LIFE-SPAN
A long duration of existence or “length of days” is a satisfying gift from Jehovah the Source of life. (Ps. 91:16; 36:9) He originally purposed that man should enjoy a never-ending life-span. However, Adam forfeited the opportunity to “live to time indefinite” because of disobedience, and as a result our days are “like a shadow.” (Gen. 2:9, 17; 3:22; 1 Chron. 29:15) Between these two extremes the Bible records life-spans far greater than those of humans today. Some of the pre-Flood patriarchs listed in the following chart possessed life-spans approaching a thousand years, the longest being that of Methuselah, who lived for 969 years.—Gen. 5:27.
Some have theorized that the year in those times was just a month long. But there is no Scriptural basis for this view. Had the years been thirty-day months, this would mean that Enosh would have become a father before he was eight years old, and others, such as Kenan, Mahalalel, Jared and Enoch, before they were six years of age. (Gen. 5:12, 15, 18, 21) A comparison of Genesis 7:11 with Genesis 8:3, 4 shows that one hundred and fifty days of the total of a year and ten days that Noah and his family were in the ark amounted to five months. The fact that the Bible also mentions the tenth month, and, subsequently, one forty-day and two seven-day time periods, as passing during this year indicates it to have been a twelve-month year (of thirty days to a month).—Gen. 8:5, 6, 10, 12-14.
It is only reasonable that the generations closer to man’s original perfection would enjoy greater longevity than those farther removed from it, more time being required for their bodies to age and eventually die. After the Flood, the life-span of man dropped suddenly. Then a more gradual decline appears to have set in and, by the time of Moses, seventy years was considered to be the average life-span. (Ps. 90:10) Despite improved economic, medical and sanitary conditions, today the life-span is still about the same.
Whereas man continues to be “short-lived” and is likened to “a mist appearing for a little while and then disappearing” (Job 14:1; Jas. 4:14), the Bible holds forth promise of extended life expectancy. Said Jehovah through Isaiah: “Like the days of a tree will the days of my people be.” (Isa. 65:22) Concerning one variety of trees, the sequoia trees, it has been noted that, were it not for lightning, fire and storm, some of them might live for 10,000 years.
Even the present life-span of man can be lengthened somewhat through obedience to God’s laws and commandments, for this results in “length of days and years of life.” Also, those possessing practical wisdom from God are blessed with “length of days,” pleasantness and peace. Such wisdom is fittingly called a “tree of life.” (Prov. 3:1, 2, 13, 16-18) Godly wisdom will place one in the “path of righteousness.” (Prov. 12:28) And a person who “would love life and see good days” is admonished to “turn away from what is bad and do what is good.”—1 Pet. 3:10, 11; Ps. 34:12-14; 37:27.
Jesus Christ taught his disciples not to be unduly concerned about material things and asked: “Who of you by being anxious can add one cubit to his life span?” However, Christ showed that by “seeking first the kingdom and [God’s] righteousness” they would receive the needed material things. (Matt. 6:25, 27, 33; Luke 12:25, 26, 31) By placing spiritual matters first in life and by continually taking in knowledge of Jehovah God and his Son Christ Jesus, they would be in a favorable position to receive an unending future life-span, “everlasting life.”—John 17:3.
[Chart on page 1066]
Life-Spans of the Patriarchs
NAME GENESIS LIFE-SPAN
Adam 5:5 930
Seth 5:8 912
Enosh 5:11 905
Kenan 5:14 910
Mahalalel 5:17 895
Jared 5:20 962
Enoch 5:23 365
Methuselah 5:27 969
Lamech 5:31 777
Noah 9:29 950
Shem 11:10, 11 600
Arpachshad 11:12, 13 438
Shelah 11:14, 15 433
Eber 11:16, 17 464
Peleg 11:18, 19 239
Reu 11:20, 21 239
Serug 11:22, 23 230
Nahor 11:24, 25 148
Terah 11:32 205
Abraham 25:7 175