What is it about age?

Question

Why did certain people in the bible live for so long... Into their hundredseven, when today we are lucky to live past 60?
Is this because it is a fabrication of a well written book ie the bible or were we just that dumb back then and werent that sharp at judging time?

Answer 1

Before the flood people lived long lives. After the flood God said that man's years should be 120 years see Genesis 6:3

Answer 2

Keep in mind that prior to the books of the Old Testament - known as the Torah by the Jews - the stories contained within were orally handed down from generation to generation. As a result, there wasn't a lot of accuracy or need for such, as these were both religious lore and entertainment.

Did people live for that long? Perhaps. There is nothing which has been able to disprove the ages listed in that work, nor has there been anything to prove it, either. It's also possible that the story grew over the generations as it was being told, and as such the numbers are considerably over-inflated.

Answer 3

One theory works here, that is prior to the great flood the climate and the exposure to the sun was different plus the water droplets [rainbow] was not exposed to the direct sun rays as it is now. When the flood happened the bible says that water came from beneath the earth as well as falling from the sky. All of this adds to a great climate change impacting how the sun hits us and thus shortening our lives. Recently in the past 50 years skin cancer has become more prevalent another life shortener. Except now we discover how vitamins, minerals, and exercise can extend our lives There is more to this theory. but I don't know where the website is.

Answer 4

I don't think the ages were properly translated, or else someone was exaggerating a bit. The spirit of truth in the Bible is more important than the "facts". On the other hand a lot of the writings were originally handed down in the oral tradition, and like Chinese whispers - some things may have gotten distorted.

Answer 5

Not an overly religious person but my guess would be 1 of 2 things.

1, maybe the way age was judged was different, IE 1 year each for spring and autumn.

2' the diet as maybe better.

I like 1 because if you consider the wars they had, the disease, etc, lets face it, it was not 2.

Answer 6

I guess that you dont watch the TODAY show because Willard Scott celebrates centaurians all the time. I personally know a woman that will be 101yrs old on her next birthday. There are a lot of former slaves that are over 100 and still alive.

Answer 7

I know alot of people over 80 and there is even a man here in Texas that is still working at the airport at age 104. I think you need to get out more.

Answer 8

in the Bible people lived longer because they wernt sinning like we do today. As the human heart gets more corrupt and hardened to God the life expectancy gets shorter........its SIN that shortens our lives just look at the evidence....ie.smoking, drinking,a cursed mouth,drugs, std's,violence and corruption.
When you are truly saved in CHRIST the Bible comes alive and you see your own life in it so get yourself saved and find the answers in their.......remember SATANS biggest lie is that the BIBLE isnt real!!!!!!

Answer 9

after the flood GOD said man shall only live 3 score and 10 [70 years]any thing more is a blessing.[some times]

Answer 10

Actually, some of those were consious exaggerations, but more often, they were referring to a family line- not the age of one individual. They derived this technique from the Ancient Near Eastern habit of making King's lists in this way.