From Babel to Egypt – Mobile Friendly
A timeline of key characters and events from after the Flood until the family of Israel goes down to Egypt
The Noahic Covenant
Noah builds an altar following the Great Deluge. God establishes a universal covenant with humanity, promising never again to destroy all flesh by a flood, sealed by the sign of the rainbow.
The Tower of Babel
Humanity unites under Nimrod to build a tower reaching the heavens. God confuses their languages, scattering the population across the earth and forming the early nations.
Abraham (Abram)
Born in Ur of the Chaldees when his father Terah was 130 years old (Gen. 11:32, 12:4). Called by God to leave Mesopotamian idol worship to enter the land of Canaan.
Ishmael
Born to Abraham (age 86) and Hagar, Sarah’s Egyptian handmaid (Gen. 16:16). While he was blessed by God to become the father of twelve princes and a great nation, the covenant line remained explicitly through Isaac.
Sarah (Sarai)
Wife and half-sister of Abraham (Gen. 20:12), born 10 years after him (Gen. 17:17). She accompanied him to Canaan and at age 90 gave birth to Isaac, fulfilling God’s promise.
The Call to Canaan
At age 75, Abram leaves Haran following the death of his father Terah. He enters Canaan, initiating the 430-year timeframe of the Abrahamic Sojourn (Exodus 12:40, Galatians 3:17).
Isaac
The promised son born to Abraham (age 100) and Sarah (age 90). He inherits the covenant seed and blessing, serving as the patriarch of the line through which Israel descended.
Rebekah (Rebecca)
Granddaughter of Abraham’s brother Nahor, brought from Aram-naharaim by Abraham’s servant to marry Isaac (who was age 40). After 20 years of barrenness, she gave birth to the twins Esau and Jacob.
Esau (Edom)
The firstborn twin son of Isaac and Rebekah, born immediately before his brother Jacob when Isaac was 60 years old. A skillful hunter, he famously sold his birthright to Jacob for a bowl of red stew and became the progenitor of the Edomites.
Jacob (Israel)
Born to Isaac and Rebekah when Isaac was 60 years old. He secured the birthright blessing, wrestled with God at Penuel, and had his name changed to Israel.
Leah & Rachel
Daughters of Laban who married Jacob in Padan-aram. Together with their handmaidens Bilhah and Zilpah, they bore the twelve sons who established the tribal structure of Israel.
The Birth of the 12 Sons
The twelve patriarchal founders of the tribes of Israel born in Padan-aram and Canaan:
- By Leah: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun
- By Bilhah (Rachel’s maid): Dan, Naphtali
- By Zilpah (Leah’s maid): Gad, Asher
- By Rachel: Joseph (b. 1745 BC), Benjamin
Joseph Betrayed into Egypt
At age 17, Joseph is sold by his jealous brothers to Ishmeelite traders for 20 pieces of silver. He is brought to Egypt and sold to Potiphar, captain of Pharaoh’s guard.
Exaltation of Joseph
At age 30, Joseph interprets Pharaoh’s dreams of seven years of plenty and seven years of famine. Pharaoh appoints him governor over all Egypt to store up grain.
Descent of the Israelites
During the second year of famine, Jacob (age 130) relocates his entire household of 70 descendants to Egypt. Pharaoh grants them the land of Goshen, marking exactly 215 years since Abraham entered Canaan in 1921 BC.