Μαθουσάλα (Mathousala)
Mathousala
Methuselah
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The name Mathousala appears only once in the New Testament, recorded in Luke’s genealogy as the grandfather of Noah (Luke 3:37). It is a Greek transliteration of the Hebrew Metushelach, preserving the identity of this patriarch within Jesus’ ancestral line.
Lexical sources note that the name is traditionally interpreted to mean "when he dies, there shall be an emission." This etymology connects the individual’s identity to a specific prophetic or descriptive phrase in its original language, marking him as a figure whose life spanned the generations between Enoch and Noah.
While the New Testament mentions him only briefly, his inclusion highlights the continuity of the human story leading up to Christ. The name serves as a historical anchor, linking the Gospel narrative to the ancient records found in Genesis without adding further theological commentary on his personal faith or actions.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Methuselah appears in Luke’s genealogy as a quiet link between Enoch and Noah. His inclusion reminds us that Jesus’ lineage stretches back through real people who lived long lives and shaped history. This connection shows how God weaves individual stories into a larger plan.
While the Bible does not record his deeds, his presence in the list highlights the continuity of God’s work across generations. It invites us to trust that every life, no matter how ordinary it seems, has a place in God’s unfolding story. We can find comfort in knowing that our own lives are part of this same divine narrative.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- of Methuselah1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- Μαθουσαλὰ1×
Key Verses
-
Luke 3:37
the son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch, the son of Jared, the son of Mahalaleel, the son of Cainan,
This verse places Methuselah as the grandfather of Noah, anchoring Jesus’ human ancestry to the pre-flood patriarchs.