Attaining old age is regarded as a blessing from God, often as a reward for obedience. The physical weakness brought by old age is recognised; so too is God's ability to strengthen and sustain the aged. Old age is often accompanied by a growth in wisdom and discernment.
Life expectancy in the OT
Before the flood
Genesis 5:5, Genesis 5:8, Genesis 5:11, Genesis 5:27 Methuselah died in the year of the flood; Genesis 9:29
After the flood
Genesis 6:3 See also Genesis 11:10–25 Following the flood, the span of life gradually reduces; Genesis 25:7–8 Abraham's death at 175 is considered “a good old age”.
So the LORD said, “My Spirit will not contend with man forever, for he is mortal; his days shall be 120 years.”
In later generations
Psalm 90:10 See also 2 Samuel 5:4–5, 2 Samuel 19:34–35
The length of our days is seventy years — or eighty if we are strong — yet their pride is but labor and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away.
Attaining old age is a blessing from God
Long life as a reward for obedience
Deuteronomy 5:33 See also Exodus 20:12 parallel Deuteronomy 5:16; Deuteronomy 4:40; Proverbs 3:1–2, Proverbs 16:31; Ecclesiastes 8:13
You must walk in all the ways 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.
Reaching old age is a mark of God's favour
Genesis 15:15 See also Genesis 24:1, Genesis 35:29 Isaac; Judges 8:32 Gideon; 1 Chronicles 29:28 David, like Abraham and Gideon is described as dying at “a good old age”; 2 Chronicles 24:15 Jehoiada; Job 42:17 Job
You, however, will go to your fathers in peace and be buried at a ripe old age.
People reaching old age indicates God's blessing on society
Zechariah 8:4 See also Isaiah 65:20
This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Old men and old women will again sit along the streets of Jerusalem, each with a staff in hand because of great age.
Seeing grandchildren is a sign of blessing
Proverbs 17:6 See also Genesis 48:11, Genesis 50:22–23; Ruth 4:15; Job 42:16; Psalm 128:5–6; Isaiah 53:10
Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of a son is his father.
Failure to reach old age is a result of God's judgment
The disabilities of old age
Its frailties
Psalm 71:9 See also Genesis 27:1, Genesis 48:10; 1 Kings 1:1, 1 Kings 15:23; Ecclesiastes 12:2–7 an allegory portraying physical decline
Do not discard me in my old age; do not forsake me when my strength fails.
The progressive inability to have children
Genesis 18:11–13 See also Genesis 17:17, Genesis 37:3 Children born in old age were rare and therefore special; 2 Kings 4:14; Luke 1:18
And Abraham and Sarah were already old and well along in years; Sarah had passed the age of childbearing. So she laughed to herself, saying, “After I am worn out and my master is old, will I now have this pleasure?” And the LORD asked Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Can I really bear a child when I am old?’
The approach of death
Genesis 27:2; 1 Kings 1:15; 1 Chronicles 23:1
God's provision for the aged
God strengthens and sustains them
Isaiah 46:4 See also Deuteronomy 34:7; Joshua 14:10–11; Job 5:26; Psalm 92:14
Even to your old age, I will be the same, and I will bear you up when you turn gray. I have made you, and I will carry you; I will sustain you and deliver you.
God gives them children
Genesis 21:7 Abraham and Sarah; 2 Kings 4:16–17 the Shunammite woman; Luke 1:36 Elizabeth
Wisdom and self-control should accompany old age
Job 12:12 See also Job 15:10; Proverbs 20:29; John 8:9; Titus 2:2
Wisdom is found with the elderly, and understanding comes with long life.
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.