CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width; initial-scale=1.0;"/><title>Topical Bible: The Old and Very Old</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/topical/t/the_old_and_very_old.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/newtopical.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/topical/vmenus/proverbs/16-31.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="//biblehu.com/bmcde/o/old.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/topical/">Topical</a> > The Old and Very Old</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/topical/t/the_oil_sellers.htm" title="The Oil Sellers">◄</a> The Old and Very Old <a href="/topical/t/the_old_covenant.htm" title="The Old Covenant">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse">Jump to: <a href="#sub" title="Subtopics">Subtopics</a> • <a href="#rel" title="Related Terms">Terms</a></div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><a name="te" id="te"></a><div class="vheading2">Topical Encyclopedia</div>The terms "old" and "very old" in the Bible often refer to age, wisdom, and the passage of time, carrying significant theological and cultural implications. These terms are used to describe individuals, objects, and concepts that have endured through time, often symbolizing experience, authority, and continuity with God's covenantal promises.<br><br><b>Old Age in the Bible</b><br><br>Old age is frequently associated with wisdom and honor. In the Hebrew culture, longevity was seen as a blessing from God, a reward for righteousness and obedience. <a href="/proverbs/16-31.htm">Proverbs 16:31</a> states, "Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is attained along the path of righteousness." This verse highlights the respect and reverence afforded to the elderly, who are often seen as repositories of wisdom and experience.<br><br>The patriarchs of the Old Testament, such as Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, are often described as living to a "good old age." <a href="/genesis/25-8.htm">Genesis 25:8</a> records, "Then Abraham breathed his last and died at a ripe old age, an old man and full of years, and he was gathered to his people." This expression underscores the fulfillment of God's promises and the completion of a life lived in faithfulness.<br><br><b>Very Old Individuals</b><br><br>The Bible also records instances of individuals who lived to extraordinary ages, particularly in the antediluvian period. Methuselah is famously noted for his long life, living 969 years according to <a href="/genesis/5-27.htm">Genesis 5:27</a>: "So Methuselah lived a total of 969 years, and then he died." These extended lifespans are often interpreted as a reflection of the pristine conditions of the early world and the direct blessing of God.<br><br><b>Old Testament Laws and Traditions</b><br><br>The term "old" is also used to describe the Mosaic Law and the traditions of Israel. The "old covenant" refers to the agreement established between God and Israel at Sinai, characterized by the Law given through Moses. <a href="/hebrews/8-13.htm">Hebrews 8:13</a> states, "By calling this covenant 'new,' He has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and aging will soon disappear." This passage contrasts the old covenant with the new covenant established through Jesus Christ, emphasizing the fulfillment and transformation of God's promises.<br><br><b>Old Testament Prophecies</b><br><br>Prophecies in the Old Testament often speak of the "old" in terms of restoration and renewal. <a href="/isaiah/46-9.htm">Isaiah 46:9-10</a> declares, "Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come." Here, the "old" serves as a reminder of God's unchanging nature and His sovereign plan throughout history.<br><br><b>Cultural and Historical Context</b><br><br>In the cultural context of the Bible, the elderly were often seen as leaders and advisors. The elders of Israel played crucial roles in governance and decision-making, as seen in passages like <a href="/exodus/3-16.htm">Exodus 3:16</a>, where God instructs Moses to gather the elders of Israel. Their age and experience were considered vital for maintaining the community's spiritual and social order.<br><br><b>Symbolism of the Old</b><br><br>The concept of the "old" also carries symbolic weight in biblical literature. It can represent the former ways of life, the traditions handed down through generations, and the enduring nature of God's word. <a href="/psalms/119-152.htm">Psalm 119:152</a> states, "Long ago I learned from Your testimonies that You have established them forever." This verse underscores the timeless and enduring nature of God's commandments and promises.<br><br>In summary, the terms "old" and "very old" in the Bible encompass a range of meanings, from literal age to symbolic representations of wisdom, tradition, and divine faithfulness. These concepts are woven throughout the biblical narrative, highlighting the continuity of God's work across generations and His eternal covenant with His people.</div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="sub" id="sub"></a><div class="vheading2">Subtopics</div><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/o/old.htm">Old</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/o/old_age.htm">Old Age</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/o/old_age--general_scriptures_concerning.htm">Old Age: General Scriptures Concerning</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/o/old_gate.htm">Old Gate</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/o/old_man.htm">Old Man</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/o/old_testament.htm">Old Testament</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/o/old_testament_canon.htm">Old Testament Canon</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/o/old_testament_languages.htm">Old Testament Languages</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/s/select_readings--old_age.htm">Select Readings: Old Age</a></p><a name="rel" id="rel"></a><div class="vheading2">Related Terms</div><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/a/appoint.htm">Appoint (114 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/e/elect.htm">Elect (32 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/p/pick.htm">Pick (37 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/selected.htm">Selected (23 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/c/choose.htm">Choose (116 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/a/apocrypha.htm">Apocrypha</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/u/unanimously.htm">Unanimously (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/j/journey.htm">Journey (214 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/l/living.htm">Living (3112 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/w/wail.htm">Wail (50 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/f/fittest.htm">Fittest (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/t/try.htm">Try (84 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/t/task.htm">Task (37 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/r/reputation.htm">Reputation (12 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/r/responsibility.htm">Responsibility (17 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/e/esther.htm">Esther (48 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/e/elite.htm">Elite (2 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/e/exclusive.htm">Exclusive (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/e/eagle.htm">Eagle (27 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/d/draw.htm">Draw (212 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/d/duke.htm">Duke (14 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/d/day's.htm">Day's (19 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/d/decided.htm">Decided (54 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/m/marriage.htm">Marriage (74 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/p/popular.htm">Popular (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/p/party.htm">Party (47 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/b/berothah.htm">Berothah (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/b/berothai.htm">Berothai (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/c/creature.htm">Creature (73 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/c/clean.htm">Clean (298 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/c/choice.htm">Choice (113 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/a/abi.htm">Abi (2 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/a/adopt.htm">Adopt (4 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/a/acceptable.htm">Acceptable (48 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/a/acceptation.htm">Acceptation (2 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/a/assign.htm">Assign (22 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/a/army.htm">Army (401 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/a/accept.htm">Accept (106 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/single.htm">Single (65 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/separate.htm">Separate (115 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/swim.htm">Swim (8 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/seldom.htm">Seldom (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/sort.htm">Sort (143 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/p/partridge.htm">Partridge (2 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/d/dictionaries.htm">Dictionaries</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/d/dear.htm">Dear (120 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/n/night.htm">Night (3322 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/b/business.htm">Business (147 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/h/hawk.htm">Hawk (6 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/r/report.htm">Report (127 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/j/jesus.htm">Jesus (10891 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/p/prophets.htm">Prophets (270 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/a/attitudes.htm">Attitudes (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/septuagint.htm">Septuagint</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/c/chosen.htm">Chosen (197 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/f/friends.htm">Friends (152 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/seven.htm">Seven (404 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/b/brothers.htm">Brothers (574 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/c/company.htm">Company (287 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/p/prophecy.htm">Prophecy (37 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/m/master's.htm">Master's (52 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/scribes.htm">Scribes (85 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/d/deluge.htm">Deluge (17 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/c/charge.htm">Charge (379 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/t/turn.htm">Turn (963 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/n/noah.htm">Noah (55 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/w/worthy.htm">Worthy (92 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/j/judaeus.htm">Judaeus</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/p/philo.htm">Philo</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/t/text.htm">Text (5 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/m/manuscripts.htm">Manuscripts</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/m/malefactor.htm">Malefactor (2 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/t/throne.htm">Throne (181 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/m/mark.htm">Mark (182 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/a/according.htm">According (7613 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/e/ethics.htm">Ethics</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/r/regeneration.htm">Regeneration (2 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/sabbath.htm">Sabbath (126 Occurrences)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/topical/t/the_oil_sellers.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="The Oil Sellers"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="The Oil Sellers" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/topical/t/the_old_covenant.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="The Old Covenant"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="The Old Covenant" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div> <div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"><script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script></div></td></tr></table></div></div></div> <br /><br /> <div align="center"> <div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>