Longevity: Salah, Four-Hundred and Thirty-Three Years
Jump to: Nave'sSubtopicsTerms
Topical Encyclopedia
Salah, also spelled as Shelah in some translations, is a biblical figure noted for his remarkable longevity, living for a total of 433 years. He is a descendant of Shem, the son of Noah, and is part of the genealogical line that leads to Abraham, making him an important figure in the ancestral history of the Israelites.

Genealogical Context

Salah is introduced in the genealogies of Genesis, which trace the lineage from Adam through Noah to the patriarchs of Israel. According to Genesis 11:12-15 , "When Arphaxad was 35 years old, he became the father of Salah. And after he became the father of Salah, Arphaxad lived 403 years and had other sons and daughters. When Salah was 30 years old, he became the father of Eber. And after he became the father of Eber, Salah lived 403 years and had other sons and daughters." This passage highlights Salah's place in the genealogical record and his role as the father of Eber, from whom the term "Hebrew" is derived.

Significance of Longevity

The extraordinary lifespans recorded in the early chapters of Genesis, including that of Salah, have been the subject of much discussion and interpretation. From a conservative Christian perspective, these long lifespans are often understood as literal, reflecting a time when human beings lived much longer due to the proximity to the original creation and the effects of the Fall not yet being fully realized in human biology.

Salah's 433-year lifespan is significant as it underscores the continuity and preservation of the godly line from Adam through Noah to Abraham. This continuity is crucial for understanding the unfolding of God's redemptive plan through history, as it demonstrates the faithfulness of God in preserving a lineage through which the Messiah would eventually come.

Theological Implications

Salah's life and longevity serve as a testament to the faithfulness of God in maintaining His covenant promises through successive generations. The genealogies in Genesis, including the account of Salah, are not merely historical records but are imbued with theological significance. They highlight the unfolding of God's plan for humanity and the importance of each generation in the fulfillment of divine purposes.

Furthermore, the long lifespans of the antediluvian and early postdiluvian patriarchs, such as Salah, are often seen as a reflection of the original perfection of creation. The gradual decrease in human lifespan after the Flood is interpreted as a consequence of sin's increasing impact on the world, illustrating the need for redemption and restoration through Jesus Christ.

Cultural and Historical Context

In the cultural and historical context of the ancient Near East, genealogies served not only as records of ancestry but also as a means of establishing identity and legitimacy. For the Israelites, tracing their lineage back to figures like Salah provided a sense of continuity and connection to the promises made by God to their forefathers.

Salah's mention in the genealogies also serves to link the pre-Flood and post-Flood worlds, bridging the gap between the two eras and emphasizing the ongoing narrative of God's interaction with humanity. His life, as recorded in Scripture, is a reminder of the enduring nature of God's covenant and the hope of restoration for all creation.
Nave's Topical Index
Genesis 11:14,15
And Salah lived thirty years, and begat Eber:
Nave's Topical Index

Resources
How old was Adam when he died? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Herod the Great? | GotQuestions.org

How tall was Adam? | GotQuestions.org

Longevity: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Longevity

Longevity: Aaron, One-Hundred and Twenty-Three Years

Longevity: Abraham, One-Hundred and Seventy-Five Years

Longevity: Adam, Nine-Hundred and Thirty Years

Longevity: Amram, One-Hundred and Thirty-Seven Years

Longevity: Anna, Older than Eighty-Four Years

Longevity: Arphaxad, Four-Hundred and Thirty-Eight Years

Longevity: Barzillai, Eighty Years

Longevity: Cainan, Nine-Hundred and Ten Years

Longevity: Eber, Four-Hundred and Sixty-Four Years

Longevity: Eli, Ninety-Eight Years

Longevity: Enoch, Three-Hundred and Sixty-Five Years

Longevity: Enos, Nine-Hundred and Five Years

Longevity: General Scriptures Concerning

Longevity: Isaac, One-Hundred and Eighty Years

Longevity: Jacob, One-Hundred and Forty-Seven Years

Longevity: Jared, Nine-Hundred and Sixty-Two Years

Longevity: Jehoiada, One-Hundred and Thirty Years

Longevity: Job, "Lived One-Hundred and Forty Years" After his Ordeal

Longevity: Joseph, One-Hundred and Ten Years

Longevity: Joshua, One-Hundred and Ten Years

Longevity: Lamech, Seven-Hundred and Seventy-Seven Years

Longevity: Mahalaleel, Eight-Hundred and Ninety-Five Years

Longevity: Methuselah, Nine-Hundred and Sixty-Nine Years

Longevity: Moses, One-Hundred and Twenty Years

Longevity: Nahor, One-Hundred and Forty-Eight Years

Longevity: Noah, Nine-Hundred and Fifty Years

Longevity: Paul, "The Aged One"

Longevity: Peleg, Two-Hundred and Thirty-Nine Years

Longevity: Reu, Two-Hundred and Thirty-Nine Years

Longevity: Salah, Four-Hundred and Thirty-Three Years

Longevity: Sarah, One-Hundred and Twenty-Seven Years

Longevity: Serug, Two-Hundred and Thirty Years

Longevity: Seth, Nine-Hundred and Twelve Years

Longevity: Shem, Six-Hundred Years

Longevity: Terah, Two-Hundred and Five Years

Related Terms

Patriarch (2 Occurrences)

Longeth (9 Occurrences)

Patriarchs (6 Occurrences)

Antediluvian

Long-forbearing (1 Occurrence)

Patriachs

Sarai (13 Occurrences)

Sarah (38 Occurrences)

Life (6001 Occurrences)

Genealogy (29 Occurrences)

Jesus (10891 Occurrences)

Christ (573 Occurrences)

Longevity: Reu, Two-Hundred and Thirty-Nine Years
Top of Page
Top of Page