The Hebrew Bible says Abraham named the site of the Binding "God will see" (Adonai Yireh) (Genesis 22:14). Targum Onkelos expands this into a full theological statement: "Abraham worshiped and prayed there in that place, and he said before God, 'Here will generations worship.' Therefore it is said to this day, 'On this mountain Abraham worshiped before God.'"
This is Onkelos connecting the Binding of Isaac to the future Temple on Mount Moriah. The Hebrew leaves it implicit. Onkelos makes it explicit. The mountain where Abraham nearly sacrificed his son is the mountain where all of Israel will worship for generations. One act of radical obedience sanctifies a location for eternity.
The Binding itself Onkelos translates with restraint. "God tested Abraham" (Genesis 22:1) remains a test, not a trial or a trap. "Take your son, your only one, who you love—Isaac"—the devastating specificity is preserved. "Sacrifice him before Me as a burnt-offering"—Onkelos adds "before Me," emphasizing that this is for God's sake alone, not for any human audience.
When the angel calls out "Abraham, Abraham!" and stops the sacrifice, Onkelos renders God's words: "Now I know that you are one who fears God" (Genesis 22:12). The Hebrew says the same, but Onkelos's consistent use of "fears" (dechal) throughout Genesis gives this moment special weight. The fear of God is Onkelos's highest virtue—the quality that drove Enoch, Noah, and now Abraham. And the reward: "I have sworn by My Word" (Genesis 22:16)—the oath comes from God's Memra. The covenant is sealed not by a handshake but by the most binding force in the universe: God's own speech.