Genesis 25:7-11

(3) The Death and Burial of Abraham (Genesis 25:7-11).

7 And these are the days of the years of Abraham's life which he lived, a hundred threescore and fiteen years. 8 And 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. 9 And Isaac and Ishmael his sons buried him in the cave of Machpelah, in the field of Ephron the son of Zohar the Hittite, which is before Mamre; 10 the field which Abraham purchased of the children of Heth: there was Abraham buried, and Sarah his wife. 11 And it came to pass after the death of Abraham, that God blessed Isaac his son: and Isaac dwelt by Beer-lahai-roi.

Abraham died at the good old age of 175, and was gathered to his people (cf. Genesis 15:15, Judges 2:10). This expression which. is constantly distinguished from departing this life and being buried, denotes the reunion in Sheol with friends who have gone before, and therefore presupposes faith in the personal continuance of a man after death, as a presentiment which the promises of God had exalted in the case of the patriarchs into a firm assurance of faith (Hebrews 11:13) (BCOTP, 263). An old man, and full of years, literally, satisfied. He saw all the desires of his heart fulfilled, and was satisfied with all that he wished to see and do. He was granted the privilege of seeing in his lifetime the reward stored up for him in the world to come (SC, 133). Note that the burial of the patriarch in the cave of Machpelah was attended to by Isaac and Ishmael, since the latter, although excluded from the blessings of the covenant, was acknowledged by God as the son of Abraham by a distinct blessing (Genesis 17:20), and was thus elevated above the sons of Keturah (ibid., 263). It is significant that both sons shared in the service of interment. Funerals of parents are reconciliations of children (Genesis 35:29), and differences of contending religionists are often softened at the side of a grave (PCG, 314). What a glorious setting of the sun on an ineffably glorious pilgrimage of faith! After Abraham's death, the divine blessing was transferred to Isaac who returned to his abode by Hagar's well (cf. Genesis 17:20).

REVIEW QUESTIONS

See Genesis 25:12-18.