Then he breathed his last and died and was gathered to his people, old and full of years. And his sons Esau and Jacob buried him. Then he breathed his lastThis phrase marks the final moments of Isaac's life, emphasizing the natural end of his earthly journey. The Hebrew root for "breathed his last" is "gava," which conveys the act of expiring or giving up the spirit. This expression is used throughout the Old Testament to denote a peaceful transition from life to death, suggesting a completion of one's earthly mission. In a spiritual sense, it reflects the belief that life is a divine gift, and its conclusion is a return to the Creator. and died
The word "died" in Hebrew is "muth," a term that signifies the cessation of physical life. In the biblical context, death is not merely an end but a passage to another existence. For Isaac, a patriarch of the faith, his death signifies the fulfillment of God's promises through his lineage. Historically, death was seen as a transition to Sheol, a place of rest for the departed, awaiting the ultimate resurrection and judgment. and was gathered to his people
This phrase is rich with cultural and theological significance. The Hebrew "asaph" means to gather or collect, implying a reunion with ancestors. It reflects the ancient Near Eastern belief in an afterlife where the deceased join their forebears. For the Israelites, this gathering was not just familial but spiritual, indicating a continued existence in the presence of those who shared the covenantal faith. old and full of years
The description "old and full of years" highlights a life well-lived, marked by wisdom and experience. The Hebrew "zakein" (old) and "sabea" (full) suggest a life that has reached its divinely appointed span. In biblical times, longevity was often seen as a sign of divine favor and blessing. Isaac's full life underscores God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises to Abraham's descendants. And his sons Esau and Jacob buried him
The act of burial by "his sons Esau and Jacob" signifies reconciliation and respect. Despite their earlier conflicts, the brothers come together to honor their father, reflecting the importance of family unity and forgiveness. The Hebrew "qabar" (to bury) indicates a respectful and proper interment, a significant cultural practice that ensured the deceased's dignity and honored their memory. This act of unity foreshadows the eventual reconciliation of the tribes of Israel, descended from Jacob, and the Edomites, descended from Esau. Persons / Places / Events 1. IsaacThe son of Abraham and Sarah, Isaac is a patriarch of the Israelite people. His life is marked by faith and obedience to God, and he is a key figure in the Abrahamic covenant. 2. EsauThe elder son of Isaac and Rebekah, Esau is known for selling his birthright to his brother Jacob for a meal. Despite their earlier conflicts, Esau and Jacob come together to bury their father. 3. JacobThe younger son of Isaac and Rebekah, Jacob is later named Israel and becomes the father of the twelve tribes of Israel. His life is a journey of transformation and reconciliation. 4. Burial of IsaacThis event marks the end of Isaac's life and the continuation of God's covenant through his descendants. It is a moment of reconciliation between Esau and Jacob. 5. HebronThe burial place of Isaac, Hebron is a significant location in biblical history, being the site of the Cave of Machpelah, where other patriarchs and matriarchs are buried. Teaching Points The Fulfillment of LifeIsaac's life is described as "old and full of years," indicating a life well-lived in accordance with God's purposes. Believers are encouraged to seek a life that fulfills God's calling. Reconciliation and UnityThe joint burial of Isaac by Esau and Jacob demonstrates the power of reconciliation. Christians are called to pursue peace and unity, even after conflict. Legacy of FaithIsaac's death reminds us of the importance of leaving a legacy of faith for future generations. Our lives should reflect God's promises and faithfulness. The Continuity of God's PromisesIsaac's death does not end God's covenant; rather, it continues through his descendants. Believers can trust in the continuity of God's promises through all circumstances. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the description of Isaac's death as "old and full of years" inspire you to reflect on your own life and legacy? 2. In what ways can the reconciliation between Esau and Jacob serve as a model for resolving conflicts in your own relationships? 3. How does the burial of Isaac in Hebron connect to the broader account of God's promises to the patriarchs? 4. What lessons can we learn from Isaac's life about faith and obedience to God, and how can these lessons be applied today? 5. How does the concept of being "gathered to his people" provide comfort and hope for believers regarding life after death? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 25:8This verse describes the death of Abraham, Isaac's father, using similar language about being "gathered to his people," indicating a peaceful and fulfilled end. Genesis 49:29-33Jacob's instructions for his burial echo the burial of Isaac, emphasizing the importance of family and the continuation of God's promises through generations. Hebrews 11:20This verse highlights Isaac's faith, showing that his life and death were part of God's larger plan for his people. People Allon, Aram, Arba, Asher, Benjamin, Benoni, Bilhah, Dan, Deborah, Eder, Ephrath, Esau, Gad, Isaac, Issachar, Jacob, Joseph, Leah, Levi, Mamre, Naphtali, Rachel, Rebekah, Reuben, Simeon, Zebulun, ZilpahPlaces Allon-bacuth, Bethel, Bethlehem, Canaan, Eder, El-bethel, Ephrath, Hebron, Kiriath-arba, Luz, Mamre, Paddan-aram, ShechemTopics Age, Aged, Breathed, Buried, Bury, Died, Dieth, Esau, Expired, Expireth, Father's, Full, Gathered, Ghost, Isaac, Jacob, Peoples, Rest, Resting-place, Ripe, Satisfied, Sons, SpiritDictionary of Bible Themes Genesis 35:29 5726 old age, attainment
9021 death, natural Library February the Eighth Revisiting Old Altars
"I will make there an altar unto God, who answered me in the day of my distress." --GENESIS xxxv. 1-7. It is a blessed thing to revisit our early altars. It is good to return to the haunts of early vision. Places and things have their sanctifying influences, and can recall us to lost experiences. I know a man to whom the scent of a white, wild rose is always a call to prayer. I know another to whom Grasmere is always the window of holy vision. Sometimes a particular pew in a particular church …
John Henry Jowett—My Daily Meditation for the Circling YearOur Last ChapterConcluded with the Words, "For Childhood and Youth are Vanity"...
Our last chapter concluded with the words, "For childhood and youth are vanity": that is, childhood proves the emptiness of all "beneath the sun," as well as old age. The heart of the child has the same needs--the same capacity in kind--as that of the aged. It needs God. Unless it knows Him, and His love is there, it is empty; and, in its fleeting character, childhood proves its vanity. But this makes us quite sure that if childhood can feel the need, then God has, in His wide grace, met the …
F. C. Jennings—Old Groans and New Songs The Death of Abraham
'Then Abraham gave up the ghost, and died in a good old age, an old man, and full of years; and was gathered to his people.'--GENESIS xxv. 8. 'Full of years' does not seem to me to be a mere synonym for longevity. That would be an intolerable tautology, for we should then have the same thing said three times over--'an old man,' 'in a good old age,' 'full of years.' There must be some other idea than that in the words. If you notice that the expression is by no means a usual one, that it is only …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The Trials and visions of Devout Youth
'And Jacob dwelt in the land wherein his father was a stranger, in the land of Canaan. These are the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brethren; and the lad was with the sons of Bilhah, and with the sons of Zilpah, his father's wives: and Joseph brought unto his father their evil report. Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colours. And when his brethren saw that …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The National Oath at Shechem
'And Joshua said unto the people. Ye cannot serve the Lord: for He is an holy God; He is a jealous God; He will not forgive your transgressions nor your sins. 20. If ye forsake the Lord, and serve strange gods, then He will turn and do you hurt, and consume you, after that He hath done you good. 21. And the people said unto Joshua, Nay; but we will serve the Lord. 22. And Joshua said unto the people, Ye are witnesses against yourselves, that ye have chosen you the Lord, to serve Him. And they said, …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture And thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, too little to be among the thousands of Judah
"And thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, too little to be among the thousands of Judah, out of thee shall come forth unto Me (one) [Pg 480] to be Ruler in Israel; and His goings forth are the times of old, the days of eternity." The close connection of this verse with what immediately precedes (Caspari is wrong in considering iv. 9-14 as an episode) is evident, not only from the [Hebrew: v] copulative, and from the analogy of the near relation of the announcement of salvation to the prophecy of disaster …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Sovereignty and Human Responsibility
"So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God" (Rom. 14:12). In our last chapter we considered at some length the much debated and difficult question of the human will. We have shown that the will of the natural man is neither Sovereign nor free but, instead, a servant and slave. We have argued that a right conception of the sinner's will-its servitude-is essential to a just estimate of his depravity and ruin. The utter corruption and degradation of human nature is something which …
Arthur W. Pink—The Sovereignty of God The Birth of Jesus.
(at Bethlehem of Judæa, b.c. 5.) ^C Luke II. 1-7. ^c 1 Now it came to pass in those days [the days of the birth of John the Baptist], there went out a decree [a law] from Cæsar Augustus [Octavius, or Augustus, Cæsar was the nephew of and successor to Julius Cæsar. He took the name Augustus in compliment to his own greatness; and our month August is named for him; its old name being Sextilis], that all the world should be enrolled. [This enrollment or census was the first step …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Gen. xxxi. 11
Of no less importance and significance is the passage Gen. xxxi. 11 seq. According to ver. 11, the Angel of God, [Hebrew: mlaK halhiM] appears toJacob in a dream. In ver. 13, the same person calls himself the God of Bethel, with reference to the event recorded in chap. xxviii. 11-22. It cannot be supposed that in chap xxviii. the mediation of a common angel took place, who, however, had not been expressly mentioned; for Jehovah is there contrasted with the angels. In ver. 12, we read: "And behold …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Genesis
The Old Testament opens very impressively. In measured and dignified language it introduces the story of Israel's origin and settlement upon the land of Canaan (Gen.--Josh.) by the story of creation, i.-ii. 4a, and thus suggests, at the very beginning, the far-reaching purpose and the world-wide significance of the people and religion of Israel. The narrative has not travelled far till it becomes apparent that its dominant interests are to be religious and moral; for, after a pictorial sketch of …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Genesis 35:29 NIVGenesis 35:29 NLTGenesis 35:29 ESVGenesis 35:29 NASBGenesis 35:29 KJV
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