Did Men live 900 years?

[Jay]

Most of the people whould have lived long lives, so the rate of departure from this life (which is part of the reason why people long to leave). Futher, the aging rate would have been much slower. Probably puberty would still have occured in the first 20 years of life, but the stages of life would have been much different, with young adulthood lasting until nearly 300 years old.

Probably marriages (Adam and Eve, and Enoch being exceptions) did not occur until after a person was into the triple digits. Children could also be spaced further apart (one every 15-20 years).

I know that I am engaging in supposition, but I do believe that some of these can be infered. Further we know that there was a moral collapse during the period preceding Noah.

[AreYouReady?]

Originally Posted by Jay

Most of the people whould have lived long lives, so the rate of departure from this life (which is part of the reason why people long to leave). Futher, the aging rate would have been much slower. Probably puberty would still have occured in the first 20 years of life, but the stages of life would have been much different, with young adulthood lasting until nearly 300 years old.

Probably marriages (Adam and Eve, and Enoch being exceptions) did not occur until after a person was into the triple digits. Children could also be spaced further apart (one every 15-20 years).

I know that I am engaging in supposition, but I do believe that some of these can be infered. Further we know that there was a moral collapse during the period preceding Noah.

Just for conversation sake and not to dispute your supposition. It could have happened like you say, but I doubt that children would be spaced further apart ...one every 15-20 years. And I doubt that the men had only one wife back in Noah's day. Most likely they had many wives since there was no law binding them to one wife.

[Jay]

Originally Posted by AreYouReady?

No apologies needed Jay. I've heard the definition of nephilim as being fallen angels also, which prompted us as a family to search out the difference between the words "giants" and "sons of God". People get the two mixed up often. We are still studying the subject as we do not have a full understanding, maybe we never will in this life.

There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown. (Genesis 6:4)

If we look at it by substituting the word "tyrant" (just to try to clarify) instead of the word giant (according to Strong's) we can may see it in a different light.

There were tyrants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown. (Genesis 6:4)

So...who are the sons of God?

Here is one explanation that makes some sense, but I am not convinced yet.

http://apostolicrevelation.blogspot....ns-of-god.html

It makes better sense than fallen angels turning into human flesh. (...and we were taught that in an Apostolic UPC church) It did not make sense then either.

I looked at the link, and while I find some of it a stretch, I agree with the basic point that the 'sons of God' were of the line of Seth. Beyond that I find some it a bit exagerated and hypothetical for my taste. However, as I myself engaged in an extended hypothetical, I will not begrudge him his ideas, especially as they are closer to the angel/women theory. I will have to look up Strong's a little later with e-sword.

Originally Posted by AreYouReady?

Just for conversation sake and not to dispute your supposition. It could have happened like you say, but I doubt that children would be spaced further apart ...one every 15-20 years. And I doubt that the men had only one wife back in Noah's day. Most likely they had many wives since there was no law binding them to one wife.

I think that you will find that I agreed with you about the 15-20 years in my own post. I will give you the example of Lamech (Cain's line) had two wives. I would agree that it would seem that there were many variations of the marriage covenant then as Jesus Himself makes mention of it.

Also it is interesting to note that the Bible only lists certain offspring, and then says 'begat sons and daughters'. I heard that this refered to the other descendants in the list, but have always been convinced that we were dealing with unnamed offspring.