The lifespans of the patriarchs: Schematic orderings in the chrono-genealogy

Authors

Jeremy Northcote, Edith Cowan University

Document Type

Journal Article

Publisher

E.J. Brill

Faculty

Faculty of Business and Law

School

School of Marketing, Tourism and Leisure

RAS ID

3982

Comments

Northcote, J. (2007). The lifespans of the patriarchs: Schematic orderings in the chrono-genealogy. Vetus Testamentum, 57(2), 243-257. Available here

Abstract

A remarkable numerical schema is revealed when the lifespan notices for the generations from Adam to Moses in the Masoretic version of the Pentateuch are added together—12,600 years. It is suggested that this schema has eschatological connotations that relates to the 1,260 days mentioned in Daniel and Revelation. The possibility that the lifespan notices developed from an earlier, progenitor chronology that originally tallied 12,000 years is also discussed, and the relationship between this schema, the surrounding patriarchal narratives and other Near East chronological traditions is examined in terms of the textual development of the Old Testament lifespan tradition.

DOI

10.1163/156853307X183730