How Long Were the Israelites in Egypt Before the Exodus?

The Bible gives different time references regarding how long the Israelites were in Egypt before the Exodus. The most commonly cited duration is 430 years, but there is some debate depending on how the timeline is interpreted.

1. The 430-Year Reference (Exodus 12:40-41)

The clearest biblical statement about the duration of Israel’s time in Egypt is found in Exodus 12:40-41:

“Now the length of time the Israelite people lived in Egypt was 430 years. At the end of the 430 years, to the very day, all the Lord’s divisions left Egypt.” (NIV)

This suggests that from the time Jacob and his family entered Egypt (Genesis 46) until the Exodus under Moses (Exodus 12), 430 years had passed.

2. The 400-Year Reference (Genesis 15:13)

In Genesis 15:13, God tells Abraham:

“Know for certain that for four hundred years your descendants will be strangers in a country not their own, and that they will be enslaved and mistreated there.”

This 400-year period likely refers to the time from the beginning of Israel’s oppression in Egypt until the Exodus.
The extra 30 years (to make 430) might account for the time they lived in Egypt before becoming slaves.

3. The Septuagint & Paul’s Interpretation (Galatians 3:17)

The Septuagint (Greek Old Testament) and Paul in Galatians 3:17 suggest that the 430 years include time spent in both Canaan and Egypt.
Paul states: “The law, introduced 430 years later, does not set aside the covenant previously established by God.”
This suggests that from the time God gave the promise to Abraham until the Exodus was 430 years, meaning their actual time in Egypt may have been shorter (some scholars estimate around 215 years).

Conclusion: How Long Were They in Egypt?

Most straightforward reading: 430 years (Exodus 12:40-41).
Possible shorter duration: 215 years in Egypt if part of the 430 years includes time spent in Canaan.
400 years of oppression (Genesis 15:13) could refer specifically to slavery, not their entire stay.