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What the Bible Says About Old Age

Overview

The Bible addresses old age across 39 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Job, Ecclesiastes and Psalms. Closely related themes include Readings, Select, Barzillai, Contentment and Reverence. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Job.

Key Bible verses about old age

Old Testament

2 Samuel

Job

Job 5:26

Thou shalt come to thy grave in a full age, like as a shock of corn cometh in in his season.

Job 11:17

And thine age shall be clearer than the noonday; thou shalt shine forth, thou shalt be as the morning.

Job 12:12

With the ancient is wisdom; and in length of days understanding.

Job 32:4

Now Elihu had waited till Job had spoken, because they were elder than he.

Job 32:5

When Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, then his wrath was kindled.

Job 32:6

And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said, I am young, and ye are very old; wherefore I was afraid, and durst not shew you mine opinion.

Job 32:7

I said, Days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom.

Job 32:8

But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.

Job 32:9

Great men are not always wise: neither do the aged understand judgment.

Job 42:17

So Job died, being old and full of days.

Ecclesiastes

Ecclesiastes 6:3

If a man beget an hundred children, and live many years, so that the days of his years be many, and his soul be not filled with good, and also that he have no burial; I say, that an untimely birth is better than he.

Ecclesiastes 6:6

Yea, though he live a thousand years twice told, yet hath he seen no good: do not all go to one place?

Ecclesiastes 12:1

Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;

Ecclesiastes 12:2

While the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, be not darkened, nor the clouds return after the rain:

Ecclesiastes 12:3

In the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble, and the strong men shall bow themselves, and the grinders cease because they are few, and those that look out of the windows be darkened,

Ecclesiastes 12:4

And the doors shall be shut in the streets, when the sound of the grinding is low, and he shall rise up at the voice of the bird, and all the daughters of musick shall be brought low;

Ecclesiastes 12:5

Also when they shall be afraid of that which is high, and fears shall be in the way, and the almond tree shall flourish, and the grasshopper shall be a burden, and desire shall fail: because man goeth to his long home, and the mourners go about the streets:

Ecclesiastes 12:6

Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern.

Ecclesiastes 12:7

Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.

People in the Bible and old age

Biblical figures whose stories intersect with this theme.

In the Bible dictionary

Studying old age for yourself

  • Begin with Genesis 15:15, then read the passages below in canonical order.
  • Compare how Job, Ecclesiastes and Psalms each treat the theme.
  • Consider the lives of Job and how their stories intersect with it.
  • Widen the study to related themes: Readings, Select, Barzillai, Contentment and Reverence.

Frequently asked questions

What does the Bible say about old age?

The Bible addresses old age across 39 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Job, Ecclesiastes and Psalms. Closely related themes include Readings, Select, Barzillai, Contentment and Reverence. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Job.

How many Bible verses are about old age?

The Bible references old age in 39 verses (King James Version).

Where does the Bible first mention old age?

In canonical order, the first of these passages is Genesis 15:15: “And thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old age.”

Which people in the Bible are associated with old age?

Job.

Preach & teach

Outline a sermon or build a study series on old age.

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