In Chapter XXII of Genesis, God beckons to Abraham and Abraham responds with the phrase, "Here I am." God, to test Abraham's faith, instructs him to take his only son, Isaac, into the land of Moriah and to sacrifice him as a burnt offering atop one of the mountains. Abraham arises early the next morning to follow God's orders, and on the third day, he arrives in the land of Moriah; Abraham tells the two other men who accompanied him to stay behind and to pray and worship. As Abraham is proceeding with preparations for the sacrifice with wood, fire, and knife, Isaac calls to his father. Abraham responds, "Here I am, my son." Isaac, confused by his father's activities, inquires about the lamb for the sacrifice. Abraham replies, "God will provide himself for a burnt offering."
When they arrive in the place which God had named, Abraham builds an alter; arranges the wood; binds Isaac; and lays him on the alter upon the wood. As Abraham stretches forth his hand with the knife to slay his son, an angel of the Lord calls to him from Heaven and Abraham responds, "Here I am." The angel of the Lord orders Abraham to release his son, for he has proven that he fears God because he did not withhold the sacrifice of his only son. Abraham lifts up his eyes, and notices a ram caught in a thicket by his horns. Abraham seizes the ram and offers him for a burnt offering instead of his son.