Mathusalem is the French form of Methuselah, a biblical name meaning "man of the dart" in Hebrew, from elements (maṯ) meaning "man" and (shelaḥ) meaning "dart, weapon." In the Old Testament, Methuselah was the son of Lamech and grandfather of Noah (descended from Seth; Lamech also appears as a descendant of Cain). According to Genesis 5:27, Methuselah lived 969 years, making him the longest-lived person in the Bible, and his death is said to have occurred just before the Great Flood.The French form Mathusalem is typically pronounced /ma.ty.za.lɛm/ in French. Like other Romance-language forms such as Italian Matusalemme, Spanish Matusalén, and Biblical Latin Mathusalam, it derives from the Hebrew name Metushelach. Methuselah is of Judeo-Christian origin and features in the genealogies of Genesis. The name itself is a theophoric or descriptive compound; some interpretations suggest a meaning like "man of the javelin" or "man of the dart."Beyond its biblical root, Mathusalem has appeared as a given name in French culture, though it is rare in modern usage. The name often carries connotations of great age, metaphorically applied to anything ancient or long‑lasting. In contemporary contexts, the Spanish 2023 comedy film Mathusalem uses the name for a main character, highlighting its colloquial association with seniority.Related Hebrew forms include Metushelach (Biblical Hebrew). Other Romance variants are Biblical Italian Matusalemme, Biblical Spanish Matusalén, and Biblical Latin Mathusalam. The name chain traces back to Lamech and ultimately to Cain (root of the genealogical line in Genesis). As a first name, Mathusalem is virtually unused today in most French-speaking countries, though it appears occasionally proudly vintage resurrections by some families.Meaning: "man of the dart"Origin: Biblical HebrewType: Given name (male)Usage regions: French-speaking countries (rare)Related name: Methuselah