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some notes i found particularly profound:

�� the holy mount was looked upon as the center of the universe, the "navel of the earth, " the very axis mundi.��

�� But this is one of those instances in which a Hebrew word cannot be adequately translated into another language. In the course of its linguistic metamorphosis the force of the original has become vitiated. The Hebrew root sa'aq/za'aq indicates the anguished cry of the oppressed, the agonized plea of the victim for help in some great injustice. A few examples of the Hebrew usage will suffice to
illustrate the degree of poignancy and pathos, of moral outrage and soul-stirring passion that pervades the Hebrew word.��

�� Be it coincidental or otherwise, one cannot fail to be impressed by the fact that it is this man who is the first person of whom it is expressly recorded in the Bible that he prayed for personal divine guidance at a critical moment of his life. We note that he did not ask for a miraculous intervention of God to designate the future bride of Isaac. On the contrary, he himself decided upon the criteria of suitability and choice. He prayed, rather, that his exercise of discretion might be in accordance
with God's will.
"... let the maiden to whom I say, 'Please lower your jar that I may
drink,' and who replies, 'Drink, and I will also water your camels'—let
her be the one whom you have decreed for your servant Isaac." (24:14)

“They are both nameless and characterless, vanishing as suddenly as they appear. The use of angelic imagery is not allowed to violate the non-mythological nature of the religion��