Patriarchs in the Book of Genesis are recorded to live for 700 to 900 years.
These ages are fictional, created to fit certain chronologies and narratives.
Similar traditions in ancient texts, such as the Sumerian King List, have kings reigning for thousands of years.
Sumerian King List
Dates back to around 2000 BCE.
Kings before the flood reigned for 28,000 to 43,000 years.
Kings after the flood reigned for 300 to 1500 years.
Shows a pattern similar to the Genesis drop-off in age after the flood.
Differences and Editing in Genesis 4 and 5
Genesis 4
Presents two lineages:
Wicked Lineage: Cain to Lamech (Lamech claims he will be avenged even more than Cain, a murderer).
Includes characters:
Irod (similar to Jared)
Methusael (similar to Methuselah)
Enoch (son of Cain)
Genesis 5
Righteous Lineage: Seth to Noah
Characters from Genesis 4 are incorporated into Seth's lineage:
Irod becomes Jared
Methusael becomes Methuselah
Enoch is moved to a prominent seventh position (walks with God).
Ten patriarchs before the flood with Enoch and Noah being explicitly righteous.
Influence of Sumerian Traditions on Genesis
Genesis 5 is aligned with versions of the Sumerian King List from the first millennium BCE.
Barus' "Babylonica" also describes 10 antediluvian kings with the seventh in a place of prominence.
Enoch taken at 365 years, echoing a solar calendar year.
Editing and Interpretation in Genesis 5
Four characters from Cain’s wicked lineage (Jared, Enoch, Methuselah, Lamech) integrated into Seth’s line.
Earliest versions, like the Samaritan Pentateuch, suggest they died in the flood indicating wickedness.
Later versions (Septuagint and Masoretic Text) altered ages so they do not die in the flood, implying all patriarchs were righteous.
Conclusion:
Analysis of the ages and lineages in Genesis reflects a broader cultural tradition of aligning historical narratives with mythic frameworks found in neighboring ancient civilizations.