A timeline of the book of Exodus, from Israel's bondage in Egypt to the setting up of the Tabernacle at Mount Sinai. Dates are approximate and count from creation in 4004 BC (Ussher's chronology), which places the Exodus in 1491 BC. Ages are as stated in the text.
| Bondage in Egypt · Exodus 1-6 · after 1635 to 1491 BC | ||
|---|---|---|
| Date | Event | Reference |
| After 1635 BC After Joseph's death |
Israel multiplies; a new Pharaoh enslaves the Hebrews | Ex 1 |
| 1571 BC | Moses is born, hidden, and adopted by Pharaoh's daughter | Ex 2:1-10 |
| 1531 BC Moses, age 40 |
Moses kills an Egyptian and flees to Midian | Ex 2:11-25 |
| 1491 BC Moses, age 80 |
God calls Moses from the burning bush | Ex 3-4 |
| 1491 BC | Moses and Aaron first confront Pharaoh; the labor is made harder | Ex 5-6 |
| Plagues and Passover · Exodus 7-13 · 1491 BC | ||
|---|---|---|
| Date | Event | Reference |
| 1491 BC Moses 80, Aaron 83 |
Aaron's staff becomes a serpent before Pharaoh | Ex 7:1-13 |
| 1491 BC | The first nine plagues, from the Nile turned to blood to the darkness | Ex 7-10 |
| 1491 BC Month 1, day 14 |
The Passover is instituted; the firstborn of Egypt die | Ex 11-12 |
| 1491 BC Month 1, day 15 |
Israel leaves Egypt after 430 years | Ex 12:37-51 |
| 1491 BC | The firstborn are consecrated; the pillars of cloud and fire lead the way | Ex 13 |
| The Journey to Sinai · Exodus 14-18 · 1491 BC | ||
|---|---|---|
| Date | Event | Reference |
| 1491 BC | Israel crosses the Red Sea; Pharaoh's army is destroyed | Ex 14 |
| 1491 BC | The Song of Moses and Miriam | Ex 15:1-21 |
| 1491 BC | The bitter waters of Marah are made sweet; camp at Elim | Ex 15:22-27 |
| 1491 BC Month 2, day 15 |
Manna and quail are given in the wilderness | Ex 16 |
| 1491 BC | Water from the rock at Rephidim; Amalek is defeated | Ex 17 |
| 1491 BC | Jethro visits Moses and advises him on appointing judges | Ex 18 |
| The Law and the Tabernacle · Exodus 19-40 · 1491 to 1490 BC | ||
|---|---|---|
| Date | Event | Reference |
| 1491 BC Month 3 |
Israel arrives at Mount Sinai and God proposes the covenant | Ex 19 |
| 1491 BC | The Ten Commandments are spoken | Ex 20 |
| 1491 BC | The laws of the covenant; the people agree and the covenant is sealed | Ex 21-24 |
| 1491 BC Forty days on the mountain |
Moses receives the pattern for the Tabernacle and its priesthood | Ex 24-31 |
| 1491 BC | The golden calf; Moses breaks the tablets | Ex 32 |
| 1491 BC | The covenant is renewed with new tablets; Moses' face shines | Ex 33-34 |
| 1491-1490 BC | The people give, and the Tabernacle and its furnishings are made | Ex 35-39 |
| 1490 BC Year 2, month 1, day 1 |
The Tabernacle is set up and the glory of the LORD fills it | Ex 40 |
Dates are approximate and follow James Ussher's chronology. The 430 years in Egypt are counted from Abraham's call in 1921 BC, as in the Genesis timeline. Where Exodus gives a month or day, it is shown under the date.