Debunking the 400 Year Myth: Israel in Egypt

Everyone says the Israelites were enslaved in Egypt for 400 years. But does the Bible agree with that? Is that the timeline given to us in Scripture? Come with us as we timeline out these events and reconcile the Genesis timeline with Paul's understanding from the book of Galatians.
Want to support more content like this being created?
Consider supporting us at / bibleclass
#Bible #BibleVideo #BibleClass #timeline #israelites

[@narrowistheway77]

I did a timeline on this awhile back and it was really clear that they spent 210 years total in Egypt and 77 years was in good company, and 133 years was as slaves. Just an FYI btw, if you read really closely all the details then you’ll also recognize that you added 5 years that you didn’t mean to add to your timeline. It’s actually when Abraham was 70 when he left Ur of the Chaldees. The timeline starts when Abraham left the land of Ur, not when he left Harran at 75 after his father died. Exodus clears this up when it’s noted that the selfsame day the Israelites left Egypt was the exact day Abraham left Ur 430 years prior. The 400 years prophecy is also from the birth of Isaac to the Exodus. We get good testimony on that in the NT that clarifies the prophecy of 400 years and prophecy of 430 years. There’s a problem when we solely rely on the Masoretic text for our details too. The testimony of two or more witnesses is always true. The 400 year prophecy amongst all the historical OT manuscripts is massively in favor of saying the 400 years is a period of Sojourning and Slavery, not slavery alone. Another interesting change in the Masoretic Text that’s massively wrong according to two or more witnesses is the ages of the first 10 patriarchs of Israel after the flood ended when their sons were born. Add 100 years for the first 8 Patriarch ages from Aphaxad when their son was born and then add 50 years to Terah and Nahor and you have the accurate majority testimony for those ages that give a timeline back to creation which is massively in this favor as well, it is not even close as the Masoretic Text is the only text with those ages used. Worth noting also that Hebrew numbers are written as alphanumerics and to change those first 8 ages all the scribe had to do was remove the letter for 100. GOD Bless! ❤️

[@BibleClassOnline]

Thanks for the comment! I'm so glad you brought this up. I've debated the 210 vs. 215 years with my friends for quite a long time. I have been a "210" guy for a long time, but I find it very difficult to "prove" from the Bible that most people carry. I understand the differences in the LXX and SP (especially concerning Exodus 12:40), but still find it difficult to show God making the Covenant with Abraham when he's 70 years old. I know that Seder Olam and the the Rabbinic Tradition makes that claim, but again, I find it difficult to substantiate without bringing in any outside texts. The original script of this video went into a lot more detail on those subjects, but ultimately those ideas found themselves on the cutting room floor as I felt the most important concept I wanted to get across is that it was NOT 400 years. I think the 210 vs. 215 debate is a great one to have and one that I wish more people were equipped to talk about! Thanks for the great word!

[@darinb.3273]

I have to say as a student of the Bible myself it is fantastic that we are all truth seekers and dive deeply to know that truth just as Paul told Timothy study to show yourself approved to God, 2 Timothy 2:15.

[@richellenico7467]

Year 2019 marked the 400th year since African slaves arrived in Virginia in 1619. What’s strange is, the PLANdemic started in 2020 after this 400 year mark. Currently, there’s a 2030 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in the works. They use the words “world peace and prosperity” which makes this agenda seem like the plan of the antichrist. There is significance in numbers when it comes to timeline of events.

[@user-kf2lp3mz9s]

The scripture say they will be oppressed in a land for 400 years, not living in the land in being oppressed

[@narrowistheway77]

@@user-kf2lp3mz9s that’s actually incorrect, you should read it again, and the New Testament clarifies this especially well too. The 400 year timeline starts at the birth of Isaac

[@timothymccloskey6795]

Man, it is so easy to brush over something like this and just go with 400. Thanks for the clarity! I always appreciate how clearly you lay out what we know for sure, and what assumptions you are making.

[@NathanH83]

How do you only have 500 views on this? This is so good!

[@bereananalytics6789]

I did enjoy your video better. Not that I didn't enjoy this one. 😊

[@SunnyESTflower]

Wow, yes. 215 years is very different from 400. Thank you for plotting these numbers on a timeline! Makes so much more sense!

[@BibleClassOnline]

You bet! I'm the kind of guy that loves a good visual aid!

[@digbot5987]

The bible is not lying.

[@dontrelljanuary9899]

I’m subbing! Hope you got more good content like this. Keep up the good work

[@SHEAR-JASHUB]

I’m here to see who else got the call from Yah?

[@TRIV68]

If they were wyt, they wouldn't have last 4 hours in Africa period. Or are u gonna tell us that, they got manna and sunscreen?

[@tdzenda]

The timeline is clearly stated in the Book of Jasher. It says Abram was 70 when God first commanded him to go to the land of Canaan. He went briefly and came back. The command was repeated when he was 75 years old and that's the one that is recorded in the Bible. The 430 years started counting when Abram was 70, while the 400 years were from the birth of Isaac.

[@SHEAR-JASHUB]

2:27 Genesis 15:13 doesnt say Egypt in my KJV. It says a land that is not theirs. Excellent, excellent courage for your courage in putting this out.

[@LetsChatShow]

Cape Verde was settled in 1463 sparking African slave trade to the emancipation proclamation in Jan 1 1863 is 400 years

[@dizzlegrizzle1919]

They were never actually slaves there

[@Ash19217]

Why? Because Islam didn't say so ??? Is it what you wanna say ??? Muslims are all thieves. Stolen everything from jews and christians

[@NegdoshaManido]

@NegdoshaManido 50 seconds ago I appreciate the passion for getting things right in the Biblical record, and correcting misunderstandings. Accuracy is important, and should not be minimized. One reason is that enemies of the Bible are constantly on KZbin and other platforms presenting these things as "errors of the Bible", rather than what they actually are, which are misunderstandings, or bad interpretations. Besides directing unbelievers away from the Bible as a valid source of true spiritual content, these kinds of issues can, and do, cause some who are believers to be swayed away from their faith, and is a conduit for unbelief to begin to engage the mind. The average Christian today is sadly very shallow in their depth of Biblical understanding, and can be easy prey to deceptive exploitation of that ignorance. We must strive against bad doctrine and traditions that either makes the Bible say things it does not, or obscures things it does say, but makes people uncomfortable. Great video! Thanks, and God bless!!

[@craigkelly4278]

They already discovered 14 years ago slaves never built the pyramids and never where in Egypt. They where built by Egyptians. Who where paid in beer as beer was the currency back then also evidence shows they also received medical care. So not really sure what to make of this story maybe this video could do with more fact checking

[@freespirit7450]

I'm surpise he never commented back.

[@craigkelly4278]

@@freespirit7450 yes

[@tenniswilliam]

From what biblical text say apparently the tasks the Hebrews were mostly required to do were in construction of massive grain silos some of which were underground. These were built to store grain for times of famine. There is no mention of pyramids.

[@craigkelly4278]

@@tenniswilliam even if that where the case there's no evidence that 100% proves the exodus to be true. As a look of Biblical Archaeology has been found to have been faked over the last few years Ronald Wyatt for example. From finding fake chariot wheels at bottom of red sea the man was a Nurse not a Archaeology professor. Even if you could provide proof of all that you still have to prove God is real. That I should take the Bible seriously. Videos like this need to have more research done into there claims

[@moniyahshakhor6509]

I wish this narrative would stop. The scriptures says they will be in a land not theirs and serve the people possessing the land. That's not Ishmael and not the Caananites... further more he said he would judge them and aquire wealth. What scripture shows that happening to Ishmael or any other nation other than Egypt? How do you explain Genesis 15:16?

[@darinb.3273]

Read the entire 15th chapter 😊.

[@aidan2849]

@@darinb.3273when verse 16 of exodous 15 says “they will come hither again” what does that mean. They will go back into Egypt?

[@darinb.3273]

@@aidan2849 Hello Aidan I understand you have a question you provided book and verses but no chapter. That would take a long time to read the entire book of Exodus, so please provide the chapter, thank you.

[@zaazazza6555]

I would love to hear an alternative explanation with the numbers shown adding up. Any suggestions on where to look?

[@shinypeter7]

The Hyksos Dynasty 1650 to 1550 bc. Israelite Joseph 2nd in command of Egypt. Slaves or elite?

[@Gavriel-og6jv]

0:14 and 4:42 "out *on* Passover", not "out of Passover". The night they left Egypt was the first night of Passover, therefore, they left *on* Passover.

[@claimerboy]

Unfortunately, this is completely misleading.

[@noahdownie6131]

I’m more of a 210 man myself.

[@thato596]

Okay i understand. This makes sense

[@abbottcole7374]

So when did the 400 years occur?

[@darkkid2270]

The Jews were enslaved in America and around the world….the Jews r black

[@kmokev5133]

African Americans in America. We’re the seed of Abram That Yah told Abram would be afflicted in a land that wasn’t there’s for 400 years

[@richellenico7467]

Year 2019 marked the 400th year since African slaves arrived in Virginia in 1619. What’s strange is, the PLANdemic started in 2020 after this 400 year mark. Currently, there’s a 2030 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in the works. They use the words “world peace and prosperity” which makes this agenda seem like the plan of the antichrist. There is significance in numbers when it comes to timeline of events.

[@richellenico7467]

@@kmokev5133 Year 2019 marked the 400th year since African slaves arrived in Virginia in 1619. What’s strange is, the PLANdemic started in 2020 after this 400 year mark. Currently, there’s a 2030 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in the works. They use the words “world peace and prosperity” which makes this agenda seem like the plan of the antichrist. There is significance in numbers when it comes to timeline of events.

[@aidan2849]

@@kmokev5133not just African Americans. Native Americans? Carribeans, Afro Cubans, Brazilians, etc. even those who escaped slavery and were colonized in sub Saharan Africa

[@jsto6056]

Great job!

[@chimeneyah9705]

400 yrs is future but slavery truly started 1624 2024 ends captivity elicipse is spiritual thats coming in april in hebrew x means tav=400

[@heythere5988]

🎉❤

[@samspeaks2016]

What I've been trying to understand is that if hebrews were enslaved for 400 years in egypt why did God allow lifetimes of slavery happen to his people of praying asking for help never getting an answer and dying just for generations down to finally doing something about it. It just doesnt add up for God being otherwise described as just and fair and good. I figured there was something we were missing, having these atrocities occur within a single generation would make more sense seeing as God acted after it started and seeing it resolved in the hebrews lifetime. But there are similar things i dont understand to the nature of God as well. For example, there are opder creatures we know that were "designed" to kill. Many dinosaurs are killing machines, why were they created like this as just one example. God didnt just call these things good, but VERY good. And yet animals kill each other. God himself killed and skinned animals to give coverings for Adam and Eve to wear when they were exiled from the garden of Eden. So we know God then has no qualms with killing living creatures that can feel fear and pain. Those things arent peaceful and seem evil to me. I dont have a firm stance on any of this and am trying to argue any point, i just dont understand. If anyone has asked these same questions and has found an answer please reply and let me know. I alone seem to be unable to understand the nature of God with as much studying and reflection as I can.

[@ChoosenPeople]

I won’t pretend to understand the nature of GOD but what I will say is that I’m sure GOD doesn’t see death the same way we do. Can you imagine how much death GOD has witnessed since the beginning of time. Furthermore, death wasn’t a part of his original desire for us. Sin caused death. For us death seems eternal if we don’t have faith. With that, it seems like a bad thing. For GOD death is just a phase of eternal life. Actual death to GOD is Hell. To be absent from the body is to be with the LORD. For a believer death from this body is to enter the next phase of life. Say the caterpillar that turns into the butterfly but it’s forever. This also explains why we see GODs punishment as a bad thing while the Bible says it’s to help us. The same as when you take something from a disobedient child or put them on punishment. The hope is they learn the lesson and grow from it to be successful. In other words, turn from their sin. The idea of purified by fire. It’s also a warning from GOD to prevent our ultimate destruction, again being hell. Our perspective and his perspective are very different. The more we read, study, pray and grow closer to GOD, the more we start to understand him. START to understand!

[@samspeaks2016]

@@ChoosenPeople but I'm not talking about people and his plan for people, that's the easy part. The word incarnate (Jesus Christ) came to be the perfect sacrifice to pay the price for our sin. Done. What I'm trying to figure out in this instance is why animals, beings without any sort of salvation, kill and are killed. As you said, imagine the death God has seen. But also God skinned the animals for Adam and Eve and were collateral in the flood despite having nothing to do with the punishment that was meant for humans. There's evidence to suggest in Scripture that the earth is potentially billions of years old with the translation in Genesis the earth "became" void and desolate. There's also evidence in real life records of dinosaurs potentially roaming the earth just pre-flood and after in various explorers writings like Marco Polo and cultures and evidence of the world flood. If it is true that dinosaurs lived millions of years ago, we've got a big problem. Scenario 1: God made animals to kill and feel fear and live in sin, which by its nature is evil despite God himself calling it very good. Or 2: God made it perfect like Scripture speaks of later the lion laying with the lamb, and sin permeated the living world from the devil while he had dominion over it before mankind. If the latter is true, then why would God not only allow this to happen to his innocent creation (animals don't necessarily "make decisions", they live on instinct and therefore cannot sin) but then also accept and let it continue for an unfathomable amount of time?

[@samspeaks2016]

@@ChoosenPeople my point on the last statement was you are right in pointing out that God sees death differently than us, and it is better for people because we're saved through Christ, but it's far worst for other living things because not only can they suffer and do, but they're also the vehicle for humans for a very long time to kill for sacrifices and offerings as well as food, sport, and enslavement as beasts of burden. Animals, living things that can feel fear and joy and love live far worse lives than human beings. The are enslaved, killed violently, left to survive on their own without intelligent aid, ect, and they from what we know won't have any sort of revival. They suffered and died and the end. That's not just awful, that's evil. And evil is not the quality of God so where is the discrepancy I'm missing. WHY is this the way it is?

[@ChoosenPeople]

@@samspeaks2016 I don’t question GOD, but delight in learning more about him. There is so much we can’t understand. I don’t think GOD intends us to ever be mean, cruel or torturous to any living creature. Those aren’t GODs qualities. Free will and sin in our lives create those things. With that being said though the animal Kingdom is a wild place where beast eat beast. It’s a rough life and GOD gave animals their own rules as well as giving us rulership over them……..

[@samspeaks2016]

@@ChoosenPeople so is it wrong to question God or how things he's created works?

[@TBD3.0]

Archeologist agree these characters never existed, these stories are just fairy tales.

[@Martinroadsguy]

Yeah, no need to dissect what this verse or that verse said. There's been no archeological evidence or contemporary record mentioning Hebrews in ancient Egypt. If there was an entire nation of Hebrews there who later left, it would be impossible to not find evidence and records of it all over the place.

[@blusheep2]

Archeologists don't agree about this. There are actually two camps. Minimalists and Maximalists. That is the very definition of Academic Controversy, not consensus.

[@blusheep2]

@@Martinroadsguy What there is plenty of evidence for is Semites in Egypt. We have loads of information about Semitic people in Egypt an the Hebrews were Semites. In fact there was a city called Avaris in the Nile Delta that was a Semitic city. It was arguably the largest city in the ancient world. At one point these people ruled Egypt. The Egyptians called them the Hyksos.

[@TBD3.0]

@@blusheep2 Call it what ever you wish doesn't change the fact that there is ZERO evidence. Prove to me with evidence that "Abraham existed".

[@blusheep2]

@@TBD3.0 Then you don't understand the nature of evidence. I understand that we don't have direct evidence of the Hebrews in Egypt. We don't have any inscriptions of them. We don't have any records of them leaving. We don't have any evidence of major characters like Moses or Abraham. That isn't the only type of evidence there is though. We have gobs of circumstantial and linguistic evidence. What this means is that the text fits perfectly at that point in the timeline and the story fits perfectly into the circumstances of Egypt during that time. So, you may say that we don't have any "direct" evidence, but you can't say that there isn't enough evidence to suggest the plausibility of the stories truth. Let me explain some examples. When languages are in close contact with each other, it is common for there to be "loanwords" that cross the language divide. The usual position with people like you, is that the Exodus is a late invention during the Babylonian exile as a means to preserve national identity. If this was the case, we would expect to find Babylonian loanwords... one or two at least... in the Biblical account. We find zero. There are no Babylonian loan words but there ARE Egyptian loanwords. But its more then that. We can compare the number of loan words found in the Exodus account with the number found in other nearby language groups that were in contact with Egypt. What we find is that the Exodus account contains 3X as many Egyptian loanwords as any of the other language groups. Ugarit has around 8. that is the best. The Moabite language has Zero. The Canaanites have 3 or 4. The Biblical account has 25 or so Egyptian loanwords in just this one account. What this tells the scholars is that the Hebrews had a very intimate connection with Egypt. There was more transference between Egypt and the Hebrews then any other nearby language groups. Not only that but these loanwords can be dated because Egyptian spellings changed over time. Endings went from i, to t, to dropped altogether. The spelling used in the Exodus account uses a distinctly Egyptian New Kingdom spelling and not the spelling in use during the exile in Babylon. Now how about that city Avaris again. The Biblical story has Joseph being sold off in slavery to Egypt, but while in Egypt he interprets a dream and is raised to high command. This is strange because Egypt thought of the Semites as unsophisticated sheep herders. What we found out is that Joseph would have been sold into slavery while the Hyksos were ruling Egypt. Therefore, Joseph didn't get raised up to high power under an Egyptian pharaoh but under a Semitic Pharaoh. Not only that but there is a question about how the Hebrews could go from having a man in high office to being entirely enslaved by Egyptian Egyptians? Well, the only time that Egypt took slaves from within its own borders was when they finally chased the Hyksos out and destroyed its army in Gaza. Those left behind or to slow to escape were enslaved. That pesky Avaris remained a Semitic city into the middle of Rameses II's reign when it became a ghost town. That is right. The city emptied very quickly. How do we know? The Egyptians began to use this semitic city as a graveyard. This is just part of the circumstantial evidence we have. The Hebrews didn't become organized into Israel until after the Exodus. In Egypt they were just tribes mixed in with other Semitic tribes that were all lumped together as one people. The reason you don't find references to them is because the Egyptians wouldn't have seen them as a different people group. To the Egyptians they were just Semites. They were Hyksos.

[@briang8002]

0 years

[@walamo8971]

I dont think I want to contradict the Bible and what the Apostle Paul says😢😮I think its mislesding too...I need a real answer.

[@craigkelly4278]

You will not get it here

[@zaazazza6555]

@@craigkelly4278 I would also like to hear an alternative explanation. Do you have any suggestions?

[@craigkelly4278]

@zaazazza6555 Well, according to Dr Zahi Hawass and a number of other Egyptian historians, the pyramid builders were not! Jewish slaves this was a job reserved for Egyptian citizens only who were paid in barley used in making beer, etc.. in the builders' tombs, they found a lot of the stuff. Which suggests they were, in fact, a paid workforce. That not to say there were not slaves in Egypt. That Jewish slavery historical speaking would not have been very common at the time it not until Alexander the Great and the Greek invasion of 333 BC which would have been long after the Exodus is said to have taken place. Let's say the exodus is accurate. Some Hebrew scholars reject the idea that any Jews ever were in Egypt. Regardless of the biblical number. Due to discoveries made in Egypt within the last 14 years or so. 4 ways in which the story can be viewed is 1. Fact 2. Figurative. 3. Fantasy. 4. Open ended, waiting for more information to come. Our way and to remain silent when it comes to making assumptions regarding the numbers, etc.. 4. Is probably the safest option. But as it is our current understanding of the Exodus is the main line most historians take of any real respect or standing in the field is it never happened due to lack of any real evidence outside the Bible. Also, the most recent findings seem to point to it being a fictional story. I say this because I did work for some time in museums ect myself for some years. I hope they can find more information on this, but it seems increasingly less likely with every passing year. I will place my trust in God to show how I should live my life, not this video. Opinions can change, and understanding can increase with evidence. I will, for now, be satisfied with what the book says, but I will continue to look at all evidence no matter how smal to see if it holds up. To the book remain silent if I feel it's best to do so by the( Spirit).

[@NathanH83]

BRAVO!!!!!

[@Aligbo]

Only 215 years and if you add the time in Canaan it total 430 years

[@lazarushernandez5827]

That's the thing, if you go back to the Septuagint translation (3rd-2nd century BC), the verse in Exodus 12:40 reads they sojourned 430 yrs in Egypt AND the land of Canaan. For whatever reason this was left out of the Masoretic (around 1000 AD) and all later translations (the bible is very clear about taking away or adding verses to it Deut 4:2, Rev 22:18). In Genesis 15:13 Abraham was told 'Know for certain that your descendants will be strangers in a country not their own, and they will be enslaved and mistreated four hundred years'. 400: not 430, not 215 yrs. That verse mentions nothing about Egypt. The Israelites weren't exactly strangers, they were invited by Pharaoh during Joseph's time (and were not enslaved or mistreated while Joseph lived), the Egyptians knew who they were. The only thing in common was that Egypt was not their own country. Also tradition has it that Moses was the person that God revealed the first 5 books of the Bible to. This had to have happened during the 40 years after leaving Egypt. It should imply that the 5 books (and their prophecy) were meant for Israel going forward, as they had just left Egypt and knew they hadn't spent 400 years there (Mose's great grandfather was Levi, that's 3 generations even given a long generation period that doesn't add up to 400, Mose's grandfather Kehath is also listed among those moving to Egypt ).

[@Aligbo]

@@lazarushernandez5827 Correct. The total time in Egypt was 215 and the remaining 215 in Canaan. No Israelites taken again into Egypt until the Atlantic Slave trade-Egypt just mean bondage

[@aidan2849]

@@lazarushernandez5827if Israel spent 215 years in Egypt and 215 in Canaan during Bible events, would it make sense if Egypt had Canaan under its control and therefore both were considered Egypt? Or am I reaching ?

[@lazarushernandez5827]

@@aidan2849 That isn't that big of a reach, but it also is not the original scripture. It leads to some confusion about those 400 years prophesied to Abraham. The reckoning (for the 430 years in Canaan and Egypt) goes back to Abraham. He wasn't under bondage to anyone, nor was he being mistreated by anyone, and the prophecy was about his descendants. Isaac did not serve anyone under bondage either. You can try to make a case for Jacob as he served 20 years with his uncle Laban for his 2 wives Leah and Rachel, but then again he was compensated for this. The other point is there is a verse in Genesis 50:22-26 where it states that Joseph lived to see his grandchildren and even his great grandchildren. One of those mentioned was Machir who was a son of Manasseh, Joseph's son. Later in 1 Chronicles 7:14-29 we find that Machir and his son Gilead lived long enough to settle where his tribe would live (which was outside the promised land and called Gilead after his son). If Machir was alive before Joseph died, and he was alive to leave Egypt with Moses, and consider that the Israelites spent 40 yrs in the wilderness before entering the promised land, then the Israelites could not have been 400 yrs in Egypt. People were living around 120 years by then (Joseph lived to 110 yrs , Moses was 120 when died).

[@bereananalytics6789]

430 years..not 400

[@apextraxx2903]

Hi 👋🏿

[@martinsibeanusi4317]

Hmmm so many sketches hear say. They prospered in ancient Egypt, they dominated in all fields and helped in science, commerce and Agriculture. They were known as middle men until the hyscos came. The hyscos who are from the levant are turkic origin and are the ancestors of the present day Arabs. Hyscos conquered lower Eygpt which goshen is located, enslaved them in their land. The name Israeli and the identity of Hebrew where birthed in Egypt. Israel = I zara eli (you answered the most high) Hebrew= Ha buru uwa (them that bears the wickedness of the world).

[@TRIV68]

We know we're there weren't....Europe! Will u guys ever stop lying?

[@TBD3.0]

Fairy tales.