Lexical Summary Methushelach: Methuselah Original Word: מְתוּשֶׁלַח Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Methuselah From math and shelach; man of a dart; Methushelach, an antediluvian patriarch -- Methuselah. see HEBREW math see HEBREW shelach NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originperhaps from math and shelach Definition perhaps "man of the dart," a desc. of Seth NASB Translation Methuselah (6). Brown-Driver-Briggs מְתוּשֶׁ֫לַח proper name, masculine descendant of Seth (? man of the dart: more probably Babylonian; see conjectures in HomPSBA 1893, 243 ff.); — ׳מ Genesis 5:22,25,26,27 (P), 1 Chronicles 1:3, מְתוּשָׁ֑לַח Genesis 5:21 (P). ᵐ5 Μαθουσαλα. מַתְבֵּן see תבן. מתג (√ of following; meaning unknown). Topical Lexicon Place in the Ancestral Line of Promise Methuselah stands ninth in the patriarchal line from Adam and seventh after the fall, bridging the godly heritage of Enoch and the preservation of humanity in Noah. Genesis traces the lineage Adam → Seth → Enosh → Kenan → Mahalalel → Jared → Enoch → Methuselah → Lamech → Noah (Genesis 5; 1 Chronicles 1:1-3). Thus he transmits the covenant hope from the man who “walked with God” (Enoch) to the man who “found favor in the eyes of the LORD” (Noah). Biblical Record When Enoch was sixty-five, “he became the father of Methuselah” (Genesis 5:21). Afterward “Enoch walked with God three hundred years” (Genesis 5:22), suggesting that the birth of Methuselah deepened his father’s devotion. Methuselah fathered Lamech at one hundred eighty-seven (Genesis 5:25) and lived another seven hundred eighty-two years (Genesis 5:26), for a total of “nine hundred sixty-nine years” (Genesis 5:27)—the longest recorded human life. Chronological Significance The interconnected ages given in Genesis 5 allow a precise timeline from Creation to the Flood. Counting the years shows that Methuselah died the same year the deluge began. His extraordinary lifespan therefore becomes a silent witness to both the patience of God and the certainty of impending judgment: the flood could not commence until the last patriarch before Noah’s generation had passed away. Possible Prophetic Hint in the Name Many see a forward-looking element in his name: a reminder that his death would coincide with or herald judgment. If this understanding is correct, every ensuing year of his lengthy life proclaimed divine longsuffering, offering mankind seven extra centuries to repent before waters covered the earth. Theological Themes 1. Divine Forbearance: 2 Peter 3:9 teaches that the Lord is “patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish.” Methuselah’s era embodies that patience. Echoes in the New Testament Luke places Methuselah in the messianic genealogy, “the son of Enoch, the son of Jared… the son of Adam, the son of God” (Luke 3:37-38). The Gospel thus ties Jesus Christ to the pre-Flood patriarchs, underscoring the unity of redemptive history from Creation to Calvary. Cultural and Historical Impact Jewish and Christian writings often highlight Methuselah’s age to illustrate the distinctive conditions of the antediluvian world—longevity, stable climates, and the absence of post-Flood dietary restrictions. Extra-biblical traditions embellish his wisdom and counsel to Noah, yet Scripture itself confines his legacy to genealogy and chronology, directing attention to God rather than human achievement. Lessons for Ministry Today • Teach patience: God’s willingness to delay judgment should inspire both gratitude and urgency in evangelism. Summary Methuselah is more than an ancient curiosity renowned for longevity; he is a pivotal figure whose lifespan underscores divine mercy, whose death synchronizes with a global judgment, and whose position in the patriarchal genealogy upholds the seamless thread of God’s redemptive plan. Forms and Transliterations מְתוּשֶׁ֔לַח מְתוּשֶׁ֖לַח מְתוּשֶׁ֗לַח מְתוּשָֽׁלַח׃ מתושלח מתושלח׃ mə·ṯū·šā·laḥ mə·ṯū·še·laḥ məṯūšālaḥ məṯūšelaḥ metuShalach metuShelachLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 5:21 HEB: וַיּ֖וֹלֶד אֶת־ מְתוּשָֽׁלַח׃ NAS: and became the father of Methuselah. KJV: years, and begat Methuselah: INT: years and became of Methuselah Genesis 5:22 Genesis 5:25 Genesis 5:26 Genesis 5:27 1 Chronicles 1:3 6 Occurrences |
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