Genesis 35:28Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

When Jacob took his brother's blessing, his vision was obscured, leading him to deception. Reflect on how much older he must have become many years later.

There were the days of Isaac’s life, and the span between the year when the blessings were bestowed upon the sons and the year of Isaac’s passing is approximately 43 years. However, it is roughly 31 years, or slightly more, following Jacob’s receipt of the blessing that the story of Joseph commences. This indicates that the storyteller adjusts the chronological order when recounting Isaac’s death before transitioning to the account of Joseph. He compiles vital elements from the tales of Isaac and Jacob in a few sections to ensure a complete narrative, allowing the subsequent chapters to focus primarily on the unfolding story of Joseph.