Meaning & History
Metushelach is the Hebrew form of the biblical name Methuselah, famously known as the longest-lived person in the Old Testament, dying at the age of 969 years according to the Book of Genesis. The name itself is derived from the Hebrew elements maṯ ("man") and shelaḥ ("dart" or "weapon"), thus carrying the meaning "man of the dart" or "man of the javelin".
Biblical Context
In the Bible, Metushelach is the son of Enoch and the father of Lamech, who in turn is the father of Noah. He is mentioned in the genealogies of Genesis, 1 Chronicles, and the Gospel of Luke. According to the Book of Genesis, his death occurred in the same year as the Great Flood, leading Jewish and Christian traditions to interpret his name—sometimes understood as "his death shall send"—as a prophecy of the deluge. He is also a figure in Islam, recognized as a prophet or righteous man.
Cultural Significance
Metushelach's exceptional longevity has made him a symbol of extreme old age across Western culture. The phrase "old as Methuselah" is a common idiomatic expression. Various explanations have been proposed for his age, including mythological symbolism, mistranslation of ancient calendar systems, or a representation of the antediluvian era's mythic time. Non-canonical texts such as the Book of Enoch and Slavonic Enoch elaborate on his life and role in pre-flood history.
Related Forms
The name appears in multiple biblical languages: as Methuselah in English, Mathusalem in Biblical French, Methusalem in Biblical German, Matusalemme in Biblical Italian, Mathusalam in Biblical Latin, and Matusalén in Biblical Spanish.
- Meaning: "man of the dart" or "man of the javelin"
- Origin: Hebrew
- Type: Biblical
- Main Regions: Hebrew Bible and Abrahamic traditions
Related Names
Sources: Wikipedia — Methuselah