(29) Esau and Jacob buried him.--Esau, who apparently still dwelt at Hebron until his father's death, takes here the precedence as his natural right. But having in previous expeditions learnt the physical advantages of the land of Seir, and the powerlessness of the Horites to resist him, he gives up Hebron to his brother, and migrates with his large wealth to that country. Verse 29. - And Isaac gave up the ghost, and died, and was gathered unto hit people, - cf. the account of Abraham's death (Genesis 25:8) - being old and full of days (literally, satisfied with days. In Genesis 25:8 the shorter expression satisfied is used): and his sons Esau and Jacob buried him - Esau arriving from Mount Seir to pay the last service due to his deceased parent, and Jacob according to him that precedence which had once belonged to him as Isaac's firstborn. and was gathered unto his people; his soul was gathered to the righteous, his body was laid where Abraham and Sarah were buried: being old, and full of days; the number of which is observed in Genesis 35:28, and his sons Esau and Jacob buried him; in the cave of Machpelah near Mamre, where he lived and died, and where his parents had been buried, and Rebekah his wife. Esau very probably was sent for upon his father's death, or a little before it. This shows that there was a reconciliation between Jacob and Esau, and that it continued; and that Jacob did not decline the visit of him at Seir, nor in a clandestine manner took his journey another way, and avoided going thither on his invitation. (l) Elmacin. p. 26. apud Hottinger. Smegma Orient. p. 341. |