With yesterday's reading (19-21), we come to the first appearance of the E source according to the Documentary Hypothesis. Chapter 19, featuring the destruction of Sodom & Gomorrah and some truly commendable actions from Lot, was almost all from the J source, but chapter 20, detailing the dealings of Abraham and Abimelech, is entirely from the E source. Chapter 21, featuring the birth of Isaac and the banishment of Hagar and Ishmael among other things, is mostly from E, with a smattering of J and P.
With today's reading (22-24), we learn more about the family of Abraham, the death of Sarah, and coming of Rebekah. But here is piece of controversy from the Documentary Hypothesis: in chapter 22, featuring the (almost) sacrifice of Isaac, many scholars feel that the E source originally featured Abraham following through with the sacrifice! Here is the thinking: most of the chapter is clearly from the E source. Throughout most of the chapter, the deity is referred to as Elohim, a trait of E. However, just as the knife is raised, the text says that the angel of THE LORD (using the Divine Name) stops him, and also the section featuring verses 11-16a dealing with the sparing of Isaac also use the Divine Name, which E does not do (until the revelation of the Name to Moses). This section includes, therefore, both a contradiction and a change in reference to the deity. So this section has apparently been inserted here by the Redactor. Also, note the wording of 16b-17: " because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will indeed bless you, and I will greatly multiply your descendants so that they will be as countless as the stars in the sky or the grains of sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the strongholds of their enemies." Also, note verse 19:"Then Abraham returned to his servants, and they set out together for Beer Sheba where Abraham stayed." No mention of Isaac. Moreover, Isaac is never mentioned again in the E source. There was also a later Midrashic tradition that Isaac had been sacrificed. So apparently, the original story from the E source featured Abraham actually sacrificing Isaac. However, this didn't jibe with the other sources, so when assembling them, the Redactor glossed over that part and had God avert the sacrifice.
What does it all mean? Nothing, really. But it's neat.