Dating the Book of Job (PDF) - Ancient Hebrew Research Center

Dating the Book of Job 27
It has also been observed that the flattening and broadening of the braincase occurs naturally as
men age due simply to the extreme mass of the human brain (I think I’ve heard that the brain is the
most dense part of the human body but cannot find a reference at the moment). The brain also grows
more dense with age due to increased neural connectivity (the connections encode memories). It
should be easy to see how the weight of the brain, given enough time, could distort the human skull
such that it would look much like what is depicted in Figure 4 above (note how the brow ridges have
been stretched and exposed). These sort of deformations only just begin to take place in those who
live to be around ninety years of age today, but if people lived to be three and four hundred years of
age, they would likely start to resemble what modern scientists have classified as the “neanderthal”
species.
While most of the differences in form of these ancient skeletons can be attributed to age, some of
the differences are no doubt genetic; just as there are genetic differences between the different races
of men that exist today. According to the biblical record, only one lineage of mankind survived the
flood.
The question of why they lived so long still remains. There is one ancient reference that suggests
it was due to an abundance of a chemical produced by trees. The reference is I Enoch 24 and is
quoted below (emphasis added).
– I went from there to another place, and saw a mountain of fire flashing both by day and night. I proceeded
towards it; and perceived seven splendid mountains, which were all different from each other. Their stones
were brilliant and beautiful; all were brilliant and splendid to behold; and beautiful was their surface. Three
mountains were towards the east, and strengthened by being placed one upon another; and three were towards
the south, strengthened in a similar manner. There were likewise deep valleys, which did not approach each
other. And the seventh mountain was in the midst of them. In length they all resembled the seat of a throne, and
odoriferous trees surrounded them. Among these there was a tree of an unceasing smell; nor of those which
were in Eden was there one of all the fragrant trees which smelt like this. Its leaf, its flower, and its bark never
withered, and its fruit was beautiful. Its fruit resembled the cluster of the palm. I exclaimed, “Behold! This tree
is goodly in aspect, pleasing in its leaf, and the sight of its fruit is delightful to the eye”. Then Michael, one of
the holy and glorious angels who were with me, and one who presided over them, answered, And said: “Enoch,
why do you inquire respecting the odour of this tree? Why are you inquisitive to know it?” Then I, Enoch,
replied to him, and said, “Concerning everything I am desirous of instruction, but particularly concerning this
tree.” He answered me, saying, “That mountain which you behold, the extent of whose head resembles the seat
of the Lord, will be the seat on which shall sit the holy and great Lord of glory, the everlasting King, when he
shall come and descend to visit the earth with goodness. And that tree of an agreeable smell, not one of carnal
odor, there shall be no power to touch, until the period of the great judgment. When all shall be punished and
consumed for ever, this shall be bestowed on the righteous and humble. The fruit of the tree shall be given to
the elect. For towards the north life shall be planted in the holy place, towards the habitation of the everlasting
King. Then shall they greatly rejoice and exult in the Holy One. The sweet odor shall enter into their bones;
and they shall live a long life on the earth as your forefathers have lived; neither in their days shall sorrow,
distress, trouble, and punishment afflict them. And I blessed the Lord of glory, the everlasting King, because
He has prepared this tree for the saints, formed it, and declared that He would give it to them.” (I Enoch 24)
According to this ancient reference, the key to longevity is an odorous chemical which can
apparently pass through the lungs, into the blood stream, and into the bones of men. Such is not
at all an unreasonable explanation. There is already a symbiotic relation between men and trees
in that the trees produce oxygen and fruit upon which men breath and feed. Indeed, from the
beginning – from the story of creation – there was a parallel drawn between men and trees. It is
in the bones of men that red and white blood cells are produced and it is these cells that work to
continually regenerate the bodily organs. It has been observed in recent centuries that the lifespans