Genesis 35:29 kjv

And Isaac gave up the ghost, and died, and was gathered unto his people, being old and full of days: and his sons Esau and Jacob buried him.

Genesis 35:29 nkjv

So Isaac breathed his last and died, and was gathered to his people, being old and full of days. And his sons Esau and Jacob buried him.

Genesis 35:29 niv

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.

Genesis 35:29 esv

And Isaac breathed his last, and he died and was gathered to his people, old and full of days. And his sons Esau and Jacob buried him.

Genesis 35:29 nlt

Then he breathed his last and died at a ripe old age, joining his ancestors in death. And his sons, Esau and Jacob, buried him.

Genesis 35 verses

Genesis 35 29 Meaning

Genesis 35:29 describes the peaceful passing of Isaac, Abraham's son, at an advanced age, having lived a complete life blessed by God. It signifies his physical death and the ancient concept of being reunited with his ancestors in the realm of the deceased. The verse also highlights the reconciled relationship between his sons, Esau and Jacob, as they jointly fulfill the filial duty of burying their father. This event marks the closure of Isaac's life narrative, preceding the focus on Jacob's lineage and the fulfillment of God's covenant promises.

Genesis 35 29 Context

Genesis 35:29 concludes the narrative account of Isaac's life. This verse is situated immediately after a listing of Jacob's twelve sons, who would become the fathers of the twelve tribes of Israel (Gen 35:23-26), and Isaac's precise age at death (Gen 35:28). Prior to this, the chapter details Jacob's return to Bethel at God's command, his building an altar there, God reaffirming His covenant with him, and renaming him Israel. It also includes the births of Benjamin, Rachel's death and burial near Bethlehem, and the misdeed of Reuben with Bilhah. The mention of Isaac's death follows these pivotal events in Jacob's life, signaling a narrative transition from Isaac, a key patriarch of the Abrahamic covenant, to Jacob (Israel) as the central figure through whom the divine promises will continue to unfold. Isaac's peaceful passing, especially the mention of Esau and Jacob burying him together, underscores a resolution of their long-standing sibling rivalry, showcasing family unity and respect in the final patriarchal act of the generation.

Genesis 35 29 Word analysis

• And Isaac (וַיִּצְחָק – vayyitzḥaq): Refers to Isaac, the son of Abraham and Rebekah, a foundational patriarch of the Abrahamic covenant. His name means "he laughs" or "laughter," reflecting the circumstances of his parents' reactions to the promise of his birth.
• gave up the ghost (וַיִּגְוַע – vayyiggva): Hebrew gava' means "to expire," "to breathe out," or "to die." It emphasizes the act of life departing from the body. This idiom is commonly used in the Old Testament to denote the physical act of death, often in a calm or natural manner, not by violence.
• and died (וַיָּמָת – vayyamot): Hebrew mot simply means "to die." This reinforces the preceding phrase, leaving no ambiguity about the finality of Isaac's earthly life. The dual expression emphasizes the certainty and completeness of death.
• and was gathered (וַיֵּאָסֶף – vayye’asef): From the Hebrew ’asaf, meaning "to gather," "to collect." In this context, it is a significant biblical idiom for death, implying more than just being buried. It suggests a spiritual joining or reunion with those who have died before, pointing towards an afterlife or a common destiny for all the departed. It contrasts with being cut off or destroyed.
• unto his people (אֶל־עַמָּיו – el-‘ammav): Refers to his ancestors or forefathers who have already passed away. This phrase strongly suggests a continuity beyond physical existence and membership in an enduring familial community even in death, reflecting a belief in a corporate existence of the dead, perhaps in Sheol.
• being old (זָקֵן – zaqen): Hebrew zaqen means "old" or "elderly." This highlights Isaac's advanced age, typical for patriarchs and often seen as a sign of divine blessing and a life fully lived.
• and full of days (וּשְׂבַע יָמִים – uśevah yamim): Hebrew sava' means "to be satisfied" or "to be full." This idiomatic expression denotes that Isaac lived his life to its fullest extent, achieving his full, appointed lifespan. It signifies a complete, content, and blessed life, in contrast to an untimely or cut-off death, often considered a sign of God's favor and faithfulness to His promises.
• and his sons (בָּנָיו – banav): Referring to Esau and Jacob, Isaac's two sons.
• Esau and Jacob: These are key figures whose rivalry shaped much of Isaac's life and who experienced reconciliation prior to this event (Gen 33). Their joint action in burying their father signifies the peace that had been established between them.
• buried him (וַיִּקְבְּרוּ אֹתוֹ – vayyiqberu ‘oto): Hebrew qavar means "to bury." This describes the physical act of internment, an important ritual demonstrating respect for the deceased in ancient cultures. Their joint act of burial serves as a public declaration of filial piety and solidified their restored relationship.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And Isaac gave up the ghost, and died": This phrasing emphasizes the finality of Isaac's life. "Gave up the ghost" points to the relinquishing of life's breath, while "died" is a straightforward declaration of that event. It speaks to a natural and perhaps peaceful cessation of life, fitting for a man of his standing and covenantal lineage.
• "and was gathered unto his people": This significant Hebrew idiom ("vayye’asef el-‘ammav") transcends mere burial. It implies more than joining his ancestors in a physical grave; it conveys a reunion in a spiritual realm or a shared destiny among the departed. For Isaac, this means joining Abraham, Sarah, and likely other forefathers, signifying a continuation of relationship or identity beyond the grave, an early biblical expression related to the concept of an afterlife or common resting place (Sheol). It implies a blessed departure, an integration into the family of faith that extends beyond earthly bounds.
• "being old and full of days": This phrase beautifully characterizes Isaac's passing. "Old" (zaqen) indicates longevity, a blessing often promised by God for faithfulness. "Full of days" (uśevah yamim) specifically highlights a life that has reached its complete and allotted duration, signifying contentment and satisfaction with life's course as ordered by God. It indicates he did not die prematurely or tragically, but reached the natural and fulfilled end of his life, a testament to God's providence and care for His chosen ones.
• "his sons Esau and Jacob buried him": This is a powerful conclusion to Isaac's story, especially given the history of severe rivalry and animosity between the two brothers. Their united act of burying their father underscores the theme of reconciliation (foreshadowed in Gen 33) and the familial piety that transcended their past conflicts. It visually confirms their peace and joint acknowledgment of their heritage, demonstrating the ongoing importance of family unity even amidst deeply personal historical divides, particularly as Jacob's lineage is about to become the focus of the covenant narrative.

Genesis 35 29 Bonus section

The seemingly straightforward account of Isaac's death in Gen 35:29, coming after the elaborate details of Jacob's life developments (return to Bethel, naming Israel, Benjamin's birth, Rachel's death), subtly redirects the reader's attention. Isaac's role as a bridging figure from Abraham to Jacob concludes with this verse. His passing facilitates the full transfer of narrative focus to Jacob, ensuring the uninterrupted progress of God's redemptive plan through the burgeoning family of Israel. The inclusion of his specific age in the preceding verse (180 years, Gen 35:28) and the reference to him being "old and full of days" stands as a silent testament to God's unwavering faithfulness to the covenant promises made to Abraham and Isaac. It contrasts sharply with pagan deities often associated with unpredictable or violent outcomes, showing the orderly divine care for His patriarchs. The joint burial by Esau and Jacob, having previously settled their bitter conflict (Gen 33), provides a beautiful demonstration of grace and forgiveness within a family. This peace at their father's grave highlights that even deep-seated divisions can be overcome, mirroring how God works reconciliation among His people.

Genesis 35 29 Commentary

Genesis 35:29 serves as a dignified conclusion to the life of Isaac, a pivotal patriarch whose existence linked the promises made to Abraham to their future fulfillment in Jacob's lineage. The phrase "gave up the ghost, and died" confirms his physical demise, portraying it as a natural, peaceful event befitting a man blessed by God. The further statement that he "was gathered unto his people" carries profound spiritual and cultural weight, signifying more than just burial. It reflects an ancient belief that death was a reunion with deceased ancestors, an integration into a community beyond the physical world, which some scholars connect to the biblical concept of Sheol. This highlights a continuity of existence and identity after death, suggesting that one's ties to their people extended beyond the grave.

The description "being old and full of days" encapsulates a truly blessed life. For the patriarchs, longevity was seen as a divine gift, a sign of God's favor and faithfulness to His covenant promises. "Full of days" implies that Isaac lived out his complete, appointed lifespan, without suffering an untimely end. This conveys a sense of satisfaction and completion in his earthly journey, contrasting with those whose lives were cut short or marked by tragedy. It underscores God's providential care over His chosen servant.

Perhaps the most poignant detail in the verse is that "his sons Esau and Jacob buried him." Given their intense rivalry and fractured relationship throughout much of their lives—a conflict marked by deception, bitterness, and flight—their joint act of burying their father speaks volumes. It provides powerful evidence of their prior reconciliation (Gen 33) and underscores a theme of peace and family unity in the face of death. This act of filial piety signifies a respectful honoring of their shared patriarch, transcending past grievances and demonstrating their restored relationship. The passing of Isaac symbolically marks the narrative's full shift of focus to Jacob and the establishment of the nation of Israel through his twelve sons, all of whom are mentioned earlier in the chapter. It confirms the orderly succession of God's covenant plan.