Genesis 15:13
“And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years;”
King James Version
More of Genesis 15 on this siteGenesis 15:18-21
The 400-year Egyptian bondage predicted to Abraham, fulfilled exactly in the Exodus.
Fulfillment References
Exodus 12:40-41 Galatians 3:17 Acts 7:6
Archaeological & Historical Evidence
The Ipuwer Papyrus (Leiden Museum) may reflect Egyptian turmoil associated with the Exodus. Brickmaking records from Deir el-Medina and the Merneptah Stele (c. 1208 BC) provide context.
How Traditions Read This Prophecy
JewishFulfilled in the Exodus — the Passover is the memorial celebration of this fulfillment. The 400-year figure is discussed in the Talmud (Seder Olam).
CatholicGod's covenant faithfulness demonstrated — he predicted and then fulfilled the Egyptian sojourn and Exodus. A prefiguring of baptism.
ProtestantA model of predictive covenant fulfillment — 400 years before the Exodus. Demonstrates God's sovereign foreknowledge.
AcademicThe 400/430-year figures present harmonization challenges (Gen 15:13 vs Exod 12:40). The historical Exodus date is debated (15th c. vs 13th c. BC). The Merneptah Stele places Israel in Canaan by 1208 BC.
Open the full interactive entry →
Audio narration (listen to this prophecy read aloud), cross-references, Hebrew/Greek, Dead Sea Scrolls notes, a prophetic timeline, network maps, study tools and multi-tradition analysis in the interactive explorer.
Bible Prophecy Explorer · based on J. Barton Payne’s Encyclopedia of Biblical Prophecy catalogue · an openly Apostolic (Oneness) Pentecostal study resource — all traditions presented fairly. Pastor: C. Myles Young, D.Min. · Bishop: Nathaniel J. Wilson, Ed.D.