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Key Points

The Masoretic Text (MT) of Genesis 22:13, dated to around 1800 B.C.E., likely reads “behind him was a ram,” emphasizing the ram’s position relative to Abraham.
Some ancient sources, like the Septuagint and Syriac, suggest “one ram,” a simpler reading, but the evidence leans toward the MT as the original.
The difference between readings may stem from similar Hebrew letters, “ר” and “ד,” being confused in copying, a common textual issue.

Direct Answer

Background

Genesis 22:13 describes a key moment in the account of Abraham’s near-sacrifice of Isaac, dated around 1800 B.C.E. in biblical chronology. After God stops Abraham, he looks up and sees a ram, which he offers instead. The text’s wording is central to understanding this event, with a debate over whether the ram was “behind him” (Masoretic Text, MT) or simply “one ram” (other ancient sources).

Analysis of Readings

The MT, our primary authority, states: “And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son.” This reading specifies the ram’s location behind Abraham, adding detail to the narrative. In contrast, the Septuagint and Syriac suggest “one ram was caught,” a clearer but less specific phrasing.

Research suggests the MT’s “behind him” is likely original. The difference arises from similar Hebrew letters, “אחר” (behind) versus “אחד” (one), which can be confused in ancient scripts. The MT’s reading is more difficult, fitting the principle that scribes often simplified texts, supporting its authenticity.

Unexpected Detail

Interestingly, the position “behind him” might imply the ram was there all along, unnoticed by Abraham until that moment, highlighting divine provision in the account.

It seems likely that “behind him was a ram” is the intended reading, aligning with the MT’s reliability and contextual fit. However, the debate shows the complexity of textual criticism, inviting further study for clarity.

Survey Note: Detailed Analysis of Genesis 22:13 Textual Variants

This section provides a comprehensive examination of Genesis 22:13, focusing on the textual variant between the Masoretic Text (MT) and other ancient sources, reflecting a conservative evangelical approach prioritizing the MT. The analysis adheres to the methodologies of scholars like Edward D. Andrews, Bruce K. Waltke, and others, who emphasize the MT’s authority unless overwhelming evidence demands otherwise.

Introduction to the Account

Genesis 22:13 is part of the account of Abraham’s test, dated approximately 1800 B.C.E. based on biblical chronology, where God commands Abraham to offer Isaac, only to provide a ram as a substitute. The verse states:

“And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son.”

This moment underscores Jehovah’s provision, as seen in Genesis 22:14: “So Abraham called the name of that place, ‘Jehovah will provide’; as it is said to this day, ‘On the mount of Jehovah it shall be provided.'”

The Masoretic Text’s Reading: “Behind Him”

The MT, preserved through meticulous scribal tradition, reads “הנה אחר איל נתפס בסבך בקרניו,” translated as “behold, behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns.” Here, “אחר” is interpreted as “behind,” with “him” implied to refer to Abraham, the subject of the preceding verbs. This reading adds specificity, suggesting the ram’s position relative to Abraham, possibly indicating it was unnoticed until that moment.

Grammatically, “אחר” can mean “after” or “behind,” and in this context, it fits as a preposition indicating position. This interpretation is supported by translations like the Updated American Standard Version (UASV), Revised Standard Version (RSV), English Standard Version (ESV), and New American Standard Bible (NASB), all rendering it as “behind him.”

The Variant Reading: “One Ram”

Contrarily, some Hebrew manuscripts, the Septuagint (LXX), Syriac (SYR), and Samaritan Pentateuch (SP) have “אחד איל,” meaning “one ram.” The LXX translates this as “και ιδου κριος εις επεσχητο εν τω βατω εν ταις κερασιν αυτου,” or “and behold, one ram was caught in the thicket by his horns.” This reading omits the positional detail, presenting a simpler “a ram was caught.”

The Syriac Peshitta and other sources align with this, suggesting a harmonization to clarify the text. For instance, the Literal English Version (LEB) states: “Then Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw, and now, a ram was caught in the thicket by his horns,” omitting “behind him,” which may reflect this variant.

Textual Evidence and Paleographical Analysis

The difference between “אחר” and “אחד” lies in the final letter: “ר” versus “ד.” In ancient Hebrew scripts, these letters can appear similar, especially in early uncial forms, making scribal confusion plausible. The UASV notes suggest that copyists may have altered “אחר” to “אחד” due to this similarity, simplifying the text.

From a textual criticism perspective, the principle of lectio difficilior potior (the more difficult reading is preferred) supports the MT. “Behind him was a ram” is less straightforward than “one ram was caught,” as it requires understanding “behind” as referring to Abraham’s position. Scribes often clarified ambiguous readings, suggesting the MT’s reading is original.

Manuscript support for the variant includes the LXX (circa 250-150 B.C.E.), Syriac (early Christian era), and SP, but these are secondary to the MT, which represents the consonantal Hebrew text preserved by the Masoretes. The Dead Sea Scrolls, while fragmentary for Genesis 22, generally align with the MT where extant, as noted by Peter W. Flint’s studies on Qumran texts.

The Reading Culture of Early Christianity

Contextual and Theological Implications

Contextually, the MT’s “behind him” fits the narrative. Abraham, focused on Isaac, looks up and sees the ram behind him, caught in the thicket. This detail may emphasize divine provision, as the ram was present but unnoticed, aligning with Jehovah’s promise in Genesis 22:8: “Abraham said, ‘God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.’ So they went both of them together.”

The variant “one ram” loses this positional nuance, potentially diminishing the account’s depth. Theologically, the MT’s reading reinforces Jehovah’s sovereignty, providing the ram at the precise moment, as Psalm 50:10 declares: “For every beast of the forest is mine, the cattle on a thousand hills.”

Comparative Analysis with Other Scriptures

Similar constructions in the MT support “behind him.” For example, Exodus 14:19 uses “אחריהם” (behind them) for positional reference: “the angel of God who was going before the host of Israel moved and went behind them.” This usage suggests “אחר” can indicate position, supporting the MT’s interpretation in Genesis 22:13.

Conclusion: Prioritizing the Masoretic Text

Given the MT’s primacy and the principle of preferring the more difficult reading, “behind him was a ram” is likely the original. The variant “one ram” has significant manuscript support but appears to be a scribal simplification, possibly due to paleographical confusion. Conservative evangelical scholarship, rooted in the MT’s reliability, upholds this reading, ensuring the account’s historical and theological integrity.

Table: Comparison of Readings

Source	Reading	Interpretation	Support for Originality
Masoretic Text (MT)	“Behind him was a ram”	Ram’s position relative to Abraham	Strong, difficult reading
Septuagint (LXX)	“One ram was caught”	Simpler, no positional detail	Secondary, likely variant
Syriac (SYR)	“One ram was caught”	Simpler reading	Secondary, harmonization
Samaritan Pentateuch	“One ram was caught”	Simpler reading	Secondary, harmonization

This table summarizes the textual variants, aiding in understanding the debate’s scope.

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About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).