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Genesis 25:7 - Avraham's fulfilled life span

Genesis 25:7 - בראשית 25:7

Hebrew Text

וְאֵלֶּה יְמֵי שְׁנֵי־חַיֵּי אַבְרָהָם אֲשֶׁר־חָי מְאַת שָׁנָה וְשִׁבְעִים שָׁנָה וְחָמֵשׁ שָׁנִים׃

English Translation

And these are the days of the years of Avraham’s life which he lived, a hundred and seventy five years.

Transliteration

Ve'ele yemei shnei-chayei Avraham asher-chai me'at shanah veshiv'im shanah vechamesh shanim.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְאֵ֗לֶּה יְמֵ֛י שְׁנֵֽי־חַיֵּ֥י אַבְרָהָ֖ם אֲשֶׁר־חָ֑י מְאַ֥ת שָׁנָ֛ה וְשִׁבְעִ֥ים שָׁנָ֖ה וְחָמֵ֥שׁ שָׁנִֽים׃
וְאֵ֗לֶּה יְמֵ֛י שְׁנֵֽי־חַיֵּ֥י אַבְרָהָ֖ם אֲשֶׁר־חָ֑י מְאַ֥ת שָׁנָ֛ה וְשִׁבְעִ֥ים שָׁנָ֖ה וְחָמֵ֥שׁ שָׁנִֽים׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Length of Avraham's Life in Context

The verse (Bereishit 25:7) states that Avraham lived 175 years. Rashi notes that this is numerically significant, as the word "חָי" (lived) appears twice in the verse—once before mentioning his age and once after—to emphasize that all his years were lived with purpose and fulfillment. The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 62:3) explains that Avraham was granted long life as a reward for his unwavering faith and dedication to spreading monotheism.

Numerical Significance

The number 175 can be broken down into meaningful components:

  • 100 years: Symbolizes completeness, as Avraham was 100 when Yitzchak was born (Bereishit 21:5), fulfilling Hashem's promise.
  • 70 years: Represents wisdom and leadership, as Avraham guided many during his lifetime (Rambam, Hilchot Avodat Kochavim 1:3).
  • 5 years: Alludes to the five books of the Torah, which Avraham upheld even before they were given (Yoma 28b).

Comparison to Other Forefathers

The Talmud (Bava Batra 17a) notes that Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov all lived "complete" lives, but Avraham's lifespan was slightly shorter than Yitzchak's (180 years) and Yaakov's (147 years). The Maharal (Gur Aryeh) explains that Avraham’s shorter life reflects his role as the initiator of the covenant—his mission required intense spiritual labor, whereas his descendants inherited a more established path.

Legacy of Avraham's Years

The Midrash Tanchuma (Chayei Sarah 1) teaches that Avraham’s years were not merely counted but accounted for—every moment was dedicated to kindness (chessed), teaching, and serving Hashem. His life serves as a model for how one should utilize time wisely in divine service.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Bava Batra 91a
The verse is cited in a discussion about the lifespan of Abraham and the calculation of years in biblical genealogies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why does the Torah specify the exact number of years Avraham lived?
A: The Torah specifies Avraham's lifespan to teach us about his righteousness. Rashi explains that the phrase 'which he lived' implies that all his years were lived meaningfully, filled with good deeds and service to Hashem. Even in his old age, he remained spiritually vibrant.
Q: What is significant about Avraham living 175 years?
A: The Midrash notes that Avraham was blessed with long life as a reward for his faithfulness. The number 175 can be broken down symbolically: 100 (representing maturity), 70 (wisdom), and 5 (the five books of Torah), showing his complete devotion to Torah values throughout his life.
Q: How does Avraham's lifespan compare to earlier generations in the Torah?
A: While earlier generations like Noach's descendants lived much longer (some over 900 years), Avraham's lifespan was shorter but more focused on spiritual purpose. Rambam teaches that as humanity matured, lifespans decreased but became more meaningful, with Avraham setting the example of quality over quantity in serving Hashem.
Q: What lesson can we learn from how the Torah describes Avraham's death?
A: The Talmud (Bava Batra 16b) learns from this verse that true tzaddikim (righteous people) are considered 'alive' even after death because their influence continues. Avraham's years are counted to show that his legacy - monotheism and kindness - lives on through his descendants and teachings.
Q: Why does the verse say 'days of the years' instead of just 'years'?
A: The unusual phrasing teaches that Avraham made each day count within his years. The Sforno explains that this emphasizes how he utilized every moment for spiritual growth and kindness. This reminds us to value each day's potential for mitzvot and personal development.