# What does Genesis 22:5 mean?

> What does Genesis 22:5 mean? Abraham tells his servants that he and Isaac will return, hinting at hope even in a dark moment.

> He told his servants, 'Stay here with the donkey. My son and I will go over there to worship, and then we'll come back to you.'
>
> — Genesis 22:5, Modern Text Bible

## Commentary

Abraham tells his servants they'll both return, hinting at his hope or faith that somehow Isaac will survive.

Abraham told his servants to stay behind while he and Isaac went up the mountain to worship, promising that both of them would return. The Hebrew word for "worship" is *shachah*, meaning to bow down or show deep respect. Abraham’s words hint at hope or trust that, somehow, things would work out—even when he didn’t know how. This challenges the idea that faith is blind or that hope is naive. For anyone facing a situation where the outcome looks bleak, this verse suggests that it’s possible to hold onto hope without knowing the details. Sometimes, saying "we will come back" is an act of courage, not denial—a way to keep moving forward when you can’t see the ending yet.

## Similar verses

- [Hebrews 11:19](https://mtbible.com/p/hebrews/11/19)
- [Genesis 22:8](https://mtbible.com/p/genesis/22/8)
- [Genesis 18:14](https://mtbible.com/p/genesis/18/14)