As a kid, when describing an elder, we’d sometimes say they were “old like Methuselah.”
Methuselah famously lived longer than any other human, according to the first few chapters in Genesis. Yet he only beat out others by a few years. Before the flood, people lived for hundreds of years. This seems like a fantasy or myth to us today, especially when local TV stations celebrate when someone reaches a century. Even after God covered the world with water, the Bible records other men with ages over 100.
The Bible gives reasons and a structure as to why people lived so long before and after the great flood.
Starting with Adam, the first man, the Bible records that he lived for 930 years (Genesis 5:5). Adam's long life set a precedent for his descendants. His son Seth lived for 912 years (Genesis 5:8). Enosh, Seth's son, lived for 905 years (Genesis 5:11). These prolonged lifespans continued through the generations, with Kenan living 910 years (Genesis 5:14), and Mahalalel living 895 years (Genesis 5:17).
Jared, the father of Enoch, lived 962 years (Genesis 5:20). Enoch is unique because he did not die; instead, “he was no more, because God took him away” after living 365 years (Genesis 5:23-24). This marks Enoch as a special figure who walked faithfully with God. Enoch's son, Methuselah, is known as the longest-lived human, reaching 969 years (Genesis 5:27).
Lamech, Methuselah's son and Noah's father, lived 777 years (Genesis 5:31). Noah, who is central to the Flood narrative, lived 950 years (Genesis 9:29). Noah’s lifespan bridges the antediluvian and postdiluvian (before and after the flood) worlds, marking a significant shift in human history.
After the Flood, lifespans began to shorten. Shem, one of Noah’s sons, lived 600 years (Genesis 11:10-11). Arphaxad, Shem’s son, lived 438 years (Genesis 11:12-13). Lifespans continued to decrease with each generation. Terah, Abraham’s father, lived 205 years (Genesis 11:32).
Abraham, originally named Abram, lived 175 years (Genesis 25:7). God called Abraham to leave his homeland and journey to Canaan, promising to make him the father of a great nation (Genesis 12:1-3). Abraham's life included significant events such as the birth of his son Isaac when Abraham was 100 years old (Genesis 21:5). Isaac, the child of promise, lived 180 years (Genesis 35:28).
Jacob, Isaac’s son and Abraham’s grandson, lived 147 years (Genesis 47:28). Jacob fathered twelve sons, who became the progenitors of Israel’s twelve tribes. God changed Jacob’s name to Israel after wrestling with God (Genesis 32:28), symbolizing his spiritual journey and the destiny of his descendants.
Scholars and scientists have proposed various theories to explain the long lifespans of people in the early chapters of Genesis. These theories range from theological interpretations to scientific hypotheses, each attempting to reconcile the biblical record with our understanding of human biology and history.
One prominent theological perspective suggests that the long lifespans reflect the ideal conditions of the pre-Flood world. According to this view, God created a perfect environment for humanity, free from the effects of sin and decay. The long lives of Adam and his descendants illustrate the initial state of human perfection. After the Fall, sin began to corrupt the world, leading to progressively shorter lifespans, as seen post-Flood. Since God created humanity to live forever, this perspective underscores the Fall’s consequences on creation and humanity’s relationship with God (Genesis 3).
Another theological explanation posits the ages are symbolic rather than literal, reflecting the importance and significance of the patriarchs rather than actual years lived. For example, the number seven often symbolizes completeness or perfection in the Bible, which could explain why Lamech lived 777 years (Genesis 5:31). Possibly, the lifespans highlight the patriarchs’ significance in God’s plan rather than serving as a historical record.
From a scientific perspective, one hypothesis is the possibility of a different atmospheric or environmental condition before the Flood. Some creationists propose that a water vapor canopy surrounded the Earth, creating a greenhouse effect that promoted longer life by protecting humanity from harmful radiation and providing a more stable climate. The Bible records how it had not rained until the Flood, water coming up from the ground in a mist, supporting the different environment theory (Genesis 2:5-6). Just as this environment could have allowed humans to live extended periods, it might also explain larger animals we see from ancient times.
Genetic theories also offer potential explanations. Some scientists suggest the initial human gene pool was relatively free from mutations and genetic disorders, allowing for longer lifespans. As time progressed and the gene pool became more diversified and contaminated with mutations, lifespans gradually decreased. This theory aligns with the concept of genetic entropy, which posits that the accumulation of genetic mutations over generations leads to a decline in overall health and lifespan.
Another scientific hypothesis considers the possibility of differing time measurements. If the ancient people used a different basis for calculating time, such as lunar months instead of solar years, the ages recorded in Genesis could reflect a shorter actual lifespan. However, this controversial theory lacks consensus among scholars.
Finally, some researchers propose the long lifespans could have served a literary function. The genealogies in Genesis link the patriarchs directly to creation, emphasizing their foundational role in human history. The extended ages may have been a narrative device to show humanity’s descent into sin and their need for God to intervene, which he does with the Flood, at Babel, and with Abraham.
With these interesting perspectives, it could have been a combination — changing ante to postdiluvian environments along with genetic entropy. At the same time, God reveals a deeper meaning on a literary level from Creation to today’s broken world.
The Bible gives one clear reason for shortened lifespans. In Genesis 6:3, God limited human life to 120 years. This decision came as a response to the increasing wickedness and corruption of humanity before the Flood. The Bible records, “Then the Lord said, ‘My Spirit will not contend with humans forever, for they are mortal; their days will be a hundred and twenty years.’” God’s declaration marks a significant turning point in the narrative, reflecting God’s judgment and a shift in his relationship with humanity.
It benefits us to look at this divine decree’s context. In Genesis 6:1-2, we read about the “sons of God” taking the “daughters of humans” as wives, which led to the birth of the Nephilim, a group of mighty and renowned individuals. Jewish and Christian scholars often interpret this union as a mingling that further corrupted human society. The extent of human depravity is described in Genesis 6:5: “The Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time.”
Faced with this pervasive wickedness, God expresses regret over creating humanity (Genesis 6:6). His decision to limit human lifespan to 120 years can be seen as part of his plan to curb the spread of evil. We can see the same reasoning when God places an angel with a flaming sword to protect the Garden of Eden, primarily to keep corrupted humanity from the Tree of Life and sinful people living forever (Genesis 3:24). By reducing the length of human life, God sought to limit the extent of human sinfulness and its impact on the world. The longer people lived, the more opportunity they had to sin and lead others astray. The shortened lifespan was a form of divine mercy, aimed at preventing further moral decay.
The 120-year limit also served as a period of grace before the Flood’s impending judgment. Scholars often interpret this period as the time during which Noah built the ark and preached repentance to a corrupt generation. Despite the long duration, humanity did not repent, leading to the catastrophic judgment of the Flood.
The limitation on human lifespan reflects a broader biblical theme of God’s judgment balanced with mercy. While God chose to judge humanity’s sinfulness, He also provided a prolonged opportunity for repentance. The reduction of lifespan was not merely punitive but also protective, aiming to reduce the accumulation of sin and its consequences.
The reduction to 120 years wasn’t immediate. After the Flood, we see a gradual decline in the recorded lifespans of biblical figures. Shem, Noah’s son, lived 600 years after the Flood, while Abraham lived 175 years a couple generations later. Moses himself lived 120 years, which aligns with the lifespan limit set by God (Deuteronomy 34:7).
Christians today can glean valuable lessons from the extended lifespans recorded in Genesis.
First, the lifespans in Genesis illustrate God’s initial design for human beings. When God created Adam and Eve, he placed them in the Garden of Eden, a paradise where they could live eternally (Genesis 2:8-9). The extended lifespans of early humans, such as Adam living 930 years (Genesis 5:5) and Methuselah living 969 years (Genesis 5:27), suggest that humanity was initially intended to enjoy a long and fulfilling life. The perfection of God’s creation included longevity or immortality, where humans were meant to live in close fellowship with him, reflecting his glory and enjoying his creation.
However, sin entered the world through Adam and Eve’s disobedience, bringing death and decay into human existence (Genesis 3:19). Despite this, God’s desire for humanity to live long and prosperously remained evident in both the Old and New Testaments.
In the Old Testament, God gives long life as a reward for righteous living. Proverbs 3:1-2 states, “My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity.” Similarly, in Deuteronomy 5:33, God promises that if his people follow his commands, they will live long in the land. These passages highlight the connection between living according to God’s will and receiving the blessing of longevity.
Moving to the New Testament, the focus shifts from merely long earthly life to the promise of eternal life through Jesus Christ. While the Bible still acknowledges the value of a long life on earth, as seen in Ephesians 6:2-3, where honoring one’s parents is linked to a long life, the greater emphasis is on the eternal inheritance we have in Christ. Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10), pointing to both abundant life now and eternal life hereafter.
The Apostle Paul elaborates on this promise in Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Through faith in Jesus, God assures us of an eternal existence with God, which may include a long earthly one. 1 John 2:25 further reinforces the promise of eternal life, “And this is what he promised us — eternal life.” In this, God returns humanity back to the immortality he originally desired for us through Christ.
Since Christ is our eternal life, let us cling to him and receive this promise we enjoy now on earth and in the full later after death.
Peace.
Britt Mooney lives and tells great stories. As an author of fiction and non-fiction, he is passionate about teaching ministries and nonprofits the power of storytelling to inspire and spread truth. Mooney has a podcast called Kingdom Over Coffee and is a published author of We Were Reborn for This: The Jesus Model for Living Heaven on Earth as well as Say Yes: How God-Sized Dreams Take Flight.
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