What does the Bible say about how long we will live?

Bible Topic · WEB

The Bible teaches that our earthly lifespan is appointed by God, uncertain to us, and meant to lead us to humble faith and wise living. Job 14:5 and Psalm 139:16 affirm God’s sovereign knowledge and determination of our days, while Psalm 90:10 recognizes the ordinary brevity and labor of human life. Genesis 6:3 should not be treated as a universal promise that everyone will live 120 years. James 4:14 reminds us that life is like a mist, so Psalm 90:12 calls us to number our days and gain wisdom. Yet believers need not fear death as the final word: Romans 6:23 promises eternal life in Christ, and John 10:28 assures that his sheep will never perish.

Top passages, ranked by readers

Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible

  • Genesis 6:3

    Yahweh said, "My Spirit will not strive with man forever, because he also is flesh; yet will his days be one hundred twenty years."

  • Psalms 90:10

    The days of our years are seventy, Or even by reason of strength eighty years; Yet their pride is but labor and sorrow, For it passes quickly, and we fly away.

  • Job 14:5

    Seeing his days are determined, The number of his months is with you, And you have appointed his bounds that he can't pass;

  • James 4:14

    Whereas you don't know what your life will be like tomorrow. For what is your life? For you are a vapor, that appears for a little time, and then vanishes away.

  • Psalms 139:16

    Your eyes saw my body. In your book they were all written, The days that were ordained for me, When as yet there were none of them.

  • Psalms 90:12

    So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom.

  • John 10:28

    I give eternal life to them. They will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.

  • Romans 6:23

    For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

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