47:9 an hundred and thirty years. Jacob died at 147 (Genesis 47:28), whereas Isaac had lived to 180, Abraham to 175, and Terah to 205. Their distant ancestor Shem lived to age 600. Life-spans were still declining after the traumatic changes of the great Flood and would continue to do so until about the time of Moses.

47:9 days of their pilgrimage. Jacob considered his life on earth to be merely a “pilgrimage,” like that of his fathers. Though not much is said about it, they evidently recognized their eternal home would be with God. “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth” (Hebrews 11:13).