As a sacrifice (twice) is implicit; the word for offer is often used of making “sacrifices” to God, as in 5.1. God is implied by the Greek passive verbs for “was tested” and (in verse 18) “it was said.” His son is also implied.

The first sentence of verse 17 may be rendered as “Because Abraham trusted God, he offered his son as a sacrifice to God when God put him to the test,” “… when God tested Abraham,” or “… when God wanted to see what Abraham would do.” However, in rendering It was faith that made Abraham offer his son Isaac as a sacrifice, it is important to avoid the implication that this actually took place. Therefore one may translate “Because Abraham trusted God, he was prepared to offer his son Isaac as a sacrifice” or “… was about to offer his son Isaac as a sacrifice.”

There is some repetition between made Abraham offer and he was ready to offer. The same event (Gen 22.1-10) is seen from two points of view: first, as a whole, as the next event in the series of examples of faith; and second, with a special focus on the moment when Abraham’s hand was stretched out to kill Isaac, but God told him not to do so.

There is room for great variety in restructuring these verses. It may be possible to combine them; for example:

• It was faith that made Abraham offer his son Isaac as a sacrifice, when God put him (Abraham) to the test. God had promised him, “It is through Isaac that you will have descendants,” yet he was ready to offer his only son as a sacrifice.

“God had promised him” is literally “having received the promises,” but the only example of a “promise” given here is the quotation from Genesis 21.12. “Received” here suggests more than a passive attitude; rather it means a willingness to take what God offered (see verse 13).

Another possible restructuring is that of Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch: “17 Because Abraham trusted God, he offered him his son Isaac as a sacrifice when he was put by God to the test. He was ready to offer his only son, 18 although God had promised him….” It is important to make it clear whether Abraham, Isaac, or God is the subject or object of each verb.

The reference to descendants introduces a new idea into this chapter, though a country of their own in verse 14 implies that future generations will live there. Although in Genesis 21.12 through Isaac is emphasized, Isaac has already been mentioned here in verse 17, so the main emphasis in the quotation is now on descendants.

Quoted with permission from Ellingworth, Paul and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on The Letter of the Hebrews. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1983. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .