Genesis 27:2

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And he said, Behold now, I am old, I know not the day of my death:

Complete Jewish Bible:

"Look, I'm old now, I don't know when I will die.

Berean Standard Bible:

“Look,” said Isaac, “I am now old, and I do not know the day of my death.

American Standard Version:

And he said, Behold now, I am old, I know not the day of my death.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And he said^{H559}, Behold now, I am old^{H2204}, I know^{H3045} not the day^{H3117} of my death^{H4194}:

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Genesis 27:2

Genesis 27:2 is part of the narrative involving the patriarch Isaac, his wife Rebekah, and their twin sons Esau and Jacob. The verse captures Isaac's realization of his own mortality as he grows old and contemplates the uncertainty of his death. This sets the stage for one of the most dramatic episodes in the book of Genesis, where Isaac, believing he is near death, decides to bless his eldest son, Esau, before he dies.

Themes in this verse and the surrounding context include:

1. **Succession and Blessing**: Isaac's impending sense of his own death prompts him to secure the future of his family by passing on his blessing and birthright to his sons, which was a significant cultural practice in the ancient Near East for ensuring the continuity of the family line and inheritance.

2. **Deception**: The verse foreshadows the deception that follows, where Rebekah and Jacob conspire to trick Isaac into giving the blessing to Jacob instead of Esau, highlighting themes of favoritism, sibling rivalry, and the consequences of deceit.

3. **Divine Providence**: Despite human plans and deceptions, the narrative ultimately points to God's sovereignty and the fulfillment of His promises. The tension between human actions and divine plan is a recurring theme throughout Genesis.

Historical Context:
- The events of Genesis 27 likely take place in Canaan, the land promised to Abraham's descendants.
- The culture of the time valued the father's blessing as a sacred and irrevocable act, which conferred status, inheritance rights, and divine favor upon the recipient.
- The narrative reflects the patriarchal society of the time, where the eldest son typically received the birthright, which included a double portion of the inheritance and leadership of the family.

This verse and the surrounding chapter are pivotal in the unfolding story of the Israelite patriarchs, as they deal with issues of family dynamics, divine promises, and the establishment of the chosen line through which God's covenant would continue.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H559
   There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָמַר
   Transliteration: ʼâmar
   Pronunciation: aw-mar'
   Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet.
   
2. Strong's Number: H2204
   There are 26 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: זָקֵן
   Transliteration: zâqên
   Pronunciation: zaw-kane'
   Description: a primitive root; to be old; aged man, be (wax) old (man).
   
3. Strong's Number: H3045
   There are 873 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָדַע
   Transliteration: yâdaʻ
   Pronunciation: yaw-dah'
   Description: a primitive root; to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including observation, care, recognition; and causatively, instruction, designation, punishment, etc.); acknowledge, acquaintance(-ted with), advise, answer, appoint, assuredly, be aware, (un-) awares, can(-not), certainly, comprehend, consider, [idiom] could they, cunning, declare, be diligent, (can, cause to) discern, discover, endued with, familiar friend, famous, feel, can have, be (ig-) norant, instruct, kinsfolk, kinsman, (cause to let, make) know, (come to give, have, take) knowledge, have (knowledge), (be, make, make to be, make self) known, [phrase] be learned, [phrase] lie by man, mark, perceive, privy to, [idiom] prognosticator, regard, have respect, skilful, shew, can (man of) skill, be sure, of a surety, teach, (can) tell, understand, have (understanding), [idiom] will be, wist, wit, wot.
   
4. Strong's Number: H3117
   There are 1931 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יוֹם
   Transliteration: yôwm
   Pronunciation: yome
   Description: from an unused root meaning to be hot; a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated term), (often used adverb); age, [phrase] always, [phrase] chronicals, continually(-ance), daily, ((birth-), each, to) day, (now a, two) days (agone), [phrase] elder, [idiom] end, [phrase] evening, [phrase] (for) ever(-lasting, -more), [idiom] full, life, as (so) long as (... live), (even) now, [phrase] old, [phrase] outlived, [phrase] perpetually, presently, [phrase] remaineth, [idiom] required, season, [idiom] since, space, then, (process of) time, [phrase] as at other times, [phrase] in trouble, weather, (as) when, (a, the, within a) while (that), [idiom] whole ([phrase] age), (full) year(-ly), [phrase] younger.
   
5. Strong's Number: H4194
   There are 155 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מָוֶת
   Transliteration: mâveth
   Pronunciation: maw'-veth
   Description: from מוּת; death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades); figuratively, pestilence, ruin; (be) dead(-ly), death, die(-d).