And Abraham was old, and advanced in age: and the Lord had blessed Abraham in all things. Genesis 24:1:
In the English translation it seems like God is just emphasizing Abraham’s advanced age by repeating Himself. But in fact, there are two different words used here with different purposes.
Zaqen translates literally as old, aged or elder. It is a chronological statement about his age and merely affirms his continued existence.
The second word, or actually a phrase, is ba bayyamim, literally translated as “come into days” It is an idiom that some translations say advanced in days or stricken in age. Since we live in our days, hour by hour, Jewish thought associates it with living a full and fulfilled life daily - with a hint that he is still in this state. It does not mean that the number of our days is full, but the character of our days has a fullness. Those who are ba bayyamim have the treasure of accumulated wisdom and the satisfaction of purpose.
As we increase in years, we all acquire zaqen. But it takes intention and effort to reach ba bayyamim. Are we just existing, or are we making every day count? If we are alive, then we have a purpose to pursue. We are not meant to merely exist. It is not about how old we are but rather how we are old.
I know those who are ba bayyamim. They may walk a little slower, nap a little more and even take extra time to recall things. But their spirit overflows with the fullness of their days as they have walked with God. As I gather more years myself, I want to live in such a way that I accumulate a fullness of days, not in number but in quality, walking in the blessings of God. Let me not just be zaqen but ba bayyamim.
Knowledge teaches you how to read a clock. Wisdom teaches you how to spend the time.
