Are Lifespans in the Bible Consistent?
In this article, you will learn how Genesis 50:22 contradicts Genesis 6:3, Psalm 90:10 and Job 14:5. Find the translations at the bottom of the page..
The Bible presents various perspectives on human lifespan, leading to intriguing contradictions. Genesis 50:22 tells us that Joseph lived to be 110 years old, suggesting that he was blessed with a long, prosperous life in Egypt. This narrative highlights the notion that divine favor can extend human lifespans. However, when we compare this with other scriptural passages, we encounter a fascinating disparity.
Genesis 6:3 declares that God limited human lifespans to 120 years. This verse creates a perceived cap on how long humans should live, implying a divine decree that impacts all humanity. Joseph's 110-year lifespan fits within this boundary, but does it suggest that he reached a near-maximum potential life limit?
Then, consider Psalm 90:10, which describes a typical human lifespan as being 70-80 years. This is significantly shorter than Joseph's life and indicates what was perhaps the general expectancy during ancient times. This begs the question: Are long lives like Joseph’s exceptions due to divine favor, or deviations from a more typical lifespan?
To add another layer, Job 14:5 speaks about predetermined lifetimes, emphasizing that the number of our days is beyond our control. Despite this, Joseph's remarkably long life suggests that, sometimes, human experiences transcend these fixed boundaries. How do we reconcile predetermined spans with examples of exceptionally long lives?
These verses create an intriguing tapestry of ideas about human longevity. It's akin to having a general rule of thumb for an event—like a "two-hour movie norm"—and then encountering cinematic epics that last for four hours or more. Are these exceptions meant to teach us something, or are they random occurrences beyond understanding? The biblical texts on lifespan compel us to ponder how these variations fit within the broader tapestry of divine will and human experience.
| # | Verse | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Genesis 50:22 | And Joseph dwelt in Egypt, he, and his father's house: and Joseph lived an hundred and ten years. |
| 2. | 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. |
| 3. | Psalm 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. [The days...: Heb. As for the days of our years, in them are seventy years] |
| 4. | Job 14:5 | Seeing his days [are] determined, the number of his months [are] with thee, thou hast appointed his bounds that he cannot pass; |