Methuselah facts for kids

Methuselah was a very old person mentioned in the Bible. He was the son of Enoch and the father of Lamech. The Bible says he lived for an amazing 969 years! Because of this, his name is often used to describe someone or something that is extremely old.

Who Was Methuselah?

Methuselah is a famous figure from the Bible, specifically from the Book of Genesis, chapter 5. He is known for being the oldest person mentioned in the Bible. His story is part of the early history of the world as told in the Bible.

Living for a Long Time

Imagine living for 969 years! That's almost a thousand years. To put that into perspective, many important historical events, like the building of ancient pyramids or the founding of many countries, happened in much less time. Methuselah's age makes him a symbol of incredible longevity, which means living for a very long time.

Methuselah's Family Tree

Methuselah was part of a long line of people mentioned in the Bible. His father was Enoch, another important figure. Methuselah also had a son named Lamech. Lamech was the father of Noah, who built the ark and survived the great flood. This means Methuselah was Noah's grandfather.

Why Is Methuselah Famous?

Methuselah is famous almost entirely because of his age. When someone says "as old as Methuselah," they mean something is ancient or has been around for a very, very long time. This saying is a proverb, which is a short, well-known saying that expresses a common truth or piece of advice.

The Meaning of His Name

While his name is now linked to old age, some scholars believe the name "Methuselah" might have meant "man of the dart" or "when he dies, it shall be sent." This could refer to the great flood that happened shortly after his death, as told in the Bible.

Images for kids

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  A picture of Methuselah at the Church of San Juan Bautista in Carbonero el Mayor, Segovia Province, Spain.

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  A very old tree named Methuselah in California, USA.

See also

In Spanish: Matusalén para niños