Back in Genesis 5, I pointed out that the way the years of each pre-flood patriarch is written is fascinating based on the 10s and 100s. For example, Genesis 5:17 says the years of Mahalalel were “5 and 90 years, and 800 years.” 1s-and-10s, followed by 100s.
But Adam’s are reversed: 100s, and then 10s.
The rabbis suggest that when the years are in “standard” form (“Methuselah lived 6-and-90 years, and 900 years”), this is NOT noteworthy. But when it’s reversed, it means the latter years were more productive. Perhaps closer to God.
“Adam lived 900 years, and 30 years.”
Before we learn that Sarah dies in Genesis 23, the reader should be in awe at the way her years are written in Hebrew:
“Sarah, 100 years, and 20 years, and 7 years.”
This outlay of years can be seen as a whole story of an increasing intensity and closeness to God.