And at a ripe old age he breathed his last and died, old and contented, and was gathered to his people. Abraham breathed his lastThe phrase "breathed his last" signifies the finality of life, a moment when the spirit departs from the body. In Hebrew, the word used here is "gava," which means to expire or perish. This expression is often used in the Old Testament to denote a peaceful death, suggesting that Abraham's passing was serene and in accordance with God's timing. It reflects the biblical understanding that life is a breath, a gift from God, and its end is a return to the Creator. and died
The word "died" in Hebrew is "muwth," which is a common term for death throughout the Old Testament. It underscores the universality of death as a part of the human condition post-Fall. For Abraham, this was not merely a physical end but a transition to a promised eternal relationship with God. His death marks the completion of a life lived in faith and obedience, setting a precedent for believers to view death not as an end, but as a passage to eternal life. at a ripe old age
The phrase "ripe old age" is translated from the Hebrew "tovah seivah," which conveys the idea of a life that is full and complete. It suggests that Abraham lived a long and fulfilling life, blessed by God. In the ancient Near Eastern context, longevity was seen as a sign of divine favor and wisdom. Abraham's life, marked by faith and covenant with God, exemplifies the blessings promised to those who walk in righteousness. an old man and full of years
This expression emphasizes the fullness and richness of Abraham's life. The Hebrew "zakein" (old man) and "sabea" (full) together paint a picture of a life that was not only long in years but also abundant in experiences and spiritual wealth. Abraham's journey from Ur to Canaan, his trials and triumphs, and his unwavering faith in God's promises illustrate a life that was spiritually prosperous and deeply impactful. and he was gathered to his people
The phrase "gathered to his people" is a euphemism for death that implies a reunion with ancestors. In Hebrew, "asaph" means to gather or collect, suggesting that Abraham's death was not an isolated event but a joining with those who had gone before him. This reflects the belief in an afterlife and the continuation of the covenant community beyond physical death. It offers hope and assurance that death is not the end, but a gathering into the eternal family of God. Persons / Places / Events 1. AbrahamThe central figure in this verse, Abraham is the patriarch of the Israelites, known for his faith and obedience to God. His life journey is a testament to God's promises and faithfulness. 2. Death of AbrahamThis event marks the end of Abraham's earthly life. His death is described with dignity, emphasizing a life well-lived and fulfilled. 3. Gathered to his peopleThis phrase suggests a reunion with ancestors or a continuation of existence beyond death, reflecting the belief in an afterlife or spiritual legacy. Teaching Points The Fulfillment of God's PromisesAbraham's life and death demonstrate God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises. Believers can trust that God will fulfill His promises in their lives as well. A Life Well-LivedThe description of Abraham's death as "full of years" encourages believers to live a life of purpose and faithfulness, aiming to leave a legacy of faith. Hope Beyond DeathThe phrase "gathered to his people" offers hope of a continued existence beyond death, encouraging believers to live with an eternal perspective. Faith and ObedienceAbraham's life is a model of faith and obedience to God. Believers are called to emulate his trust in God's plan, even when the path is not clear. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the description of Abraham's death as "full of years" challenge or encourage you in your current stage of life? 2. In what ways can you see God's faithfulness in your life, similar to how He was faithful to Abraham? 3. How does the concept of being "gathered to his people" influence your understanding of life after death? 4. What are some practical steps you can take to ensure you are living a life of faith and obedience like Abraham? 5. How can the promises God made to Abraham inspire you to trust in God's promises for your own life? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 15:15God promises Abraham that he will go to his fathers in peace and be buried at a good old age, which is fulfilled in Genesis 25:8. Hebrews 11:13-16This passage in the New Testament reflects on the faith of the patriarchs, including Abraham, who died in faith, not having received the promises but seeing them from afar. Matthew 22:31-32Jesus speaks of God as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, indicating that God is the God of the living, not the dead, which aligns with the idea of being "gathered to his people." People Abraham, Abida, Abidah, Adbeel, Aram, Asshurim, Asshurites, Bethuel, Dedan, Dumah, Eldaah, Enoch, Ephah, Epher, Ephron, Esau, Hadad, Hadar, Hagar, Hanoch, Havilah, Heth, Hittites, Isaac, Ishbak, Ishmael, Jacob, Jetur, Jokshan, Kedar, Kedemah, Keturah, Laban, Letushim, Letushites, Leummim, Leummites, Mamre, Massa, Medan, Mibsam, Mishma, Naphish, Nebaioth, Nebajoth, Rebekah, Sarah, Shuah, Tema, Zimran, Zoar, ZoharPlaces Assyria, Beer-lahai-roi, Egypt, Machpelah, Mamre, Paddan-aram, Shur DesertTopics Age, Aged, Breathed, Death, Died, Dieth, Expired, Expireth, Full, Gathered, Ghost, Peoples, Rest, Ripe, Satisfied, SpiritDictionary of Bible Themes Genesis 25:8 9021 death, natural
9022 death, believers Genesis 25:7-8 5726 old age, attainment Genesis 25:7-11 5076 Abraham, life of Genesis 25:8-10 9050 tombs Library Pottage Versus Birthright
Esau despised his birthright'--GENESIS xxv. 34. Broad lessons unmistakable, but points strange and difficult to throw oneself back to so different a set of ideas. So I. Deal with the narrative. Not to tell it over again, but bring out the following points:-- (a) Birthright.--What? None of them any notion of sacred, spiritual aspect of it. To all, merely material advantages: headship of the clan. All the loftier aspects gone from Isaac, who thought he could give it for venison, from Esau, and from …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureThe 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 Jacob and Esau
(Second Sunday in Lent.) GENESIS xxv. 29-34. And Jacob sod pottage: and Esau came from the field, and he was faint: And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pottage; for I am faint: therefore was his name called Edom. And Jacob said, Sell me this day thy birthright. And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me? And Jacob said, Swear to me this day; and he sware unto him: and he sold his birthright unto Jacob. Then …
Charles Kingsley—The Gospel of the Pentateuch Jesus Heals Multitudes Beside the Sea of Galilee.
^A Matt. XII. 15-21; ^B Mark III. 7-12. ^a 15 And Jesus perceiving it withdrew ^b with his disciples ^a from thence: ^b to the sea [This was the first withdrawal of Jesus for the avowed purpose of self-preservation. After this we find Jesus constantly retiring to avoid the plots of his enemies. The Sea of Galilee, with its boats and its shores touching different jurisdictions, formed a convenient and fairly safe retreat]: ^a and many followed him; ^b and a great multitude from Galilee followed; and …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Every Believer's Birthright.
On every hand a lack of something is being felt and expressed by God's people. Their Christian experience is not what they expected it would be. Instead of expected victory, it is oft-recurring, dreaded defeat; instead of soul satisfaction, it is soul hunger; instead of deep, abiding heart rest, it is disquiet and discontent; instead of advancing, it is losing ground. Is this all Christ meant when He said, "Come unto Me"? Is this life of constant disappointment the normal life of the Bible Christian? …
John MacNeil—The Spirit-Filled Life Second Great Group of Parables.
(Probably in Peræa.) Subdivision D. Parable of the Lost Son. ^C Luke XV. 11-32. ^c 11 And he said, A certain man had two sons [These two sons represent the professedly religious (the elder) and the openly irreligious (the younger). They have special reference to the two parties found in the first two verses of this chapter --the Pharisees, the publicans and sinners]: 12 and the younger of them [the more childish and easily deceived] said to his father, Father, give me the portion of thy substance …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Conflict.
"Therefore let us also, seeing we are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the Author and Perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the Cross, despising shame, and hath sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him that hath endured such gainsaying of sinners against themselves, that ye …
Thomas Charles Edwards—The Expositor's Bible: The Epistle to the Hebrews John the Baptist's Person and Preaching.
(in the Wilderness of Judæa, and on the Banks of the Jordan, Occupying Several Months, Probably a.d. 25 or 26.) ^A Matt. III. 1-12; ^B Mark I. 1-8; ^C Luke III. 1-18. ^b 1 The beginning of the gospel [John begins his Gospel from eternity, where the Word is found coexistent with God. Matthew begins with Jesus, the humanly generated son of Abraham and David, born in the days of Herod the king. Luke begins with the birth of John the Baptist, the Messiah's herald; and Mark begins with the ministry …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel But if Moreover any not Having Charity, which Pertaineth to the Unity of Spirit...
23. But if moreover any not having charity, which pertaineth to the unity of spirit and the bond of peace whereby the Catholic Church is gathered and knit together, being involved in any schism, doth, that he may not deny Christ, suffer tribulations, straits, hunger, nakedness, persecution, perils, prisons, bonds, torments, swords, or flames, or wild beasts, or the very cross, through fear of hell and everlasting fire; in nowise is all this to be blamed, nay rather this also is a patience meet to …
St. Augustine—On Patience Of the Effects of those Prerogatives.
From these prerogatives there will arise to the elect in heaven, five notable effects:-- 1. They shall know God with a perfect knowledge (1 Cor. i. 10), so far as creatures can possibly comprehend the Creator. For there we shall see the Word, the Creator; and in the Word, all creatures that by the Word were created; so that we shall not need to learn (of the things which were made) the knowledge of him by whom all things were made. The most excellent creatures in this life, are but as a dark veil …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety Travelling in Palestine --Roads, Inns, Hospitality, Custom-House Officers, Taxation, Publicans
It was the very busiest road in Palestine, on which the publican Levi Matthew sat at the receipt of "custom," when our Lord called him to the fellowship of the Gospel, and he then made that great feast to which he invited his fellow-publicans, that they also might see and hear Him in Whom he had found life and peace (Luke 5:29). For, it was the only truly international road of all those which passed through Palestine; indeed, it formed one of the great highways of the world's commerce. At the time …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life 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 25:8 NIVGenesis 25:8 NLTGenesis 25:8 ESVGenesis 25:8 NASBGenesis 25:8 KJV
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