Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 25:9

And his sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah, in the field of Ephron the son of Zohar the Hittite, which [is] before Mamre;

9. Isaac and Ishmael ] The two sons are mentioned once more together, as paying the last tribute of honour to their father. The banishment of Ishmael, recorded by E in 21, was not apparently included in the narrative of P, which avoids the notice of anything derogatory to the patriarchs.

in the cave of Machpelah, &c.] Isaac and Ishmael bury their father in the burial-place where he had laid Sarah his wife to rest. Cf. Gen 23:17-20.

Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

Verse 9. His sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him] Though Ishmael and his mother had been expelled from Abraham’s family on the account of Isaac, yet, as he was under the same obligation to a most loving affectionate father as his brother Isaac, if any personal feuds remained, they agreed to bury them on this occasion, that both might dutifully join in doing the last offices to a parent who was an honour to them and to human nature: and, considering the rejection of Ishmael from the inheritance, this transaction shows his character in an amiable point of view; for though he was a wild man, (see Ge 16:12,) yet this appellation appears to be more characteristic of his habits of life than of his disposition.

For the character of Abraham see the conclusion of this chapter. See Clarke on Ge 25:34.

Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible

Ishmael, though banished from his fathers house, lived in a place not very far from him; and as no doubt he received many favours from his father after his departure, which is implied here, Gen 25:6, though it be not mentioned elsewhere; so it is probable that he had a true respect and affection to his father, which he here expresseth.

Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole

9, 10. his sons . . . buriedhimDeath often puts an end to strife, reconciles those whohave been alienated, and brings rival relations, as in this instance,to mingle tears over a father’s grave.

Ge25:12-18. DESCENDANTS OFISHMAEL. Before passing tothe line of the promised seed, the historian gives a brief notice ofIshmael, to show that the promises respecting that son of Abrahamwere fulfilledfirst, in the greatness of his posterity (compare Ge17:20); and, secondly, in their independence.

Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

And his sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah,…. Isaac, though the younger brother, is set first, because he was born of the lawful wife of Abraham, the free woman, whereas Ishmael was born of a concubine and a bondwoman; Isaac was heir not only to Abraham’s temporal estate, but of the promise made concerning the Messiah, (not so Ishmael,) and was on all accounts the greater man. It appears from hence, that, though them had been a quarrel between Ishmael and Isaac, and the latter had been persecuted by the former, yet the difference was now made up, and they were reconciled, at least they agreed in this act of showing their last respect to their father; and that, though Ishmael had been expelled his father’s house, yet he was not at any great distance from him, and there was a correspondence between him and his father; nor was he forgotten by him, as is clear from Ge 25:6; and he retained a filial affection for him; and Jarchi from hence concludes, that he was a penitent and a good man. The place where these two brothers buried their father was the cave of Machpelah,

in the field of Ephron, the son of Zohar the Hittite, which [is] before Mamre; see Ge 23:8; wherefore very false is the tradition of the Mahometans g, that Abraham’s sepulchre is at Mecca, which they, now show, and stands about twelve paces from the temple there, enclosed with iron rails.

g Pitt’s Account of the Religion of the Mahometans, c. 7. p. 93.

Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible

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 (Gen 17:20), and was thus elevated above the sons of Keturah.

Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament

9. And his sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him. Hence it appears, that although Ishmael had long ago been dismissed, he was not utterly alienated from his father, because he performed the office of a son in celebrating the obsequies of his deceased parent. Ishmael, rather than the other sons did this, as being nearer.

Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary

(9) His sons Isaac and Ishmael.Isaac was now seventy-five years of age, and Ishmael eighty-nine, and the two old men, with their enmity long over, metas friends at their fathers burial. While Keturahs sons were apparently sent far away into Arabia, Ishmael at Paran (Gen. 21:21) would be at no very great distance from the well Lahai-roi, which was Isaacs favourite residence.

Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)

9. Isaac and Ishmael buried him There is something touching in this statement . No wrongs, or bitterness, or antipathy of the past, prevent their union in a common sorrow over their great father . So at a later date Esau and Jacob, similarly estranged, come together to bury their father, Isaac . Gen 35:29. The sons of Keturah, now, perhaps, far scattered, and less attached to Abraham than Ishmael and Isaac, are not mentioned here .

Machpelah See on Gen 23:9.

Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

And his sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah, in the field of Ephron the son of Zohar the Hittite, which is before Mamre; The field which Abraham purchased of the sons of Heth: there was Abraham buried, and Sarah his wife.

See how the grave is calculated to reconcile differences! The mingling of the dust of relations, is an ancient custom. See Gen 23:19 .

Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)

Gen 25:9 And his sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah, in the field of Ephron the son of Zohar the Hittite, which [is] before Mamre;

Ver. 9. And his sons Isaac and Ishmael, &c. ] It is like that Abraham, a little afore his death, sent for his two sons and reconciled them. This joining with Isaac in the burying of Abraham, some take for an argument of his repentance; whereunto also they add, that his whole lifetime is recorded in Holy Scripture, which cannot be showed of any reprobate, and that he is said, when he died, to be gathered to his fathers.

Which is beside Mamre. ] Where, seventy-six years before, he had entertained the Lord Christ, and heard from his mouth the promise of the Messiah. Wherefore, in remembrance of that most amiable apparition, and for love and honour of the divine promise there uttered, he would there be buried, in full hope of a glorious resurrection; and that his posterity might take notice that he even died upon the promise. As that brave Roman captain a told his soldiers, that if they could not conquer Britain, yet they would get possession of it by laying their bones in it.

a Xiphilinus.

Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)

Machpelah. Compare Gen 23:9.

Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics

Isaac: Gen 21:9, Gen 21:10, Gen 35:29

in the cave: Gen 23:9-20, Gen 49:29, Gen 49:30, Gen 50:13

Reciprocal: Gen 15:15 – buried Gen 16:15 – Ishmael Gen 23:17 – the field Gen 23:19 – General Gen 23:20 – for a Gen 47:30 – General Gen 49:31 – General