When did the Exodus happen?
God delivers Israel out of Egyptian bondage through Moses, the ten plagues, and the parted Red Sea.
Exodus from Egypt took place c. 1446 BC at Egypt to the wilderness of Sinai, during the Exodus & Wilderness period of Bible history. The account is recorded in Exodus 12:41 (KJV). God delivers Israel out of Egyptian bondage through Moses, the ten plagues, and the parted Red Sea.
"And it came to pass at the end of the four hundred and thirty years, even the selfsame day it came to pass, that all the hosts of the LORD went out from the land of Egypt." — Exodus 12:41 (KJV)
After four hundred and thirty years in Egypt, God raised up Moses to deliver His people. Ten plagues broke Pharaoh's pride, the blood of the Passover lamb shielded Israel, and the Red Sea opened a path of escape — the defining redemption of the Old Testament.
c. 1446 BC
Egypt to the wilderness of Sinai
Key KJV Scriptures
"And it came to pass at the end of the four hundred and thirty years, even the selfsame day it came to pass, that all the hosts of the LORD went out from the land of Egypt."
"And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided."
"And it came to pass in the four hundred and eightieth year after the children of Israel were come out of the land of Egypt, in the fourth year of Solomon's reign over Israel… he began to build the house of the LORD."
Why It Matters
The Exodus is the great Old Testament picture of salvation — redemption by the blood of the Lamb and deliverance through the waters — fulfilled in Christ, our Passover (1 Corinthians 5:7).
Key People
Frequently Asked Questions
What year did the Exodus happen?
Using 1 Kings 6:1, the traditional date is around 1446 BC, during the reign of Pharaoh in the 18th dynasty. Some scholars argue for a later date around 1260 BC; the early date best fits the biblical chronology.
How long was Israel in Egypt?
Exodus 12:40–41 says four hundred and thirty years.
When did exodus from egypt happen?
Exodus from Egypt is dated c. 1446 BC, placing it in the Exodus & Wilderness era of biblical history. See Exodus 12:41 (KJV).
Where did exodus from egypt take place?
Scripture places exodus from egypt at Egypt to the wilderness of Sinai.
Who was involved in exodus from egypt?
The key figures are Moses, Aaron, Pharaoh, Israel.
Where is exodus from egypt in the Bible?
You can read about it in Exodus 12:41, Exodus 14:21, 1 Kings 6:1 (King James Version).
Why does exodus from egypt matter?
The Exodus is the great Old Testament picture of salvation — redemption by the blood of the Lamb and deliverance through the waters — fulfilled in Christ, our Passover (1 Corinthians 5:7).
Related Events
Joseph Sold into Egypt
c. 1898 BC
Joseph is sold by his brothers, rises to second in Egypt, and saves his family from famine.
The Law at Mount Sinai
c. 1446 BC
God descends on Mount Sinai and gives Israel the Ten Commandments and the covenant law.
Conquest of Canaan
c. 1406 BC
Joshua leads Israel across the Jordan and into the conquest of Canaan, beginning with Jericho.
Related Reading
Continue your study with related content from across our library:
The Plagues of Egypt
Exodus 7-12 • Exodus & Wilderness
Moses' Call at the Burning Bush
Exodus 3:1-4:17 • Exodus & Wilderness
The Ten Plagues of Egypt
Ten devastating signs by which God broke Pharaoh's pride and freed His people.
Moses' Rod Becomes a Serpent
The Lord turns Moses' shepherd's staff into a serpent and back again as a sign o
Pharaoh of the Exodus in the Bible
The Hardened Ruler
Pharaoh Bible Quiz
The Egyptian ruler who opposed Moses and hardened his heart.