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The Ages of Patriarchs
Many of the ancient people in the Bible had long lives. Methuselah lived the longest life – 969 years. Then after the flood, the ages of people declined as seen in the following table:
| Patriarch | Age | Bible reference |
| Adam | 930 | Genesis 5:4 |
| Seth | 912 | Genesis 5:8 |
| Enosh | 905 | Genesis 5:11 |
| Cainan | 910 | Genesis 5:14 |
| Mahalalel | 895 | Genesis 5:17 |
| Jared | 962 | Genesis 5:20 |
| Enoch | 365 (translated) | Genesis 5:23 |
| Methuselah | 969 | Genesis 5:27 |
| Lamech | 777 | Genesis 5:31 |
| Noah | 950 | Genesis 9:29 |
| Shem | 600 | Genesis 11:10–11 |
| Arphaxad | 438 | Genesis 11:12–13 |
| Shelah | 433 | Genesis 11:14–15 |
| Eber | 464 | Genesis 11:16–17 |
| Peleg | 239 | Genesis 11:18–19 |
| Reu | 239 | Genesis 11:20–21 |
| Serug | 230 | Genesis 11:22–23 |
| Nahor | 148 | Genesis 11:24–25 |
| Terah | 205 | Genesis 11:32 |
| Abram (Abraham) | 175 | Genesis 25:7 |
| Isaac | 180 | Genesis 35:28–29 |
| Jacob (Israel) | 147 | Genesis 47:28 |
Longevity
Some secular critics have claimed that the incredible longevity of the antediluvians race was not real. Others have claimed that the Biblical records of the longevity doesn’t refer to people but to dynasties. But if we examine the facts, we will find that the longevity of the antediluvian race may be attributed to the following causes:
- The original strength that humans had at creation. “And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good” (Genesis 1:31).
- The outstanding effect of the fruit of the tree of life. “… The tree of life was also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil” (Genesis 2:9).
- Humanity had higher mental abilities and capabilities. “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them” (Genesis 1:27).
- The higher quality of food. “And out of the ground the Lord God made every tree grow that is pleasant to the sight and good for food…” (Genesis 2:9).
- The delaying of the punishment of sin and God’s promise to send the Redeemer to save humanity. “And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel” (Genesis 3:15).
- Man’s original diet was the vegetarian diet which enhanced longevity. “Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food” (Genesis 1:29,30). God allowed man to eat meat only after the flood (Genesis 9.1-5).
- Degeneration and sickness due to pollution were not rampant in the early stage of earth’s history as it exists in our day.
For these reasons, the arguments of the secular critics must be rejected because it clearly violate the Biblical facts which is a literal interpretation of the scriptures.
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
