Genesis 25:8 kjv

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 25:8 nkjv

Then Abraham breathed his last and died in a good old age, an old man and full of years, and was gathered to his people.

Genesis 25:8 niv

Then Abraham breathed his last and died at a good old age, an old man and full of years; and he was gathered to his people.

Genesis 25:8 esv

Abraham breathed his last and died in a good old age, an old man and full of years, and was gathered to his people.

Genesis 25:8 nlt

and he died at a ripe old age, having lived a long and satisfying life. He breathed his last and joined his ancestors in death.

Genesis 25 verses

Genesis 25 8 Meaning

Genesis 25:8 records the peaceful and blessed death of Abraham. It describes him as dying in a "ripe old age," fully satisfied with his life's length and experiences. The phrase "was gathered to his people" indicates his spiritual transition to the realm of the deceased righteous, a reunion with his ancestors beyond physical death, signaling a blessed and non-violent end.

Genesis 25 8 Context

Genesis chapter 25 details the concluding events of Abraham's life. Following the account of his second marriage to Keturah and the birth of more children, the verse provides the ultimate end to the patriarch's narrative. It marks the peaceful close of the life of the great patriarch, Abraham, who had received momentous promises from God concerning land, nationhood, and blessing all families of the earth. His death in "ripe old age" signifies the fulfillment of God's blessing of longevity (Gen 15:15) and his passing ensures the covenant focus shifts fully to Isaac, his heir of promise, allowing for the progression of God's plan.

Genesis 25 8 Word analysis

• Then Abraham: Signals the culmination of his life story, a pivotal moment in the Abrahamic narrative.
• breathed his last: (וַיִּגְוַע, vayyigvaʿ) - Hebrew for "expired," "perished." It denotes a cessation of life, often implying a natural, non-violent death. It conveys the idea of a peaceful resignation of life.
• and died: (וַיָּמָת, vayyāmōth) - The common Hebrew verb for "died," indicating the physical cessation of existence. Paired with vayyigvaʿ, it provides a strong, final declaration of his passing.
• in a ripe old age: (בְּשֵׂיבָה טוֹבָה, bəśêvāh ṭōvāh) - Literally, "in a good gray hair." Seivah refers to old age, typically characterized by gray hair. Ṭovah means "good," "prosperous," "beautiful." This signifies a life well-lived, prosperous, and full, a divinely favored old age. It's a statement of blessing and completion.
• an old man: (זָקֵן, zāqēn) - A straightforward term for an aged person. Reinforces the advanced years of Abraham.
• and full of years: (וּשְׂבַע יָמִים, ūśəvaʿ yāmîm) - Literally, "satisfied with days" or "had his fill of days." This phrase suggests a complete and fulfilled life, not merely longevity, but a life brought to its proper conclusion, without regret, having achieved God's purposes for him. It conveys divine satisfaction with his completed journey.
• and was gathered to his people: (וַיֵּאָסֶף אֶל־עַמָּיו, vayyēʾāseph ʾel-ʿammāv) - This significant phrase, appearing frequently for the patriarchs, does not refer to the physical burial place (Abraham was buried in Machpelah with Sarah). Instead, it denotes a spiritual passing and reunion with one's departed ancestors in the afterlife or realm of the dead (often associated with Sheol in later thought). It implies a peaceful departure, a continuing kinship beyond physical existence, and is specifically used for the righteous. This contrasts with being "cut off" or dying violently, and indicates a blessed continuation with kin, sanctioned by God. It affirms an existence beyond the grave.

Genesis 25 8 Bonus section

The consistent use of the phrase "gathered to his people" for the patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Aaron, Moses) establishes a theological pattern that reinforces a peaceful, righteous end, implying a continuity of community beyond physical death. This concept offers comfort and assurance to believers throughout the Bible, suggesting that death for the faithful is not an ultimate separation but a reunion within God's larger family. It speaks against the fear of extinction and affirms God's sustaining power even in the face of mortality. Abraham, the father of faith, by his very death, also embodies this hope of eternal belonging and blessedness with God's redeemed.

Genesis 25 8 Commentary

Genesis 25:8 serves as a concise yet profound summary of Abraham's blessed death. The repeated emphasis on his "ripe old age" and being "full of years" underscores that Abraham lived a life characterized by God's faithfulness and promises fulfilled. It implies that his life reached a point of divinely intended completion, marked not just by longevity, but by satisfaction and spiritual prosperity. This portrayal stands in stark contrast to the sudden, untimely deaths often seen as a sign of divine displeasure.

The culminating phrase, "and was gathered to his people," is deeply significant. It points to a clear, if nascent, understanding of life beyond physical death within the early Hebrew worldview. It is distinct from his physical burial (which is mentioned in verses 9-10). This "gathering" suggests a conscious joining with previous generations in a communal spiritual destiny, an afterlife where kinship endures. It’s an assurance of continuity for those in covenant with God, that their end is not annihilation but a peaceful transition and reunion with the faithful who have gone before. For a man who lived by faith, his death became a testament to the ultimate hope of God's covenant: eternal life and communion. Abraham's passing sets a pattern for a good and blessed end for those who walk in faith, signifying divine approval even at death.