Genesis 27:1Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

To avoid disrupting the sequence of events, we should adhere to the Scripture. "When Isaac was old, and the sight of his eyes was dulled." He summoned his firstborn son Esau and called out to him, "My son!"

The patriarch Isaac exemplifies a profound understanding of marriage, choosing to unite with Rebekah not in the vigor of his early years, where desire might cloud his judgment, but after his youthful days. This union was intended for the Lord’s blessing upon their descendants (see Genesis 25:20-21). Once he had fulfilled his role in their marriage until the birth of their first child, he redirected his focus entirely towards the spiritual realm, turning away from physical distractions. This notion is subtly conveyed in the account, which notes that the patriarch’s vision had become dimmed.

Truly, the ultimate and supreme good is found in virtue, for it is only through virtue that the outcomes of a joyful and fulfilling life flourish. This joyful existence is not derived from external or physical possessions but solely from virtue, which is the pathway to eternal life. The joyful life is the result of present blessings, while eternal life represents the promise of future gifts. Some may argue that experiencing true joy in our fragile, earthly form is unattainable, given the inevitability of anxiety, suffering, weeping, and illness. You might infer that I suggest that a blessed life is defined by a robust body rather than by deep wisdom, the peace of a clear conscience, and elevated virtue!

We also observe the blessed Isaac engaging in a similar act as Jacob, as noted in Genesis 49, where he blesses Jacob, his younger son, and in every way encourages that the forthcoming Christ would be born from him in the flesh. However, he refrained from blessing Esau, who embodied the traits of the first nation, as he foresaw a wicked intention in his heart and appropriately admonished him through prophetic words. If this is indeed the case, revealed Scripture will more explicitly guide us in understanding what has been stated previously.

As Isaac entered his later years, he was approximately 137 years old, while Jacob was around 77 years old. This can be determined by considering that Jacob lived for 130 years prior to moving to Egypt (Gen. 47:9), from which we can subtract the 39 years of Joseph's life at that time (see Gen. 41:46, 47; Gen. 45:6) and the 14 years spent in Mesopotamia before Joseph's birth (see Gen. 30:25; Gen. 31:41). Thus, over 40 years before Isaac’s passing (Gen. 35:28), he became aware of his advancing age and started to make preparations for his death. His failing eyesight and the knowledge that his elder brother had lived to the age of 137 (Gen. 25:17) likely contributed to this realization.

As Isaac aged, he reached the age of 137. This can be inferred from the fact that Jacob was 77 years old at this time, having been born when Isaac was 60 years old (Gen. 25:26). We can confirm that Jacob was indeed 77 by subtracting from the total of 130 years he lived before moving to Egypt (Gen. 47:9) the 39 years of Joseph's life up to that point (Gen. 41:46-47, Gen. 45:6) and the 14 years Jacob spent in Mesopotamia prior to Joseph's birth (Gen. 30:25). The phrase "his eyes were dulled from seeing" suggests that his failing vision may have been due to emotional turmoil; this tender-hearted man likely wept often, especially distressed by the fact that his eldest son had married two Canaanite women, who were idolatrous and difficult, thus causing grief to Isaac and Rebekah (Gen.