Topical Encyclopedia Definition and Overview: Longevity refers to the length of an individual's life, often implying a long duration. In the biblical context, longevity is frequently associated with divine blessing, wisdom, and righteousness. The Bible presents various perspectives on longevity, highlighting its significance in the lives of individuals and its connection to obedience to God's commandments. Biblical Instances and Teachings: 1. Patriarchal Longevity: The early chapters of Genesis record extraordinary lifespans for the patriarchs. Adam lived 930 years (Genesis 5:5), Methuselah reached 969 years (Genesis 5:27), and Noah lived 950 years (Genesis 9:29). These extended lifespans are often seen as indicative of a closer proximity to the original creation and a time when humanity was less affected by the cumulative effects of sin. 2. Promises of Longevity: The Bible frequently associates longevity with obedience to God's laws. In the Ten Commandments, the promise of a long life is explicitly linked to honoring one's parents: "Honor your father and mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you" (Exodus 20:12). Similarly, Deuteronomy 5:33 states, "Walk in obedience to all that the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess." 3. Wisdom and Longevity: The Book of Proverbs often connects wisdom with a long life. Proverbs 3:1-2 advises, "My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments; for they will add length to your days, years and peace to your life." This suggests that living according to divine wisdom contributes to a longer, more fulfilling life. 4. Righteousness and Longevity: Righteousness is another key factor associated with longevity. Psalm 91:16 declares, "With long life I will satisfy him and show him My salvation." This verse implies that those who dwell in the shelter of the Most High and live righteously are granted the blessing of a long life. 5. Contrasts with Wickedness: In contrast, the Bible often portrays the wicked as having their days cut short. Proverbs 10:27 states, "The fear of the LORD prolongs life, but the years of the wicked will be shortened." This highlights the biblical principle that a life lived in opposition to God's ways may result in a reduced lifespan. 6. Eternal Perspective: While the Bible values earthly longevity, it also emphasizes the eternal perspective. Jesus teaches that eternal life is the ultimate goal, transcending earthly longevity. In John 11:25-26 , Jesus says, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me will live, even though he dies. And everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die." This underscores the belief that true life is found in a relationship with Christ, offering eternal longevity beyond physical death. Conclusion: The biblical concept of longevity is multifaceted, intertwining physical, moral, and spiritual dimensions. It is portrayed as a blessing from God, often contingent upon obedience, wisdom, and righteousness. While earthly longevity is valued, the Bible ultimately points to eternal life as the greatest form of longevity, attainable through faith in Jesus Christ. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (n.) Long duration of life; prolonged length of life.International Standard Bible Encyclopedia LONGEVITYlon-jev'-i-ti: In the part of Genesis ascribed to the Priestly Code (P), the names and genealogies of the patriarchs are given (Genesis 5; Genesis 11). In the three versions which are our chief sources, Massoretic Text, Septuagint and Sam, the age-numbers given for these patriarchs are hopelessly at variance. It is in accord with what we find in the earliest legend of most races that in these chapters a great length of life is ascribed to these; thus Berosus attributes to the first 10 kings of Babylonia a span of 430,000 years, and Hesiod (Works and Days, 129) says that in the Silver Age childhood lasted 100 years, during which a boy was reared and grew up beside his mother. On the other hand the evidence of prehistoric archaeology shows that the rate of development of the individual in the early Stone Age differed very little from that of humanity at the present day. It is possible that, in the case of the Hebrew record, the names of certain pre-Abrahamic patriarchs were derived from an ancient tradition, and that in the desire to fill up the chronology of the period before the call of Abraham, these names were inserted and the time which was supposed to have elapsed was divided among them; on the basis of some such hypothesis as that which is said to have existed among the Jews, that the Messiah should come 4,000 years after Adam. Library Eternal Life. How it is that Cain's Line Terminates in the Eighth Generation ... Life of Bunyan Christian Morals. Part iii. Field Hymns. Synagogues: their Origin, Structure and Outward Arrangements Preaching the Gospel, Healing the Sick My Second Year in Benares. Chapter i Baptism. Thesaurus Longevity...LONGEVITY. ... The biographic sketches of Biblical persons other than those in Genesis showed that their longevity did not exceed that of our contemporaries. ... /l/longevity.htm - 9k Patriarch (2 Occurrences) Longeth (9 Occurrences) Patriarchs (6 Occurrences) Antediluvian Long-forbearing (1 Occurrence) Patriachs Sarai (13 Occurrences) Sarah (38 Occurrences) Life (6001 Occurrences) Resources How old was Adam when he died? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Herod the Great? | GotQuestions.org How tall was Adam? | GotQuestions.org Longevity: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Longevity: Aaron, One-Hundred and Twenty-Three Years Longevity: Abraham, One-Hundred and Seventy-Five Years Longevity: Adam, Nine-Hundred and Thirty Years Longevity: Amram, One-Hundred and Thirty-Seven Years Longevity: Anna, Older than Eighty-Four Years Longevity: Arphaxad, Four-Hundred and Thirty-Eight Years Longevity: Barzillai, Eighty Years Longevity: Cainan, Nine-Hundred and Ten Years Longevity: Eber, Four-Hundred and Sixty-Four Years Longevity: Eli, Ninety-Eight Years Longevity: Enoch, Three-Hundred and Sixty-Five Years Longevity: Enos, Nine-Hundred and Five Years Longevity: General Scriptures Concerning Longevity: Isaac, One-Hundred and Eighty Years Longevity: Jacob, One-Hundred and Forty-Seven Years Longevity: Jared, Nine-Hundred and Sixty-Two Years Longevity: Jehoiada, One-Hundred and Thirty Years Longevity: Job, "Lived One-Hundred and Forty Years" After his Ordeal Longevity: Joseph, One-Hundred and Ten Years Longevity: Joshua, One-Hundred and Ten Years Longevity: Lamech, Seven-Hundred and Seventy-Seven Years Longevity: Mahalaleel, Eight-Hundred and Ninety-Five Years Longevity: Methuselah, Nine-Hundred and Sixty-Nine Years Longevity: Moses, One-Hundred and Twenty Years Longevity: Nahor, One-Hundred and Forty-Eight Years Longevity: Noah, Nine-Hundred and Fifty Years Longevity: Paul, "The Aged One" Longevity: Peleg, Two-Hundred and Thirty-Nine Years Longevity: Reu, Two-Hundred and Thirty-Nine Years Longevity: Salah, Four-Hundred and Thirty-Three Years Longevity: Sarah, One-Hundred and Twenty-Seven Years Longevity: Serug, Two-Hundred and Thirty Years Longevity: Seth, Nine-Hundred and Twelve Years Longevity: Shem, Six-Hundred Years Longevity: Terah, Two-Hundred and Five Years Related Terms |