“Abraham was old [zaken].” Zaken – this one acquired [zeh kana] two worlds.16He enjoyed both worlds – possessing great wealth and a ripe old age in this world, and the ultimate reward in the World to Come. There were three people who were crowned with old age and length of days, and the three of them were originators of dynasties: Abraham, Joshua,17See Joshua 13:1. and David.18See I Kings 1:1. Abraham was the originator of the patriarchs.
Joshua was the originator of the monarchy of the tribe of Ephraim, as it is stated: “From Ephraim came those whose roots are in Amalek” (Judges 5:14) – this refers to Joshua.19Joshua was the first to wage war against Amalek (Exodus 17:9). David was the originator of the monarchy of the tribe of Judah. Rabbi Aḥa said: You may meet a person who appears old, but does not [actually] have [length of] days,20This refers to someone who grays prematurely; he appears aged, although he is young. or one who has [length of] days but does not appear old.
But here, [regarding Abraham,] the elderly appearance corresponded to the [length of] days, and the [length of] days corresponded to the elderly appearance. “Advanced in years [ba bayamim]” – he gained entry [ba] into two worlds.21This is derived from the syllables ba ba, which could be interpreted as “he entered, he entered.” Rabbi Abba said: He entered [ba] through the direct gate to the World to Come.22Bayamim is taken as a reference to one’s truly significant days [yamim], that is, in the World to Come.
Abraham, in his great righteousness, gained entry [ba] to that world directly, without reservation. Rabbi Yitzḥak said: [Abraham had entered [ba]] those days in whose regard it is written: “Before the bad days come” (Ecclesiastes 12:1).23That verse refers to old age, when man’s senses and physical strength begin to fail him. Although chronologically Abraham reached this age, the verse goes on to say: “And the Lord blessed Abraham with everything.” He was miraculously spared the ravages of old age.