Genesis 9:29

KJV

And all the days of Noah were nine hundred and fifty years: and he died.

KJV (with Strong's)

And all the days {H3117} of Noah {H5146} were nine {H8672} hundred {H3967}{H8141} and fifty {H2572} years {H8141}: and he died {H4191}.

Complete Jewish Bible

In all, Noach lived 950 years; then he died.

Berean Standard Bible

So Noah lived a total of 950 years, and then he died.

American Standard Version

And all the days of Noah were nine hundred and fifty years: and he died.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 9:29 provides a concise and definitive conclusion to the life of Noah, recording his death at the advanced age of 950 years. This verse serves as a solemn marker, closing the foundational era immediately following the Great Flood and signaling the transition to subsequent generations tasked with fulfilling God's command to repopulate the earth. It powerfully underscores the universal reality of human mortality, a truth that applies even to figures of exceptional longevity and profound faith like Noah.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Genesis 9:29 concludes the extensive narrative arc centered on Noah, which began with his introduction in [Genesis 5:29](/genesis/5-29 "Noah's Birth and Prophecy") and dramatically unfolded through the account of the Great Flood in [Genesis 6-8](/genesis/6-8 "The Narrative of the Great Flood"). Following the Flood, Noah's story includes God's establishment of His [covenant with Noah and all creation](/genesis/9-8-17 "God's Covenant with Noah and All Living Things"), the command to be fruitful and multiply, and the unfortunate incident involving Noah's drunkenness and the curse of Canaan in [Genesis 9:20-27](/genesis/9-20-27 "Noah's Drunkenness and the Curse of Canaan"). His death in this verse marks the formal end of his personal narrative, paving the way for the "Table of Nations" in [Genesis 10](/genesis/10 "The Table of Nations"), which details the spread of humanity from Noah's three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth, across the earth. This structure emphasizes the progression from a singular, foundational figure to the diversification of humanity.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, longevity was often associated with divine favor, wisdom, and a period of foundational importance, especially for patriarchal figures. The extreme ages recorded for pre-Flood and early post-Flood patriarchs in Genesis, including Noah's 950 years, reflect a distinct understanding of early human history and divine interaction. The death of a patriarch was a significant event, marking the end of an era and the formal transfer of leadership and responsibility to the next generation. It underscored the cyclical nature of life and death, even in societies where lifespans were understood to be far greater than those observed in later periods. The mention of specific ages for these figures also served as a chronological anchor, providing a genealogical framework for the unfolding history of humanity.

* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes to several overarching themes within Genesis and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it reinforces the theme of **human mortality**, a direct consequence of the fall in [Genesis 3](/genesis/3 "The Fall of Humanity"). Despite Noah's righteousness and his pivotal role in God's redemptive plan, he, like all humanity, ultimately succumbs to death. Secondly, it highlights **divine sovereignty over life and death**, as the precise mention of Noah's age underscores God's control over the duration of human existence. The subsequent gradual decrease in human lifespans, evident in the generations after Noah (e.g., [Genesis 11](/genesis/11 "The Tower of Babel and the Lineage of Shem")), suggests a divinely ordained regulation. Thirdly, Noah's passing signifies a **transition of eras**, moving from the immediate post-Flood world, dominated by Noah's presence, to a new phase where humanity, through Noah's descendants, begins to spread and multiply across the earth, fulfilling the divine mandate given in [Genesis 9:1](/genesis/9-1 "God's Command to Be Fruitful").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **days (Hebrew, _yôwm'_):** (H3117) From an unused root meaning "to be hot," this word refers to a day, either literal (from sunrise to sunset or one sunset to the next) or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated term). In this context, "all the days of Noah" signifies the entire duration of his earthly life, emphasizing the completeness of his years.
* **Noah (Hebrew, _Nôach'_):** (H5146) Meaning "rest," Noah is the patriarch central to the Flood narrative, chosen by God to preserve humanity and animal life. His name itself carries prophetic significance related to bringing relief or rest, as noted at his birth in [Genesis 5:29](/genesis/5-29 "Noah's Birth and Prophecy"). His death here marks the end of his personal role in the unfolding divine drama.
* **died (Hebrew, _mûwth'_):** (H4191) A primitive root meaning "to die" (literally or figuratively), or causatively, "to kill." This verb is consistently used throughout Genesis to mark the end of the patriarchs' lives (e.g., Adam in [Genesis 5:5](/genesis/5-5 "Adam's Death"), Seth in [Genesis 5:8](/genesis/5-8 "Seth's Death")). Its simple, direct usage here underscores the universal and inevitable reality of human mortality.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And all the days of Noah were nine hundred and fifty years:"** This clause provides the exact duration of Noah's life, emphasizing his extraordinary longevity. The phrase "all the days of Noah" is a common biblical idiom (e.g., "all the days of Adam" in [Genesis 5:5](/genesis/5-5 "Adam's Death")) that serves to encapsulate the entirety of a person's earthly existence. Noah's age of 950 years places him among the longest-lived figures recorded in the Bible, though slightly less than his grandfather Methuselah (969 years in [Genesis 5:27](/genesis/5-27 "Methuselah's Age")). This detail highlights the unique physiological conditions or divine allowance for extended lifespans in the early post-Flood world, before the more rapid decline in human longevity seen in subsequent generations.
* **"and he died."** This concise and stark statement marks the definitive end of Noah's life. The Hebrew verb "vayyamot" (וַיָּמֹת), meaning "and he died," is a recurring formula in the genealogies of Genesis, signaling the universal reality of human mortality that entered the world through the Fall. Despite his unique role in God's plan and his exceptional longevity, Noah was not exempt from the ultimate consequence of sin. His death serves as a powerful reminder that even the most pivotal human figures are mortal and subject to the cycle of life and death appointed by God.

#### Literary Devices
The brevity and directness of Genesis 9:29 employ several literary devices to convey its profound message. The most prominent is **Formulaic Language**, specifically the recurring phrase "and he died" (וַיָּמֹת). This simple, declarative statement is used consistently throughout the Genesis genealogies (e.g., [Genesis 5](/genesis/5 "The Generations from Adam to Noah")) to mark the conclusion of each patriarch's life, creating a rhythmic and somber litany that underscores the universal reality of mortality. The **Conciseness** of the verse, following the dramatic events of the Flood and covenant, provides a stark and unadorned close to Noah's story, emphasizing the finality of death regardless of one's achievements or divine favor. There is also a subtle element of **Anticlimax**; after the monumental events of global judgment and a new beginning, the narrative concludes Noah's personal story with the simple, inevitable fact of his passing, redirecting the reader's focus from the individual to the ongoing lineage and the broader sweep of redemptive history.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 9:29, though brief, is rich with theological and thematic significance, serving as a poignant reminder of humanity's finite nature within God's eternal plan. Noah's death, despite his extraordinary longevity and pivotal role in preserving humanity through the Flood, underscores the universal reality of mortality that pervades all human existence since the Fall. It highlights God's sovereign control over life and death, as the precise mention of Noah's age, and the subsequent reduction in human lifespans, points to a divine ordering of human existence. Furthermore, Noah's passing marks a crucial transition point in redemptive history, closing the era dominated by the Flood event and opening the way for the burgeoning generations that would spread across the earth, setting the stage for the call of Abraham and the unfolding narrative of God's covenant people.

* [Romans 5:12](/romans/5-12 "Sin and Death Through Adam"): This verse directly connects Noah's death, and indeed all human mortality, to the entry of sin into the world through Adam, emphasizing that death is the universal consequence of sin.
* [Psalm 90:10](/psalm/90-10 "The Brevity of Life"): Moses' psalm reflects on the brevity of human life, stating that "the days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away," contrasting sharply with Noah's longevity but affirming the ultimate finitude of all human life.
* [Genesis 10:1](/genesis/10-1 "The Generations of Noah's Sons"): Noah's death directly precedes the "Table of Nations," highlighting his passing as a narrative transition point that paves the way for the fulfillment of God's command for humanity to multiply and fill the earth through Noah's descendants.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Noah's extraordinarily long life, culminating in his inevitable death, serves as a profound reminder of life's brevity in the context of eternity and the universal reality of human mortality. Despite his instrumental role in preserving humanity and his unwavering obedience and faith in the face of unprecedented global catastrophe, as highlighted in [Hebrews 11:7](/hebrews/11-7 "Noah's Faith and Righteousness"), his earthly journey ultimately concluded. This prompts us to consider how we are stewarding the precious time God has given us, recognizing that every life, no matter how long or impactful, is finite. Noah's legacy was not just his longevity but his faithfulness and the generations that sprang from him. In the same way, we are called to live lives of faith and obedience, building a spiritual legacy rooted in Christ for future generations, and preparing for eternity by trusting in the [hope of resurrection through Christ Jesus](/john/11-25 "Jesus' Promise of Resurrection"). Our ultimate hope is not in earthly longevity but in the eternal life promised through Him who conquered death.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the universal reality of death, even for a figure like Noah, shape your perspective on the value and purpose of your own life?**
* **What kind of spiritual legacy are you building that will outlast your earthly days, and how does your faith influence that legacy?**
* **In what ways does the brevity of life, contrasted with Noah's long years, motivate you to live more intentionally for God's glory today?**

### FAQ
**Why did Noah live so long, and why did lifespans decrease after the Flood?**

Answer: Noah's exceptionally long life of 950 years is consistent with the extended lifespans of pre- and early post-Flood patriarchs recorded in Genesis, such as Methuselah (969 years in [Genesis 5:27](/genesis/5-27 "Methuselah's Age")) and Adam (930 years in [Genesis 5:5](/genesis/5-5 "Adam's Age")). The Bible does not explicitly state the reasons for these long lifespans or their subsequent decrease. Theological interpretations often suggest that the pre-Flood environment was significantly different, perhaps contributing to greater human vitality. The post-Flood decrease in lifespans is often seen as a divine regulation, possibly to limit the accumulation of wickedness, reduce the potential for prolonged rebellion against God, or reflect a gradual decline in human vitality after the Flood's dramatic environmental and atmospheric changes. This reduction is evident as early as the generations immediately following Noah, continuing until lifespans stabilize closer to what we observe today, as noted in passages like [Psalm 90:10](/psalm/90-10 "The Brevity of Life").

**What is the significance of Noah's death in the biblical narrative?**

Answer: Noah's death marks the formal conclusion of the era dominated by the Great Flood and the establishment of God's covenant with humanity through him. It signifies a crucial transition in God's redemptive plan, moving from the patriarch who preserved humanity through a global catastrophe to the emergence of new generations and the development of nations, as detailed in the [Table of Nations in Genesis 10](/genesis/10 "The Table of Nations"). His passing underscores that even the most righteous and pivotal human figures are mortal and part of God's larger, unfolding plan. It serves as a reminder that God's work of salvation and His covenant promises continue through generations, not solely dependent on the longevity of any single individual, but on His unwavering faithfulness.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Noah, a righteous man who found favor in God's eyes and became the means of preserving humanity through the ark, prefigures Christ in several profound ways, yet his eventual death highlights the limitations of even the most faithful human figures. While Noah's ark provided temporary salvation from a physical flood, a type of baptism that saves (as seen in [1 Peter 3:20-21](/1_peter/3-20-21 "Baptism as an Antitype of the Flood")), Christ is the ultimate Ark of Salvation, offering eternal deliverance from sin and death. Noah's life, marked by obedience and a covenant established with God (the Noahic Covenant in [Genesis 9:8-17](/genesis/9-8-17 "God's Covenant with Noah and All Living Things")), culminates in his death, underscoring the universal curse of mortality (cf. [Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "The Wages of Sin is Death")). In stark contrast, Christ, through His perfect obedience and sacrificial death as the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), conquered death itself, establishing an everlasting covenant (cf. [Hebrews 9:15](/hebrews/9-15 "Christ, Mediator of a New Covenant")) and offering resurrection life to all who believe. Thus, Noah, despite his righteousness, points beyond himself to the One who would truly overcome death and provide eternal rest, fulfilling the hope that no human figure, not even Noah, could fully embody (cf. [John 11:25-26](/john/11-25-26 "Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Genesis 5:32

And Noah was five hundred years old: and Noah begat Shem, Ham, and Japheth.

Genesis 5:27

And all the days of Methuselah were nine hundred sixty and nine years: and he died.

Psalms 90:10

The days of our years [are] threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength [they be] fourscore years, yet [is] their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.

Genesis 11:11

And Shem lived after he begat Arphaxad five hundred years, and begat sons and daughters.

Genesis 11:25

And Nahor lived after he begat Terah an hundred and nineteen years, and begat sons and daughters.

Genesis 5:5

And all the days that Adam lived were nine hundred and thirty years: and he died.

Genesis 5:20

And all the days of Jared were nine hundred sixty and two years: and he died.