## Sforno on Genesis Chapter 22

###### Sforno on Genesis 22:1:1
[Sforno on Genesis 22:1:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Sforno%20on%20Genesis/r/22:1:1)

**נִסָּה אֶת אַבְרָהָם.** כֵּיוָן שֶׁיִּהְיֶה בְּפֹעַל אוֹהֵב וְיָרֵא כְּמוֹ שֶׁהָיָה בַּכֹּחַ, וּבָזֶה יִדְמֶה יוֹתֵר לְבוֹרְאוֹ שֶׁהוּא טוֹב לָעוֹלָם בְּפֹעַל, כִּי אָמְנָם הַכַּוָּנָה בִּמְצִיאוּת הָאָדָם הָיְתָה שֶׁיִּדְמֶה לְבוֹרְאוֹ כְּפִי הָאֶפְשָׁר, כַּאֲשֶׁר הֵעִיד בְּאָמְרוֹ "נַעֲשֶׂה אָדָם בְּצַלְמֵנוּ כִּדְמוּתֵנוּ" (בראשית א:כו).

**Yalkut, Sifsei Chachomim Chumash, Metsudah Publications, 2009:**
נסה את אברהם, to demonstrate that Avraham’s love for G’d as well as his fear of G’d was not merely potential but actual, much as G’d's goodness is not merely potential but actual. The purpose of man’s existence is to emulate the virtues of G’d, and by means of this “test” Avraham had an opportunity to demonstrate this. When G’d created man He had set Himself the objective of “let us make man in Our image etc.,” i.e. as much like Divine beings as is it possible for a creature to be . (Genesis 1,26)


###### Sforno on Genesis 22:3:1
[Sforno on Genesis 22:3:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Sforno%20on%20Genesis/r/22:3:1)

**וַיֵּלֶךְ אֶל הַמָּקוֹם.** אֶל אֶרֶץ הַמּוֹרִיָּה:

**Yalkut, Sifsei Chachomim Chumash, Metsudah Publications, 2009:**
וילך אל המקום, to the land of Moriah.


###### Sforno on Genesis 22:4:1
[Sforno on Genesis 22:4:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Sforno%20on%20Genesis/r/22:4:1)

**וַיַּרְא אֶת הַמָּקוֹם.** מְקוֹם הַזֶּבַח בְּהַר הַמּוֹרִיָּה:

**Yalkut, Sifsei Chachomim Chumash, Metsudah Publications, 2009:**
וישא אברהם את עיניו וירא את המקום, the place for offering the sacrifice on the mountain of Moriah.


###### Sforno on Genesis 22:4:2
[Sforno on Genesis 22:4:2](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Sforno%20on%20Genesis/r/22:4:2)

**מֵרָחוֹק.** וְשָׁלְטָה בּוֹ עֵינוֹ לִרְאוֹת מָקוֹם מֵרָחוֹק בִּרְצוֹן הָאֵל יִתְבָּרַךְ, כְּעִנְיַן "וַיַּרְאֵהוּ ה' אֶת כָּל הָאָרֶץ" (דברים לד:א), וְהֵבִין שֶׁבְּאוֹתוֹ הַמָּקוֹם יִהְיֶה מְקוֹם הַזֶּבַח.

**Yalkut, Sifsei Chachomim Chumash, Metsudah Publications, 2009:**
מרחוק, he was granted additional eyesight to espy this place from a greater distance than he would normally have been able to see.


###### Sforno on Genesis 22:5:1
[Sforno on Genesis 22:5:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Sforno%20on%20Genesis/r/22:5:1)

**שְׁבוּ לָכֶם פֹּה.** כְּדֵי שֶׁלֹּא יִמְחוּ בּוֹ וְשֶׁלֹּא יַטְרִידוּהוּ בַּעֲשׂוֹתוֹ הַזֶּבַח.

**Yalkut, Sifsei Chachomim Chumash, Metsudah Publications, 2009:**
שבו לכם פה, so that they should not be able to interfere with what he was about to do.


###### Sforno on Genesis 22:12:1
[Sforno on Genesis 22:12:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Sforno%20on%20Genesis/r/22:12:1)

**עַתָּה יָדַעְתִּי.** יָדַעְתִּי אֲנִי הַמַּלְאָךְ שֶׁבְּדִין יַגְדִּילְךָ הָאֵל עַל מַלְאָכָיו, כְּאָמְרָם זִכְרוֹנָם לִבְרָכָה (סנהדרין צג): "גְּדוֹלִים צַדִּיקִים יוֹתֵר מִמַּלְאֲכֵי הַשָּׁרֵת":

**Yalkut, Sifsei Chachomim Chumash, Metsudah Publications, 2009:**
**Now I know.** These were the words of the angel — “Now I know why God elevated you above us.”


###### Sforno on Genesis 22:12:2
[Sforno on Genesis 22:12:2](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Sforno%20on%20Genesis/r/22:12:2)

**מִמֶּנִּי.** שֶׁאַתָּה **יְרֵא אֱלֹהִים** יוֹתֵר מִמֶּנִּי שֶׁאֲנִי מַלְאָךְ וְרָאוּי לְמַעֲלָה יוֹתֵר מִמֶּנִּי, כְּאָמְרָם זִכְרוֹנָם לִבְרָכָה "גְּדוֹלִים צַדִּיקִים וְכוּ'". שֶׁאַתָּה בְּפֹעַל **יְרֵא אֱלֹהִים** כְּמוֹ שֶׁהָיָה הָאֵל יוֹדֵעַ קוֹדֶם לָכֵן שֶׁהָיִיתָ יְרֵא אֱלֹהִים בְּכֹחַ, וְתִפּוֹל יְדִיעָתוֹ הַפּוֹעֶלֶת עַל הַנִּמְצָא בְּפֹעַל.

**Yalkut, Sifsei Chachomim Chumash, Metsudah Publications, 2009:**
**From Me (or, “than I am”).** These are also the words of the angel. The verse should be inverted and read: “You are more God-fearing than I am because you did not withhold your son”.


###### Sforno on Genesis 22:13:1
[Sforno on Genesis 22:13:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Sforno%20on%20Genesis/r/22:13:1)

**וְהִנֵּה אַיִל אַחַר נֶאֱחַז בַּסְּבַךְ.** וּבָזֶה הֵבִין שֶׁנִּזְדַּמֵּן לוֹ הָאַיִל בִּרְצוֹן הָאֵל, וְשֶׁלֹּא הָיָה בּוֹ שׁוּם חֲשַׁשׁ שֶׁל גָּזֵל, כֵּיוָן שֶׁרָאָה שֶׁלֹּא הָיָה שָׁם אַיִל קוֹדֵם לָכֵן, וְאַחַר זֶה תֵּכֶף רָאָה זֶה הָאַיִל נֶאֱחָז בַּסְּבָךְ:

**Yalkut, Sifsei Chachomim Chumash, Metsudah Publications, 2009:**
והנה איל אחר נאחז בסבך, this incident indicated to him that G’d must have arranged for this ram to be at his disposal, and that there could be no question of his committing robbery if he took this ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering. The fact that there had been no such ram when he prepared the altar and bound Yitzchok and suddenly this ram materialised, was ample evidence of its purpose.


###### Sforno on Genesis 22:13:2
[Sforno on Genesis 22:13:2](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Sforno%20on%20Genesis/r/22:13:2)

**תַּחַת בְּנוֹ.** תְּמוּרַת מַה שֶּׁהָיָה בְּלִבּוֹ לִזְבֹּחַ אֶת בְּנוֹ, עַל דֶּרֶךְ "וְדֹבֵר אֱמֶת בִּלְבָבוֹ" (תהלים טו:ב).

**Yalkut, Sifsei Chachomim Chumash, Metsudah Publications, 2009:**
תחת בנו, in exchange for what he had had in mind to do with his son. The phrase reminds us of Psalms 15,2 ודובר אמת בלבו, “he spoke truthfully in his heart.” [the author justifies the use of the word תחת, “in lieu of,” for something which had not actually happened, i.e. Yitzchok had not been slaughtered. The verse from Psalms proves that the intention is as good as the deed when such an intention was sincere, wholehearted. Ed.]


###### Sforno on Genesis 22:14:1
[Sforno on Genesis 22:14:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Sforno%20on%20Genesis/r/22:14:1)

**אֲשֶׁר יֵאָמֵר הַיּוֹם.** הַמָּקוֹם שֶׁהָיוּ יִשְׂרָאֵל אוֹמְרִים בְּיוֹם נְתִינַת הַתּוֹרָה שֶׁ**בְּהַר ה' יֵרָאֶה**, כַּאֲשֶׁר יְגַלֶּה אוֹתוֹ הָאֵל יִתְעַלֶּה בְּאָמְרוֹ "וְהָיָה הַמָּקוֹם אֲשֶׁר יִבְחַר" (דברים יב:יא), וְזֶה הָיָה בִּימֵי דָּוִד. אוֹתוֹ הַמָּקוֹם קָרָא אוֹתוֹ **אַבְרָהָם ה' יִרְאֶה**.

**Yalkut, Sifsei Chachomim Chumash, Metsudah Publications, 2009:**
אשר יאמר היום, the place of which the Israelites had said on the day that the Torah was written (or given) that G’d manifests Himself on the mountain. G’d would reveal which mountain this is only in the future, in the days of David, seeing that even in Deuteronomy 12,11 only veiled reference is made to such a mountain. It was this mountain, subsequently known as the Temple Mount which Avraham now named ה' יראה.


###### Sforno on Genesis 22:16:1
[Sforno on Genesis 22:16:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Sforno%20on%20Genesis/r/22:16:1)

**נְאֻם ה' כִּי יַעַן אֲשֶׁר עָשִׂיתָ.** אוֹמֵר אֲנִי ה' כִּי יַעַן אֲשֶׁר עָשִׂיתָ זֶה:

**Yalkut, Sifsei Chachomim Chumash, Metsudah Publications, 2009:**
נאם ה' כי יען אשר עשית, “I, G’d, say that because you have done this I will bless you in an increased measure.”


###### Sforno on Genesis 22:17:1
[Sforno on Genesis 22:17:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Sforno%20on%20Genesis/r/22:17:1)

**כִּי בָרֵךְ אֲבָרֶכְךָ.** בִּי נִשְׁבַּעְתִּי שֶׁאֲבָרֵךְ אוֹתְךָ:

**Yalkut, Sifsei Chachomim Chumash, Metsudah Publications, 2009:**
בי נשבעתי, “I have sworn to Myself that I will greatly bless you/ you.”


###### Sforno on Genesis 22:18:1
[Sforno on Genesis 22:18:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Sforno%20on%20Genesis/r/22:18:1)

**וְהִתְבָּרְכוּ בְזַרְעֲךָ כֹּל גּוֹיֵי הָאָרֶץ.** כְּשֶׁיִּקְרְאוּ כֻּלָּם בְּשֵׁם ה' לְעָבְדוֹ שְׁכֶם אֶחָד, כֻּלָּם יִתְבָּרְכוּ בְּזַרְעֲךָ וְיִשְׁתַּדְּלוּ לְהִדָּמוֹת לָהֶם:

**Yalkut, Sifsei Chachomim Chumash, Metsudah Publications, 2009:**
והתברכו בזרעך כל גויי הארץ, if and when your descendants will join together in proclaiming the holy name of the Lord, the nations of the world will be blessed as they will try to follow your example and to be like you.


###### Sforno on Genesis 22:18:2
[Sforno on Genesis 22:18:2](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Sforno%20on%20Genesis/r/22:18:2)

**עֵקֶב אֲשֶׁר שָׁמַעְתָּ בְּקוֹלִי.** שֶׁשְּׂכַר מִצְוָה מִצְוָה, שֶׁתִּזְכֶּה בָּזֶה שֶׁיִּהְיוּ נְבִיאֵי בָּנֶיךָ לְנֵס עַמִּים, מוֹרִים לַגּוֹיִם עֲבוֹדַת הָאֵל יִתְבָּרַךְ, וּלְךָ תִּהְיֶה צְדָקָה.

**Yalkut, Sifsei Chachomim Chumash, Metsudah Publications, 2009:**
עקב אשר שמעת בקולי, as a consequence. This is what we know as the concept of שכר מצוה מצוה, that the fulfillment of one commandment begets the opportunity of fulfilling another commandment. By doing this you will receive the satisfaction that your children will be a banner to the nations, teachers to the gentile nations instructing them in how to serve the Lord. All of this will accrue to you as a credit, a merit.


###### Sforno on Genesis 22:20:1
[Sforno on Genesis 22:20:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Sforno%20on%20Genesis/r/22:20:1)

**הִנֵּה יָלְדָה מִלְכָּה.** הִנֵּה כְּבָר יָדַעְתָּ שֶׁמִּלְכָּה יָלְדָה בָּנִים:

**Yalkut, Sifsei Chachomim Chumash, Metsudah Publications, 2009:**
**She also gave birth.** Avraham was told that if he did not wish to take Rivkah for his son, Re’umah also had a daughter — Ma’achoh — who was fitting to be Yitzchok’s wife.


###### Sforno on Genesis 22:20:2
[Sforno on Genesis 22:20:2](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Sforno%20on%20Genesis/r/22:20:2)

**גַם הִיא.** מִלְּבַד הַפִּילֶגֶשׁ:

**Yalkut, Sifsei Chachomim Chumash, Metsudah Publications, 2009:**
גם היא, in addition to the children born by his concubine.


###### Sforno on Genesis 22:23:1
[Sforno on Genesis 22:23:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Sforno%20on%20Genesis/r/22:23:1)

**וּבְתוּאֵל יָלַד אֶת רִבְקָה.** וְהִגִּיד הַמַּגִּיד שֶׁבְּתוּאֵל, שֶׁהָיָה מִבְּנֵי הַגְּבִירָה, יָלַד אֶת רִבְקָה, וְהָיְתָה הַבְּשׂוֹרָה שֶׁיִּמְצָא בְּבֵית אָבִיו אִשָּׁה לִבְנוֹ וְלֹא יִצְטָרֵךְ לִדְבֹּק בְּכַנְעַן.

**Yalkut, Sifsei Chachomim Chumash, Metsudah Publications, 2009:**
ובתואל ילד את רבקה, the person relating all this to Avraham added that Betuel, a son of Nachor’s proper wife, sired Rivkah. The meaning of the message was that there had been born in his own family a girl who would be a suitable wife for Avraham’s son so that he would not have to look for such a wife among the Canaanites surrounding him.


###### Sforno on Genesis 22:24:1
[Sforno on Genesis 22:24:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Sforno%20on%20Genesis/r/22:24:1)

**וּפִילַגְשׁוֹ וַתֵּלֶד גַּם הִיא.** וְהִגִּיד הַמַּגִּיד שֶׁגַּם פִּילַגְשׁוֹ יָלְדָה **אֶת מַעֲכָה**, שֶׁהָיְתָה כְּמוֹ כֵן רְאוּיָה לִבְנוֹ אִם לֹא יִבְחַר בְּרִבְקָה וְלֹא יִצְטָרֵךְ לְזֶרַע כְּנָעַן: