Genesis 35:29

And Isaac gave up the ghost, and died, and was gathered unto his people, [being] old and full of days: and his sons Esau and Jacob buried him.

And Isaac {H3327} gave up the ghost {H1478}, and died {H4191}, and was gathered {H622} unto his people {H5971}, being old {H2205} and full {H7649} of days {H3117}: and his sons {H1121} Esau {H6215} and Jacob {H3290} buried {H6912} him.

Then he breathed his last, died and was gathered to his people, an old man full of years; and his sons 'Esav and Ya'akov buried him.

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.

And Isaac gave up the ghost, and died, and was gathered unto his people, old and full of days: and Esau and Jacob his sons buried him.

Commentary

Genesis 35:29 records the peaceful passing of Isaac, one of the great patriarchs of Israel. This verse marks a significant transition in the biblical narrative, closing the chapter on Isaac's life and further solidifying the lineage through Jacob, who would become Israel.

Context of Isaac's Death

Isaac, son of Abraham and Sarah, lived to be 180 years old, making him the longest-lived of the three primary patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob). His death is placed here after Jacob's return from Padan-aram, his reunion with Esau, the death of Rachel, and the listing of Jacob's twelve sons. This chronological placement suggests that Isaac lived to see his family reunited and the foundational elements of the nation of Israel begin to take shape. His death occurs while Jacob is settled near Hebron, where Isaac resided.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The End of an Era: Isaac's death signifies the passing of the second-generation patriarch. His life, marked by divine promise and quiet endurance, bridges the gap between Abraham, the father of faith, and Jacob, the father of the twelve tribes.
  • Divine Blessing of Longevity: The phrase "old and full of days" (KJV) indicates a life blessed by God, a common theme for righteous individuals in the Old Testament. It suggests a complete and satisfying life, not cut short by tragedy.
  • Reconciliation and Family Unity: Perhaps one of the most poignant details is that "his sons Esau and Jacob buried him." This act of joint burial underscores a profound moment of reconciliation between the estranged twin brothers, who had a tumultuous relationship marked by rivalry and deception (Genesis 27:41). Their shared grief and duty to their father highlights the healing that had occurred since their dramatic reunion in Genesis 33:4.
  • "Gathered Unto His People": This recurring biblical idiom for death (also seen with Abraham in Genesis 25:8) implies a peaceful and natural death, and a spiritual reunion with deceased ancestors. It speaks to a continuity of family and lineage beyond physical life, though not explicitly defining the nature of the afterlife.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Gave up the ghost": This is an archaic English idiom found in the King James Version, meaning simply "died." It reflects the belief that life departs the body as a spirit or breath.
  • "Gathered unto his people": The Hebrew phrase is 'asaph el-am' (ืึธืกึทืฃ ืึถืœ-ืขึทืžึผื•ึน). It suggests being "collected to his kin" or "gathered to his ancestors." This phrase emphasizes a natural, peaceful death within one's lineage and heritage, rather than a violent or untimely end. It doesn't necessarily describe a specific place in the afterlife but rather the manner of death and inclusion among one's departed family.
  • "Old and full of days": The Hebrew 'zaqen v'sava' (ื–ึธืงึตืŸ ื•ึฐืฉึธื‚ื‘ึทืข ื™ึธืžึดื™ื) literally means "old and satisfied with days." This phrase signifies not just a long life, but one that was complete and fulfilled, often seen as a mark of God's blessing and favor.

Practical Application

Isaac's death reminds us of the universal cycle of life and death, but also of God's faithfulness through generations. The peaceful passing of Isaac, "full of days," can be a comfort, pointing to a life well-lived under divine blessing. The reconciliation of Esau and Jacob at their father's burial offers a powerful lesson on the possibility of healing fractured family relationships, even after years of bitterness. It underscores that even in sorrow, there can be unity and a shared sense of purpose.

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Cross-References

  • Genesis 15:15 (7 votes)

    And thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old age.

  • Genesis 49:33 (6 votes)

    And when Jacob had made an end of commanding his sons, he gathered up his feet into the bed, and yielded up the ghost, and was gathered unto his people.

  • Genesis 49:31 (5 votes)

    There they buried Abraham and Sarah his wife; there they buried Isaac and Rebekah his wife; and there I buried Leah.

  • Job 5:26 (3 votes)

    Thou shalt come to [thy] grave in a full age, like as a shock of corn cometh in in his season.

  • Genesis 25:17 (3 votes)

    And these [are] the years of the life of Ishmael, an hundred and thirty and seven years: and he gave up the ghost and died; and was gathered unto his people.

  • Genesis 23:19 (3 votes)

    And after this, Abraham buried Sarah his wife in the cave of the field of Machpelah before Mamre: the same [is] Hebron in the land of Canaan.

  • Genesis 23:20 (3 votes)

    And the field, and the cave that [is] therein, were made sure unto Abraham for a possession of a buryingplace by the sons of Heth.