Genesis 25:7

KJV

And these [are] the days of the years of Abraham's life which he lived, an hundred threescore and fifteen years.

KJV (with Strong's)

And these are the days {H3117} of the years {H8141} of Abraham's {H85} life {H2416} which he lived {H2425}, an hundred {H3967}{H8141} threescore and fifteen {H7657}{H8141}{H2568} years {H8141}.

Complete Jewish Bible

This is how long Avraham lived: 175 years.

Berean Standard Bible

Abraham lived a total of 175 years.

American Standard Version

And these are the days of the years of Abraham’s life which he lived, a hundred threescore and fifteen years.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 25:7 precisely records the lifespan of Abraham as one hundred seventy-five years, marking the peaceful conclusion of the patriarch's earthly journey. This verse serves as a pivotal transition in the biblical narrative, closing the foundational chapter of Abraham's life and setting the stage for the narrative to progress through his son, Isaac, and the unfolding of God's covenant promises to the generations that follow, reaffirming the divine faithfulness through the continuity of the chosen lineage.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Genesis 25:7 functions as a concluding obituary for Abraham, much like other patriarchal death notices in Genesis (e.g., Isaac in [Genesis 35:28-29](/genesis/35-28-29 "Genesis 35:28-29 - Isaac's Death")). It immediately follows a brief account of Abraham's final years, including his marriage to Keturah and the birth of additional children, as well as the careful distribution of his possessions to secure Isaac's inheritance as the son of promise. This verse formally closes the extensive narrative arc that began with Abraham's call in [Genesis 12:1](/genesis/12-1 "Genesis 12:1 - God's Call to Abraham"), shifting the narrative's primary focus to Isaac and Jacob, ensuring the continuity of the divine plan through the promised lineage.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, the precise recording of lifespans, particularly for significant figures, was common and held cultural importance, often signifying divine favor or the fulfillment of a long and prosperous life. While Abraham's 175 years may seem extraordinary by modern standards, it fits within the declining but still extended lifespans of the patriarchs recorded in Genesis, which generally decreased after the Flood (e.g., Noah lived 950 years, Shem 600, Isaac 180, Jacob 147). Abraham's death at a "good old age" ([Genesis 25:8](/genesis/25-8 "Genesis 25:8 - Abraham's Peaceful Death")) was considered a blessing, indicating that he had lived a full life, seen his descendants begin to multiply, and witnessed the initial stages of God's covenant promises unfolding.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes to several overarching themes in Genesis. Firstly, it highlights **God's faithfulness to His covenant promises**, as Abraham lives long enough to see the birth of Isaac, the son of promise, and for Isaac to mature and marry, ensuring the continuation of the promised lineage. Secondly, it underscores the theme of **divine blessing through longevity and prosperity**, as Abraham's advanced age is presented as a sign of a life lived in deep covenant with God. Finally, it marks a significant **transition in redemptive history**, signaling the end of the foundational patriarch's era and the passing of the torch to the next generation, through whom God's plan for Israel and ultimately for all nations would continue to unfold, as seen in the subsequent narratives of [Isaac](/genesis/26 "Genesis 26 - Isaac's Journey") and [Jacob](/genesis/28 "Genesis 28 - Jacob's Dream at Bethel").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **life (Hebrew, _chay'_):** From the root H2425 (châyay), meaning "to live." Here, H2416 refers to Abraham's physical existence and the duration of his earthly journey. It encompasses not just his biological vitality but also the entirety of his experiences, relationships, and the unfolding of God's purposes within his lifetime. The term emphasizes the preciousness and divine gift of his existence.
* **lived (Hebrew, _châyay'_):** A primitive root (H2425) meaning "to live" or "to revive." This verb emphasizes the active state of living, underscoring that Abraham truly experienced and completed his allotted years. It implies a full and complete life, one in which he actively participated in God's plan, rather than merely existing.
* **years (Hebrew, _shâneh'_):** From H8141, meaning "a year (as a revolution of time)." This word, repeated multiple times in the verse, serves as the primary unit of measurement for Abraham's extensive lifespan. Its use highlights the chronological precision with which the biblical text records significant events and the passage of time, particularly for key figures in redemptive history.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And these [are] the days of the years of Abraham's life":** This introductory phrase establishes the purpose of the verse: to provide a precise chronological account of Abraham's existence. The seemingly redundant "days of the years" emphasizes the totality and completeness of his lifespan, counting every day within the span of his years. It sets the stage for the definitive statement of his age.
* **"which he lived":** This clause confirms the active and completed nature of Abraham's life. It reiterates that he fully experienced this span of time, underscoring the divine blessing of a long and fulfilled life, as opposed to one cut short. It links the duration directly to his personal experience.
* **"an hundred threescore and fifteen years":** This is the precise numerical statement of Abraham's age at death: 175 years. "An hundred" (100) and "threescore and fifteen" (3 x 20 + 15 = 60 + 15 = 75) combine to give the exact total. This meticulous detail is characteristic of biblical accounts of patriarchs, signifying the importance of their lives within God's unfolding plan and the exact fulfillment of their appointed time.

#### Literary Devices
The verse primarily employs **Enumeration** and **Formulaic Language**. The precise numerical statement of Abraham's age (175 years) is a clear example of **Enumeration**, providing a factual and definitive conclusion to his life narrative. This exactitude lends authority and historical weight to the account. Furthermore, the phrasing "And these are the days of the years of [person's] life which he lived" is a **Formulaic Language** common in Genesis for marking the death of patriarchs (e.g., [Genesis 35:28](/genesis/35-28 "Genesis 35:28 - Isaac's Age at Death")). This formulaic structure provides a sense of order, continuity, and finality, serving as a literary marker that signals the end of one generation's story and the transition to the next in the unfolding saga of God's covenant people. The use of **Repetition** of "years" further emphasizes the duration and completeness of his life.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Abraham's lifespan of 175 years, as recorded in Genesis 25:7, is more than a mere historical detail; it is a profound theological statement on God's enduring faithfulness and the fulfillment of His promises. Abraham lived long enough to witness the birth of Isaac, the son of promise, and for Isaac to marry Rebekah and begin his own family, thereby seeing the initial fulfillment of God's covenant promises regarding his descendants and the land. His death, described as "in a good old age, an old man, and full of years" ([Genesis 25:8](/genesis/25-8 "Genesis 25:8 - Abraham's Peaceful Passing")), signifies a life completed under God's watchful care and faithfulness, a life that bore witness to the beginning of the nation through whom the world would be blessed. This verse marks the peaceful passing of the foundational patriarch of Israel, closing a major chapter in redemptive history and preparing the way for the next phase of God's plan to unfold through his appointed heirs, Isaac and Jacob.

* [Genesis 15:5](/genesis/15-5 "God's Promise of Descendants to Abraham")
* [James 2:23](/james/2-23 "Abraham, Friend of God")
* [Hebrews 11:8-10](/hebrews/11-8-10 "Abraham's Faith and Heavenly City")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Abraham's peaceful passing at a ripe old age, having lived a full life, offers profound reflections for believers today. His story encourages us to cultivate enduring faith and obedience, remaining steadfast in our walk with God through all seasons of life, striving to "finish well." Abraham's legacy is not merely his vast number of descendants but his unwavering faith, which continues to inspire millions, reminding us of the lasting impact of a life lived in devotion to God and the spiritual heritage we can leave for future generations. Furthermore, Abraham's journey underscores the patience and trust required in walking with God, as His promises were not always immediately fulfilled in his lifetime, yet they were ultimately brought to pass, teaching us to trust God's perfect timing and unwavering faithfulness. We are called to live lives of faith, knowing that God is faithful to complete what He begins in us, just as He did in Abraham.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Abraham's "fullness of years" challenge my perception of a successful or complete life?**
* **What aspects of Abraham's faith and obedience can I apply to my own journey of trusting God's promises, even when they seem distant?**
* **Considering Abraham's legacy, what kind of spiritual heritage am I building for those who will come after me?**

### FAQ
**How does Abraham's lifespan compare to other patriarchs, and what is its significance?**

Answer: Abraham lived 175 years, which was long for his time but shorter than some earlier patriarchs like Noah (950 years) or Shem (600 years), yet longer than his son Isaac (180 years) and grandson Jacob (147 years). The general trend in Genesis is a gradual decrease in human lifespan after the flood, which some scholars attribute to the cumulative effects of sin and a changing environment. Abraham's longevity, particularly in contrast to the declining ages, is often seen as a specific blessing from God, signifying a life of covenant favor and the opportunity to see many of God's promises begin to unfold, including the birth and maturity of Isaac, the son through whom the covenant line would continue. It demonstrates God's faithfulness in sustaining His chosen servant for the fulfillment of His purposes.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Abraham's death in Genesis 25:7, while marking the end of his earthly pilgrimage, is a crucial step in the unfolding of God's redemptive plan that culminates in Christ. Abraham is the "father of many nations" and the recipient of the covenant promise that through his "seed" all the families of the earth would be blessed ([Genesis 12:3](/genesis/12-3 "Genesis 12:3 - God's Blessing to Abraham and All Nations")). His death signifies the passing of this promise to Isaac, then Jacob, and through the lineage of Judah, ultimately to Jesus Christ, the ultimate "seed" of Abraham through whom the blessing of salvation comes to all who believe ([Galatians 3:16](/galatians/3-16 "Galatians 3:16 - Christ as the Seed of Abraham")). Thus, Abraham's life and its conclusion are not merely historical facts but integral parts of the divine narrative, demonstrating God's faithfulness in preserving the promised line through which the Messiah, the ultimate fulfillment of all Abrahamic promises, would eventually come. Abraham's faith, which was "counted to him as righteousness" ([Romans 4:3](/romans/4-3 "Romans 4:3 - Abraham's Faith as Righteousness")), foreshadows the justification by faith available to all believers in Christ, making him the spiritual father of all who believe, regardless of their physical lineage ([Romans 4:16-17](/romans/4-16-17 "Romans 4:16-17 - Abraham, Father of All Who Believe")). His peaceful passing points to the hope of eternal life found in Christ, who conquered death and offers true rest for those who trust in Him ([Hebrews 4:9-10](/hebrews/4-9-10 "Hebrews 4:9-10 - The Rest for God's People")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Genesis 12:4

¶ So Abram departed, as the LORD had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him: and Abram [was] seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran.