Have you, like me, assumed the Israelites were in Egypt for 430 years? After all, the Scripture seems to clearly say that. Notice Exodus 12 verses 40 and 41.

So at first reading it sure seems to say they were there for 430 years. But, to make the situation seem even more confusing, notice what Abram was told in Genesis 15:13.

How long were the Israelites actually in Egypt? Was it 400 years, 430 years or possibly a different number of years?

There are a few other verses that contain vital information that will enable us to understand. One of those is Galatians 3:17.

This verse states, “And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.”

This verse tells us the law, the 10 Commandments that were given at Mt. Sinai just 3 months after the departure from Egypt (Exodus 19:1), was “four hundred and thirty years after” after the making of the promise

to Abram. That promise, as shown in verse 18, was the one made first with Abraham at age 70 before he left Ur of the Chaldees, and reconfirmed with him his son and his grandson. “For if the inheritance [be] of

Subtracting 220 from 430 we find that the time in Egypt was another 210 years. (See chart 2)

But, what about the verse we read in Genesis 15 mentioning 400 years? How is that reckoned? Notice that verse again. “And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not

We find another account from Stephen, Acts 7:6. It states, “And God spake on this wise, That his seed should sojourn in a strange land; and that they should bring them into bondage, and entreat them evil four hundred

Both verses very specifically indicate the four hundred years is to be regarding “thy seed” or “his seed”.

God does things on schedule at His appointed times. He had promised to take the descendants of Abraham from the land in which they would be enslaved 430 years after His promise to Abraham. And, we

have seen that He was doing it EXACTLY to the very day. God had been very definitely watching and vigilantly working all events out so that it happened on His timetable.

God spoke to Moses from the “burning bush.” He said that He had seen the affliction of His people and “I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians...” (Ex. 3:8)

He had not forgotten them and everything was on schedule per the time God had prophesied. He had prepared Moses. He had worked it out so that Moses would have the necessary training for the Exodus;

acquired in the palace of Egypt and backside of the desert (40 + 40 yrs.)

there is some discussion as to whether Horeb may have been the name of the mountain range and Sinai the specific mount. Nevertheless, it was in this very area that Moses had spent time with the flocks and

had become very familiar with the territory.

In addition to “bringing Israel out of Egypt” God also was committed to fulfill His promise to Abraham to judge “that nation, whom they shall serve,” (Gen. 15:14).

Also, He had promised that after He had done that, the people would “come out with great substance.” When God spoke to Moses from the burning bush He repeated this promise, that the people would be given

favor in the sight of the Egyptians and they would “not go empty.” (Ex. 3:21)