Genesis 35:28-29

THE DEATH AND BURIAL OF ISAAC

"And the days of Isaac were a hundred and fourscore years. And Isaac gave up the ghost, and died, and was gathered unto his people, old and full of days: and Esau and Jacob his sons buried him."

Isaac was buried in the cave of Machpelah, although that detail is not given in this verse.

This event also is related out of chronological sequence, for Isaac lived with Jacob at least 12 or 13 years after Jacob's return from Paddan-aram. Keil relates the basis of the calculations that indicate Isaac's living some dozen years after the events of Jacob's return from Paddan-aram. "He lived to witness the grief of Jacob at the loss of Joseph, and died but a short time before his promotion in Egypt, which occurred thirteen years after Joseph was sold, and only ten years before Jacob's removal with his family to Egypt, as Jacob was 130 years old when he was presented to Pharaoh (Genesis 47:9), but the historical significance of his life was at an end when Jacob returned home with his twelve sons."[31]

It is clear that this chapter knits together a number of loose ends in concluding the accession of Israel to the headship of the Chosen Nation. After a brief interlude in the next chapter, relating to Esau, the story of Israel henceforth will be the story of the sons of Israel.

It is interesting that Esau is mentioned first in regard to the burial of Isaac. Although this is the last mention of the brothers in each other's company, it is reasonable to suppose that they might have enjoyed many visits together, as the land of Seir was not all that far away from Hebron. The Bible never caters to the mere curiosity of its readers. It is also likely that Israel had visited Isaac repeatedly, although no visit is recorded. The appearance of Deborah as a member of Israel's household almost guarantees this.

The account of Isaac's death and burial here, at least 12 years before it happened, emphasizes the nature of the chapter as a collection of events pertinent to Jacob's elevation to the position of covenant patriarch, a fact received and accepted by Isaac and Esau.