The oldest man in the Bible was a man named Methuselah, who lived to be 969 years old (Genesis 5:27). He was one of nine men listed in Genesis 5 who lived very long lives. The others are: Adam (the first man), who lived 930 years (Genesis 5:5); Seth (912 years; Genesis 5:8); Enosh (905 years; Genesis 5:11); Kenan (910 years; Genesis 5:14); Mahalalel (895 years; Genesis 5:17); Jared (962 years; Genesis 5:20); Enoch (365 years; Genesis 5:22–24), who was also one of two men in the Bible who was taken to heaven without having to pass through death first (the other was Elijah; 2 Kings 2:11); and Lamech (777 years; Genesis 5:21). Noah lived 950 years (Genesis 9:29).
Methuselah was the son of Enoch, the man who God took. Methuselah was also Noah's grandfather. Lamech was Noah's father. Methuselah's age was astonishing, but extra-Biblical historical sources indicate that Methuselah's age was also significant because of a revelation from God given to Enoch, which we find hidden in Methuselah's name. The name has a dual meaning. It can mean "man of the spear" and it can mean "his death shall bring." It is believed that Enoch received a revelation from God that Methuselah's death would bring a great flood.
The biblical math fits. When Lamech was born, Methuselah was 187 years old (Genesis 5:25). When Noah was born, Lamech was 182 years old (Genesis 5:28). And when the Great Flood occurred, Noah was 600 years old (Genesis 7:6). 187+182+600=969. This means that Methuselah died in the same year that the flood occurred.
We do not know very much about Methuselah. We do know Methuselah was a descendant of Adam, and part of a righteous bloodline which was obedient to God during a wicked time in man's history (Genesis 6). He lived for 969 years and evidently died the same year the Flood occurred. Likely he was a godly man to have been blessed with such a long life.
Copyright 2011-2024 Got Questions Ministries - All Rights Reserved.
