jehovah identifies himself with Elohim.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

“Do not
אַל־ (’al-)
Adverb
Strong's 408: Not

lay
תִּשְׁלַ֤ח (tiš·laḥ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 7971: To send away, for, out

a hand
יָֽדְךָ֙ (yā·ḏə·ḵā)
Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 3027: A hand

on
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

the boy
הַנַּ֔עַר (han·na·‘ar)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5288: A boy, lad, youth, retainer

or do
תַּ֥עַשׂ (ta·‘aś)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect Jussive - second person masculine singular
Strong's 6213: To do, make

anything to him,”
מְא֑וּמָּה‪‬ (mə·’ūm·māh)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3972: A speck, point, nothing

said [the Angel],
וַיֹּ֗אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“for
כִּ֣י ׀ (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

now
עַתָּ֣ה (‘at·tāh)
Adverb
Strong's 6258: At this time

I know
יָדַ֗עְתִּי (yā·ḏa‘·tî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 3045: To know

that
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

you
אַ֔תָּה (’at·tāh)
Pronoun - second person masculine singular
Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you

fear
יְרֵ֤א (yə·rê)
Adjective - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3373: Fearing, reverent

God,
אֱלֹהִים֙ (’ĕ·lō·hîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

since you have not
וְלֹ֥א (wə·lō)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

withheld
חָשַׂ֛כְתָּ (ḥā·śaḵ·tā)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 2820: To restrain, refrain, to refuse, spare, preserve, to observe

your only
יְחִידְךָ֖ (yə·ḥî·ḏə·ḵā)
Adjective - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 3173: United, sole, beloved, lonely, the life

son
בִּנְךָ֥ (bin·ḵā)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 1121: A son

from Me.”
מִמֶּֽנִּי׃ (mim·men·nî)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's 4480: A part of, from, out of

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OT Law: Genesis 22:12 He said Don't lay your hand (Gen. Ge Gn)