The names of the Bible are absolutely fascinating!!! They quite often contain hidden nuggets of valuable truth that make the Bible even more fun to read & study. Such is the case with the name: “Methuselah”…

Most people are generally familiar with “Methuselah”. He was the son of Enoch (the righteous preacher). He was the grandfather of Noah (of Noah’s Flood). He was also the man with the longest life-span in the Bible (969 years)…

But!!!... What most people don’t know about “Methuselah” is the special Hebrew meaning behind his name. This Hebrew name actually carries behind it a Divine prophecy concerning the deluge (flood) of Noah. How so?... Let’s investigate!!!...

The most common English interpretation for “Methuselah” (meth-oo-sheh’-lach) is “Man of a Dart” (Strong’s # 4968)…

This word (or name) is broken down into two separate parts (in Hebrew):

# 1 - “Meth” or “Math” = “Man (an adult)” 

# 2 – “Shelach” = “A Missile (for attack)”

Note: The Hebrew noun “Shelach” can denote a missile, a dart, a spear, a javelin, a sword, or a branch.  It is derived from the Hebrew root verb “Shalach” meaning “to send out” or “to send away”. Notice the similarity with the Greek word “Apostle” (one sent forth)!!!

So what we have here is an illustrative picture of a man (presumably a warrior) holding a spear in his hand. And what does a warrior normally do with a spear? He throws (“sends out”) the spear at his enemy!!! The spear shoots forth!!! The spear is launched!!!...

Thus!!!... The name “Methuselah” can denote two separate meanings:

# 1 – A Man Holding a Spear!!!... “On the Attack”… OR….

# 2 – A Man on Mission!!!… “One Sent Forth”… “Like a Spear”….

Now here’s where things get very interesting!!!  There is a third (more concrete) meaning for “Methuselah” hidden even deeper (like a long lost treasure) within the Hebrew language. We’re talking about the actual core meaning behind the name “Methuselah”!!!...

What meaning?.... Here goes!!!...

The name “Methuselah” at its core actually means:  “When he is dead it shall be sent”….

(Note: Doesn’t this remind you of that mysterious sounding voice in “The Field of Dreams?”. Every once in a while, the main character would hear this whispering voice say, “If you build it, they will come!”… Anyway, this reminds me of that movie!!!...)

What we have here is a Divine prophecy concerning the deluge (flood) of Noah, and it’s hidden within this man’s name. How do I know this is an actual prophecy? The deluge (flood) of Noah took place the very same year of Methuselah’s death… True fact!!!...

This is no mere coincidence!!!....

The sinful world (at the time) was virtually safe from God’s impending judgment as long as “Methuselah” breathed air in a flesh body. However, once “Methuselah” dies, things will drastically change for the rebellious inhabitants of the earth.  How so?...

Upon Methuselah’s death, God’s plan is to send forth (like a spear) the deluge (flood) of Noah upon an unrepentant sinful world (God’s enemy). So what we have here is a perfect illustrative type (example) of the Lord’s battle against sin & rebellion…

And this illustrative type (and prophecy) is perfectly contained within the name “Methuselah”… “When he is dead it shall be sent”….

Let me say one more thing about “Methuselah”!!!….

I find it interesting to think about “Methuselah” as the man with the longest life-span in the Bible (969 years). Now that we know the precise meaning of his name, it becomes easier to see the grace of God during this very dark period of earth’s history (pre-flood)…

How so?...

Think about it!!!... The very fact that this man holds the all-time record for the longest life-span on earth (969 years) is a direct testimony (in my opinion) to the enduring patience & longsuffering of God towards mankind. It’s like the scripture says:  

2 Peter 3:9 – “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise (Christ’s Return), as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering (patient) to us-ward (mankind), not willing (it’s not His will) that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”

The Lord used the extremely long (record-breaking) life-span of “Methuselah” as a period of grace (so to speak) to allow mankind a unique opportunity to repent for their sinful rebellion against God before the Day of Judgment (Noah’s flood)… And guess what?...

The Lord is doing the exact same thing for us (today) before our Day of Judgment (Christ’s Return)… 

So I would like to encourage anyone who reads this message to accept God’s gracious gift of salvation today before time runs out. Another flood is coming… Not of water!!!... But Fire!!! And you don’t want to be caught outside God’s designated Ark of Salvation.

What is God’s Ark of Salvation?.... Jesus Christ!!!....

So come into the “Ark of Salvation” today, and find the only true “Rest” you’re ever going to find!!!...

(Note: The name “Noah” means “Rest”….)