Bible Roadmap

Age 2 of 14

The Patriarchs

c. 2166–1876 BC

Dating: Approximate; derived from the early-Exodus chronology

Relevance

God called Abram and promised that in him all families of the earth would be blessed (). Paul writes that the promises were made to Abraham and his seed, which is Christ (). Dates are derived from Jacob's age (), the 430 years (), and the early Exodus date.

Key events

  1. c. 2091 BC

    The call of Abram

    The LORD calls Abram to leave his country; he departs from Haran at 75 years old ().

  2. Biblical sequence

    Covenant between the pieces

    The LORD makes a covenant with Abram concerning his seed and the land ().

  3. c. 2080 BC

    Ishmael born

    Abram is fourscore and six years old when Hagar bears Ishmael ().

  4. c. 2067 BC

    Covenant of circumcision

    When Abram is 99 years old his name is changed to Abraham ().

  5. c. 2067 BC

    Sodom and Gomorrah destroyed

    The LORD rains brimstone and fire upon Sodom and Gomorrah ().

  6. c. 2066 BC

    Isaac born

    Abraham is an hundred years old when Isaac is born ().

  7. Biblical sequence

    Abraham offers Isaac

    God tests Abraham at Moriah and provides a ram ().

  8. c. 2006 BC

    Jacob and Esau born

    Isaac is threescore years old when Esau and Jacob are born ().

  9. c. 1991 BC

    Death of Abraham

    Abraham dies at 175 years ().

  10. Biblical sequence

    Jacob's dream at Bethel

    The LORD renews the promise to Jacob ().

  11. Biblical sequence

    Jacob named Israel

    Jacob wrestles until the breaking of the day and is named Israel ().

  12. c. 1898 BC

    Joseph sold into Egypt

    Joseph, seventeen years old, is sold to the Ishmeelites (; ).

  13. c. 1885 BC

    Joseph made ruler over Egypt

    Joseph is thirty years old when he stands before Pharaoh ().

  14. c. 1876 BC

    Jacob goes down to Egypt

    Jacob tells Pharaoh he is 130 years old; Israel dwells in Goshen (; ).

    Dating views (no position taken)

    Long sojourn (430 years in Egypt): c. 1876 BC —

    Short sojourn (215 years in Egypt): c. 1661 BC — read as counting 430 years from the promise to Abraham

Rulers and empires

Time of Abram

Chedorlaomer, king of Elam

Time of Abraham

Abimelech, king of Gerar

Not named in Scripture

Pharaoh of Joseph's day

Key people

Father of the faithful

Abraham

175 years ()

Believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness (; ).

Wife of Abraham

Sarah

127 years ()

Bore Isaac in her old age ().

Nephew of Abraham

Lot

Delivered from Sodom (; ).

King of Salem, priest of the most high God

Melchizedek

Blessed Abram (; ).

Son of promise

Isaac

180 years ()

The covenant was established with Isaac ().

Wife of Isaac

Rebekah

Mother of Esau and Jacob ().

Father of the twelve tribes

Jacob (Israel)

147 years ()

His twelve sons are named in .

Ruler in Egypt

Joseph

110 years ()

"Ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good" ().

Books written during or about this period

Genesis (ch. 12–50)