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#14. The Chronology of the Hebrew Patriarchs
Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph (Gen. 12: - 50:).
pp. 174 - 177
We have followed the chronology of the book of Genesis from Adam to Abraham, and
have found it complete and consistent. We now take up the chronology of the second
half of Genesis or the chronology of the Hebrew Patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and
Joseph.
Picking up the thread from article No.11, we start with the date of Abram's birth 2008.
It must be remembered that these dates are reckoned from Adam and not B.100:
2008
Abram born.
75
Add age of Abram at call of Gen. 12: 1.
----------
2083
Call of Abram at death of Terah.
We now read on through chapters 12:-15: before we meet a fresh chronological
statement.
"And Sarai Abram's wife, took Hagar her maid the Egyptian, after Abram had dwelt
ten years in the land of Canaan" (16: 3).
This means that Abram was 85 years old when he married Hagar. One year after his
marriage, Ishmael was born.
"And Abram was fourscore and six years old when Hagar bare Ishmael to Abram"
(16: 16).
Again we read chapters 17:-20: before we reach the next chronological item, the
birth of Isaac.
"And Abraham was an hundred when his son Isaac was born" (21: 5).
By subtracting Abraham's age 86 at the birth of Ishmael, from his age when Isaac was
born we get 14 years. We can add a few links to the chain from these items.
2083
Call of Abram and death of Terah.
10
Add 10 years for Abram's marriage with Hagar.
----------
2093
Abram, 85 years of age.
1
Add 1 year to birth of Ishmael (16: 16).
----------
2094
Ishmael born.
14
Add 14 years to the birth of Isaac (21: 5).
----------
2108
Isaac born.