How long did Moses live?

Quick answer

Moses lived 120 years and remained strong and with vigor for all those years.

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Moses lived 120 years with undimmed vigor and remarkable accomplishments, delivering the Israelites from slavery to the Promised Land although he did not enter it himself. Moses’ life is detailed in the books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy, highlighting his unparalleled relationship with God and his role as a prophet. Moses' life is divided into three forty-year periods: as Pharaoh's daughter's adopted son in Egypt, an outcast in Midian, and the leader of the exodus. Moses' legacy includes mediating God's covenant, delivering the Ten Commandments, and guiding the Israelites. His death on Mount Nebo marked the end of a life characterized by faith, leadership, and a close relationship with God despite disobedience that kept him from fully entering God’s Promised Land.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

The Bible tells us that Moses lived 120 years but did not grow old and feeble: "Moses was 120 years old when he died. His eye was undimmed, and his vigor unabated" (Deuteronomy 34:7).
The biblical account of Moses' life spans the books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy, ending with this remarkable memorial: "There has not arisen a prophet since in Israel like Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face, none like him for all the signs and the wonders that the LORD sent him to do in the land of Egypt, to Pharaoh and to all his servants and to all his land, and for all the mighty power and all the great deeds of terror that Moses did in the sight of all Israel" (Deuteronomy 34:10–12).
The life of Moses can be broken up into three periods of forty years. For the first forty years, Moses lived as the adopted son of Pharaoh's daughter in Egypt (Acts 7:20–23), learning some of the leadership skills necessary to become the greatest Old Testament leader Israel ever had. During the next forty years, Moses lived as a humble outcast in Midian (Acts 7:29–30), gaining further experience to prepare him for God's call. In the final forty years, Moses accomplished his life's work by conducting the people of Israel on their journey out of bondage and into freedom (Acts 7:36).
Moses' enduring achievements were leading the Hebrew people out of slavery in Egypt; mediating God's covenant with them; handing down God's laws (such as the Ten Commandments) to the people; recording, teaching, and establishing those laws for future generations; and bringing the Israelites to the edge of the Promised Land.
Only one time in his final forty years is it recorded that Moses disobeyed God. At Meribah, he struck a rock twice with his staff when God had told him only to speak to the rock and it would produce water. Because Moses failed to trust God and uphold Him as holy before the people in that instance, he was not permitted to enter the Promised Land (Numbers 20:2–13; 27:12–14; Deuteronomy 32:51).
Moses, who had begun his ministry on Mount Sinai (or Horeb), ended that ministry on Mount Nebo (Deuteronomy 34:1–3; cf. Numbers 27:12–13). From the mountain top, God allowed Moses to view the Promised Land, but not to go in himself. After living 120 years, Moses died on the peak and was buried by the Lord in an unknown and unmarked grave (Deuteronomy 34:5–6). With great lament the people of Israel mourned his passing (Deuteronomy 34:8).

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

The amount of time Moses lived is not mentioned in the New Testament. However, in the New Testament, Moses is celebrated for his faith, obedience, and leadership. Acts 7 portrays him as powerful in speech and action, recounting his role as the deliverer of Israel. Hebrews 11 includes Moses in the "Hall of Faith," emphasizing his choice to suffer with God's people rather than indulge in sin. Hebrews 3 compares Moses to Jesus Christ, highlighting Jesus' superiority. In Matthew 17, Moses appears during the transfiguration, affirming his importance in Israelite history. Overall, the New Testament portrays Moses as a faithful servant of God whose life foreshadows the coming of Jesus and underscores the importance of faith and obedience.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

Despite feeling inadequate for the monumental tasks set before him, Moses accepted God's call to confront Pharaoh leads his people out of Egypt (Exodus 3—4). Although he faced all kinds of danger, difficulty, disappointment, and discouragement on the journey across the desert, Moses put his total faith and trust in God. He met every challenge with sincere compassion and confident prayer. In his meek and quiet way, he discerned God's will and made it known to all the people. So close was Moses' relationship with the Lord that God talked with him on a regular basis.

We too can tackle our own challenges with faith, trusting in God to accomplish what He calls us to do. Despite adversities, we can persevere, remaining steadfast and resilient when we recognize who God is and how He equips us to do what He calls us to do. Allowing the Holy Spirit to expose our weaknesses and equip us to follow God’s leading will give us what we need to follow God as Moses did.

UNDERSTAND

Moses lived to be 120 years old with undiminished vigor.
Moses’ life is chronicled across Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy, ending with a remarkable memorial.
Moses' life can be divided into three periods of forty years each: in Pharaoh's household in Egypt, outcast in Midian, and leader of the Israelites' journey to freedom.

REFLECT

How does Moses' longevity and undiminished vigor challenge your perception of aging and limitations in life?
In what ways can Moses' life stages resonate with different phases or transitions in your own life journey?
Reflect on Moses' obedience and the instance of disobedience that prevented him from entering the Promised Land. How does this prompt you to evaluate your own trust and obedience in God's guidance throughout your lifetime?

ENGAGE

Moses' life represents the Law. No matter how hard we try, we cannot keep God's law perfectly. Our inability to keep the Law reveals just how sinful we are. We need a Savior. Moses the lawgiver could not lead the people into the Promised Land—which signifies our rich inheritance in Jesus Christ. Moses had to die so that Joshua—who represents our Savior, Jesus Christ—could lead the people into Canaan. The Law, represented by Moses, points out our need of Christ. In Jesus we are no longer under the Law but under grace. Jesus leads us into freedom and everything else we inherit in Him (Romans 7:7–25).
How does our culture view aging, especially looking at purpose as we age?
How does Moses' 120 years following the Lord and leading the people with undiminished vigor inspire us to consider the purpose and quality of our lives as we age?