_Did people actually live for centuries?

The New American Bible has this to say on the subject: This chapter…together with Gn 11, 10-26, its primary purpose is to bridge the genealogical gap between Adam and Abraham.  Adam’s line is traced through Seth, but several names in the series are the same as, or similar to, certain names in Cain’s line.  The long lifespans attributed to these ten antediluvian (of the time before the Biblical flood or ancient) patriarchs have a symbolic rather than a historical value.  Babylonian tradition also recorded ten kings with fantastically high ages who reigned successively before the flood. 

The Archaeological Study Bible states: It is uncertain whether the large numbers describing human longevity in the early chapters of Gn are literal, serve a literary function, or both.  The fact that there are exactly ten names in the list (as in the genealogy of Gn 11:10-26) indicates that it almost certainly contains gaps, the lengths of which are summarized in the large numbers.  Other ancient genealogies outside the Bible exhibit similarly unrealistic figures and also contain exactly ten names. 

St. Jerome’s Commentary, an extremely detailed and complex study of the Bible, notes the fact that the Mesopotamian tradition has seven ‘apkallu’s,’ the seven sages prior to the flood, who were believed to have founded the elements of culture (writing, artistic skill, etc.) The pre-flood list of Sumerian kings later became standardized to 10, a number that the Biblical writer adopts.  Some Mesopotamian lists attempt to correlate the seven sages and the 10 kings.  Segmented genealogies (both Biblical and non-Biblical) were generally not for conveying historical information but for determining domestic, politico-jural, and religious matters. In the case of early Bible genealogies- showing a line of sin, a line of “blessing of progeny and land,” a line of God’s undiminished commitment to the blessed, etc.

On the other hand, some….uh…scholars with a more literal view (such as those writing “Commonly Misunderstood Bible Verses”) believe that prior to the flood, a water canopy surrounded the earth and protected the inhabitants from harmful radiation in outer space.  (They don’t mention exactly how LIGHT got through).  And, people might have been vegetarians, contributing to their longer lifespans. 

Other scholars do have various explanations, of which you may study in your own time.  If I don’t cut off this post, I’ll still be writing it into the next year.  

Sources:
Brown, Raymond E. (S.S.), Fitzmyer, Joseph A. (S.J.), & Murphy, Roland E. (O. Carm). (1990) Genesis. “The New Jerome Biblical Commentary.” Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice-Hall, Inc.

Catholic Book Publishing. (various) Genesis: Chapter 5 Notes. “St. Joseph Edition, New American Bible.” New York, NY: Catholic Book Publishing.

Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. (2005). Genesis: Chapter 5 Notes. “New International Version: Archaeological Study Bible”. Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, MI.

Rhodes, Ron. (2008). Genesis 4:17. “Commonly Misunderstood Bible Verses.” Eugene, Oregon: Harvest House Publishers.”

Despite the fact that a lot of people seem to be wearing scrubs these days, scrubs are most often- and rightly in my opinion- associated with the medical industry.  And not just any medical personnel, but those working hands-on with patients, in hospitals (and clinics), and those who need to quickly be identified as medical personnel. 

Another part of being in the field of medicine is often long hours and back-to-back shifts.  Shouldn't you be comfortable?  That's where Blue Sky Scrubs come in.  They search for the finest options available in the cotton & poly/cotton world of fabrics, making them comfortable as well as practical.  You can find Blue Sky Scrubs at the following web address: http://www.blueskyscrubs.com/categories/Scrubs/

However, comfortable materials are only part of it.  Shelby Marquardt, the creator of Blue Sky Scrubs, went a step further and made these scrubs fashionable.  From hats to lab coats to scrub sets, there are a variety of styles- regular cut to low-rise urban cut, among others- available.  Nursing uniform scrubs, scrubs for men, as well as shirts and lab coats are all options on the site.  Unique (as well as traditional) colors and various patterns make it easy to find a set that fits your personality. 

On a final note, Blue Sky Scrubs is accredited by the Better Business Bureau, making it easy to confidently and comfortably shop, knowing you are ordering from a reputable company.

Hebrew “sheth.”  Various meanings from different sources- appointed, compensate, granted, or substitute.  His name signifies that he was the replacement or substitute for Abel. 

Adam and Eve’s third son, born after Cain murdered Abel.  The father of Enosh.  Founder of the line of faith, which eventually includes Jesus Christ.  Seth died at the age of 912. 

Christian, Jewish, and Islam tradition all have small branches of mysticism about Seth, his various attributes, his status as a prophet, etc. 

Biblical References:
Genesis 4:25-26: “….she gave birth to a son and named him Seth, saying, ‘God has granted me another child in place of Abel, since Cain killed him.’  Seth also had a son, and he named him Enosh…..”
Genesis 5:3-4: “…and he named him Seth.  After Seth was born, Adam lived 800 years…”
Genesis 5:6-8: “When Seth had lived 105 years, he became the father of Enosh.  And after he became the father of Enosh, Seth lived 807 years and had other sons and daughters.  Altogether, Seth lived 912 years, and then he died.” 

Sources:
Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. (2005). “New International Version: Archaeological Study Bible”. Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, MI.

Green, Kevin (compiler). (2008). Eden. “All-In-One Bible Reference Guide”.  Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan.

Lockyear Sr., H. (Ed.) (1986) Eden. “Illustrated Dictionary of the Bible”. Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson Publishers.

5:24 Enoch is one of two people in the Bible who does not die; they are instead "taken up" directly to God.  Walking with God is a relic of the first Paradise when people walked and talked with God in holy familiarity. 
5:29 There is a similarity in sound between the Hebrew word "noah" and the verbal phrase "yenahamenu" (he will bring us relief).  This latter refers to both the curse put on the soil because of the fall of man and to Noah's success in agriculture, especially in raising grapes for wine. 

1 This is the record of the descendants of Adam.  When God created man, he made him in the likeness of God;
2 he created them male and female.  When they were created, he blessed them and named them "man."
3 Adam was one hundred and thirty years old when he begot a son in his likeness, after his image; and he named him Seth.
4 Adam lived eight hundred years after the birth of Seth, and he had other sons and daughters.
5 The whole lifetime of Adam was nine hundred and thirty years; then he died.
6 When Seth was one hundred and five years old, he became the father of Enosh.
7 Seth lived eight hundred and seven years after the birth of Enosh, and he had other sons and daughters.
8 The whole lifetime of Seth was nine hundred and twelve years; then he died.
9 When Enosh was ninety years old, he became the father of Kenan. 
10 Enosh lived eight hundred and fifteen years after the birth of Kenan, and he had other sons and daughters.
11 The whole lifetime of Enosh was nine hundred and five years; then he died.
12 When Kenan was seventy years old, he became the father of Mahalalel,
13 Kenan lived eight hundred and forty years after the birth of Mahalalel, and he had other sons and daughters. 
14 The whole lifetime of Kenan was nine hundred and ten years; then he died.
15 When Mahalalel was sixty-five years old, he became the father of Jared. 
16 Mahalalel lived eight hundred and thirty years after the birth of Jared, and he had other sons and daughters.
17 The whole lifetime of Mahalalel was eight hundred and ninety-five years; then he died.
18 When Jared was one hundred and sixty-two years old, he became the father of Enoch.
19 Jared lived eight hundred years after the birth of Enoch, and he had other sons and daughters.
20 The whole lifetime of Jared was nine hundred and sixty-two years; then he died.
21 When Enoch was sixty-five years old, he became the father of Methuselah.
22 Enoch lived three hundred years after the birth of Methuselah, and he had other sons and daughters.
23 The whole lifetime of Enoch was three hundred and sixty-five years.
24 Then Enoch walked with God, and he was no longer here, for God took him.
25 When Methuselah was one hundred and eighty-seven years old, he became the father of Lamech.
26 Methuselah lived seven hundred and eighty-two years after the birth of Lamech, and he had other sons and daughters.
27 The whole lifetime of Methuselah was nine hundred and sixty-nine years; then he died.
28 When Lamech was one hundred and eighty-two years old, he begot a son
29 and named him Noah, saying, "Out of the very ground that the Lord has put under a curse, this one shall bring us relief from our work and the toil of our hands."
30 Lamech lived five hundred and ninety-five years after the birth of Noah, and he had other sons and daughters.
31 The whole lifetime of Lamech was seven hundred and seventy-seven years; then he died.
32 When Noah was five hundred years old, he became the father of Shem, Ham and Japtheth.

While I really, really loved the old design, the dark background and white text was really hard on the eyes, especially for reading large blocks of text. 

so, I've changed to a lighter colored background. 

ALL MATERIAL IS STILL THE SAME!
So, Enjoy!