Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  5000 Humanity  »  5650 Human relationships  »  5725 old age  »  5726 old age, attainment of

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 5:5,8,11,27 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”.

In later generations

Psalm 90:10 See also 2 Samuel 5:4-5; Samuel 19:34-35

Attaining old age is a blessing from God

Long life as a reward for obedience

Deuteronomy 5:33 See also Exodus 20:12 pp Deuteronomy 5:16; Deuteronomy 4:40; Proverbs 3:1-2; Proverbs 16:31; Ecclesiastes 8:13

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

People reaching old age indicates God's blessing on society

Zechariah 8:4 See also Isaiah 65:20

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

Failure to reach old age is a result of God's judgment

1 Samuel 2:31-33

The disabilities of old age

Its frailties

Psalm 71:9 See also Genesis 27:1; Genesis 48:10; 1 Kings 1:1; Kings 15:23; Ecclesiastes 12:2-7 an allegory portraying physical decline

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

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

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

See also

1335  blessing
4015  life
5296  disabilities
5446  poverty
5498  reward
5696  grandchildren
5724  offspring
5795  bereavement
8357  weakness
8361  wisdom
8453  obedience
9020  death