His peaceful departure indicates the faithfulness of God to his covenant promise, passing the heritage of faith from Abraham, through Isaac, and to Jacob.
“Then he breathed his last and died, and was gathered to his people, an old man of ripe age; and his sons Esau and Jacob buried him.” (v.29) In this verse, the person who “breathed his last and died” is Isaac, the Hebrew patriarch and son of Abraham (Genesis 21:1-3). Isaac’s death occurs in the region of Hebron, an ancient city located in the southern part of what is now known as the West Bank. Hebron held significant importance to the patriarchs of Israel, since Abraham had also lived there (Genesis 13:18). The phrase “was gathered to his people” (v.29) was a common expression referring to being laid to rest with one’s ancestors, symbolizing not only physical death, but also a continuation of covenant teachings and family heritage.
The verse tells us Isaac had lived “an old man of ripe age” (v.29). Traditionally, Isaac is understood to have been born around 2066 BC and died around 1886 BC. This places his life in the Early Bronze Age or possibly into the dawn of the Middle Bronze Age, according to many biblical chronologies. Isaac’s life bridged the divine promises given to his father, Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3), and the saga of his own sons, Esau and Jacob. Jacob, whose name was changed to Israel, would become the father of the twelve tribes, connecting the legacy of Isaac to the emergence of the nation of Israel (Genesis 32:28).
Finally, the verse notes that “his sons Esau and Jacob buried him” (v.29). Despite their differences, they come together to honor their father, hinting at respect and reconciliation within the family. In a larger biblical context, the death and burial of Isaac serve as a bridging point between the generation of Abraham and the generation of Jacob, through whom God’s covenant promises foreshadow Christ, the ultimate fulfillment of the Abrahamic line (Matthew 1:1).
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Genesis 35:29 meaning
“Then he breathed his last and died, and was gathered to his people, an old man of ripe age; and his sons Esau and Jacob buried him.” (v.29) In this verse, the person who “breathed his last and died” is Isaac, the Hebrew patriarch and son of Abraham (Genesis 21:1-3). Isaac’s death occurs in the region of Hebron, an ancient city located in the southern part of what is now known as the West Bank. Hebron held significant importance to the patriarchs of Israel, since Abraham had also lived there (Genesis 13:18). The phrase “was gathered to his people” (v.29) was a common expression referring to being laid to rest with one’s ancestors, symbolizing not only physical death, but also a continuation of covenant teachings and family heritage.
The verse tells us Isaac had lived “an old man of ripe age” (v.29). Traditionally, Isaac is understood to have been born around 2066 BC and died around 1886 BC. This places his life in the Early Bronze Age or possibly into the dawn of the Middle Bronze Age, according to many biblical chronologies. Isaac’s life bridged the divine promises given to his father, Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3), and the saga of his own sons, Esau and Jacob. Jacob, whose name was changed to Israel, would become the father of the twelve tribes, connecting the legacy of Isaac to the emergence of the nation of Israel (Genesis 32:28).
Finally, the verse notes that “his sons Esau and Jacob buried him” (v.29). Despite their differences, they come together to honor their father, hinting at respect and reconciliation within the family. In a larger biblical context, the death and burial of Isaac serve as a bridging point between the generation of Abraham and the generation of Jacob, through whom God’s covenant promises foreshadow Christ, the ultimate fulfillment of the Abrahamic line (Matthew 1:1).