LONGEVITY

By: Orville J. Nave

• 8 min. read • grade level: 6

General scriptures concerning

And the Lord said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years. (Genesis 6:3³And the Lord said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years. (Genesis 6:3))

Honor thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee. (Exodus 20:12¹²Honor thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee. (Exodus 20:12))

And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment; Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee. And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honor: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days. And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days. (1 Kings 3:11-14¹¹And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment; ¹²Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee. ¹³And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honor: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days. ¹⁴And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days. (1 Kings 3:11‑14))

Thou shalt come to thy grave in a full age, like as a shock of corn cometh in in his season. (Job 5:26²⁶Thou shalt come to thy grave in a full age, like as a shock of corn cometh in in his season. (Job 5:26))

He asked life of thee, and thou gavest it him, even length of days for ever and ever. (Psalm 21:4⁴He asked life of thee, and thou gavest it him, even length of days for ever and ever. (Psalm 21:4))

Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the Lord. What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good? Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile. (Psalm 34:11-13¹¹Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the Lord. ¹²What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good? ¹³Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile. (Psalm 34:11‑13))

The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labor and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away. (Psalm 90:10¹⁰The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labor and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away. (Psalm 90:10))

With long life will I satisfy him, and show him my salvation. (Psalm 91:16¹⁶With long life will I satisfy him, and show him my salvation. (Psalm 91:16))

My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee. (Proverbs 3:1-2¹My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: ²For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee. (Proverbs 3:1‑2))

Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honor. (Proverbs 3:16¹⁶Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honor. (Proverbs 3:16))

For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased. (Proverbs 9:11¹¹For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased. (Proverbs 9:11))

The fear of the Lord prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened. (Proverbs 10:27²⁷The fear of the Lord prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened. (Proverbs 10:27))

There shall be no more thence an infant of days, nor an old man that hath not filled his days: for the child shall die an hundred years old; but the sinner being an hundred years old shall be accursed. (Isaiah 65:20²⁰There shall be no more thence an infant of days, nor an old man that hath not filled his days: for the child shall die an hundred years old; but the sinner being an hundred years old shall be accursed. (Isaiah 65:20))

For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. (1 Peter 3:10-11¹⁰For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: ¹¹Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. (1 Peter 3:10‑11))

See OLD AGE

INSTANCES OF

Adam, nine-hundred and thirty years

And all the days that Adam lived were nine hundred and thirty years: and he died. (Genesis 5:5⁵And all the days that Adam lived were nine hundred and thirty years: and he died. (Genesis 5:5))

Seth, nine-hundred and twelve years

And all the days of Seth were nine hundred and twelve years: and he died. (Genesis 5:8⁸And all the days of Seth were nine hundred and twelve years: and he died. (Genesis 5:8))

Enos, nine-hundred and five years

And all the days of Enos were nine hundred and five years: and he died. (Genesis 5:11¹¹And all the days of Enos were nine hundred and five years: and he died. (Genesis 5:11))

Cainan, nine-hundred and ten years

And all the days of Cainan were nine hundred and ten years: and he died. (Genesis 5:14¹⁴And all the days of Cainan were nine hundred and ten years: and he died. (Genesis 5:14))

Mahalaleel, eight-hundred and ninety-five years

And all the days of Mahalaleel were eight hundred ninety and five years: and he died. (Genesis 5:17¹⁷And all the days of Mahalaleel were eight hundred ninety and five years: and he died. (Genesis 5:17))

Jared, nine-hundred and sixty-two years

And all the days of Jared were nine hundred sixty and two years: and he died. (Genesis 5:20²⁰And all the days of Jared were nine hundred sixty and two years: and he died. (Genesis 5:20))

Enoch, three-hundred and sixty-five years

And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years: (Genesis 5:23²³And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years: (Genesis 5:23))

Methuselah, nine-hundred and sixty-nine years

And all the days of Methuselah were nine hundred sixty and nine years: and he died. (Genesis 5:27²⁷And all the days of Methuselah were nine hundred sixty and nine years: and he died. (Genesis 5:27))

Lamech, seven-hundred and seventy-seven years

And all the days of Lamech were seven hundred seventy and seven years: and he died. (Genesis 5:31³¹And all the days of Lamech were seven hundred seventy and seven years: and he died. (Genesis 5:31))

Noah, nine-hundred and fifty years

And all the days of Noah were nine hundred and fifty years: and he died. (Genesis 9:29²⁹And all the days of Noah were nine hundred and fifty years: and he died. (Genesis 9:29))

Shem, six-hundred years

These are the generations of Shem: Shem was an hundred years old, and begat Arphaxad two years after the flood: And Shem lived after he begat Arphaxad five hundred years, and begat sons and daughters. (Genesis 11:10-11¹⁰These are the generations of Shem: Shem was an hundred years old, and begat Arphaxad two years after the flood: ¹¹And Shem lived after he begat Arphaxad five hundred years, and begat sons and daughters. (Genesis 11:10‑11))

Arphaxad, four-hundred and thirty-eight years

And Arphaxad lived five and thirty years, and begat Salah: And Arphaxad lived after he begat Salah four hundred and three years, and begat sons and daughters. (Genesis 11:12-13¹²And Arphaxad lived five and thirty years, and begat Salah: ¹³And Arphaxad lived after he begat Salah four hundred and three years, and begat sons and daughters. (Genesis 11:12‑13))

Salah, four-hundred and thirty-three years

And Salah lived thirty years, and begat Eber: And Salah lived after he begat Eber four hundred and three years, and begat sons and daughters. (Genesis 11:14-15¹⁴And Salah lived thirty years, and begat Eber: ¹⁵And Salah lived after he begat Eber four hundred and three years, and begat sons and daughters. (Genesis 11:14‑15))

Eber, four-hundred and sixty-four years

And Eber lived four and thirty years, and begat Peleg: And Eber lived after he begat Peleg four hundred and thirty years, and begat sons and daughters. (Genesis 11:16-17¹⁶And Eber lived four and thirty years, and begat Peleg: ¹⁷And Eber lived after he begat Peleg four hundred and thirty years, and begat sons and daughters. (Genesis 11:16‑17))

Peleg, two-hundred and thirty-nine years

And Peleg lived thirty years, and begat Reu: And Peleg lived after he begat Reu two hundred and nine years, and begat sons and daughters. (Genesis 11:18-19¹⁸And Peleg lived thirty years, and begat Reu: ¹⁹And Peleg lived after he begat Reu two hundred and nine years, and begat sons and daughters. (Genesis 11:18‑19))

Reu, two-hundred and thirty-nine years

And Reu lived two and thirty years, and begat Serug: And Reu lived after he begat Serug two hundred and seven years, and begat sons and daughters. (Genesis 11:20-21²⁰And Reu lived two and thirty years, and begat Serug: ²¹And Reu lived after he begat Serug two hundred and seven years, and begat sons and daughters. (Genesis 11:20‑21))

Serug, two-hundred and thirty years

And Serug lived thirty years, and begat Nahor: And Serug lived after he begat Nahor two hundred years, and begat sons and daughters. (Genesis 11:22-23²²And Serug lived thirty years, and begat Nahor: ²³And Serug lived after he begat Nahor two hundred years, and begat sons and daughters. (Genesis 11:22‑23))

Nahor, one-hundred and forty-eight years

And Nahor lived nine and twenty years, and begat Terah: And Nahor lived after he begat Terah an hundred and nineteen years, and begat sons and daughters. (Genesis 11:24-25²⁴And Nahor lived nine and twenty years, and begat Terah: ²⁵And Nahor lived after he begat Terah an hundred and nineteen years, and begat sons and daughters. (Genesis 11:24‑25))

Terah, two-hundred and five years

And the days of Terah were two hundred and five years: and Terah died in Haran. (Genesis 11:32³²And the days of Terah were two hundred and five years: and Terah died in Haran. (Genesis 11:32))

Job, "lived one-hundred and forty years" after his ordeal, and then "he died at a very great age,"

After this lived Job an hundred and forty years, and saw his sons, and his sons' sons, even four generations. So Job died, being old and full of days. (Job 42:16-17¹⁶After this lived Job an hundred and forty years, and saw his sons, and his sons' sons, even four generations. ¹⁷So Job died, being old and full of days. (Job 42:16‑17))

Sarah, one-hundred and twenty-seven years

And Sarah was an hundred and seven and twenty years old: these were the years of the life of Sarah. (Genesis 23:1¹And Sarah was an hundred and seven and twenty years old: these were the years of the life of Sarah. (Genesis 23:1))

Abraham, one-hundred and seventy-five years

And these are the days of the years of Abraham's life which he lived, an hundred threescore and fifteen years. (Genesis 25:7⁷And these are the days of the years of Abraham's life which he lived, an hundred threescore and fifteen years. (Genesis 25:7))

Isaac, one-hundred and eighty years

And the days of Isaac were an hundred and fourscore years. (Genesis 35:28²⁸And the days of Isaac were an hundred and fourscore years. (Genesis 35:28))

Jacob, one-hundred and forty-seven years

And Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years: so the whole age of Jacob was an hundred forty and seven years. (Genesis 47:28²⁸And Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years: so the whole age of Jacob was an hundred forty and seven years. (Genesis 47:28))

Joseph, one-hundred and ten years

So Joseph died, being an hundred and ten years old: and they embalmed him, and he was put in a coffin in Egypt. (Genesis 50:26²⁶So Joseph died, being an hundred and ten years old: and they embalmed him, and he was put in a coffin in Egypt. (Genesis 50:26))

Amram, one-hundred and thirty-seven years

And Amram took him Jochebed his father's sister to wife; and she bare him Aaron and Moses: and the years of the life of Amram were an hundred and thirty and seven years. (Exodus 6:20²⁰And Amram took him Jochebed his father's sister to wife; and she bare him Aaron and Moses: and the years of the life of Amram were an hundred and thirty and seven years. (Exodus 6:20))

Aaron, one-hundred and twenty-three years

And Aaron was an hundred and twenty and three years old when he died in mount Hor. (Numbers 33:39³⁹And Aaron was an hundred and twenty and three years old when he died in mount Hor. (Numbers 33:39))

Moses, one-hundred and twenty years

And he said unto them, I am an hundred and twenty years old this day; I can no more go out and come in: also the Lord hath said unto me, Thou shalt not go over this Jordan. (Deuteronomy 31:2²And he said unto them, I am an hundred and twenty years old this day; I can no more go out and come in: also the Lord hath said unto me, Thou shalt not go over this Jordan. (Deuteronomy 31:2))

And Moses was an hundred and twenty years old when he died: his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated. (Deuteronomy 34:7⁷And Moses was an hundred and twenty years old when he died: his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated. (Deuteronomy 34:7))

Joshua, one-hundred and ten years

And it came to pass after these things, that Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the Lord, died, being an hundred and ten years old. (Joshua 24:29²⁹And it came to pass after these things, that Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the Lord, died, being an hundred and ten years old. (Joshua 24:29))

Eli, ninety-eight years

Now Eli was ninety and eight years old; and his eyes were dim, that he could not see. (1 Samuel 4:15¹⁵Now Eli was ninety and eight years old; and his eyes were dim, that he could not see. (1 Samuel 4:15))

Barzillai, eighty years

Now Barzillai was a very aged man, even fourscore years old: and he had provided the king of sustenance while he lay at Mahanaim; for he was a very great man. (2 Samuel 19:32³²Now Barzillai was a very aged man, even fourscore years old: and he had provided the king of sustenance while he lay at Mahanaim; for he was a very great man. (2 Samuel 19:32))

Jehoiada, one-hundred and thirty years

But Jehoiada waxed old, and was full of days when he died; an hundred and thirty years old was he when he died. (2 Chronicles 24:15¹⁵But Jehoiada waxed old, and was full of days when he died; an hundred and thirty years old was he when he died. (2 Chronicles 24:15))

Anna, older than eighty-four years

And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. (Luke 2:36-37³⁶And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; ³⁷And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. (Luke 2:36‑37))

Paul, "the aged one"

Yet for love's sake I rather beseech thee, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ. (Philemon 9⁹Yet for love's sake I rather beseech thee, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ. (Philemon 9))

Click here to show subject links in the text for more information.

Nave's Topical Bible: L

• LONGEVITY