Methuselah was a patriarch from the Book of Genesis, best known for living 969 years—the longest lifespan recorded in the Bible (Genesis 5:27). He was the son of Enoch, father of Lamech, and grandfather of Noah. His life spanned from the antediluvian world to the year of the Great Flood, symbolizing God’s long-suffering patience before judgment.
Have you ever wondered who holds the record for the longest life in the Bible (and why it matters)? Meet Methuselah, a man whose 969-year lifespan has fascinated believers and scholars for centuries. Though his story is brief in Scripture, his presence in the biblical timeline carries deep symbolic and spiritual weight. In this article, we’ll explore:
Who Methuselah was, including his family ties to Enoch and Noah.
Where he’s mentioned in the Bible, and why those brief appearances are significant.
The spiritual significance of his life and how it may reflect God’s mercy and timing.
Here’s what you need to know about this mysterious, long-lived patriarch and the legacy he left behind.
Who was Methuselah?
Methuselah is the oldest person mentioned in the Bible. He lived to be 969 years old (Genesis 5:27), making him the longest-living human on record. Genesis 5 places Methuselah in the direct line from Adam to Noah—a family line marked not just by long lives but also by faithfulness to God.
Methuselah was the son of Enoch, a man praised for his walk with God. In fact, Enoch is one of only two people in Scripture who did not experience death; instead, he was taken by God (Genesis 5:24). Enoch became Methuselah’s father at the age of 65 and lived another 300 years before God took him.
Methuselah continued that lineage of faithfulness. He became the father of Lamech, who would later become the father of Noah (Genesis 5:25–29). When Noah was born, Methuselah was already 369 years old. And remarkably, Methuselah lived until the very year of the great flood, dying when Noah was 600 years old (Genesis 9:28–29).
Though Methuselah is not described in detail, the family line he belonged to tells us something important. His father, Enoch, “walked with God.” His grandson, Noah, was called righteous in his generation. It’s reasonable to also assume that Methuselah feared God and lived in light of His promises and coming judgment. That legacy may have influenced Noah’s obedience and preparation for the ark. While we don’t know if Methuselah or Lamech helped in building the ark, it’s not hard to imagine that Noah had support and encouragement from his faithful family.
Methuselah appears only briefly in the Bible, primarily in genealogies found in Genesis 5, 1 Chronicles 1:3, and Luke 3:37. Yet even these brief mentions show his critical role in the early human story. His extraordinary age has led to centuries of debate: Was it literal? Symbolic? A cultural way of expressing a distant past? Some scholars have offered theories ranging from calendar misunderstandings to ancient literary symbolism, but Scripture simply records his 969 years as fact.
What is clear is that Methuselah lived in a time of great wickedness, yet he was part of a godly line through which God would continue His redemptive plan. He connects Adam to Noah and ultimately to Jesus through the genealogy found in Luke’s Gospel. Though we may not live as long as Methuselah, his life reminds us that every generation plays a part in God's greater story—and that those who walk with Him leave a legacy that echoes far beyond their years.
Lamech (Methuselah’s son) – 777 years (Genesis 5:31)
Noah (Methuselah’s grandson) – 950 years (Genesis 9:29)
Lifespans of Methuselah's Family Vs Other Key Biblical Figures
This chart compares the lifespans of Methuselah’s family line and other key biblical figures, highlighting the dramatic decline in human longevity over time.
What Does the Expression “Old as Methuselah” Mean?
The phrase “old as Methuselah” is a well-known idiom that means someone or something is extremely old. It comes straight from the Bible, where Methuselah is recorded as having lived 969 years, the longest lifespan of any human mentioned in Scripture. Over time, Methuselah’s name became synonymous with great age. Whether used seriously or humorously, the expression has become part of everyday language. You might hear someone jokingly refer to an outdated computer, an old piece of furniture, or even an elderly person by saying, “It’s as old as Methuselah!”
Where is Methuselah found in the Bible?
References to Methuselah found are in:
Genesis 5:21-22 “When Enoch had lived 65 years, he became the father of Methuselah. After he became the father of Methuselah, Enoch walked faithfully with God 300 years and had other sons and daughters.”
Genesis 5:25-27 “When Methuselah had lived 187 years, he became the father of Lamech. After he became the father of Lamech, Methuselah lived 782 years and had other sons and daughters. Altogether, Methuselah lived a total of 969 years, and then he died.”
1 Chronicles 1:1-4 “Adam, Seth, Enosh, 2 Kenan, Mahalalel, Jared, 3 Enoch, Methuselah, Lamech, Noah. 4 The sons of Noah: Shem, Ham and Japheth.”
Luke 3:37 “the son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch, the son of Jared, the son of Mahalalel, the son of Kenan.”
FAQs about Methuselah
What Does the Name Methuselah Mean?
The name Methuselah has sparked curiosity for generations, not just because of his long life, but because of what his name might reveal. While some have interpreted it to mean “When he dies, it shall be sent,” suggesting a prophetic link to the coming flood, Hebrew language scholars offer a more grounded explanation. According to Ancient-Hebrew.org, Methuselah’s name is made up of two Hebrew parts. The first, “Metu,” comes from a word meaning “man” or “mortal.” The second, “Shelach,” can mean “to send” or refer to a weapon, like a dart or javelin. Put together, the name likely means “Man of the Dart” or “Man of the Weapon.”
Was Methuselah the Oldest Person in the Bible?
Yes. Methuselah holds the record for the longest lifespan in all of Scripture. According to Genesis 5:27, he lived 969 years, making him the oldest human ever mentioned in the Bible. His extraordinary age has made his name synonymous with longevity.
Did Methuselah Die the Same Year as the Flood?
According to the biblical timeline, yes. Methuselah died in the same year that the great flood began (Genesis 7). Some Bible teachers have even speculated that he passed away just days before the rain started, possibly during the seven-day window God gave Noah before the floodwaters came (Genesis 7:1, 10). While this idea isn’t confirmed directly in Scripture, it adds depth to Methuselah’s story and his place in God’s plan.
Is There a Tree Named After Methuselah?
The Methuselah tree is a bristlecone pine located in California’s White Mountains and is one of the oldest living trees on earth, estimated to be over 4,800 years old. It was named after the biblical patriarch because of its incredible age. Just like the man it’s named after, the tree has come to symbolize endurance and longevity.
Highlights from Methuselah’s Story
Though Methuselah’s name appears only briefly in the Bible, his life continues to spark curiosity and reflection thousands of years later. He lived during a time when lifespans were long, wickedness was growing, and God’s redemptive plan was quietly unfolding through a faithful family line. As the grandfather of Noah and the son of Enoch, two men who walked closely with God, Methuselah stood at a pivotal place in biblical history. Whether as a symbol of longevity, a possible prophetic sign, or simply a man who lived a quiet life of faith, Methuselah reminds us that no life, however briefly mentioned, is without meaning in God’s greater story.
He was the son of Enoch, who “walked with God” and was taken to heaven without dying.
He was the grandfather of Noah, placing him in the direct family line that carried God’s plan through the flood.
The meaning of his name is most likely “Man of the Dart” or “Man of the Weapon,” though some interpret it prophetically as “When he dies, it shall be sent.”
He died in the same year as the flood, which some believe may not have been a coincidence (Genesis 7).
