Six Thousand Years, Then a Thousand in Ruins
Rav Ketina, Talmud: 'Six Thousand Years Is the Duration of the World', Then a Thousand in Ruins
A rabbinic opinion recorded in the Babylonian Talmud gives the world 6,000 years. On the Hebrew calendar, year 6000 begins in September 2239.
What was said
“Six thousand years is the duration of the world, and it is in ruins for one thousand years.”
— Rav Ketina (Talmudic sage), Babylonian Talmud, Sanhedrin 97a · said 500 · due Hebrew year 6000 (begins September 2239)
The fine print
The Talmud records this as one opinion among several, not a binding ruling: Abaye answers that the ruin lasts two thousand years, and the same page quotes the school of Elijah: 'Six thousand years is the duration of the world,' divided into eras of chaos, Torah and the Messiah. The Talmud was compiled by about 500 CE; the date_made reflects that. Hebrew year 6000 runs from September 2239 to September 2240.
Sources
As of Oct 9, 2026
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