The age of the earth has been a topic of fascination and debate for centuries. While modern science provides various dating methods, Scripture offers a clear genealogical record from Adam to Jesus. By tracing the years between each generation, we can arrive at an approximate timeline for human history, as recorded in the textus receptus manuscripts, which we hold as the most reliable.
From Creation to the Flood: Adam to Noah
In Genesis 5, we find the genealogy from Adam to Noah. Each patriarch’s age at the birth of his son is carefully recorded, allowing us to establish a chronological line.
| Patriarch | Age at Son’s Birth | Verse Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Adam | 130 | Genesis 5:3 |
| Seth | 105 | Genesis 5:6 |
| Enosh | 90 | Genesis 5:9 |
| Cainan | 70 | Genesis 5:12 |
| Mahalalel | 65 | Genesis 5:15 |
| Jared | 162 | Genesis 5:18 |
| Enoch | 65 | Genesis 5:21 |
| Methuselah | 187 | Genesis 5:25 |
| Lamech | 182 | Genesis 5:28 |
| Noah | 500 (sons born) | Genesis 5:32 |
Adding the years from Adam to the birth of Noah’s sons gives us 1,056 years from creation until Noah. According to Genesis 7:6, Noah was 600 years old when the floodwaters came upon the earth. Thus:
- Creation to the Flood: 1,656 years
From the Flood to Abraham
After the flood, Scripture provides the genealogy from Noah’s son, Shem, to Abraham, detailing ages and births. This record is found in Genesis 11:10-26.
| Patriarch | Age at Son’s Birth | Verse Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Shem | 100 (Arphaxad born 2 years after the flood) | Genesis 11:10 |
| Arphaxad | 35 | Genesis 11:12 |
| Salah | 30 | Genesis 11:14 |
| Eber | 34 | Genesis 11:16 |
| Peleg | 30 | Genesis 11:18 |
| Reu | 32 | Genesis 11:20 |
| Serug | 30 | Genesis 11:22 |
| Nahor | 29 | Genesis 11:24 |
| Terah | 70 (Abram’s father) | Genesis 11:26 |
The years from Shem to Abraham amount to 292 years. Adding this to the 1,656 years from creation to the flood, we reach 1,948 years from creation to the birth of Abraham.
- Creation to Abraham: 1,948 years
From Abraham to David
In the genealogical record, we have Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who become the patriarchs of the Israelite nation. Here’s the estimated timeline:
| Person | Years from Birth to Next Generation | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Abraham to Isaac | 100 | Genesis 21:5 |
| Isaac to Jacob | 60 | Genesis 25:26 |
| Jacob to Judah’s sons | ~40 (estimated) | Genesis 29-30 |
| Israel’s time in Egypt | 430 | Exodus 12:40-41 |
| Period of Judges & United Kingdom (to David) | Approx. 400 years | Various |
Adding these figures brings us to approximately 2,500 years from creation to King David’s anointing, though many sources estimate this period may involve some overlapping in judges’ reigns, affecting the exact sum.
- Creation to David: Approximately 2,500 years
From David to Jesus
From David, the line to Jesus is recorded in genealogies within both Matthew 1 and Luke 3. This timeline includes the reigns of kings and other events chronicled in the Old Testament, as well as the prophetic “seventy weeks” timeline in Daniel 9, which aligns with historical events up to Jesus’ birth.
Based on historical context and these genealogies, we place:
- David to Jesus: Approximately 1,000 years
Total Years from Creation to Christ
Summing these periods, we arrive at an approximate age for the earth from creation to the time of Jesus:
- Creation to the Flood: 1,656 years
- Flood to Abraham: 292 years
- Abraham to David: ~550 years (accounting for patriarchs and Israel’s time in Egypt)
- David to Jesus: ~1,000 years
This adds up to around 4,000 years from creation to Christ.
Why We Cannot Know the Exact Age
While the genealogies provide a strong foundation for tracing the earth’s age, there are some variables. In the ancient genealogical record, occasional minor overlaps or chronological differences may exist, and dating methods are not uniformly applied across all periods. Additionally, exact dating of periods, such as the judges, remains subject to historical interpretation.
With the textus receptus as our foundation, we affirm this approximate 4,000-year timeline from creation to Christ. Adding the years since Christ’s birth, we estimate the earth’s age as approximately 6,000 years. While we do not claim absolute precision, this estimate aligns with the scriptural record and offers us a biblical perspective on the age of the earth.
In studying the earth’s age, we find a deeply interconnected timeline pointing to God’s design and faithfulness through the generations. Understanding these years is not merely an academic exercise but an affirmation of God’s hand in history, guiding His people from the creation of Adam to the fulfillment of promises in Jesus Christ.
