Period

Israelites sojourned in Egypt

"They left Egypt in the month Xanthicus, on the fifteenth day of the lunar month; four hundred and thirty years after our forefather Abraham came into Canaan, b..., spanning 215 years.

~1704 BC — ~1489 BC (215 years)2300 AH–2515 AH (Anno Hominis — years from Creation)

Description

"They left Egypt in the month Xanthicus, on the fifteenth day of the lunar month; four hundred and thirty years after our forefather Abraham came into Canaan, but two hundred and fifteen years only after Jacob removed into Egypt." (Josephus' Antiquities, Book 2, Chapter 15, 2) Josephus states the Hebrews left Egypt 215 years after Jacob moved there. His statement (along with similar statements in the Septuagint and the Samaritan Pentateuch) often causes confusion but simply reflects the 215-year period of time between when Jacob went down to Egypt (in the second year of the seven-year famine) and the Exodus.

Details

Type
Period
Start
~1704 BC(2300 AH)
End
~1489 BC(2515 AH)
Duration
215 years
Start Reference
GEN 47:9
End Reference
EXO 12:40

Notes

START: END:

Historical Dating

Joseph in Egypt

c. 1706 BC

Joseph's life epitomizes divine providence working through human sin to accomplish redemptive purposes. Sold into Egyptian slavery by jealous brothers, Joseph's suffering and subsequent exaltation to ...

Israelites in Egyptian Bondage

c. 1706–1446 BC

After Joseph's death, a new pharaoh 'which knew not Joseph' (Exodus 1:8) enslaves the Israelites, fearing their numerical growth. The four centuries of bondage test God's covenant promises and prepare...

PreviousSeven years of famine in EgyptNextThe Life of Kohath*

Related Period Epochs

The 430 years between the Promise and the Covenant~1919 BC (430 years)Shem's life during Isaac's lifetime~1894 BC (50 years)The 400-year period of oppression and slavery~1889 BC (400 years)Seven years of plenty in Egypt~1713 BC (7 years)Seven years of famine in Egypt~1706 BC (7 years)The 480-year period between the Exodus and Solomon's Temple~1489 BC (480 years)

Frequently Asked Questions

When did Israelites sojourned in Egypt occur in Bible history?

Israelites sojourned in Egypt occurred approximately ~1704 BC to ~1489 BC. This is 2300–2515 AH (Anno Hominis — years from Creation using the Ussher chronology, where Year 1 = ~4004 BC). This period lasted 215 years.

What does “AH” mean in Bible chronology?

AH stands for “Anno Hominis” (Year of Man), a chronological system that counts years from Creation. Under the Ussher chronology, Year 1 AH corresponds to approximately 4004 BC.

Continue Your Study

Full Bible TimelinePlaces by Historical EraBible Characters DirectoryBible StoriesBible QuizzesBible Topics