Who was Methuselah in the Bible?

TL;DR:

Methuselah was a righteous man who lived the longest life in the Bible. Methuselah's life calls us to live righteously.

Methuselah, the son of Enoch, is known for his remarkable longevity, living for 969 years. He was a key figure in the righteous lineage from Seth to Noah. Methuselah found favor with God amidst a corrupt world. Methuselah's life overlapped with significant biblical events, such as the construction of the ark, making him a witness to divine judgment and salvation. His story serves as a reminder of the importance of living righteously and faithfully, even when no one else is and sin abounds. Methuselah's lineage is linked to Jesus Christ, pointing to the ultimate salvation brought by God and the righteousness that can be ours in Him.

from the old testament

Methuselah was the son of Enoch, and his story can be found in Genesis 5.
Enoch was notable for being a righteous man who walked with God. He did not die but was taken directly into heaven by God: "And [in reverent fear and obedience] Enoch walked with God; and he was not [found among men], because God took him [away to be home with Him]" (Genesis 5:24, AMP). When Enoch was 65, his son, Methuselah, was born.
Methuselah is primarily known for being the longest living person in recorded human history—Genesis 5:27 records that he lived 969 years.
Methuselah was the grandfather of Noah, the builder of the ark; his son, Lamech, was Noah's father (Genesis 5:26–29). Both Lamech and Methuselah were still alive while Noah was building the ark. They may have even helped build it, but neither of them was still alive when the flood came. Based on Genesis 5:30, Lamech died about five years prior to the flood. Based on Genesis 5:25, 28, and 7:6, Methuselah apparently died within no more than a year of the flood.
Methuselah's ancestor was Seth, the son of Adam and Eve, who seems to be the progenitor of a line of righteousness. This lineage continued through to Noah. Noah was a righteous man, and he found favor in God's sight. The Bible seems to state there were no other righteous people left on the earth, aside from Noah and his family, at the time of the flood (Genesis 6:8–9, 12; 7:1). Noah's great-grandfather, Enoch, was righteous, and it seems his legacy of following God was passed to his son, Methuselah, grandson, Lamech, and great-grandson, Noah. God rescued Noah from His judgment during the time of the flood and re-populated the earth through Noah and his family. God ultimately brought salvation to the world through Jesus, who was born from this same godly lineage that started all the way back with Adam and Eve's son, Seth. As the longest living person, Methuselah was an integral member of this righteous heritage.

from the new testament

Methuselah is mentioned in Jesus's genealogy in Luke 3:37.

implications for today

Just as Enoch, Methuselah, and Noah upheld righteousness in their generations, we are reminded of the importance of walking faithfully with God amidst the challenges of our time. Methuselah's extraordinary lifespan underscores the enduring impact of righteous living, serving as an example for us to follow. Like Methuselah, we are called to be faithful stewards of our time, using our lives to honor God and positively influence those around us. Titus 2:11–13 reflects this truth, as it says: "For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ." As mentioned in Jesus's genealogy, Methuselah's lineage is connected to the ultimate salvation brought by Jesus Christ. In a world often marked by turmoil and uncertainty, Methuselah's story inspires us to live with integrity, trusting in God's faithfulness and the hope of eternal salvation through Christ.

understand

Methuselah lived for 969 years, the longest in recorded human history.
Methuselah had a righteous line, coming from the line of Seth and going to Noah, the righteous man who was saved by obeying God and building an ark.
Methuselah's life spanned significant biblical events, serving as a link between generations and witnessing divine judgment and salvation.

reflect

How does Methuselah's remarkable lifespan remind you of the brevity of life and the importance of living with purpose?
How can Methuselah's example of righteousness amidst a corrupt world inspire you to live faithfully in your own context?
Reflecting on Methuselah's lineage and connection to Jesus Christ, how does his story deepen your understanding of God's redemptive plan throughout history?

engage

How can our faith impact the faith of those around us?
In what ways can Methuselah's lineage, from Seth to Noah, inform our understanding of the importance of generational legacy and passing down faith to future generations?
How does Methuselah’s inclusion in the lineage of Christ connect the Old and New Testaments and emphasize the continuity of God's redemptive plan?