By Chiam Cheng Kiat Djenny Ruswandi The Date of The Exodus By Chiam Cheng Kiat Djenny Ruswandi Dr. Rick Griffith, Singapore Bible College BibleStudyDownloads.org

Conclusion & Application Our Program Introduction Class Participation The Two Theories Conclusion & Application More Information Questions and Answers

Why should we know about the date of the Exodus?

Two Theories on the Date of the Exodus Late Date Theory (the 13th century) Early Date Theory (the 15th century)

Arguments for the Late Date Historical Arguments Archeological Arguments Biblical Arguments

Historical Arguments for the Late Date The civilizations of Edom, Ammon, and Moab were not in existence in the 15th century. Thus the Exodus must be dated to the 13th century.

Historical Arguments for the Late Date The City of Raamses (Exod. 1:11) was founded by Seti I (1318-1304) and completed by Rameses II (1304-1237)

Historical Arguments for the Late Date That Thutmose IV was not the legal heir to the Egyptians throne in no way proves the legal heir died in the tenth plague

Historical Arguments for the Late Date Thutmose III (1504-1450) was not noted as a great builder.

Historical Arguments for the Late Date The 300-year figure cited by Jephthah is merely an exaggerated generalization, since he had no access to historical records.

Historical Arguments for the Late Date The 430 years of Exodus 12:40 from the late date for the Exodus places Jacob's entrance into Egypt in the Hyksos period (1730-1570). This period of foreign domination in Egypt is a more likely time for Israel's entrance into Egypt.

Arguments for the Late Date Historical Arguments Archeological Arguments Biblical Arguments

Archeological Arguments for a Late Date The Menerptah Stela (1220 B.C.) The name “Israel” does not occur in any other historical record or documents before 1220. The Amarna Tablet (1400 B.C.) The name of “Habiru” cannot be identified with the Hebrews. “Habiru“ were a diverse people, native Canaanites. Archeological evidences Lachish, Bethel, Debir, etc. support a 13th century date for the Exodus.

Arguments for the Late Date Historical Arguments Archeological Arguments Biblical Arguments

Biblical Arguments for the Late Date The Old Testament 1 Kings 6:1 Exodus 2:23

The Old Testament The OT does not mention the Palestinian invasions of Seti I (1318-1304 B.C.) or Rameses II (1304-1237 B.C.), very likely because Israel was not yet in the land of Palestine

1 Kings 6:1 "In the four hundred and eightieth year after the Israelites had come out of Egypt, in the fourth year of Solomon's reign over Israel, in the month of Ziv, the second month, he began to build the temple of the Lord." The 480 years is a symbolic figure for 12 generations. Because a generation is about 25 years, the actual figure should be 300 years. 966/ 960/ 957 B.C. 300/ 300/ 300 years 1266/1260/1257 B.C.

Exodus 2:23 During that long period, the king of Egypt died. The Israelites groaned in their slavery and cried out, and their cry for help because of their slavery went up to God. The 40 years Moses spent with the Midianites is not a chronological figure, but a symbolic figure indicating a long period of time.

Two Theories of the Date of the Exodus Late Date Theory (the 13th century date) Early Date Theory (the 15th century date)

Arguments for the Early Date Biblical Arguments Archeological Arguments Historical Arguments

Biblical Arguments for the Early Date 1 Kings 6:1 Judges 11:26 Exodus 2:23

1 Kings 6:1 "In the four hundred and eightieth year after the Israelites had come out of Egypt, in the fourth year of Solomon's reign over Israel, in the month of Ziv, the second month, he began to build the temple of the Lord."

1 Kings 6:1 The Exodus occurred 480 years ago before the 4th year of Solomon's reign 966/ 960/ 957 B.C. 480/ 480/ 480 years 1446/1440/1437 B.C.

Judges 11:26 "For three hundred years Israel occupied Heshbon, Aroer, the surrounding settlements and all the towns along the Arnon. Why didn't you retake them during that time?"

Judges 11:26 Israel in Canaan 300 years before Jephthah Jephthah dated --- 1100 and 1050 B.C. 300 300 Joshua Conquest --- 1400 and 1350 B.C. Add 40 yrs in desert 40 40 Exodus dated 1440 and 1390 B.C.

Exodus 2:23 "During that long period, the king of Egypt died. The Israelites groaned in their slavery and cried out, and their cry for help because of their slavery went up to God."

Exodus 2:23 Moses lived in exile in Midian 40 years. The only pharaohs who ruled 40 years or more: 1. Thutmose III (1504-1450) 2. Rameses II (1290-1224)

Arguments for the Early Date Biblical Arguments Archeological Arguments Historical Arguments

Archeological Arguments for an Early Date The Menerptah Stela (1220 B.C.) Israel was already a nation. The Amarna Tablets (1440 B.C.) The “Habiru” that caused chaos was likely the Hebrews. The Dream Stela of Thutmose IV Shows Thutmose IV was not the legal heir to Pharaoh. Why not? The legal heir died in the 10th plague. Jericho and Hazor Evidences

Arguments for the Early Date Biblical Arguments Archeological Arguments Historical Arguments

Historical Arguments for the Early Date The length of the Period of Judges Early Date – 250 years Late Date – 180 years (unlikely) The Reign of the Pharaoh during the Entrance of Jacob was Sesostris/Senusert III (1878-43 B.C.), not the Hyksos dynasty (1674-1567 B.C)

Herbert Wolf, An Introduction to the Old Testament Pentateuch, 148. Conclusion “After examining the biblical, historical, and archeological evidence, we can see that both the 1446 [early] date and the 1290 [late] date can be supported by impressive arguments, but at this point in the debate the case for the 1446 B.C. Exodus appears to be the stronger one.” Herbert Wolf, An Introduction to the Old Testament Pentateuch, 148.

Application Inerrancy - The Biblical Historicity - Jewish Festivals and Tradition God's Faithfulness Parallel to NT experience in Christ

Additional Information Source: John D Additional Information Source: John D. Currid, A Study Commentary on Exodus (Darlington, England: Evangelical Press, 2000) Author subscribes to 13th Century B.C. Peaceful Migration Theory Rural Canaanites

God is not in the picture Author subscribes to 13th Century B.C. John D. Currid, A Study Commentary on Exodus (Darlington, England: Evangelical Press, 2000), 27 The Egyptian monument first mentioning Israel is a stele of Pharaoh Merneptah (1224-1214 B.C.) Historical Setting – The 13th Century was a period of upheaval, conducive to Israel's escape from Egypt and conquest of Canaan God is not in the picture

Peaceful Migration Theory I. originated by M. Noth and A. Alt, John D Peaceful Migration Theory I originated by M. Noth and A. Alt, John D. Currid, A Study Commentary on Exodus (Darlington, England: Evangelical Press, 2000), 29 “…the increase of settlement in Palestine was due to gradual inflitration of Hebrews into Palestine and a gradual subsistence shift from semi-nomadism to agriculture…no invasion, only a peaceful penetration from outside to inside Palestine.” This contradicts Genesis 46:31-34, where Israelites settled as shepherds and were despised in Egypt.

Peaceful Migration Theory II by G. Mendenhall in 1962 John D Peaceful Migration Theory II by G. Mendenhall in 1962 John D. Currid, A Study Commentary on Exodus (Darlington, England: Evangelical Press, 2000), 29 “…there occurred a withdrawal by a faction of Palestinian society, namely the peasantry. This peasantry later came to develop into the Hebrews. The catalyst for their moving out of the Canaanite cities was a revolt, or at least a dissatisfaction with the ruling people.” Hebrews were not an evolution from such peasantry. Genesis 45:17-20 says Pharaoh invited Joseph’s family into Egypt.

Rural Canaanites recently by Finkelstein John D Rural Canaanites recently by Finkelstein John D. Currid, A Study Commentary on Exodus (Darlington, England: Evangelical Press, 2000), 30 “… he believes the change may simply be a shift in the subsistence patterns of the Canaanites. These Canaanites gave up their urban environment and moved out to pastoral villages. Much later, these Canaanites became Israelites.”.” Israelites were not an evolution from Canaanites.

Questions & Answers

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