Genesis 1–9
01The primeval world
Creation, the genealogies of Genesis 5 and the Flood form the first chronological layer.
- Textual anchorDocumentedCreation and Adam
- c. 3000 BCDerivedFlood in the longer Genesis chronology
How to read the evidence
Documented
Directly stated by a primary text, excavation report or securely dated object.
Derived
Calculated from stated figures or formed by joining documented observations.
Disputed
A genuine scholarly disagreement; the evidence permits more than one reading.
Hypothesis
A proposed identification or reconstruction that goes beyond what the evidence names.
THE MASTER VIEW
Genesis to the conquest
Follow the spine of the story, then open any linked investigation to inspect the argument behind the date.
Genesis 10–11
02Nations and Babel
The table of nations and Babel bridge the Flood traditions and the patriarchal world.
- Manuscript evidenceDocumentedDifferent begetting ages in Genesis 11
- Date uncertainHypothesisBabel and the dispersal
Genesis 12–50
03The patriarchs
A working reconstruction places Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph in the Middle Bronze Age.
- c. 1875 BCDerivedThe promise to Abraham
- c. 1726 BCDerivedJoseph enters Egypt
- c. 1665 BCDerivedJacob's household enters Egypt
Genesis 46–Exodus 12
04Israel in Egypt
Textual witnesses disagree about where the 430-year span begins; archaeology supplies context, not names.
- Middle Bronze AgeDocumentedA high-ranking Asiatic at Avaris
- 215 or 430 yearsDisputedThe length of the Egyptian sojourn
Exodus–Joshua
05Exodus to the conquest
The early-date model is Bible Lens's working framework, while the historical reconstruction remains disputed.
- c. 1450 BCDisputedExodus in the early-date model
- c. 1410 BCDerivedEntry into Canaan
OPEN THE EVIDENCE
Three investigations. No hidden leaps.
Masoretic wording
430 years
The residence of the Israelites in Egypt.
Septuagint & Samaritan wording
Canaan + Egypt
The same 430-year span includes the patriarchal residence in Canaan.
The wording of Exodus 12:40
The textual difference is real. Which wording is earliest remains disputed.
TEXTUAL CHRONOLOGY
Israel in Egypt: 215 or 430 Years?
Four ancient witnesses, one difficult verse, and a chronology that deserves more care than a slogan.
Examine the evidenceMasoretic chronology
Shorter span
The Hebrew tradition underlying most modern Old Testaments.
Septuagint chronology
+ centuries
Many Greek witnesses add 100 years to several begetting ages.
Genesis 5 and 11
The variants are documented. Their direction and original form are disputed.
TEXTUAL CHRONOLOGY
Genesis 5 & 11: Competing Chronologies
The Hebrew, Greek and Samaritan genealogies preserve different numbers—and produce very different ancient timelines.
Examine the evidenceExcavation report
High-ranking Asiatic
Painted statue fragments, a plundered tomb and surviving human bone fragments.
Proposed identification
Joseph?
A possible biblical match, but no inscription supplies a name.
Evidence first; identification second
The archaeology is documented. The identification with Joseph is a hypothesis.
BIBLICAL ARCHAEOLOGY
The Asiatic Dignitary at Avaris
What the excavation actually found—and where a possible connection with Joseph becomes hypothesis rather than archaeology.
Examine the evidenceFollow the timeline as it grows
New investigations arrive when the evidence is ready—sources included, uncertainty intact.