The Biblical Perspective on Human Lifespan: 70-80 Years or More?

Often, individuals wonder if the Bible specifically commands a human lifespan of 70 to 80 years. While there is no direct verse that states this, the Bible does provide insight into human lifespans and what these might have been like. This article will explore the various passages that mention human longevity within the context of the Bible.

Is There a Specific Verse Cmd Programing 70-80 Year Lifespan?

While there is no specific verse in the Bible explicitly stating that a human should live for 70 to 80 years, the Bible does contain several references to human lifespan. One such reference can be found in Psalm 90:10, where the psalmist describes the typical human lifespan:

The span of our life is 70 years, or 80 if one is especially strong. But they are filled with trouble and sorrow; they quickly pass by and away we fly.

This verse gives a clear indication of the limited human lifespan as it was commonly experienced in ancient times.

Genesis and Human Lifespan

In the Book of Genesis, the Bible records the ages of many of the patriarchs, showing that many of them lived for over 100 years. For instance, Abraham lived to 175 years old, and his son Isaac lived to 180 years old. These examples highlight that in earlier times, humans seemed to have lifespans that were much longer compared to the current average lifespan of 70-80 years.

Originality and Devolution of Lifespans

The original life span of humans, as depicted in Genesis, is quite different. Before the fall, humans did not have any limit to their lifespan. According to the Bible, humans were told they would die only if they did not eat from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. However, Eve did eat from this tree, and subsequently, her husband Adam followed. After this, they were informed that they would die and return to the dust within the same "Day" that they ate from the Tree of Knowledge.

The concept of a "Day" to God is often 1000 years, according to the Bible. As a result, the recorded life spans in Genesis after the expulsion from the Garden of Eden were less than 1000 years, meaning humans died within the "Day" in which they ate from the tree. Adam lived 930 years, his son Seth 912 years, and their descendants lived well over 800 years until the flood of Noah’s day. After the flood, Noah and his sons lived extraordinary long life spans, but as time passed, the human lifespan gradually shortened.

The Decline of the Life Force

Psalm 90:10 suggests that with the onset of sin, the strength of the life force in humans began to weaken over time. The further humans moved from the perfect state that Adam and Eve experienced before the fall, the weaker the force of life became. By the time of the Psalmists, thousands of years after Adam and Eve, the human lifespan had shrunk to just 70 or 80 years, if someone was especially strong or had a stronger life force.

Psalms 90:10 and the Need for a Savior

The Bible book of Revelation also indicates that after the war of Armageddon, Satan will be locked away for 1000 years, which is "One Day" to God. During this time, humans will live the entire 1000 years, the first ever to do so, and are 'perfected' back to the state in which Adam and Eve enjoyed before sinning. After this period, it is stated that the human lifespan on Earth is again without limitation by the statement, "And Death will be no more."

This passage from Revelation suggests that through Christ, humanity can be restored to a state of eternal life, as it was intended to be from the beginning.

The Bible, therefore, provides a rich tapestry of information about human lifespan, highlighting both the original intended lifespan and the decline that followed due to sin. It also emphasizes the need for a Savior to restore us to our original state of life and perfection.