Topical Bible: Death: Miscellaneous Subjects: Going to Thy Fathers

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The phrase "going to thy fathers" is a biblical expression often used to describe the death of an individual, particularly in the Old Testament. This idiomatic expression conveys the notion of joining one's ancestors in the afterlife, reflecting the ancient Hebrew understanding of death and the continuity of familial and covenantal relationships beyond the grave.

Biblical Usage and Context

The phrase is primarily found in the context of God's promises or declarations concerning the death of key patriarchal figures. It signifies a peaceful transition from earthly life to a state of rest and reunion with one's forebears. This expression is often associated with the covenantal promises made by God to the patriarchs, emphasizing the continuity of God's faithfulness across generations.

1. Abraham: In Genesis 15:15, God assures Abraham, "As for you, you will go to your fathers in peace and be buried at a ripe old age" . This promise underscores the idea of a serene and honorable death, with the assurance of joining his ancestors who had gone before him.

2. Isaac: The concept is similarly applied to Isaac, although not explicitly using the phrase. The narrative of Isaac's death in Genesis 35:29 states, "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" . The phrase "gathered to his people" parallels the idea of going to one's fathers.

3. Jacob: In Genesis 49:29, Jacob instructs his sons, "I am about to be gathered to my people. Bury me with my fathers in the cave in the field of Ephron the Hittite" . Here, Jacob explicitly connects his death with being united with his ancestors, both in burial and in the afterlife.

4. Moses: Deuteronomy 31:16 records God's words to Moses, "You are about to rest with your fathers, and these people will soon prostitute themselves with the foreign gods of the land they are entering" . This statement not only marks the end of Moses' earthly journey but also serves as a prophetic warning to the Israelites.

Theological Implications

The expression "going to thy fathers" carries significant theological weight, reflecting the Hebrew understanding of Sheol as a place where the dead reside. It suggests a continued existence beyond physical death, where individuals are reunited with their ancestors. This concept aligns with the broader biblical theme of life after death and the hope of resurrection, which is more fully developed in the New Testament.

The phrase also emphasizes the importance of family and lineage in the biblical narrative. It highlights the covenantal relationship between God and His people, which transcends individual lifespans and extends to future generations. The assurance of being "gathered to one's people" provides comfort and hope, affirming that death is not the end but a transition to a new phase of existence in the presence of God and one's forebears.

Cultural and Historical Context

In the ancient Near Eastern context, burial practices and beliefs about the afterlife were integral to societal norms. The biblical expression "going to thy fathers" reflects these cultural understandings, where burial in ancestral tombs was a common practice. It signified honor, continuity, and the maintenance of familial ties, even in death.

The phrase also underscores the patriarchal nature of Israelite society, where lineage and heritage were paramount. The connection to one's ancestors was not merely biological but also spiritual, as it involved the transmission of faith and covenantal promises from one generation to the next.

In summary, "going to thy fathers" is a rich biblical expression that encapsulates the hope of reunion with ancestors, the continuity of God's covenant, and the assurance of life beyond death. It serves as a reminder of the enduring nature of God's promises and the eternal bond between His people across the ages.

Nave's Topical Index

Genesis 15:15
And you shall go to your fathers in peace; you shall be buried in a good old age.
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Genesis 25:8
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.
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Genesis 35:29
And Isaac gave up the ghost, and died, and was gathered to his people, being old and full of days: and his sons Esau and Jacob buried him.
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Library

Miscellaneous Subjects.
... Miscellaneous Subjects. ... and was to serve as a schoolmaster to lead its subjects to
Christ ... But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was ...
/.../orr/the gospel day /chapter xvi miscellaneous subjects.htm

Miscellaneous.
... MISCELLANEOUS. ... the day of their birth and coronation, and expect that both subjects
and servants ... yet it will greatly ease them at the day of death to consider ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bunyan/the riches of bunyan/xxix miscellaneous.htm

Hymns for Christian Devotion
... Introduction to Evening Worship. 57. -- Going to Church. Ps. ... 761. -- On the Death
of a Female Scholar. 762. ... God--Our Father. PHILANTHROPIC SUBJECTS. 764. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/adams/hymns for christian devotion/

Homiletical.
... Twenty-four homilies on miscellaneous subjects, published under St ... limited number
of subjects to many analogous subjects. ... all die, let us through death win life ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/basil/basil letters and select works/iv homiletical.htm

Church Fabrics and Services.
... in 1767, fifteen years after the death of that ... way their ordinary pleasures, but
by going to the ... of airing their respective opinions on subjects which could ...
/.../the english church in the eighteenth century/chapter x church fabrics and.htm