### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek lemma Μαθουσάλα (Mathousála), Strong's number `{{G3103}}`, is a direct transliteration of the Hebrew name מְתוּשֶׁלַח (Methushelach), Strong's number `{{H4968}}`. It refers exclusively to the antediluvian patriarch Methuselah, the son of Enoch and grandfather of Noah. The name's etymology is debated among scholars, but two primary interpretations are prominent:
1. "Man of the dart/javelin": This suggests a warrior or hunter, though less common for a patriarchal figure.
2. "When he dies, it shall be sent" or "His death brings": This interpretation is widely favored due to its profound connection to the biblical narrative of the Great Flood. It implies a prophetic significance, where Methuselah's extraordinary lifespan was a measure of God's patience before the impending judgment.
As a proper noun, its semantic range is limited to this specific individual, but the implications of his name and life extend to broader theological concepts.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In the Old Testament, the Hebrew form מְתוּשֶׁלַח (Methushelach) appears primarily in [[Genesis 5:21-27]]. Here, he is presented as the son of Enoch, born when Enoch was 65 years old. Methuselah lived 969 years, making him the longest-living human recorded in the Bible. His life culminates with his death, which, according to traditional biblical chronology, occurred in the very year of the Great Flood. This chronological detail lends significant weight to the "when he dies, it shall be sent" interpretation of his name. He is also mentioned in the genealogies of [[1 Chronicles 1:3]].
In the New Testament, the Greek form Μαθουσάλα (Mathousála) appears once in [[Luke 3:37]], within the genealogy of Jesus Christ. Luke's genealogy traces Jesus' lineage backward from Joseph all the way to Adam, establishing Christ's connection to all humanity and underscoring the historical continuity of God's redemptive plan. Methuselah's inclusion in this lineage affirms his historical reality and his place within the divinely ordained succession of generations leading to the Messiah. His presence in both Testaments solidifies his role as a foundational figure in biblical history.
### Related Words & Concepts
The study of Μαθουσάλα (Mathousála) naturally connects to several key biblical words and concepts:
* **מְתוּשֶׁלַח (Methushelach) `{{H4968}}`**: The direct Hebrew equivalent, essential for understanding the Old Testament context.
* **Genealogy**: The broader concept of biblical genealogies (e.g., [[Genesis 5]], [[Luke 3]]), which serve to establish lineage, demonstrate God's faithfulness across generations, and track the messianic line.
* **Longevity**: The extraordinary lifespans of the antediluvian patriarchs (e.g., Adam, Noah), which highlight a different epoch of human existence and potentially God's prolonged patience.
* **The Flood**: The divine judgment upon humanity recorded in [[Genesis 6-9]]. Methuselah's name and the timing of his death are intrinsically linked to this cataclysmic event.
* **Enoch**: Methuselah's father, who "walked with God" and was taken by God without experiencing death ([[Genesis 5:24]]). This contrast between father and son (one taken, one dying just before judgment) is noteworthy.
* **Noah**: Methuselah's grandson, the patriarch through whom humanity was preserved during the Flood.
### Theological Significance
Methuselah's life, though briefly described, carries profound theological weight:
1. **Divine Patience and Longsuffering**: His unparalleled longevity of 969 years can be interpreted as a powerful testament to God's immense patience and longsuffering toward a progressively sinful humanity before the Flood. For nearly a millennium, God extended grace and opportunity for repentance, with Methuselah's very life serving as a living clock ticking towards judgment.
2. **Chronological Marker of Judgment**: The traditional interpretation of his name, "when he dies, it shall be sent" (referring to the Flood), transforms his life into a prophetic countdown. His death coinciding with the arrival of the Flood is a striking example of divine precision and the fulfillment of implicit warnings. It underscores that God's judgments are not arbitrary but are preceded by ample warning and a period of grace.
3. **Continuity of Redemptive History**: His inclusion in the genealogies of both Genesis and Luke emphasizes the unbroken line of humanity through which God's covenant promises are passed down, ultimately culminating in the person of Jesus Christ. He is a vital link in the historical chain leading to salvation.
4. **Universal Mortality and Sin**: Despite his extraordinary lifespan, Methuselah ultimately died, like all other humans, underscoring the universal consequence of sin inherited from Adam ([[Romans 5:12]]). His death, in conjunction with the Flood, serves as a stark reminder of the wages of sin and the inevitability of divine judgment for unrepentant wickedness.
### Summary
Μαθουσάλα (Mathousála) `{{G3103}}`, or Methuselah, is the longest-living patriarch recorded in the Bible, living 969 years. He is the son of Enoch and grandfather of Noah, appearing in the genealogies of [[Genesis 5]] and [[Luke 3:37]]. His name is often interpreted as "when he dies, it shall be sent," prophetically linking his death to the timing of the Great Flood. Theologically, his life highlights God's immense patience and longsuffering before judgment, serves as a chronological marker for the pre-Flood world, and underscores the historical continuity of God's redemptive plan culminating in Christ. His eventual death, despite his longevity, also reinforces the universal reality of human mortality due to sin.
TRV