Genesis 35:28 meaning summary explained with word-by-word analysis enriched with context, commentary and Cross References from KJV, NIV, ESV and NLT.
Genesis 35:28 kjv
And the days of Isaac were an hundred and fourscore years.
Genesis 35:28 nkjv
Now the days of Isaac were one hundred and eighty years.
Genesis 35:28 niv
Isaac lived a hundred and eighty years.
Genesis 35:28 esv
Now the days of Isaac were 180 years.
Genesis 35:28 nlt
Isaac lived for 180 years.
Genesis 35 28 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 25:7 | "And these are the days of the years of Abraham's life which he lived, an hundred threescore and fifteen years." | Abraham's age at death (175). |
| Gen 47:28 | "And Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years: so the whole age of Jacob was an hundred forty and seven years." | Jacob's age at death (147). |
| Gen 5:27 | "And all the days of Methuselah were nine hundred sixty and nine years: and he died." | Longevity before the flood. |
| Gen 11:10-26 | Generations from Shem, showing declining lifespans. | Lifespans decreasing post-flood. |
| Gen 12:1-3 | "Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country..." | Origin of God's covenant with Abraham, extended to Isaac. |
| Gen 26:2-5 | "And the LORD appeared unto him, and said, Go not down into Egypt... I will perform the oath which I sware unto Abraham thy father;" | God confirms covenant with Isaac. |
| Gen 28:13-15 | "And, behold, the LORD stood above it, and said, I am the LORD God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac:" | God confirms covenant with Jacob. |
| Exo 3:6 | "Moreover he said, I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." | God's eternal identity tied to the patriarchs. |
| Matt 22:32 | "I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living." | Confirmation of patriarchs' living spiritual state. |
| Deut 34:7 | "And Moses was an hundred and twenty years old when he died: his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated." | Moses' significant age. |
| Ps 90:10 | "The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow;" | Normal human lifespan contrasted with patriarchs. |
| Gen 24:67 | "And Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah's tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her:" | Isaac's settled life, in contrast to others. |
| Gen 25:26 | "And after that came his brother out, and his hand took hold on Esau's heel; and his name was called Jacob: and Isaac was threescore years old when she bare them." | Isaac at Jacob's birth (60 years old). |
| Gen 27:1-2 | "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 eldest son..." | Isaac's blindness and nearing death (pre-context for his passing). |
| Gen 35:29 | "And Isaac gave up the ghost, and died, and was gathered unto his people, an old man, and full of days: and his sons Esau and Jacob buried him." | The immediate follow-up to this verse, detailing Isaac's death and burial. |
| Heb 11:20 | "By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come." | Isaac's spiritual role as a man of faith. |
| Gen 37:2 | "These are the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brethren;" | The narrative transitions to Jacob's lineage. |
| Gen 46:1 | "And Israel took his journey with all that he had, and came to Beersheba, and offered sacrifices unto the God of his father Isaac." | Jacob's reverence for God of his father, Isaac, even after Isaac's death. |
| Job 5:26 | "Thou shalt come to thy grave in a full age, like as a shock of corn cometh in in his season." | Biblical ideal of a full life. |
| Prov 10:27 | "The fear of the LORD prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened." | Connection between fearing God and long life. |
Genesis 35 verses
Genesis 35 28 meaning
This verse states the exact lifespan of Isaac, son of Abraham, marking the conclusion of his earthly journey at 180 years old. It signifies the end of the life of one of the foundational patriarchs through whom God's covenant promises were faithfully continued and passed down. His life spanned a significant period, underscoring the longevity and divine favor often associated with God's chosen.
Genesis 35 28 Context
Genesis 35:28 marks the end of Isaac's life narrative. The chapter focuses on Jacob's return to the land of Canaan, fulfilling his vow at Bethel (Gen 28:20-22). Key events include God reaffirming Jacob's name as Israel (Gen 35:9-12), the birth of Benjamin and the tragic death of Rachel (Gen 35:16-20), Reuben's transgression (Gen 35:21-22), and the listing of Jacob's twelve sons born to him in Paddan-aram (Gen 35:23-26).Isaac's death, though occurring here chronologically, is placed strategically in the narrative. While Jacob and Esau had already reconciled in Gen 33, Isaac lived on for many years after. This verse precedes the "generations of Esau" (Gen 36) and the detailed narrative of "the generations of Jacob" (Gen 37:2 onwards, leading into Joseph's story). His death signals a major generational transition within the patriarchal line, effectively closing the chapter on Isaac as an active participant and setting the stage entirely for Jacob's burgeoning family and the subsequent divine plan.
Genesis 35 28 Word analysis
- And (וַיְהִי - vayehi): This is a common Hebrew conjunction that functions as a narrative connector, signaling a sequential event. It translates to "and it was" or "then." Here, it seamlessly integrates Isaac's death into the ongoing family saga.
- the days (יְמֵי - y'mei): Lit. "the days of." In this context, it refers to the entirety of one's life or lifespan. The Hebrew usage of "days" often denotes a person's duration on earth.
- of Isaac (יִצְחָק - Yitzchak): Isaac, the only son Abraham had with Sarah, and the child of promise (Gen 21:1-3). His name means "he laughs" or "laughter," reflecting the joy (and initial doubt) surrounding his miraculous birth in his parents' old age. He is a pivotal link in the patriarchal chain of covenant transmission (Abraham-Isaac-Jacob). His character is often portrayed as one of quiet submission and obedience, differing from the more active and sometimes contentious lives of his father and son.
- were (וַיְהִי - vayehi): Same as the initial "and." In this construction, it conveys the completion or conclusion of his "days."
- an hundred (מְאָה - me'ah): The cardinal number for 100. It emphasizes a complete century of years.
- and fourscore (וּשְׁמֹנִים - u'shmonim): "And eighty." The Hebrew counting method here directly translates to "a hundred and eighty."
- years (שָׁנָה - shanah): Hebrew for "year."
- even an hundred and fourscore years: The repetition of the age ("an hundred and fourscore years") serves as an emphatic conclusion and a common literary device in ancient Hebrew narration. It highlights the exactitude and significance of his prolonged life, underscoring that he indeed lived a full and complete measure of years, a blessing of God (Job 5:26).
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- And the days of Isaac were: This phrasing sets up the conclusion of Isaac's life account. It parallels the introductions to other patriarchal death notices (e.g., Gen 25:7 for Abraham, Gen 47:28 for Jacob).
- an hundred and fourscore years, even an hundred and fourscore years: The deliberate repetition of "180 years" lends emphasis and solemnity. It highlights the completeness and fullness of Isaac's life, implying a life fully lived, consistent with divine promise and blessing for those walking in covenant. This long life demonstrates God's sustaining grace on His chosen line.
Genesis 35 28 Bonus section
- Isaac lived for 180 years, making him the longest-lived of the three main patriarchs (Abraham 175, Jacob 147). This longevity signifies God's special blessing on his life and lineage.
- Although Isaac's death is recorded here, Jacob and Esau were already adults and reconciled for at least a decade prior. Jacob's family list in Gen 35:23-26 implies all 12 sons were born, and his return to Canaan was completed.
- Isaac lived 120 years after his near-sacrifice on Mount Moriah (Gen 22), 60 years after Jacob and Esau's birth (Gen 25:26), and even for several years after Jacob's return to Canaan (Jacob returns when Isaac is around 170). Isaac even lived another 12 years after Joseph was sold into slavery.
- The fact that both Esau and Jacob were present to bury him (Gen 35:29) reinforces their reconciliation and acts as a concluding scene for Isaac's patriarchal journey, indicating family unity at his final resting place, the Cave of Machpelah.
Genesis 35 28 Commentary
Genesis 35:28 succinctly concludes the life of Isaac, the second of Israel's great patriarchs, by stating his age at death: 180 years. While seemingly a simple chronological detail, its placement in the narrative is highly significant. It ensures Isaac lives long enough to witness the reconciliation of his twin sons, Jacob and Esau, after decades of estrangement (Gen 33). His death then sets the stage for the narrative's full pivot to Jacob (now Israel) and his twelve sons, from whom the twelve tribes of Israel would descend. Isaac's life, though less dramatic than Abraham's or Jacob's, was characterized by obedience and faithfulness, serving as the quiet, yet vital, bridge for the covenant promise between generations. His extended lifespan, surpassing that of his father Abraham, is a testament to God's continued blessing and faithfulness to His covenant people, allowing Isaac to see many grandchildren and ensure the patriarchal line was securely established before his passing. The verse provides a definitive close to a pivotal era, preparing the reader for the unfolding of God's redemptive plan through the growing family of Jacob.