Methuselah מְתוּשֶׁ֫לַח
The oldest person mentioned in the Bible.
Biography
Methuselah, the son of Enoch and the grandfather of Noah, is recognized as the oldest person mentioned in the Bible. He lived an astonishing 969 years (Gen.5.27). Methuselah's father, Enoch, walked with God and was taken by Him at the age of 365 (Gen.5.21-24). Methuselah's long life is seen as a symbol of God's patience and mercy in delaying the judgment of the flood until after his death. His name is mentioned in the genealogies of both Chronicles (1Ch.1.3) and Luke (Luk.3.37), emphasizing his importance in the lineage of the Messiah. Although little is known about Methuselah's personal life or character, his exceptional longevity stands as a testament to God's sovereignty and the reliability of His word.
Family
In Scripture
3 biblical books ; 2 with study contentGenesis 5 verses
- Genesis 5:21
"Enoch lived sixty-five years, then became the father of Methuselah."
Study Genesis → - Genesis 5:22
"After Methuselah’s birth, Enoch walked with God for three hundred years, and became the father of more sons and daughters."
Study Genesis → - Genesis 5:25
"Methuselah lived one hundred eighty-seven years, then became the father of Lamech."
Study Genesis → - Genesis 5:26
"Methuselah lived after he became the father of Lamech seven hundred eighty-two years, and became the father of other sons and daughters."
Study Genesis → - Genesis 5:27
"All the days of Methuselah were nine hundred sixty-nine years, then he died."
Study Genesis →
1 Chronicles 1 verse
- 1 Chronicles 1:3
"Enoch, Methuselah, Lamech,"
Luke 1 verse
- Luke 3:37
"the son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch, the son of Jared, the son of Mahalaleel, the son of Cainan,"
Study Luke →
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script | Strong's |
|---|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | מְתוּשֶׁ֫לַח | H4968 |
| Greek | Greek | Μαθουσάλα | G3103 |
Methuselah
; Lu 3:37). Methuselah is said to have lived 969 years; he is therefore the oldest of the patriarchs and the oldest man. It is doubtful whether these long years do not include the duration of a family or clan.
me-thu'-sha-el (methusha'el): A descendant of Cain, and father of Lamech in the Cainite genealogy (Ge 4:18). The meaning of the name is doubtful. Dillmann suggested "suppliant or