The oldest person mentioned in the Bible.
Methuselah
Named in 7 verses across 3 books, first in Genesis 5:21.
מְתוּשֶׁ֫לַחMethuselah
ΜαθουσάλαMethuselah
About Methuselah Written by AI
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 (Genesis 5:27). Methuselah's father, Enoch, walked with God and was taken by Him at the age of 365 (Genesis 5:21 to 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 (1 Chronicles 1:3) and Luke (Luke 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.
Drafted by an AI model for STEPBible's TIPNR (Tyndale House Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). Check it against the verses below.
Easton's Bible Dictionary, 1897
Man of the dart, the son of Enoch, and grandfather of Noah. He was the oldest man of whom we have any record, dying at the age of nine hundred and sixty-nine years, in the year of the Flood (Gen. 5:21-27; 1 Chr. 1:3).
M. G. Easton, Illustrated Bible Dictionary, third edition (1897), public domain, from CrossWire. Shown as written; its Scripture quotes are from older translations.
Where the Bible names him
- Genesis 5:21
When Enoch was 65 years old, he became the father of Methuselah.
- Genesis 5:22
And after he had become the father of Methuselah, Enoch walked with God 300 years and had other sons and daughters.
- Genesis 5:25
When Methuselah was 187 years old, he became the father of Lamech.
- Genesis 5:26
And after he had become the father of Lamech, Methuselah lived 782 years and had other sons and daughters.
- Genesis 5:27
So Methuselah lived a total of 969 years, and then he died.
- 1 Chronicles 1:3
Enoch, Methuselah, Lamech, Noah.
- Luke 3:37
the son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch, the son of Jared, the son of Mahalalel, the son of Cainan,
From STEPBible's TIPNR, Tyndale House Cambridge (CC BY 4.0): names, family, references and the AI written article. Verse text is the BSB.