Prior Chapter | Prior Verse | Next Verse | Next Chapter | Next Book | Viewing NASB and Amplified 2015 | |
NASB | Genesis 15:13 God said to Abram, "Know for certain that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not theirs, where they will be enslaved and oppressed four hundred years. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Genesis 15:13 God said to Abram, "Know for sure that your descendants will be strangers [living temporarily] in a land (Egypt) that is not theirs, where they will be enslaved and oppressed for four hundred years. [Ex 12:40] |
Subject: Israel in Egypt 430 yrs? |
Bible Note: I thought for my life Israel was in Egypt for 400 (or 430) years. Then after Jim Estes posted, I studied the Bible. We read “your descendants will be strangers in a country not their own, and they will be enslaved and mistreated four hundred years” (Gen 15:13, Act 7:6). What does that mean? We know Abraham was an alien and a stranger (Gen 23:4). The only land we know he bought was the burial site for Sarah, later himself and others (Gen 49:31, 50:13). We know Isaac was a stranger (Gen 28:4), well as Jacob (Gen 37:1). Exodus 6:2-4 affirms the fact they were strangers … verse 5 tells about being enslaved and mistreated, but that wasn’t for the 400 years. Psalm 105:11-12 also proves they strangers in the land of Canaan, not (just) Egypt. In the King James Version, Exodus 12:40 says, “Now the sojourning of the children of Israel, who dwelt in Egypt, was four hundred and thirty years”. This began when Abram/ Abraham left Ur (Gen 11:31-32, Act 7:2), not when they arrived in Egypt. Plus, the 400 years (Gen 15:13, Act 7:6), is not consistent with 430. The Law was introduced 430 years after the promises were made (Gal 3:16-17). The 30 year difference is from the time of the promise/ covenant (Gen 12:1-3) and the birth of Isaac (Gen 21:3). When Jacob and his family moved to Egypt, his son Levi and his grandson Kohath, were included (Gen 46:2-11). Kohath lived 133 years (Exo. 6:18), and his son, Amram lived 137 years (Exo. 6:20), whose son Moses was 80 (Exo 7:7) when he spoke to Pharaoh. The longest possible period would be 350 years (133 plus137 plus 80), which is unlikely. This fits “In the fourth generation your descendants will come back here” (Gen 15:16). More likely, Israel spent 210 years in Egypt, with less than 139 years in slavery, based on when Joseph died. I doubt the next king didn’t know about him – since he saw Joesph. The year is based on when Adam was created … or year from Adam. Year – Event 1948 – Abraham was born (notice the year and think about Israel today) 2018 – At 70, God told Abram/ Abraham to leave Ur. 430 years of sojourning begins (Gen 11:31-32, Exo 12:40-41, Act 7:2). 2023 – At 75, God made initial covenant and he left Haran (Gen 12:1-6). 2033 – At 85, God made another covenant with him (Gen 15). 2034 – At 86, Ishmael was born to him (Gen 16:16). 2048 – At 100, Isaac born was born to him (Gen 21:5) - 400 years of being strangers begins. 2108 – Jacob and Esau born to Isaac at 60 (Gen 25:26). 2238 – Jacob was 130 years old when he moved his family to Egypt (Gen 47:28), 2309 – Joseph died at 110 (Gen 50:22) … soon after “a new king arose over Egypt, who did not know Joseph” (Exo 1:8). 2448 – Exodus/ Law given (Exo 13:17ff). … 430 years after Abraham’s sojourn begin … 400 years after Abraham’s descendants were strangers … 210 years after Jacob and his family arrived … 139 years in max slavery, based on when Joseph died When I studied this, my mind is confused (still is) why the sojourning (430 years) and being strangers (400 years) end when they left Egypt (Exo 13:17) and not conquered Jericho (Jos 5:13ff), if not Canaan when settled and the land distributed (Jos 14:1ff). Joshua 24:28 says, “Then Joshua sent the people away, each to his own inheritance”. |