241), surprisingly the binding and laying of Isaac on the altar appears as a quick series of verbs: built, “arranged,” bound, laid. The narrative has not slowed enough! The son lies there on the altar before the listener is ready, given the long silence of the walk to the place. Now the narrative words do come more slowly. Abraham reached out his hand and took hold of the knife. He had one purpose: to slay his son (v. 10)—all this in narrative silence. Then the silence is broken (v. 11)—broken by