The Decline of Human Longevity in the Book of Jubilees

This article examines the decline in human longevity in the book of Jubilees, arguing that this motif's importance has been somewhat underappreciated by scholars. It examines three varied genres in Jubilees—death notices, an apocalypse, and an extended narrative—and demonstrates that an emphasis on declining human longevity thematically unifies these diverse additions to the stories of Genesis on which they are based. The decline in lifespan is connected both with the book's chronological system and its concern with covenantal obedience, specifically with respect to the commandment to honor one's parents.