Longevity, or the length of one's life, is a theme addressed in various passages throughout the Bible. The Scriptures provide insights into the factors that contribute to a long life, often associating it with righteousness, obedience to God's commandments, and divine blessing.

Divine Blessing and Obedience

The Bible frequently links longevity with obedience to God's laws and commands. In the book of Deuteronomy, Moses emphasizes the connection between following God's statutes and the promise of prolonged life. Deuteronomy 5:33 states, "Walk in all the way 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." Similarly, Deuteronomy 6:2 underscores this promise: "so that you and your children and grandchildren may fear the LORD your God all the days of your lives, by keeping all His statutes and commandments that I give you, and so that your days may be prolonged."

Wisdom and Righteousness

The book of Proverbs often associates wisdom and righteousness with longevity. 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." Furthermore, Proverbs 10:27 declares, "The fear of the LORD prolongs life, but the years of the wicked will be shortened." These verses suggest that living a life in accordance with divine wisdom and righteousness can lead to an extended lifespan.

Parental Honor

The commandment to honor one's parents is directly linked to the promise of longevity. Exodus 20:12 commands, "Honor your father and your mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you." This commandment is reiterated in the New Testament, where the Apostle Paul writes in Ephesians 6:2-3 , "Honor your father and mother (which is the first commandment with a promise), that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life on the earth."

Divine Sovereignty

While human actions and attitudes can influence longevity, the Bible also acknowledges God's sovereignty over the length of one's life. Job 14:5 reflects this understanding: "Since his days are determined and the number of his months is with You, and since You have set limits that he cannot exceed." This verse highlights the belief that ultimately, the duration of life is in God's hands.

Examples of Longevity

The Bible provides examples of individuals who experienced long lives, often as a testament to their faithfulness and God's favor. Notable figures include Methuselah, who lived 969 years (Genesis 5:27), and Abraham, who lived 175 years (Genesis 25:7). These examples serve as illustrations of the blessings associated with a life lived in accordance with God's will.

In summary, the Bible presents longevity as a multifaceted concept, intertwined with obedience, wisdom, righteousness, and divine sovereignty. The Scriptures encourage believers to live in a manner that aligns with God's commandments, promising that such a life may lead to the blessing of extended days.Genesis 6:3
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.
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Exodus 20:12
Honor your father and your mother: that your days may be long on the land which the LORD your God gives you.
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1 Kings 3:11-14
And God said to him, Because you have asked this thing, and have not asked for yourself long life; neither have asked riches for yourself, nor have asked the life of your enemies; but have asked for yourself understanding to discern judgment;
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Job 5:26
You shall come to your grave in a full age, like as a shock of corn comes in in his season.
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Psalm 21:4
He asked life of you, and you gave it him, even length of days for ever and ever.
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Psalm 34:11-13
Come, you children, listen to me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
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Psalm 90:10
The days of our years are three score 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.
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Psalm 91:16
With long life will I satisfy him, and show him my salvation.
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Proverbs 3:1,2,16
My son, forget not my law; but let your heart keep my commandments:
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Proverbs 9:11
For by me your days shall be multiplied, and the years of your life shall be increased.
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Proverbs 10:27
The fear of the LORD prolongs days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened.
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Isaiah 65:20
There shall be no more there an infant of days, nor an old man that has not filled his days: for the child shall die an hundred years old; but the sinner being an hundred years old shall be accursed.
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1 Peter 3:10,11
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:
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Chapter v
... The claim that the Scriptures do not give a complete and ... It may indicate the decline
in longevity which has been ... Besides, was not the general rule of Moses' day ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter v.htm

Fourthly; all the [Credenda, Or] Doctrines, which the True, Simple ...
... and Eve, by Sanchuniathon and others; the longevity of the ... nature, and therein to
make a general revelation of ... either exact skill in the Holy Scriptures, or in ...
/.../xiii proposition xiii fourthly all.htm

Chapter xii
... to deflate the conception of the Scriptures is manifest ... the Hebrew refers to by the
very general word "souls ... that according to the limits of longevity of those ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xii.htm

section iv.
... age is accomplished; and the last and general fever may ... do conceive: for unspeakable
mysteries in the Scriptures are often ... [99] Supposed sources of longevity. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/browne/religio medici/section iv.htm

Chapter vii
... still it is maintained that when the Scriptures refer to ... The general assumption still
seems to be that in ... Euphrates, and this when the known longevity of at ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter vii.htm

Chapter i
... was very few because of man's longevity at this ... this day are first described by this
general title, which ... this point that according to the Scriptures not only ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter i.htm

Life of Bunyan
... English village its look of leisure and longevity. ... to which a gospel, otherwise general,
did not ... these blessed considerations and scriptures, with many others ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hamilton/life of bunyan/life of bunyan.htm

How old was Abraham when he died? | GotQuestions.org

Summary of the Book of Ecclesiastes - Bible Survey | GotQuestions.org

How can I contribute to world evangelism? | GotQuestions.org

Longevity: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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