How old was Isaac?

[commonman]

How old was Isaac when his father Abraham took him to "the place" to be a sacrifice?

[Menachem]

How old was Isaac when his father Abraham took him to "the place" to be a sacrifice?

37!

Sarah was 90 when he was born and she died shortly after the Akeidah at the age of 127.

127-90=37

Shalom,

[commonman]

37!

Sarah was 90 when he was born and she died shortly after the Akeidah at the age of 127.

127-90=37

Shalom,

Okay, so I am really doubting that a 137 year old man was able to subdue a 37 year old man. Isaac must have gone willingly!

[InChristAlways]

37!

Sarah was 90 when he was born and she died shortly after the Akeidah at the age of 127.

127-90=37

Shalom,

Hi eliyosef. I never thought about the age of Isaac until I saw this post. Can you give the scripture you are talking about on how soon is soon? He is a called a "lad" so how old did one have to be in order not to called a "lad" or "young man". Isn't this event to symbolically represent the future Messiah for Israel? I could only guess myself what the age would have been. Just curious. Thanks.

And Abraham said to his young men, 'Stay here with the donkey; the lad and I will go yonder and worship, and we will come back to you'" (verse 5). The word lad means "a boy, a young man." How old was Isaac at this time? The Hebrew word translated "young men," although plural, is the same as the word for "lad." The Jewish historian Josephus gives his age as 25, while rabbinic tradition says he was 36. Other commentators suggest he was 33. Because Isaac's life parallels the life of Christ to such an extent, that he was 33 years old at this time feels right.

Genesis 21:12 But God said to Abraham, "Do not let it be displeasing in your sight because of the lad or because of your bondwoman. Whatever Sarah has said to you, listen to her voice; for in Isaac your seed shall be called.

(JPS1917 OT) Genesis 21:12 And God said unto Abraham: 'Let it not be grievous in thy sight because of the lad, and because of thy bondwoman; in all that Sarah saith unto thee, hearken unto her voice; for in Isaac shall seed be called to thee.

(Young) Genesis 22:5 and Abraham saith unto his young men, `Remain by yourselves here with the ass, and I and the youth go yonder and worship, and turn back unto you.'

(JPS1917 OT) Genesis 22:5 And Abraham said unto his young men: 'Abide ye here with the ass, and I and the lad will go yonder; and we will worship, and come back to you.'

and I and the lad 05288 na`ar {nah'-ar}
from 05287; TWOT - 1389a; n m
AV - young man 76, servant 54, child 44, lad 33, young 15, children 7, youth 6, babe 1, boys 1, young 1; 238
1) a boy, lad, servant, youth, retainer 1a) boy, lad, youth
1b) servant, retainer </FONT>

[Pythagoras]

I would say about 33 or 34, ( the same age Jesus was when he got nailed to the Roman cross by instigation of the Rabbis.)

Cheers,

P.S. Where does it say in the torah Sarah died at the age of 127; 'shortly after the Akedah' could be two , three or a few years later. Also Sarah was 90 when she was with child(I think); so she must have been about 91 when she conceieved.....33 or 34 is better bet than 37 years of age.Either way, it's close enough to Jesus's age to be uncanny.

[InChristAlways]

Eliyosef

37!


Sarah was 90 when he was born and she died shortly after the Akeidah at the age of 127.

127-90=37
Shalom,

Hi eliyosef. I never thought about the age of Isaac until I saw this post. Can you give the scripture you are talking about on how soon is soon? He is a called a "lad" so how old did one have to be in order not to called a "lad" or "young man". Isn't this event to symbolically represent the future Messiah for Israel? I could only guess myself what age that would have been. Just curious. Thanks.

And Abraham said to his young men, 'Stay here with the donkey; the lad and I will go yonder and worship, and we will come back to you'" (verse 5). The word lad means "a boy, a young man." How old was Isaac at this time? The Hebrew word translated "young men," although plural, is the same as the word for "lad." The Jewish historian Josephus gives his age as 25, while rabbinic tradition says he was 36. Other commentators suggest he was 33. Because Isaac's life parallels the life of Christ to such an extent, that he was 33 years old at this time feels right.

I would say about 33 or 34, ( the same age Jesus was when he got nailed to the Roman cross by instigation of the Rabbis.)

Cheers,

P.S. Where does it say in the torah Sarah died at the age of 127; 'shortly after the Akedah' could be two , three or a few years later. Also Sarah was 90 when she was with child(I think); so she must have been about 91 when she conceieved.....33 or 34 is better bet than 37 years of age.Either way, it's close enough to Jesus's age to be uncanny.

Hi Pytha. Even Luke give Jesus's age of "about" 30 and leaves doubt to how old He was even then. Also, how do you read Jeremiah 31? This almost seems to imply Christ would be born a full grown "man"? Maybe that means wisdom wise or maybe the "glory of God" by the Spirit. Any thoughts on that? Thanks.

Jeremiah 31:21 " Set up signposts, Make landmarks; Set your heart toward the highway, The way in [which] you went. Turn back, O virgin of Israel, Turn back to these your cities. 22 How long will you gad about, O you backsliding daughter? For the LORD has created a new thing in the earth -- A woman shall encompass a man." 23 Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: "They shall again use this speech in the land of Judah and in its cities, when I bring back their captivity: 'The LORD bless you, O home of justice, [and] mountain of holiness!'

Luke 3:22 And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven which said, "You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased." 23 Now Jesus Himself began [His ministry at] about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) [the] son of Joseph, [the son] of Heli,

Luke 2:41 His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. 42 And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast.

[Menachem]

Okay, so I am really doubting that a 137 year old man was able to subdue a 37 year old man. Isaac must have gone willingly!

That is what the Rabbi's said long ago.

Shalom,

[Menachem]

I would say about 33 or 34, ( the same age Jesus was when he got nailed to the Roman cross by instigation of the Rabbis.)

Cheers,

LOL...that is if you accept the truth value of the GNT...in which case I dont.

P.S. Where does it say in the torah Sarah died at the age of 127; 'shortly after the Akedah' could be two , three or a few years later. Also Sarah was 90 when she was with child(I think); so she must have been about 91 when she conceieved.....33 or 34 is better bet than 37 years of age.Either way, it's close enough to Jesus's age to be uncanny.

Genesis 23 is where it is found.

In the targum Yonatan it is explained:
והוו חיי שרה מאה ועשרין ושבע שנין שני חייהא דשרה v.01
ומיתת שרה בקרית ארבע היא חברון בארעא דכנען ואתא אברהם מן v.02
טוור פולחנא ואשכחה דמיתת ויתיב למיספד לשרה ולמבכייה

Translation:
And the days of the life of Sarah were a hundred and twenty and seven years, the years of the life of Sarah. And Sarah died in Kiryath Arba, which is Hebron. And Abraham came from the mountain of worship, and found that she was dead; and he sat to mourn for Sarah, and to weep for her.

If this were later or beforehand Avraham and Isaac would have been there when she died. Instead it says in verse 2 of the Tanakh that "Avraham came to mourn and weep for her." this is explained further in the Targum Yonatan.
If he were already there then it would not have to say "he came to do those things" he would have been already there to do it. Targum Yonatan hit something on this one.

Plus Sarah was 90 years old when she had Isaac take this into account

Genesis 17:17. Then Abraham fell upon his face, and laughed, and said in his heart, Shall a child be born to him who will be a hundred years old? and shall Sarah, who will be ninety years old, bear?
18. And Abraham said to God, O that Ishmael might live in your presence!
19. And God said, Sarah your wife shall bear you a son indeed; and you shall call his name Isaac; and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him.
20. And as for Ishmael, I have heard you; Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes shall he father, and I will make him a great nation.
21. But my covenant will I establish with Isaac, whom Sarah shall bear to you at this set time in the next year.
22. And he left off talking with him, and God went up from Abraham.
23. And Abraham took Ishmael his son, and all who were born in his house, and all who were bought with his money, every male among the men of Abraham’s house; and circumcised the flesh of their foreskin in the same day, as God had said to him.
24. And Abraham was ninety years old and nine, when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.

Avraham at the time when the dialogue was going on was 99 years of age that would make Sarah 89 years of age.

G-d then said she shall bear to you a son(i.e give you a son) at this set time next year making Avraham 100 years of age and Sarah 90 years of age.

In Genesis 21: 1. And the Lord visited Sarah as he had said, and the Lord did to Sarah as he had spoken.
2. For Sarah conceived, and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him.
3. And Abraham called the name of his son who was born to him, whom Sarah bore to him, Isaac.
4. And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac being eight days old, as God had commanded him.
5. And Abraham was a hundred years old, when his son Isaac was born to him.

Thus it was shown that in Genesis 21 that Avraham now 100 when his son was born making Sarah 90 as previously stated. Making him 37 at the time of the Akeidah shortly before Sarah's death.


Shalom,

[InChristAlways]

And the days of the life of Sarah were a hundred and twenty and seven years, the years of the life of Sarah. And Sarah died in Kiryath Arba, which is Hebron. And Abraham came from the mountain of worship, and found that she was dead; and he sat to mourn for Sarah, and to weep for her.

If this were later or beforehand Avraham and Isaac would have been there when she died. Instead it says in verse 2 of the Tanakh that "Avraham came to mourn and weep for her." this is explained further in the Targum Yonatan.
If he were already there then it would not have to say "he came to do those things" he would have been already there to do it. Targum Yonatan hit something on this one.

Hi Eliyosef. Do you by any chance know of when a lad/youth/boy turned into an adult? One reason I ask is because Abraham called him "lad" instead of his son. And why would it be so "important" about knowing his age since the scripture doesn't provide his age? Just curious. Thanks.

And Abraham said to his young men, 'Stay here with the donkey; the lad and I will go yonder and worship, and we will come back to you'" (verse 5). The word lad means "a boy, a young man." How old was Isaac at this time? The Hebrew word translated "young men," although plural, is the same as the word for "lad." The Jewish historian Josephus gives his age as 25, while rabbinic tradition says he was 36. Other commentators suggest he was 33. Because Isaac's life parallels the life of Christ to such an extent, that he was 33 years old at this time feels right.</FONT>

[commonman]

And why would it be so "important" about knowing his age since the scripture doesn't provide his age?

Because Isaac went voluntarily to his death. Which is what we are called to do.

[InChristAlways]

Because Isaac went voluntarily to his death. Which is what we are called to do.

Hi common. I was hoping Eliyosef would answer that LOL.

[Pythagoras]

Afternoon Eliyosef,

Genesis 23 is where it is found...

Thus it was shown that in Genesis 21 that Avraham now 100 when his son was born making Sarah 90 as previously stated. Making him 37 at the time of the Akeidah shortly before Sarah's death.


Shalom,

Congrats.! For once your explanation makes sense. Well done.


best wishes,

P.S.
Anyone knows what time of year it was that Abraham took Issac to Mt. Moriah region? Was it Spring by an chance?

[InChristAlways]

Hi Eliyosef. Do you by any chance know of when a lad/youth/boy turned into an adult? One reason I ask is because Abraham called him "lad" instead of his son.

I still cannot find out how old Isaac was because of the wording of chapt 21, 22. It shows Abraham throwing a feast after Isaac was "weaned". Ishmael being cast out who would have been more than 14 yrs old or more. Then at that time Abimelech making a treaty with Abraham, then "after these things" God calling on Abraham to sacrifice Isaac. So how do we know the time frame from the time Isaac was weaned to the peace treaty and when God had Abraham sacrifice his son? God calls him "the boy" and Abraham calls him "lad". How long was Abraham seperated from Sarah until she died? I am just curious on this now. Thanks.

gene 15:15 So Hagar bore Abram a son; and Abram named his son, whom Hagar bore, Ishmael. 16 Abram [was] eighty-six years old when Hagar bore Ishmael to Abram.
gene 21:5 Now Abraham was one hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him. 6 And Sarah said, "God has made me laugh, [and] all who hear will laugh with me."

genee 21:8 So the child(Isaac) grew and was weaned. And Abraham made a great feast on the same day that Isaac was weaned. 9 And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, scoffing.........14 So Abraham rose early in the morning, and took bread and a skin of water; and putting [it] on her shoulder, he gave [it] and the boy to Hagar, and sent her away. Then she departed and wandered in the Wilderness of Beersheba. .......22 And it came to pass at that time that Abimelech and Phichol, the commander of his army, spoke to Abraham, saying, "God [is] with you in all that you do. ................33 Then [Abraham] planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba, and there called on the name of the LORD, the Everlasting God. 34 And Abraham stayed in the land of the Philistines many days.

Genesis 22:1 Now it came to pass after these things that God tested Abraham, and said to him, "Abraham!" And he said, "Here I am." ..........19 So Abraham returned unto his young men, and they rose up and went together to Beer-sheba; and Abraham dwelt at Beer-sheba.

[Conductor42]

How old was Isaac when his father Abraham took him to "the place" to be a sacrifice?

According to Tradition, in his 30's.

[Conductor42]

Because Isaac went voluntarily to his death. Which is what we are called to do.

Yup.

Also, some more that I found! (on another forum)

Sarah gave birth to him when she was 90 (Berashit 17:17) and she died when she was 127 (Berashit 23:1). Now the timing of her death seems to be not too long after the Akeida, so we can assume he was in his late mid-to-late-thirties.

And I think - don't quote me on this - that Sarah died from fear/worry upon finding out that her husband had taken Isaac to the mountains to allegedly sacrifice him. If my memory serves right with that, that would pinpoint his exact age to 37.