01.01. Duration Of The Sojourn In Egypt

DURATION OF THE SOJOURN IN EGYPT

Moses says the "sojourning" of the children in Israel was four Hundred thirty years (Exo 12:40-41), but he does not say they sojourned in Egypt all this time. Paul says that the law was four hundred thirty Years after the promise (Gal 3:17). Both the Septuagint and Samaritan Pentateuch translate (Exo 12:40): "Now the sojourning of the children and of their fathers, which they sojourned in the land of Canaan and in the land of Egypt was four hundred and thirty years" (Gen 15:13). I regard as an expression in round numbers of the time that the Hebrews were to dwell in a strange land. Bear in mind That the Hebrews were strangers in the land of Canaan as elsewhere, Until they entered it under the leadership of Joshua. Abraham, Isaac, And Jacob were strangers in this land (Gen 23:4-19; Acts 7:5; Heb 11:8-9). Abraham’s seed--Isaac and Jacob--lived and died sojourners in strange Lands (Gen 26:17-32; Gen 35:27-29; Gen 46:1-5; Gen 47:28). The Hebrews sojourned two hundred fifteen years in Canaan and two hundred fifteen years in Egypt.

1.    It was twenty-five years from Abraham’s entrance into Canaan to the birth of Isaac (Gen 12:4-5; Gen 21:5).

2.    It was sixty years from the birth of Isaac to the birth of Jacob (Gen 25:26).

3.    It was one hundred thirty years from Jacob’s birth to his introduction to Pharaoh. (25 + 60 + 130 = 215) (Gen 47:1-9).

4.    It was two hundred fifteen years from Abraham’s entrance into Canaan to Jacob’s introduction to Pharaoh.

5.    It was four hundred thirty years from the promise to Abraham (Gen 12:1-3) to the exodus or the giving of the law. (430 - 215 = 215) Exo 12:40-41; Gal 3:17).

6.    It was, therefore, two hundred fifteen years from Jacob’s introduction to Pharaoh to the exodus.