Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 137:547 (Jul 1980)
Article: Fixed Dates in Patriarchal Chronology
Author: Eugene H. Merrill

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BSac 137:547 (Jul 80) p. 241

Fixed Dates in Patriarchal Chronology

Eugene H. Merrill

[Eugene H. Merrill, Assistant Professor of Semitics and Old Testament Studies, Dallas Theological Seminary]

It has often been observed that chronology is the skeleton of history, the temporal framework to which historical narrative is attached and from which it draws much of its relational meaning.1 This is no less true of biblical history. The order of events (internal context) and their relationship to their times (external context)2 have much to contribute to both a historical and a theological understanding of Scripture.

This study is limited to a consideration of the datable events of the Book of Genesis with the aim of demonstrating that there is not only a self-consistent chronological pattern in the book but that the narratives embedded within this pattern can take on new and deeper meaning when read in its light. Whether Abraham was living or dead at the time of Jacob’s birth, for example, can influence the meaning and purpose of the story to some extent. And whether he is alive or dead can sometimes be known only by careful attention to comparative chronology.

The Basis of Old Testament Chronology

Following Thiele’s revolutionary work, The Mysterious Numbers of the Hebrew Kings,3 a consensus has emerged that the kingdom under Solomon divided at his death in 931 B.C.4 This date must be the starting point for any chronological reconstruction of previous events. Happily there are data which make possible a reliable and convincing chronological structure as far back as Abraham and perhaps even earlier.5 These begin with the note

BSac 137:547 (Jul 80) p. 242

in 1 Kings 6:1 that Solomon undertook construction of the Temple in the fourth year of his reign which also happened to be 480 years after the Exodus. This places the Exodus in 1446 B.C.6 There is, moreover, the statement in Exodus 12:40 that Israel was in Egypt 430 years, thus yielding the date of 1876 for Jacob’s migration there from Canaan.7 Since Jacob was 130 years old at the time (Gen 47:9), he was born in 2006. His father Isaac was 60 when Jacob was born (25:26), so Isaac himself was born in 2066. Abraham, in turn, was 100 years ol...

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