What was Noah's age at death?

1. Scriptural Record of Noah’s Lifespan

Genesis provides a clear record of Noah’s age at death. According to the Berean Standard Bible, “So all the days of Noah were 950 years, and then he died” (Genesis 9:29). This verse appears at the close of the flood narrative and genealogical details in Genesis 5–9.

The Scripture first places Noah at 500 years old when he fathered Shem, Ham, and Japheth (Genesis 5:32). It then indicates he was 600 when the flood began (Genesis 7:6) and continues to trace how many years he lived after the flood. The final detail is that Noah’s total age at death was 950.

2. Chronological and Genealogical Context

In the broader genealogical framework of Genesis 5, early figures (Adam, Seth, Enosh, Kenan, Mahalalel, Jared, Enoch, Methuselah, Lamech, and Noah) are listed with extended lifespans. Noah’s grandfather Methuselah is described as living 969 years, making him the oldest recorded individual in Scripture (Genesis 5:27).

If one follows a traditional timeline similar to that posited by Archbishop James Ussher (17th century), the flood is dated around 2348 BC. Using this chronology, Noah’s birth would be dated approximately 2948 BC, and his death 950 years later. While the specifics of dating can vary, this framework is widely utilized among those who hold to a more literal interpretation of the biblical genealogies.

3. Manuscript and Textual Evidence

Numerous Hebrew manuscripts, including those found among the Dead Sea Scrolls, reflect consistency in reporting Noah’s age at death as 950. The Septuagint (Greek translation of the Old Testament), the Samaritan Pentateuch, and other early witnesses concur on Noah’s age, underscoring a remarkable uniformity across textual traditions. This consistency in the biblical text strengthens the conclusion that Genesis 9:29 is preserved accurately.

Beyond the Hebrew manuscripts, scholars evaluating the reliability of Scripture also reference the internal harmony of genealogical accounts in Genesis. These accounts contain overlapping details and careful allotments of years, supporting the reliability of the text. Such textual evidence is foundational for many who see Scripture as historically accurate in its genealogical records.

4. Archaeological and Historical Corroborations

While direct archaeological evidence for Noah’s personal life cannot be excavated, several ancient Near Eastern flood narratives (such as the Gilgamesh Epic) contain structural parallels to the biblical account of a cataclysmic deluge. Many interpret these parallels as echoes of a singular historical event that Scripture identifies as the worldwide flood (Genesis 7). Geological findings indicating massive flood deposits in various parts of the world have been cited as supportive data for a significant flooding event in antiquity.

Such lines of evidence have been employed by those who argue for the historical basis of Genesis accounts. They propose that the longevity of patriarchs, such as Noah, aligns with a time in human history where conditions allowed extended lifespans, though there is significant scholarly debate on the causes or implications.

5. Significance Within the Biblical Narrative

Noah occupies a central position as a righteous individual preserved through divine judgment. He is described as walking faithfully with God (Genesis 6:9). His lifespan of 950 years underscores his role bridging the antediluvian (pre-flood) and post-diluvian (post-flood) worlds.

Further, Noah’s life demonstrates themes of faith, obedience, and God’s plan of salvation, providing a foreshadowing of deliverance seen more fully in subsequent Scripture. In theological discussions, this connection illustrates how God consistently works out redemptive purposes, from preserving Noah during the flood to the ultimate renewal offered through Christ.

6. Practical and Devotional Reflections

The record of Noah’s 950-year lifespan often prompts reflection on the primeval world and the dramatic changes that occurred after the flood. Readers of the biblical text are encouraged to see Noah’s long life as an example of steadfastness in faith over time.

In many traditions, Noah’s example is taken as both a point of encouragement—remaining dedicated to God’s directives—and a reminder of human frailty apart from divine grace. The narrative of his life and age resonates with trust in God’s promises and highlights reliance on God’s preservation throughout trials.

7. Concluding Summary

According to Genesis 9:29, Noah died at the age of 950. This fact is underscored not only by the internal textual consistency of Scripture (seen in Genesis 5–9) but also by the corroboration of multiple manuscript traditions. Archaeological findings and flood accounts from other ancient cultures lend credible support to the historicity of a cataclysmic flood, further highlighting Noah’s role and age within the biblical narrative.

Noah’s remarkable lifespan remains one of the striking features of the early biblical genealogies, integrated seamlessly into the unfolding story of redemption and God’s dealings with humanity. His death at 950 years stands as a testimony to both the extended longevity of the patriarchs and God’s sovereign care for those who walk faithfully with Him.