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The Bible records many legendary heroes who were reputedly older than 100 when they died. They fall into two separate groups, although there is some apparent overlap between the groups. The first group occurs in the Book of Genesis, with biblical heros whose lifespans are based on elegant formulas using the number 17. This group includes all those who supposedly lived to extreme ages, but also some who lived only moderately long lives. The second group of people, from traditions based on the period after the legendary patriarchs. have lifespans that are round numbers, easy for oral storytellers to remember. This group includes Moses.

The oldest man in the Bible was Methuselah, who supposedly lived to the grand old age of 969, which is 57 X 17, and even had his first child at the age of 187, which is 11 X 17.

Most of the others with extreme lifespans follow a particular formula that hides the number 17 from those unfamiliar with Hebrew numerology, for example the first five biblical generation from Adam set a pattern for succeeding generations:


Name ................. Lifespan ........PatternAdam ................ 930 ...............7x9 + 51x17 [3x17x17]

Seth .................. 912 .............. 5x9 + 51x17

Enos ................. 905 ............... 8x9 + 49x17

Cainan ............. 910 ............... 6x10 + 50x17

Mahalalel ........ 895 ............... 5x9 + 50x17


The patriarchs are also described in the Book of Genesis and also belong to the tradition that used the number 17, but their lifespans were much closer to that of Moses:

  1. Abraham lived to 175 (5 X 5 X 7)
  2. Isaac lived to 180 (6 X 6 X 5)
  3. Jacob lived to 147 (7 X 7 X 3
  • Each lifespan involves a perfect square (5, 6, then 7 in a numeric series),
  • the third factor also forms a series (7, 5, 3)
  • in each case the sum of the factors is 17.

Genesis says Sarah lived to 127 years, which is the sum of these consecutive square numbers plus 17 (127 = 52 + 62 + 72 + 17). Joseph, sometimes called the fourth patriarch, lived to 110 years, which is the sum of these consecutive square numbers (110 = 52 + 62 + 72).

The later tradition lacks these elegant formulas and simply attributes round-number periods that are easy to remember, such as 120 years for Moses. Presumably the tradents also chose numbers that would not eclipse the Patriarchs. This preference for round numbers applies not only to lifespans but to the period of wandering in the wilderness, the periods associated with each major Judge and even the reigns of David and Solomon (40 years each). No harm is done by this, as most scholars say that Moses did not really exist, and the stories of the Judges and the United Monarchy are so coloured by legend and myth that little real history can be discerned.
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How long did Moses of the Bible live?

moses lived to be 120 years old


Where does Edwin Moses live?

Edwin Moses the famous hurdler lives in the U.S.A.


What are the differences and similarities of Harriet Tubman and Moses?

Moses lead the people of Israel out of captivity into their promised land where they would live. Harriet lead captive slaves to their freedom.


Did Moses grow up with Ramases?

Rameses IIThe Egyptian pharaoh, Rameses II lived approximately 1290 to 1224 BCE.MosesThe only information we have on Moses is from the Bible, which provides two quite distinct ways of estimating when Moses would have lived, neither of which coincides with the life of Rameses II.According to the Bible, Moses was the grandson of Kohath, who was alive at the time of the migration from Canaan and lived 133 years, while his son Amran lived 137 years. At the extremes of biological possibility, and assuming the patriarchs really lived to improbably great ages, Moses was born sometime between 15 years and 270 years after the arrival in Egypt and, living to the age of 120 years, died between 135 and 390 years after the arrival. On these calculations, Moses was born between about 1850 and 1600 BCE, and died between about 1730 and 1480 BCE.According to the Bible, Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt, around 1440 BCE, and died about 40 years later, having lived 120 years. On these calculations, Moses was born about 1520 BCE and died about 1400 BCE.ConclusionOn this evidence, Rameses II and Moses could not have grown up together, as Ramesis lived centuries after the time attributed to Moses. Moreover, over ninety per cent of scholars are reported as believing the Exodus did not really happen, thus casting doubt on the very existence of Moses.


Who Lead the Jews out of Egypt?

Jacob (son of Isaac) and his entire household gathered up with all their livestock and went to live in the land of Goshen in Egypt during the famine where his son Joseph was put in charge by Pharaoh.See Genesis 46:1-30.

Related Questions

How long did Moses of the Bible live?

moses lived to be 120 years old


How long did Moses from the Bible live?

Moses lived 120 years according to Deut. 34:7. THATS BOLLOCKS


Did any man live more than 120 years after Moses died at age 120?

Yes. Jehoiada died at the age of 130. 2 Chronicles 24:15


What era did Moses live in?

According to the biblical genealogy, Moses would have lived in the late bronze age. However, few scholars today believe that the story of Moses was really historical.


How old was Moses when he went to live with the Princess in the palace?

It is not known how old Moses was when he left his home to stay with the king. He was most likely an older child.


What was the age of moses at the time of his demise?

Moses died at the ripe old age of 120.


Was Moses 120 or 950 years old?

Your question conflates Moses and Noah. Noah lived to 950 (Genesis ch.9), while Moses lived to 120 (Deuteronomy ch.34). See also the Related Links.Timeline of Jewish names and datesAccuracy of the Hebrew BibleLink: Lifespans of the ancients


Where did Grandma Moses live as an adult?

where did grandma moses live at as an adult


How was Moses?

Moses lived to the age of 120. There are some who believe he was then 'translated' - taken up by God without 'tasting' death.


What is the time of the Moses?

Moses died around 1401 BC at the age of 120 years. This puts his birth around 1521 BC.


Who did Moses live with?

Moses first lived in Egypt, then with Jethro.


Where does Moses live?

Edwin Moses the famous hurdler lives in the U.S.A.