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Genesis 25:17 - Yishmael's final legacy?

Genesis 25:17 - בראשית 25:17

Hebrew Text

וְאֵלֶּה שְׁנֵי חַיֵּי יִשְׁמָעֵאל מְאַת שָׁנָה וּשְׁלֹשִׁים שָׁנָה וְשֶׁבַע שָׁנִים וַיִּגְוַע וַיָּמָת וַיֵּאָסֶף אֶל־עַמָּיו׃

English Translation

And these are the years of the life of Yishma᾽el, a hundred and thirty seven years: and he expired and died; and was gathered to his people.

Transliteration

Ve'ele shnei chayei Yishmael me'at shana ushloshim shana vesheva shanim vayigva vayamot vaye'asef el-amav.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְאֵ֗לֶּה שְׁנֵי֙ חַיֵּ֣י יִשְׁמָעֵ֔אל מְאַ֥ת שָׁנָ֛ה וּשְׁלֹשִׁ֥ים שָׁנָ֖ה וְשֶׁ֣בַע שָׁנִ֑ים וַיִּגְוַ֣ע וַיָּ֔מׇת וַיֵּאָ֖סֶף אֶל־עַמָּֽיו׃
וְאֵ֗לֶּה שְׁנֵי֙ חַיֵּ֣י יִשְׁמָעֵ֔אל מְאַ֥ת שָׁנָ֛ה וּשְׁלֹשִׁ֥ים שָׁנָ֖ה וְשֶׁ֣בַע שָׁנִ֑ים וַיִּגְוַ֣ע וַיָּ֔מׇת וַיֵּאָ֖סֶף אֶל־עַמָּֽיו׃

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Parasha Commentary

Lifespan of Yishmael

The verse states: "And these are the years of the life of Yishmael, a hundred and thirty-seven years; and he expired and died, and was gathered to his people" (Bereishit 25:17). Rashi notes that the Torah emphasizes Yishmael's lifespan to highlight that he lived a full life, despite his earlier expulsion from Avraham's household (Bereishit 21:14). The phrase "was gathered to his people" indicates that Yishmael repented in his later years, as this expression is typically reserved for the righteous (Rashi, citing Bereishit Rabbah 38:13).

Significance of 137 Years

The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 62:3) connects Yishmael's lifespan of 137 years to Avraham's age at the Akeidah (the Binding of Yitzchak), which occurred when Avraham was 137. This suggests that Yishmael's life was measured in relation to Avraham's merit. The Ramban adds that Yishmael's death is recorded here to contrast with Yitzchak's continued life, emphasizing the divine selection of Yitzchak as Avraham's spiritual heir.

Repentance and Legacy

The Talmud (Bava Batra 16b) discusses Yishmael's repentance, noting that the term "expired" (וַיִּגְוַע) implies a peaceful death, often associated with teshuvah (repentance). The Sforno explains that Yishmael's inclusion among those "gathered to his people" indicates his eventual reconciliation with his family's spiritual legacy, despite his earlier conflicts.

  • Rashi: Highlights Yishmael's repentance and the significance of his lifespan.
  • Ramban: Contrasts Yishmael's death with Yitzchak's ongoing role in the covenant.
  • Midrash: Links Yishmael's years to Avraham's merit at the Akeidah.
  • Sforno: Emphasizes Yishmael's return to his roots in his later years.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Bava Batra 16b
The verse is cited in a discussion about the lifespan of Ishmael and the righteous, comparing his years to those of other biblical figures.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How old was Yishmael when he died according to the Torah?
A: The Torah states that Yishmael lived for 137 years before he died (Genesis 25:17). This is recorded to show the fulfillment of Hashem's promise to Avraham that Yishmael would father a great nation (Genesis 17:20).
Q: What does 'gathered to his people' mean in Genesis 25:17?
A: The phrase 'gathered to his people' is a biblical expression meaning that Yishmael died and his soul joined his ancestors in the afterlife. This term is used for righteous individuals (Rashi on Genesis 25:8). While Yishmael had flaws, he did teshuvah (repentance) in his later years (Bava Basra 16b).
Q: Why does the Torah mention Yishmael's age at death?
A: The Torah records Yishmael's lifespan to show that Hashem kept His promise to Avraham that Yishmael would live a long life and become a great nation (Genesis 17:20). It also teaches that even though Yishmael was not the chosen heir, he was still Avraham's son and merited a significant role in history.
Q: What can we learn from Yishmael's life story?
A: From Yishmael we learn that: 1) Hashem keeps His promises (He promised Avraham about Yishmael), 2) Even those who stray can do teshuvah (Bava Basra 16b says Yishmael repented), and 3) Long life is a blessing, as Yishmael lived 137 years.
Q: How does Yishmael's death relate to Jewish tradition?
A: In Jewish tradition, Yishmael's death is significant because: 1) It shows the fulfillment of divine promises, 2) It demonstrates that all of Avraham's descendants were blessed, and 3) The Midrash (Pirkei D'Rabbi Eliezer 30) notes that Yishmael's descendants would later oppress the Jewish people, fulfilling the prophecy that Yishmael would be 'a wild donkey of a man' (Genesis 16:12).