Jon Gary Williams
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Article 0114 - The Flood and Man's Longevity
The Flood and the Longevity of Man's Life
Jon Gary Williams
For years many of those who reject the Bible have searched for evidence within its pages that might show it to be a mythical book and little more than that. One reference often cited is Genesis chapter 5, which records the extreme ages attributed to men. These critics presume that humans could never have lived to such long ages and following this presumption they claim the Bible to be erroneous. However, a careful examination of the Genesis record explains why the Biblical account is both logical and scientific.
The Biblical record is clear in stating that humans once lived much
longer than is common today. From creation to the time of the flood the
average age was more than 900 years, with Methuselah being the oldest on
record at 969 years.
However, after the flood the ages of humans sharply declined. For
example, Noah's son Shem lived 600 years; his son Arpachshad lived 438
years. Over time man's life span continued to decrease, eventually
averaging less than 100 years.
Taking into consideration the time when this drastic change in human
lifespan began to occur, it becomes apparent that the flood had
something to do with the notable altering of man's longevity. What,
regarding the flood, could there have been which caused such a reduction
in the number of years humans were able to live?
To answer to this question, it is necessary to consider the physical
conditions which existed in the antediluvian world. From Genesis 1:5,6
we learn that at the beginning there was no rain but rather that the
earth was watered by a "mist." Rain is not mentioned until the time of
the flood, in Genesis 7:4.
In the time before the flood a substantial, misty canopy
must have enveloped the earth. Such a moisture-filled covering would have prevented
much of the sun's harmful radiation from penetrating the earth's
atmosphere. It is a known fact that radiation negatively affects man's
lifespan. Statistical studies have shown that overdoses of radiation lead to
premature aging, whereas protection from radiation prolongs man's
years.
Additionally, the mist surrounding the earth, being condensed into rain, would have been the source of much of the flood water, with the greater volume of water likely coming from the "fountains of the great deep" - - the earth's subterranean waters (Genesis 7:11).
The following graph illustrates the drastic difference in the longevity of man's life before and after the Genesis flood.
