The Meaning of Genesis 22:4 Explained

Genesis 22:4

KJV: Then on the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place afar off.

YLT: On the third day -- Abraham lifteth up his eyes, and seeth the place from afar;

Darby: On the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw the place from afar.

ASV: On the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place afar off.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Then on the third  day  Abraham  lifted up  his eyes,  and saw  the place  afar off. 

What does Genesis 22:4 Mean?

Context Summary

Genesis 22:1-13 - Abraham Ready To Offer Isaac
Faith must be proved. Only in trial does she put forth her strength or dare the impossible. Satan tempts to bring forth the bad, God to call forth into exercise our highest and best. God went every step of the way with His servant, who was called into closer fellowship with himself than any other of the human race. Moriah was a miniature of Calvary, where God spared not His only Son. Abraham's obedience was immediate. He arose early in the morning. It was exact. It was performed in the spirit of worship. It was contagious, for Isaac used the same expression to his father, as he to God-"Here am I." Apparently he had no need to acquaint Sarah with the object of his journey; he was so sure that the divine promise could not fail. He said to his young men, "We will come unto you." If it were necessary, he knew that God would raise him from the dead. See Hebrews 11:19. Isaac asked, "Where is the lamb?" John the Baptist answered in John 1:29. [source]

Chapter Summary: 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

What do the individual words in Genesis 22:4 mean?

On the day third then lifted up Abraham - his eyes and saw the place from a distance
בַּיּ֣וֹם הַשְּׁלִישִׁ֗י וַיִּשָּׂ֨א אַבְרָהָ֧ם אֶת־ עֵינָ֛יו וַיַּ֥רְא הַמָּק֖וֹם מֵרָחֹֽק

בַּיּ֣וֹם  On  the  day 
Parse: Preposition-b, Article, Noun, masculine singular
Root: יׄום 
Sense: day, time, year.
הַשְּׁלִישִׁ֗י  third 
Parse: Article, Number, ordinal masculine singular
Root: שְׁלִישִׁי 
Sense: third, one third, third part, third time.
וַיִּשָּׂ֨א  then  lifted  up 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: נָשָׂא  
Sense: to lift, bear up, carry, take.
אַבְרָהָ֧ם  Abraham 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: אַבְרָהָם  
Sense: friend of God and founder of Hebrew nation via God’s elective covenant.
אֶת־  - 
Parse: Direct object marker
Root: אֹות 
Sense: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative.
עֵינָ֛יו  his  eyes 
Parse: Noun, cdc, third person masculine singular
Root: עֹונָה 
Sense: eye.
וַיַּ֥רְא  and  saw 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: רָאָה 
Sense: to see, look at, inspect, perceive, consider.
הַמָּק֖וֹם  the  place 
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine singular
Root: מָקֹום  
Sense: standing place, place.
מֵרָחֹֽק  from  a  distance 
Parse: Preposition-m, Adjective, masculine singular
Root: רָחֹוק  
Sense: remote, far, distant, distant lands, distant ones.