The local flood

[_moksha]

Someone in Mesopotamia who witnessed the banks of the rivers overflowing its banks and flooding where they were standing perhaps thought the idea of a voyage to find dry land would make a good story. Worked both in the Epic of Gilgamesh and Waterworld. A slightly altered form of the Gilgamesh story also appears in the Old Testament of the Bible.

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[_Hoops]

Well, of course if men can live to 920 and women can bear children at age 90-100 anything is possible.

There is a song like that...With God, nothing is impossible!

We can move mountains, too.

That doesn't address my point. Is the ages of pre-Noah humans symbolic? Of what? If not, isn't that revealing of the significant changes?

Unless you've tired of the discussion, then that's fine to. I just want you to be happy!!!!

[_just me]

Well, of course if men can live to 920 and women can bear children at age 90-100 anything is possible.

There is a song like that...With God, nothing is impossible!

We can move mountains, too.

That doesn't address my point. Is the ages of pre-Noah humans symbolic? Of what? If not, isn't that revealing of the significant changes?

Unless you've tired of the discussion, then that's fine to. I just want you to be happy!!!!

I am happy. Honestly, I think my brain has exploded a little bit reading some of this. I am getting a little silly and that is probably disrespectful. I'm just trying to have fun and laugh.

Yes. I believe the numbers are symbolic. The number 40 and 7 and 12 show up a LOT in scripture. It is because those numbers are symbolically meaningful.

Now, I haven't given much thought to a symbolic meaning to the mind bending ages put forth in the Old Testament. But, here is what I am thinking off the top of my head. This genealogy is used as evidence of a young earth and 6000 year timeline. I think the ages could have just been made up to fit the desired timeline. It is pretty far-fetched that there was a line that long with unbroken male descent, too.

[_Morley]

.... If humans can, within a few generations, go from living hundreds of years to around 70 (which is a measurement of a generation, not the actual number of years every human will live) then it's not difficult to see that animals can go from a vegan diet to a meat diet.

Hoops, you're joking, right? Tell me you're kidding.

[_Hoops]

.... If humans can, within a few generations, go from living hundreds of years to around 70 (which is a measurement of a generation, not the actual number of years every human will live) then it's not difficult to see that animals can go from a vegan diet to a meat diet.

Hoops, you're joking, right? Tell me you're kidding.

Not at all. If one is to consider the numbers symbolic, that invites a whole new set of questions that demand to be answered. One if which, and the easiest one, is why would the author(s) use such specificity when giving the ages. The Bible tells us exactly how long Noah lived. Why?

If it was to fool the readers, to what end? If they are not symbolic, then that is significant as well.

[_Hoops]

I am happy.

Cool!! Me to!! Despite some significant problems in the hoops house.

Honestly, I think my brain has exploded a little bit reading some of this. I am getting a little silly and that is probably disrespectful. I'm just trying to have fun and laugh.

I'm beginning to understand that about you, and I like it!!! Sarcastic one-liners is what I live on!!

Yes. I believe the numbers are symbolic. The number 40 and 7 and 12 show up a LOT in scripture. It is because those numbers are symbolically meaningful.

I don't think the context supports you conclusion. Plus, it's easy to see how 40 and 7 could be symbolic, but the exact, specific ages? That doesn't ask for symbolism.

This genealogy is used as evidence of a young earth and 6000 year timeline.

Why? Were they anybody within the author's audience who disputed a young earth at the time? The YE OE debate as pretty recent.

It is pretty far-fetched that there was a line that long with unbroken male descent, too.

Kind of gives new vigor to the idea that God in the Old Testament was preserving the nation of Israel in anticipation of Jesus.

[_just me]

I will need to see a list of the genealogy and ages of peeps.

[_just me]

Kind of gives new vigor to the idea that God in the Old Testament was preserving the nation of Israel in anticipation of Jesus.

The genealogy of Jesus looks to me like a cobbled mess of "Who's Who" in the Old Testament.

ETA: I honestly haven't looked at this for probably almost 2 years. And I haven't ever given too much thought into the long Old Testament ages and genea. Sooo, everything I am saying right now is just off the top of my head based on memory and my genealogy knowledge. K

[_Morley]

Not at all. If one is to consider the numbers symbolic, that invites a whole new set of questions that demand to be answered. One if which, and the easiest one, is why would the author(s) use such specificity when giving the ages. The Bible tells us exactly how long Noah lived. Why?

If it was to fool the readers, to what end? If they are not symbolic, then that is significant as well.

You take everything in the Bible as literal?

[_CSA]

Too many think that God does not have the power to cause a global flood. Someone who believes in a global flood must also believe that God can do anything. I can not give you the explaination, just that with God's power all things are possible. Some of you believe in a big-bang that creates an entire universe, but can not comprehend a global flood of a small almost insignificant planet in that universe.