Topical Bible: Death: Scenes of Death of Isaac

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Topical Encyclopedia

The death of Isaac, the son of Abraham and Sarah, is a significant event in the biblical narrative, marking the end of an era for the patriarchal family. Isaac's life and death are recorded in the Book of Genesis, where he is portrayed as a key figure in the continuation of God's covenant with Abraham.

Biblical Account

Isaac's death is briefly mentioned in Genesis 35:27-29. The passage states: "Jacob came to his father Isaac at Mamre, near Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron), where Abraham and Isaac had dwelt. Isaac lived a hundred and eighty years. 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."

Context and Significance

Isaac's death occurs after a long life of 180 years, a testament to the blessing and favor of God upon him. His life was marked by significant events, including the miraculous birth to elderly parents, the near-sacrifice on Mount Moriah, and the continuation of the Abrahamic covenant through his descendants. Isaac's death signifies the passing of the covenantal promise to the next generation, specifically to his son Jacob, who would later be named Israel.

Family and Burial

The scene of Isaac's death is set in Hebron, a location with deep ancestral roots, as it was where Abraham and Sarah had lived and where Sarah was buried. The mention of Isaac being "gathered to his people" reflects the ancient Near Eastern understanding of death as a reunion with one's ancestors, a concept that underscores the continuity of the family line and the covenantal promises.

Isaac's burial by his sons Esau and Jacob is a moment of familial unity, despite their earlier conflicts. This act of coming together to honor their father highlights the importance of family bonds and respect for the patriarchal lineage. It also serves as a moment of reconciliation, as both sons participate in the burial rites, setting aside past grievances.

Theological Implications

Isaac's death, while briefly narrated, carries theological weight in the biblical narrative. It underscores the faithfulness of God in fulfilling His promises across generations. The patriarch's life and death are a testament to God's enduring covenant, which would ultimately find its fulfillment in the coming of the Messiah through the line of Jacob.

Isaac's peaceful death, described as "old and full of years," reflects the biblical ideal of a life well-lived under God's providence. It serves as a reminder of the hope and assurance of God's promises to His people, even in the face of mortality.

Nave's Topical Index

Genesis 27:1-4,22-40
And it came to pass, that when Isaac was old, and his eyes were dim, so that he could not see, he called Esau his oldest son, and said to him, My son: and he said to him, Behold, here am I.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Scenes in the Lives of the Patriarchs.
... and a thousand lovely and touching scenes of that ... God appeared in a dream, threatening
immediate death. ... son, whose influence might ruin the consecrated Isaac. ...
/.../headley/half hours in bible lands volume 2/scenes in the lives of.htm

Author's Preface.
... The character and career of Isaac. Stories about Jacob. ... Chapter VII. From Kadesh
to the Death of Moses. ... Final scenes at Kadesh. From Kadesh to Jordan. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tidwell/the bible period by period/authors preface.htm

Christ Foreseeing the Cross
... He and His followers are about to leave familiar scenes and faces ... as you and I do,
forget the death that awaits ... This Isaac was under no illusions as to who the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/christ foreseeing the cross.htm

Genesis
... The story of Isaac's son Jacob is as varied and ... The book closes with scenes illustrating
the wisdom and ... verse) to all his sons (xlix.), his death and funeral ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/genesis.htm

The Early Years of Jesus
... at work in the birth of great men in Israel (as Isaac, and Samson ... parched as by a
burning wind of desolation and death." In the midst of such scenes we are ...
/.../rhees/the life of jesus of nazareth/v the early years of.htm

Acts VII
... God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the ... If the infuriated scenes which have
been enacted under such ... his own encouragement in the hour of death, and that ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts vii.htm

God's Dominion Over the Sea. Psa. 107:23Ff
The Psalms and Hymns of Isaac Watts. <. ... [What scenes of miracles they see,.
And never tune a song to thee! ... And some drink death among the waves; ...
/.../watts/the psalms and hymns of isaac watts/hymn 70 gods dominion over.htm

Home Influence.
... with us through life, clinging to us in death, and reaching ... Look at those scenes
of intemperance and riot, of crime ... in the house, there will be an Isaac in the ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/philips/the christian home/chapter v home influence.htm

The Journal of John Wesley
... Remarkable Scenes at Bolton. ... and Riding Horseback; Gwennap and 20,000 People; Death
of Whitefield. ... Arrested; A Terrible Ride; A Methodist Isaac Newton; Wesley ...
//christianbookshelf.org/wesley/the journal of john wesley/

Compassion for Souls
... The child Isaac was, according to God's word, to be the ... face and seeing the pallor
of coming death gathering upon ... A man who passes through the scenes of misery ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/compassion for souls.htm