Genesis 9:29

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

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

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

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

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

Commentary

Context

Genesis 9:29 concludes the narrative arc of Noah, the central figure of the pre-Flood and immediate post-Flood world. This verse marks the end of his exceptionally long life, nine hundred and fifty years. It follows the account of the Great Flood, Noah's family repopulating the earth, and God establishing His covenant with humanity and all living creatures. His death signals a transition to the subsequent generations, detailed in the Table of Nations and the lineages that follow, where lifespans progressively begin to decrease from the extreme ages seen before and immediately after the Flood.

Key Themes

  • Mortality and the Human Condition: Despite living an extraordinary 950 years, Noah, like all humanity, eventually faced death. This verse underscores the universal reality of human mortality, a consequence of the fall of mankind. Even the longest earthly life is finite.
  • Transition of Eras: Noah's death formally closes the era of the initial post-Flood patriarch. His passing paved the way for new generations to take on the responsibility of filling the earth and stewarding God's creation, as commanded in Genesis 9:1.
  • God's Sovereignty Over Life: The precise mention of Noah's age highlights God's sovereign control over life and death. The dramatic reduction in human lifespans after the Flood (compared to Methuselah's 969 years in Genesis 5:27) suggests a divine regulation of human existence, perhaps to curb wickedness more quickly.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "all the days of Noah" is a common biblical idiom referring to the entirety of his life. The Hebrew verb for "and he died" (ื•ึทื™ึผึธืžึนืช, vayyamot) is simple and direct, frequently used in the patriarchal narratives of Genesis (e.g., Genesis 5:5, Genesis 11:32). Its repeated use emphasizes the finality of physical death, a consistent theme throughout scripture, reminding us that "it is appointed unto men once to die" (Hebrews 9:27).

Practical Application

Noah's long life and eventual death serve as a profound reminder of life's brevity in the grand scheme of eternity. Despite remarkable longevity and being instrumental in the preservation of humanity, his earthly journey came to an end. This encourages us to consider:

  • The Value of Our Days: How are we using the time God has given us? Noah's life was marked by obedience and faith, even when facing an unprecedented global catastrophe (Hebrews 11:7).
  • Preparation for Eternity: The inevitability of death calls us to prepare for what lies beyond. For believers, this involves living a life devoted to God and trusting in the hope of resurrection through Christ Jesus.
  • Legacy of Faith: Noah left a legacy not only of offspring but also of faith and obedience. What kind of spiritual legacy are we building for future generations?
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Cross-References

  • Genesis 5:32 (3 votes)

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

  • Genesis 5:27 (3 votes)

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

  • Psalms 90:10 (2 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

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

  • Genesis 11:25 (2 votes)

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

  • Genesis 5:5 (2 votes)

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

  • Genesis 5:20 (2 votes)

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