Could somebody explain to me why in the bible [back in the day] some people lived to be hundreds of years old?

Question

I'm trying really hard to believe in God. I've started to attend church with my boyfriend and his very Christian family. He told me about how Moses and other people lived to be hundreds of years old way back when. Personally, I find this hard to accept. Is it possible that what we consider a year and what they considered a year were two seperate time frames? I hope so, otherwise I don't know how I can accept it.

My motivation for trying really hard is because part of me wants to believe that there is more to life than life itself. I also don't want to not accept or believe in God and in the end, when the day comes, be wrong. I'm a good person with a good caring heart but I'm also very factual. It's hard for me to accept things based on faith alone and believe in things I find impossible. It's not just because my boyfriend would like me to believe. He isn't forcing me or pushing me.

Answer 1

Before you read the bible Please Please Please read the book "Misquoting Jesus" by Bart Erhman first...the bible is severly flawed, Im not just saying that because im an Atheist...I used to be a Minister...so please please research and Question everything, Don't believe something Just because you are told to. If you have any questions or want to talk more Email me [e-mail]

Answer 2

For the same reason the the elves in the Lord of the Rings lived so long: because it is a work of fiction.

Honestly, if you're "trying really hard" to believe something, you should probably reevaluate the motivations behind your beliefs. Are you really seeking the truth, or are you professing belief to impress your boyfriend's family?

Of course, I don't know your situation and am only speculating on your motivation, but I know that truth should be evident, not coerced.

EDIT:
Believing something because it makes us feel good or because we are scared of the consequences is something that almost everyone does. Nonetheless, it is sheer fallacy. Consider this scenario:

You manage to reconcile your religious beliefs with your skeptical nature, and live a happy, productive life. Perhaps you still have occasional doubts about God's existence or Christian doctrine, but you know in your heart that there is something more to life and you don't want to be wrong at the end of it all. After many happy years doing God's work, you pass away silently in your sleep, surrounded by friends and family.

Suddenly, you find yourself standing before an enormous pearly gate. The gate opens, and a booming voice says, "Step forward, my child, and look upon me!". You cast your eyes upwards, gazing upon the many faces Lord Brahma.

Brahma tells you, "Daughter, although you were a good person and treated others well, you have much to learn. You denied me and my many selves. You did not follow your true heart and dharma. Your beliefs are based in fear, not in knowledge. "

"In your next life, you shall be a hamster. Use this opportunity wisely, young one."


You seem like a bright person. Take whatever you want from that story.

Answer 3

According to the Bible, people once lived for nearly a thousand years. Adam lived 930 years. Shortly after the Flood, however, we find people living much shorter life spans. Abraham, for example, lived 175 years. The Bible, however, does not directly explain why this was or why life spans shortened after the Flood.

Possibly, God determined that the longer pre-Flood life spans only multiplied the evil men can do (see Genesis 6:3-7, 11-13) and that about 70-120 years is long enough for a person to fulfill his purpose.

Answer 4

Moses lived to be about 120, I think. You see, having a relationship with God rejuvenates the body. He is the bringer of life. Moses was close to God, He was the only one out of all the Jews who was allowed/able to meet with Him, except for Joshua who was in the tent with Moses.

Also, after the flood God decreased the number of days of man. Prior to the flood, people lived a long time (about 800 years). God does give a reason in Genesis why He did it.

However, the important thing is that you have a relationship with Him. I didn't always, but now that I do it is great. You see, God is good, and he wants the best for you. The bible says "Every good and perfect gift is from above" (From James i think) and that God cannot tempt with evil because "there is no darkness in Him" (James as well, I think). So, just spend time with God, because "If you draw near to Him, He will draw near to you". And above all, God is fun. I have not been so blessed and had so much fun as I have since I have put my faith in Him. I've gotten raises, been to Maui, Hawaii twice, married an awesome girl, my marks improved in University by a few letter grades (and I studied less!). Just for the record, I do not come from a wealthy family, nor did I slack in university prior to my improvements. I just asked Him for wisdom and got it. Below is also a neat link as to why evolution does not stand up (I'm analytical and wanted to know myself).

Answer 5

Although there's no explicit attempt to explain this in the Bible, Christian apologists have attempted to explain this phenomenon scientifically.

In the pre-flood era and shortly thereafter, they will tell you, life on earth was different. Before the flood, a layer of moisture called the "firmament" (this was mentioned in the Bible) protected the earth from harmful rays of sun and provided moisture on the ground in the absence of rain (the Bible does say that before the flood, there was no rain).

This firmament is credited for giving people longer lifespans, but some Christians there are other factors. For instance, there's the matter of genetics. Adam and Eve had perfect DNA, they believe, and the human genome has only deteriorated in subsequent generations.

After the flood, the positive effects of the firmament and the continued degeneration of mankind's gene pool caused people to live shorter lives. It wasn't until the advent of medical science and technologies like refrigeration and antibiotics that people's life expectancies began to lengthen again.

Again, I don't believe any of this, but I was taught it.

Answer 6

Its not what you can accept, it is fact that you believe in God's word that what it says is the truth.

But as far as the ages of those who lived in ancient times. The truth of the matter is many have tried to explain it, especially of those of the antediluvan age, where the average lifesapn was 800 years old. Before then, the earth did not recieve a drop of rain but it was watered by dew so thick that it ran off and created rivers and great growth of plant life. The thick canopy that was suspended along with the Ozone layer, filtered out 100 percent of the ultraviolet rays that causes most skin cancers today and other health problems. Mankinds immunity levels were the strongest that they have ever been and diseases were not common. However after the flood this canopy was turned to liquid state and fell, plus all the deep, the subteranean water was released and the flood came and covered the world over every mountain. After this man's lifespans began to dramatically decrease till we have them where they are now.

Answer 7

The pre-Flood atmosphere was quite different than today's atmosphere. It is believed, both from science and from the Bible, that there used to be a 7th layer of the atmosphere that was made of water or ice. This layer insulated the planet and prevented the sun's harmful rays (that cause aging) from entering. It also would have increased air pressure on Earth and the oxygen content would have been higher, which would have caused humans to grow to be 9-12' tall giants who could live for hundreds of years, since the factors that cause aging today were removed then. The fossil record also shows giant modern animals and dinosaurs to corroborate this.

Answer 8

Most stories in the Bible are delightful aren't they? The problem is they bare little semblance to the truth.

I find it impossible to read the Bible with out laughing. So much silliness sandwiched between two covers. If that book was released today the critiques would have a field day and it would sell no more that a hand full of copies.

If you ever do figure out which words are to be taken literally and which are to be taken figuratively please print that book. There are countless Atheists who would buy it in a second.

Answer 9

The most understood reasoning for this is that atmospheric changes that occurred during / after the flood which decreased the lifespan. If you notice the lifespan before the flood was much greater than after. Moses is an exception and lived longer than most, but he even stated that the normal lifespan was 3 - score and 10 - ie. 70 years, which is about the same as now.

Answer 10

Of course there is a possibility for at least some differential when it comes to preceding generations accounting for time. But the biblical reason is actually quite believable and simple, because of the wickedness of men's hearts the Lord established that men's years would generally not exceed 120 years I believe.

Answer 11

Time was measured differently back then, It could also me some form of metaphor. To me what is important is to read the stories in the Bible and get the particular moral or religious point discussed within, not to worry about if you should believe everything in the Bible word for word.