Lexical Summary Mathousala: Methuselah Original Word: Μαθουσαλά Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Mathusala. Of Hebrew origin (Mthuwshelach); Mathusala (i.e. Methushelach), an antediluvian -- Mathusala. see HEBREW Mthuwshelach Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3103: ΜαθουσαλάΜαθουσαλά, T WH Μαθουσαλά (cf. Tdf. Proleg., p. 103), ὁ (מְתוּשֶׁלַח, man of a dart, from מְתוּ, construct form of the unused מַת, a man, and שֶׁלַח a dart (cf. B. D. under the word)), Methuselah, the son of Enoch and grandfather of Noah (Genesis 5:21): Luke 3:37. Topical Lexicon Identity and Lineage Methuselah, rendered Μαθουσαλά in the Greek text of Luke, is a patriarch of the antediluvian era, seventh from Adam through the line of Seth. He is the son of Enoch and the grandfather of Noah (Genesis 5:21-29). His name appears once in the Greek New Testament, in Luke 3:37, within the legally recognized genealogy of Jesus Christ. Old Testament Narrative Genesis records Methuselah as a bridge between two towering figures: “When Enoch had lived 65 years, he became the father of Methuselah” (Genesis 5:21), and “After Noah was 500 years old, he became the father of Shem, Ham, and Japheth” (Genesis 5:32). This places Methuselah in the direct ancestral line through which God preserved humanity beyond the Flood. Though Scripture gives no direct dialogue or deeds, his presence secures continuity in the sacred record. Lifespan and Its Theological Implications Methuselah’s life span—“So Methuselah lived 969 years, and then he died” (Genesis 5:27)—is the longest recorded in Scripture. The exceptional longevity of early patriarchs underscores God’s original design for robust human life before the accelerating effects of sin. His death occurring in the same year as the Flood (according to the Masoretic chronology) serves as a silent testimony to divine patience: judgment did not arrive until the generation of this long-lived patriarch had ended. Connection to Enoch and Noah Being the son of Enoch, who “walked with God, and he was no more, because God took him away” (Genesis 5:24), Methuselah stands at a convergence of promise and judgment. His grandson Noah “found favor in the eyes of the LORD” (Genesis 6:8), reinforcing the idea of a righteous heritage preserved against mounting corruption. Thus, Methuselah’s position in the genealogy links the translation of Enoch with the deliverance through Noah, highlighting the continuity of divine grace. Appearance in the Gospel of Luke Luke places Methuselah within the genealogy tracing Jesus back to Adam, culminating in “the son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch, the son of Jared, the son of Mahalaleel, the son of Cainan” (Luke 3:37). By inserting Methuselah into this legal genealogy, Luke affirms Jesus as heir to the same redemptive line that survived the Flood—reinforcing the Messiah’s solidarity with all humanity descended from Adam. Messianic Line and Salvation History Methuselah’s inclusion in Luke’s record serves more than historical interest; it demonstrates the unbroken covenantal thread leading to Christ. Each patriarch signifies a stage in God’s unfolding plan, culminating in the Savior who reverses the curse of death that overshadowed even Methuselah’s lengthy years. The contrast between the longest human life and the eternal life secured in Jesus magnifies the superiority of the new covenant. Lessons for Faith and Ministry 1. God’s patience: Methuselah’s protracted life reflects the LORD’s long-suffering nature, “not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (echoed in 2 Peter 3:9). Forms and Transliterations εμαίμασσεν Μαθουσαλα Μαθουσαλά Μαθουσαλὰ μαία μαίαι μαίαις μαίας μαιμάσσει Mathousala MathousaláLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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