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Genesis 22 · a question people ask

Did Abraham expect Isaac to come back down the mountain?

In the text

Genesis gives his words, not his thoughts. He tells his young men, "We will worship, and come back to you" (22:5), and he tells Isaac, "God will provide himself the lamb" (22:8). Hebrews explains his faith: "concluding that God is able to raise up even from the dead. Figuratively speaking, he also did receive him back from the dead" (Hebrews 11:19).

The verses

“Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey. The boy and I will go over there. We will worship, and come back to you.””
Genesis 22:5 · World English Bible
“Abraham said, “God will provide himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.” So they both went together.”
Genesis 22:8 · World English Bible
“By faith, Abraham, being tested, offered up Isaac. Yes, he who had gladly received the promises was offering up his only born son, to whom it was said, “Your offspring will be accounted as from Isaac,” concluding that God is able to raise up even from the dead. Figuratively speaking, he also did receive him back from the dead.”
Hebrews 11:17-19 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of Genesis 22

Genesis 22: God will provide

God tested Abraham by asking for Isaac, the son he loved, in the Bible's first use of the word love. Abraham went, told Isaac "God will provide himself the lamb", and was stopped by the angel of the LORD. A ram was offered instead of his son, and God swore by himself that all the nations would be blessed by Abraham's offspring.

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Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions