Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary Verse 1. Isaac was old] It is conjectured, on good grounds, that Isaac was now about one hundred and seventeen years of age, and Jacob about fifty-seven; though the commonly received opinion makes Isaac one hundred and thirty-seven, and Jacob seventy-seven; but See note on ""chap. xxxi. 55"", &c.
And his eyes were dim] This was probably the effect of that affliction, of what kind we know not, under which Isaac now laboured; and from which, as well as from the affliction, he probably recovered, as it is certain he lived forty if not forty-three years after this time, for he lived till the return of Jacob from Padan-aram; chap. xxxv. 27-29.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-5 - The promises of the Messiah, and of the land of Canaan, had come dow to Isaac. Isaac being now about 135 years of age, and his sons abou 75, and not duly considering the Divine word concerning his two sons that the elder should serve the younger, resolved to put all the honou and power that were in the promise, upon Esau his eldest son. We ar very apt to take measures rather from our own reason than from Divin revelation, and thereby often miss our way.
Original Hebrew ויהי1961 כי3588 זקן2204 יצחק3327 ותכהין3543 עיניו5869 מראת7200 ויקרא7121 את853 עשׂו6215 בנו1121 הגדל1419 ויאמר559 אליו413 בני1121 ויאמר559 אליו413 הנני׃2009
