1700 BC – 1400 BC · 608 passages
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Showing 1–60 of 608 passages; pick a book above to see all of its passages, or switch to “by book”.
Israel's family grows in Egypt after Jacob's arrival c. 1876 BC (early-date chronology; 430 years to the Exodus, Ex 12:40) Traditional date
The book opens by listing the sons of Israel who came to Egypt with Jacob. After Joseph's generation dies, their descendants multiply until the land is full of them.
The Levite clans of Gershom, Kohath and Merari, down to the time of David Best estimate
The three Levite families are listed again with their clans and descendants. The Kohathite line includes Elkanah and Samuel and his sons, and the Merarites are also traced.
Ephraim's line from the patriarchs through Joshua; early Ephraimite losses to Gath Best estimate
Ephraim's descendants are listed, leading to Joshua. It records the death of two sons in a cattle raid on Gath, Ephraim's mourning, the birth of Beriah and the towns held by Joseph's descendants.
A new dynasty 'that did not know Joseph' enslaves Israel; Pithom and Raamses built. Pharaoh unidentified; perhaps after the Hyksos fell c. 1550 BC Best estimate
A new king fears the growing Israelite population and sets taskmasters over them. They are forced into brutal labor building store cities, yet they keep multiplying.
Pharaoh orders Hebrew baby boys killed, shortly before Moses' birth (c. 1526 BC on the early-date chronology) Traditional date
Pharaoh orders the Hebrew midwives to kill baby boys, but they fear God and let them live. When questioned, they give an excuse, and Pharaoh then orders all newborn Hebrew boys thrown into the Nile.
Moses born c. 1526 BC, about 80 at the Exodus (Ex 7:7); early-date chronology Traditional date
A Levite couple hide their baby son, then set him afloat in a tar-coated basket. Pharaoh's daughter finds him, pities him, and, through his sister's quick offer, has his own mother nurse him before adopting him as Moses.
Moses, about 40 (Acts 7:23), kills an Egyptian and flees Pharaoh; c. 1486 BC on the early-date chronology Traditional date
Moses sees an Egyptian beating a Hebrew and kills him in secret. When the deed becomes known and Pharaoh seeks his life, Moses flees to Midian.
Forty years in Midian (Acts 7:30), c. 1486–1446 BC on the early-date chronology Traditional date
Moses defends the daughters of the priest of Midian from bullying shepherds. Their father welcomes him, gives him his daughter Zipporah, and Moses names their son Gershom, reflecting his life as a foreigner.
The king of Egypt dies; Israel still groans and God remembers his covenant, c. 1450–1446 BC (early-date chronology) Traditional date
Years later the king of Egypt dies, but Israel still groans under slavery. God hears their cry and remembers his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
c. 1446 BC – Moses, about 80, at Horeb in Midian meets God in the burning bush (early date; late-date view puts the Exodus c. 1260 BC) Traditional date
While shepherding, Moses sees a bush burning without being consumed. God calls to him from it, tells him to remove his sandals on holy ground, and identifies himself as the God of Moses' ancestors.
c. 1446 BC – God commissions Moses from the bush to bring Israel out of Egypt, with the sign of worship at this mountain Traditional date
God says he has seen Israel's suffering and will rescue them to a good land, and sends Moses to Pharaoh. Moses asks who he is to go, and God answers that he will be with him.
c. 1446 BC – at the bush God reveals his name, 'I AM WHO I AM', to Moses Traditional date
Moses asks what name to give the Israelites. God answers 'I AM WHO I AM' and says he is the LORD, the God of their fathers, the name by which he is to be remembered forever.
c. 1446 BC – God tells Moses how to approach Israel's elders and Pharaoh, and that Pharaoh will refuse until compelled Traditional date
God tells Moses to gather the elders and ask Pharaoh for a three-day journey to sacrifice. He warns that Pharaoh will refuse until compelled by wonders, after which the Israelites will leave with Egyptian valuables.
c. 1446 BC – still at Horeb: Moses receives three signs and Aaron is appointed spokesman Traditional date
Moses worries the people will not believe him. God turns his staff into a snake and back, makes his hand leprous and then healthy, and promises a third sign of Nile water turning to blood.
c. 1446 BC – still at Horeb: Moses receives three signs and Aaron is appointed spokesman Traditional date
Moses says he is slow of speech, and God replies that he made the mouth and will help him. When Moses asks him to send someone else, God grows angry and appoints his brother Aaron as spokesman.
c. 1446 BC – Moses leaves Midian for Egypt with his family; the LORD confronts him at a lodging place on the way Traditional date
Moses gets Jethro's blessing and sets out with his family and the staff of God. The LORD warns that Pharaoh's heart will be hardened and gives the message to deliver: let my firstborn son Israel go.
c. 1446 BC – Moses leaves Midian for Egypt with his family; the LORD confronts him at a lodging place on the way Traditional date
At a lodging place the LORD confronts Moses and is about to kill him. Zipporah circumcises her son and touches Moses' feet with the foreskin, and the LORD lets him alone.
c. 1446 BC – God renews his covenant promise; Moses' and Aaron's genealogy; they are sent to Pharaoh at ages 80 and 83 Traditional date
God says Pharaoh will let them go by his mighty hand. He explains that he revealed himself as the LORD, recalls his covenant, and promises to redeem Israel and give them the land.
c. 1446 BC – God renews his covenant promise; Moses' and Aaron's genealogy; they are sent to Pharaoh at ages 80 and 83 Traditional date
Israel's broken spirit keeps them from listening to Moses. The LORD sends him again to Pharaoh, Moses objects that he is unskilled in speech, and God charges Moses and Aaron to lead Israel out.
c. 1446 BC – God renews his covenant promise; Moses' and Aaron's genealogy; they are sent to Pharaoh at ages 80 and 83 Traditional date
A genealogy lists the heads of the households of Reuben, Simeon, and especially Levi. It traces the line that leads to Aaron and Moses and to Aaron's sons.
c. 1446 BC – God renews his covenant promise; Moses' and Aaron's genealogy; they are sent to Pharaoh at ages 80 and 83 Traditional date
The text stresses that these are the Moses and Aaron the LORD told to bring Israel out. It repeats the day God told Moses to speak to Pharaoh and Moses' worry that he speaks poorly.
c. 1446 BC – Moses (80) and Aaron (83) before Pharaoh; Aaron's staff swallows the magicians' staffs Traditional date
The LORD says Moses will speak to Pharaoh with Aaron as his prophet. God will harden Pharaoh's heart and bring judgments so that Egypt will know he is the LORD, and Moses and Aaron obey.
c. 1446 BC – Moses (80) and Aaron (83) before Pharaoh; Aaron's staff swallows the magicians' staffs Traditional date
Aaron throws down his staff and it becomes a serpent. Pharaoh's magicians do the same, but Aaron's staff swallows theirs, and Pharaoh still refuses to listen.
c. 1446 BC – first plague: the Nile turns to blood, the plagues running through months before the Exodus Traditional date
The LORD tells Moses to meet Pharaoh at the Nile and again demand that Israel be released. If he refuses, the Nile will turn to blood.
c. 1446 BC – first plague: the Nile turns to blood, the plagues running through months before the Exodus Traditional date
Aaron strikes the Nile and all Egypt's water turns to blood, killing the fish and making the water undrinkable. The magicians imitate it, Pharaoh is unmoved, and seven days pass.
c. 1446 BC – second plague: frogs cover Egypt; Pharaoh promises and then relents Traditional date
The LORD warns of frogs in every part of Egypt, and Aaron stretches out his staff. Frogs cover the land, though Pharaoh's magicians can also produce them.
c. 1446 BC – second plague: frogs cover Egypt; Pharaoh promises and then relents Traditional date
Pharaoh asks Moses to pray to remove the frogs and promises to let Israel go. Moses prays and the frogs die, but when Pharaoh sees relief he hardens his heart.
c. 1446 BC – third plague: gnats; the magicians admit 'the finger of God' Traditional date
Aaron strikes the dust and it becomes gnats on people and animals. The magicians cannot copy it and say it is the finger of God, but Pharaoh remains hard-hearted.
c. 1446 BC – fourth plague: flies everywhere except Goshen; Pharaoh bargains and hardens again Traditional date
The LORD warns that swarms of flies will fill Egypt but not Goshen, so that the difference between his people and Pharaoh's will be clear. It happens as he said.
c. 1446 BC – fourth plague: flies everywhere except Goshen; Pharaoh bargains and hardens again Traditional date
Pharaoh offers to let Israel sacrifice within Egypt, then within a short distance in the wilderness. Moses insists on a three-day journey, prays, and the flies leave, but Pharaoh again refuses.
c. 1446 BC – fifth plague: Egypt's livestock die; Israel's are spared Traditional date
The LORD warns of a severe plague on livestock and sets a time. Egypt's animals die while none of Israel's do, yet Pharaoh remains unmoved.
c. 1446 BC – sixth plague: boils on people and animals, even the magicians Traditional date
Moses tosses soot from a furnace into the air and festering boils break out on people and animals. Even the magicians cannot stand before Moses, and the LORD hardens Pharaoh's heart.
c. 1446 BC – Moses and Aaron meet in the wilderness and convince Israel's elders in Egypt Traditional date
Aaron meets Moses at the mountain, and Moses tells him everything. They gather Israel's elders, perform the signs, and the people believe and bow in worship.
c. 1446 BC – Moses and Aaron first confront Pharaoh, months before the Exodus (early date) Traditional date
Moses and Aaron relay the LORD's demand that Israel be allowed to hold a feast in the wilderness. Pharaoh answers that he does not know the LORD and will not let them go.
c. 1446 BC – Pharaoh ends the straw supply; Israel's quota of bricks is unchanged Traditional date
Pharaoh stops supplying straw but demands the same brick quota, calling the Israelites lazy. The people scatter to gather stubble and the Israelite foremen are beaten for falling short.
c. 1446 BC – Israel's foremen blame Moses and Aaron; Moses brings his complaint to the LORD Traditional date
The foremen appeal to Pharaoh, who calls them slackers and repeats the order. They then turn on Moses and Aaron, saying they have made Israel a stench to Pharaoh.
c. 1446 BC – Israel's foremen blame Moses and Aaron; Moses brings his complaint to the LORD Traditional date
Moses asks the LORD why he has brought trouble on the people, since his going to Pharaoh has only made things worse and no rescue has come.
c. 1446 BC – seventh plague: hail, in the season of flax and barley (Jan–Feb), shortly before the Exodus; Pharaoh confesses, then hardens Traditional date
The LORD tells Moses to warn Pharaoh again that he could have destroyed Egypt but has raised him up to show his power. Hail is coming, and those who fear the LORD's word bring their servants and animals inside.
c. 1446 BC – seventh plague: hail, in the season of flax and barley (Jan–Feb), shortly before the Exodus; Pharaoh confesses, then hardens Traditional date
Moses stretches his staff toward heaven and thunder, lightning, and the worst hail in Egypt's history destroy people, animals, and plants in the fields. Goshen alone is untouched.
c. 1446 BC – seventh plague: hail, in the season of flax and barley (Jan–Feb), shortly before the Exodus; Pharaoh confesses, then hardens Traditional date
Pharaoh admits he has sinned and asks for prayer. Moses ends the storm, but Pharaoh and his officials harden their hearts again.
c. 1446 BC – eighth plague: locusts devour the crops left after the hail, a few weeks before the Exodus Traditional date
The LORD says he has hardened Pharaoh's heart so his signs may be told to future generations. Moses warns of locusts, Pharaoh's officials plead with him, and Pharaoh will allow only the men to go.
c. 1446 BC – eighth plague: locusts devour the crops left after the hail, a few weeks before the Exodus Traditional date
An east wind brings locusts that cover the land and eat everything left by the hail. Pharaoh confesses his sin and asks for forgiveness, and a west wind blows the locusts into the Red Sea, but the LORD hardens his heart.
c. 1446 BC – ninth plague: three days of darkness over Egypt, just before the Exodus Traditional date
A darkness thick enough to feel covers Egypt for three days while Israelites have light. Pharaoh offers to let all but the livestock go, Moses refuses, and Pharaoh orders Moses out and says he will die if he returns.
c. 1446 BC – just before the Exodus (early date; some place it c. 1260 BC): the LORD announces the tenth plague, the firstborn Traditional date
The LORD says one more plague will make Pharaoh drive Israel out. He tells the people to ask their neighbors for silver and gold, and gives them favor with the Egyptians.
c. 1446 BC – just before the Exodus (early date; some place it c. 1260 BC): the LORD announces the tenth plague, the firstborn Traditional date
Moses declares that at midnight every firstborn in Egypt will die and a great cry will rise, but Israel will be unharmed. He leaves in anger, and the text notes that Pharaoh's heart remains hardened.
c. 1446 BC – 10th–14th of Nisan (spring): Passover and Unleavened Bread instituted in Egypt, with Moses relaying the instructions Traditional date
The LORD makes this month the first of the year. Each household is to keep a year-old lamb, slaughter it at twilight, put its blood on the doorframes, and eat it roasted in haste, so that judgment will pass over them.
c. 1446 BC – 10th–14th of Nisan (spring): Passover and Unleavened Bread instituted in Egypt, with Moses relaying the instructions Traditional date
The day is to be a memorial and a lasting statute. For seven days no leaven is to be eaten, and there are to be sacred assemblies on the first and last days.
c. 1446 BC – 10th–14th of Nisan (spring): Passover and Unleavened Bread instituted in Egypt, with Moses relaying the instructions Traditional date
Moses tells the elders to kill the lamb and brush its blood on the doorframes with hyssop. He says the ritual must be kept in the promised land and explained to children, and the people bow and obey.
c. 1446 BC – midnight, 14th–15th Nisan: the firstborn die and Pharaoh sends Israel out Traditional date
At midnight the LORD strikes down every firstborn in Egypt, and Pharaoh summons Moses and Aaron by night and tells Israel to go. The Egyptians urge them to hurry and give them silver, gold, and clothing.
c. 1446 BC – 15th Nisan: Israel leaves Rameses after 430 years (Ex 12:40; early date, some place the Exodus c. 1260 BC) Traditional date
About 600,000 men on foot, plus women, children, a mixed crowd, and livestock, set out from Rameses. The text notes their unleavened bread and the 430 years of the stay, and calls it a night of vigil.
c. 1446 BC – rules for future Passovers, given with the departure from Egypt Traditional date
The LORD sets rules for the Passover meal. It is eaten in one house, with no bones broken, and the foreigner may join only if his household is circumcised, and the same law applies to native and foreigner.
c. 1446 BC – first days after leaving Egypt: firstborn consecrated and the festival established (early date) Traditional date
The LORD tells Moses that every firstborn male among people and animals belongs to him.
c. 1446 BC – first days after leaving Egypt: firstborn consecrated and the festival established (early date) Traditional date
Moses tells the people to remember the day of their release and to eat no leavened bread. In the promised land they are to keep the feast each year and explain it to their children.
c. 1446 BC – first days after leaving Egypt: firstborn consecrated and the festival established (early date) Traditional date
Once in the land, Israel must give the firstborn males of animals to the LORD and redeem the firstborn donkeys and sons. Children who ask will be told it recalls the LORD killing Egypt's firstborn.
c. 1446 BC – Israel leaves Succoth and Etham with Joseph's bones, led by the pillar of cloud and fire Traditional date
God avoids the shorter road through Philistine land so the people will not lose heart at war. Moses carries Joseph's bones, and the LORD goes before them in a pillar of cloud by day and fire by night.
c. 1446 BC – Pharaoh pursues; Israel crosses the sea (Red Sea or Reed Sea) in Nisan (early date; late date c. 1260 BC) Traditional date
God tells Israel to camp by the sea, saying he will harden Pharaoh's heart so he pursues. Pharaoh regrets releasing them and sets out with 600 chariots and overtakes them.
c. 1446 BC – Pharaoh pursues; Israel crosses the sea (Red Sea or Reed Sea) in Nisan (early date; late date c. 1260 BC) Traditional date
Terrified, the people cry to the LORD and accuse Moses of bringing them out to die. Moses tells them not to be afraid, to stand firm, and see the LORD fight for them.
c. 1446 BC – Pharaoh pursues; Israel crosses the sea (Red Sea or Reed Sea) in Nisan (early date; late date c. 1260 BC) Traditional date
The LORD tells Moses to go forward, lift his staff, and divide the sea. The angel of God and the pillar of cloud move behind Israel, giving light to them and darkness to Egypt.
c. 1446 BC – Pharaoh pursues; Israel crosses the sea (Red Sea or Reed Sea) in Nisan (early date; late date c. 1260 BC) Traditional date
Moses stretches out his hand and a strong east wind divides the sea so Israel goes through with walls of water on both sides. The Egyptians follow, and at morning watch the LORD throws them into confusion.
c. 1446 BC – Pharaoh pursues; Israel crosses the sea (Red Sea or Reed Sea) in Nisan (early date; late date c. 1260 BC) Traditional date
At daybreak Moses stretches out his hand again and the waters cover the whole Egyptian army. Israel sees the Egyptians dead on the shore, and the people fear the LORD and believe in him and Moses.