Adam Lived to Be 900? Maybe, but Our Shorter Life Spans Tell Us More Than We Might Like to Admit

Archdiocese of Washington ^ | 06-09-16 | Msgr. Charles Pope

[Salvation]

Adam Lived to Be 900? Maybe, but Our Shorter Life Spans Tell Us More Than We Might Like to Admit

Msgr. Charles Pope • June 9, 2016 •

I sometimes get questions about the remarkably long lives of the patriarchs who lived before the great flood. Consider some of their reported ages when they died:

• Adam 930
• Seth 912
• Enosh 905
• Jared 962
• Methuselah 969
• Noah 600
• Shem 600
• Eber 464
• Abraham 175
• Moses 120
• David 70

How should we understand these references? There are many theories that have tried to explain the claimed longevity. Some propose a mathematical corrective, but this leads to other inconsistencies such as certain patriarchs apparently begetting children while still children themselves. Another theory is that the ages of the patriarchs are actually just indications of their influence or family line, but then things don’t add up chronologically when considering eras and family trees.

Personally, I think we need to take the stated ages of the patriarchs at face value and just accept it as a mystery: for some reason the ancient patriarchs lived far longer we do today. I cannot prove that the patriarchs actually lived that long, but neither is there strong evidence that they did not. Frankly, I have little stake in insisting that they did in fact live that long. I think it is best just to accept that they did.

Many scoff when I articulate this solution. They almost seem to be offended. The reply usually sounds something like this: “That’s crazy. There’s no way they lived that long. The texts must be wrong.” To which I generally reply, “Why do you think it’s crazy or impossible?” The answers usually range from the glib to the more serious, but here are some common ones:

1. They didn’t know how to tell time the way we do today. Actually, they were pretty good at keeping time, in some ways better than we are today. The ancients were keen observers of the Sun, the Moon, and the stars. They had to be, otherwise they would have starved. It was crucial to know when to plant, when to harvest, and when to hunt (e.g., by the migratory and/or hibernation patterns of animals through the seasons). The ancients may not have had timepieces that were accurate to the minute, but they were much more in sync with the rhythms of the cosmos than most of us are. They certainly knew what a day, month, and year were by the cycles of the Sun, the Moon, and the stars.
2. They couldn’t have lived that long because they didn’t have the medicines we do today. Perhaps, but it is also possible that they didn’t have the diseases we do. Perhaps they ate and lived in healthier ways than we do. Perhaps the gene pool later became corrupted in a way that it was not back then. There are just a lot of things we cannot possibly know. The claim about our advanced technology (medicine) also shows the modern tendency to think that no one in the world has ever been smarter or healthier than we are. We surely do have advanced technologies today, but we also have things that potentially make us more susceptible to disease: stress, anxiety, overly rich diets, pollutants, promiscuity, drug use, and hormonal contraceptives. There are many ways in which we live out of sync with the natural world.
3. Those long years just symbolize wisdom or influence. OK, fine, but what is the scale? Does Adam living to the age of 930 mean that he attained great wisdom? But wait, David wasn’t any slouch and he only made it to 70. And if Seth was so influential (living to 912) where are the books recording his influence such as we have for Moses, who lived to be only 120. In other words, we can’t just propose a nebulous scale indicating influence or wisdom without some further definition of what the numbers actually mean.
4. Sorry, people just don’t live that long. Well, today they don’t. But why is something automatically assumed to be false simply because it doesn’t comport with lived experience today? It is not physically impossible in an absolute sense for a human being to live for hundreds of years. Most humans today die before the age of 100, but some live longer. Certain closely related mammals like dogs and cats live only 15 to 20 years. Why is there such a large difference in life expectancy between humans and other similar animals? There is obviously some mysterious clock that winds down more quickly for some animals than for others. So there is a mystery to the varying longevities of living things, even those that are closely related. Perhaps the ancients had what amounts to preternatural gifts. (A preternatural gift is one that is not supernatural (i.e., completely above and beyond our nature or ability) but rather builds on our nature and extends its capabilities beyond what is normally or currently experienced.)

So I think we’re back to where we started: just accepting the long life spans of the early patriarchs at face value.

There is perhaps a theological truth hidden in the shrinking lifespans over the course of time in the Old Testament. Scripture links sin and death. The day they ate of the forbidden fruit of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, Adam and Eve were warned that they would die (Gen 2:17). Yet they did not drop dead immediately. And although they died spiritually in an instant, the clock of death for their bodies wound down much later. As can be seen in the list of lifespans of the patriarchs (see above), as sin increased, lifespans dropped precipitously, especially after the flood.

Prior to the flood, lifespans remained in the vicinity of 900 years. Immediately afterward, they dropped by about a third (Noah and Shem only lived to be 600), and from there the numbers plummeted even further. Neither Abraham nor Moses even reached the age of 200, and by the time of King David, he would write, Our years are seventy, or eighty for those who are strong (Ps 90:10).

Scripture says, For the wages of sin is death (Rom 6:23). Indeed they are, especially in terms of lifespan. Perhaps that’s why I’m not too anxious to try to disprove the long lifespans of the patriarchs. What we know theologically is borne out in our human experience: sin is life-destroying. And this truth is surely writ large in the declining lifespan of the human family.

Does this prove that Adam actually lived to be more than 900 years old? No. It only shows that declining lifespans are something we fittingly discover in a world of sin. Since God teaches that sin brings death, why should we be shocked that our lifespan has decreased from 900 to 85 years? It is what it is. It’s a sad truth that God warned us about. Thanks be to God our Father, who in Jesus now offers us eternal life if we will have faith and obey His Son!

How or even whether the patriarchs lived to be more than 900 years old is not clear. But what is theologically clear is that we don’t live that long today because of the collective effect of sin upon us.

[HangUpNow]

The belief in the divinity of Jesus would be regarded as Idolatry.

Naturally, since followers of Judaism obviously don't believe Jesus Christ is the Messiah. Especially since they disbelieve Jewish prophecy has been fulfilled.

I guess we'll all discover THE Truth soon enough.

[HangUpNow]

It’s not the exact number that matters; I mean, if it was 897 instead of 900, would that crush your faith? If it turned out that really WAS 897 and 900 would your belief in the enternal truths and guidance in the Bible be diminished?

My guess for answers for both is “no”.

There ya go.

[HangUpNow]

I appreciate your efforts and faith....

My Brother/Sister, we could literally exchange posts regarding the Bible for years. We all learn from each other. My problem is that my playfulness and sarcasm escapes out of my brain too often ;-)

The risks of these types of threads are difficult at times in that often context is lost during exchanges, and if not clarified fairly soon, patching it back together becomes rather tedious and perhaps more misunderstandings arise -- even petty ones. People sometimes get overly defensive.

I know this -- that I concurred with most of your content; God will NOT be mocked.

Some of Scripture is obviously open to interpretation and examination. That said, I believe EVERY WORD is The Truth. From Genesis onward. We cannot hope to understand every reason and purpose of an Infinite Almighty. We should continue to pray that the Holy Spirit continues to guide us in His Name in increasing our faith and sharing a fellowship with our brethren and others who hunger for The Truth.

[trebb]

Some of Scripture is obviously open to interpretation and examination. That said, I believe EVERY WORD is The Truth. From Genesis onward. We cannot hope to understand every reason and purpose of an Infinite Almighty. We should continue to pray that the Holy Spirit continues to guide us in His Name in increasing our faith and sharing a fellowship with our brethren and others who hunger for The Truth.

Amen and Amen!

[Graybeard58]

Judaism means that Jews follow the 613 commandments and Gentiles follow the Seven Laws of Noah or the Noachide laws

I'm not trying to be contentious, just sincerely want to know:

Are there negative or long term consequences for disobeying or even ignoring one or more of the 613 of these laws?

I just looked up the 613 laws, I read many but not all of them but don't understand how any human could keep all of them.

The 7 laws to be a righteous gentile are much easier to keep, so are there different rewards or punishments for being a righteous gentile or a law keeping Jew?

Thanks in advance for any enlightenment you may give for my ignorance.

[Borges]

ZC could probably answer this question better than I. I believe that it’s not possible to keep all 613 till after the Messiah comes and the Temple is rebuilt.

[GGpaX4DumpedTea]

I read somewhere, that there was a higher level of oxygen before the flood that would have contributed to longer lifespans.

There is some evidence that there was an ice canopy covering the earth, some distance up. The theory is that this ice canopy was shattered by a 'fly-by' such as an asteroid. As the ice fell it melted and produced the rain that was responsible for the flood. The canopy would explain the higher oxygen content, maybe exceeding 30%. the air trapped in pieces of amber has been analyzed and found to be in this range.

[jjotto]

A person (Jew or non-Jew) anguishes his soul when he fails to follow God’s laws. A soul contaminated by sin in this life will need a cleansing and rectification before moving on in the next life. This cleansing is sometimes seen by our egos in this life as punishment.

One good starting point is

http://www.chabad.org/kabbalah/article_cdo/aid/380332/jewish/The-Mitzvot-of-Non-Jews.htm

[HangUpNow]

Backatcha, brutha!

[castlegreyskull]

I never heard that one. Makes sense to me.

That is the problem with non-believers, they cannot imagine the World and its atmosphere different than it is now. They will say something like, we only live to about 100 years old at the most, but the Bible says people lived 900 years, therefore it is fake.

[HangUpNow]

I just looked up the 613 laws, I read many but not all of them but don't understand how any human could keep all of them.

No human can. If they can they aren't human (HINT).

Apparently a just God is also going to ding you for spelling His name, "G-O-D" instead of "G_D" as the Pharisees nudge Him.

The 7 laws to be a righteous gentile are much easier to keep, so are there different rewards or punishments for being a righteous gentile or a law keeping Jew?

Did Moses miscount the Ten Commandments?

And Number 11:

"A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another."~ John 13:34

[GGpaX4DumpedTea]

It did not rain for some 1600 years, the Flood was the first time it rained. Dew and/or water coming out of the ground kept vegetation growing.

The high oxygen content was very healing. I believe the atmospheric pressure was much higher too, maybe twice what it is now. The combination of higher oxygen content and higher atmospheric pressure is the basis for wound healing using a hyperbaric chamber.

The original creation was designed to provide an environment for Man to live forever. Sin changed that, but up to the time of the flood we had an environment conducive to long life.

[castlegreyskull]

It is all very amazing stuff. Sin is a destructive road. I have accepted that the world will get much worse; I don’t see how it will improve. On one hand traditionally Western countries are rejected Christ outright. On the other hand, Islam is on a rampage. Then the ones who reject all religion have increased in violence, sexual immorality, and deceit. We are labeled the enemy by our own government and by those who they are shipping in.

The end is near and God is in control.

Interesting, the same on how the atmosphere changed and caused the Flood, it would make sense on how final Judgement of the World would take place.

[jjotto]

Here’s what the Bible says about the ability to obey God’s commandments:

Deuteronomy 30:10 If thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to keep his commandments and his statutes which are written in this book of the law, and if thou turn unto the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul.

11 For this commandment which I command thee this day, it is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off.

12 It is not in heaven, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it?

13 Neither is it beyond the sea, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it?

14 But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it.

[rwa265]

Are there negative or long term consequences for disobeying or even ignoring one or more of the 613 of these laws?

---

Paul addresses this question in his letter to the Galatians:

We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid. For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

Galatians 2:15-21

[Graybeard58]

I am sincerely trying to learn more about Judaism. I am a Christian and am well aware of what we believe. Thanks for the post.

[Graybeard58]

I very recently finished rereading Deuteronomy, the verses you quoted are beautiful, among my favorites.

Another was from Joshua, when his death was imminent. He was exhorting people to choose God and not choose to worship the idols of the land they had recently defeated and he said, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord”.

[rwa265]

Thanks for clarifying. I realized after posting that I misunderstood your question. I am also interested in learning more about the Jewish faith and found some good information at the link below. A bullet item in their mission statement is to provide educational material on Jewish history and culture.

http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/about/index.shtml