Patriarchs
Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, and the covenant family through whom blessing is promised.
What the sources say, and how sure we are
- The text says
God promises Abraham land, descendants, and blessing for all nations. The promise passes to Isaac and Jacob, and Joseph brings the family to Egypt during a famine.Gen 12:1–3; Gen 26:3–4; Gen 28:13–15; Gen 46
- The text says
Exodus 12:40 gives 430 years for the time in Egypt in the Hebrew text, while the Greek text counts that period from Abraham. Galatians 3:17 counts 430 years from the promise to the law. These readings change the dates of the patriarchs by about two centuries.Exod 12:40; Gal 3:17
- Outside evidence
A tomb painting at Beni Hasan in Egypt, from about 1890 BC, shows a group of Asiatic visitors arriving with animals and goods. It illustrates the kind of travel to Egypt that Genesis describes but does not name the patriarchs.Beni Hasan tomb of Khnumhotep II
- Debated
No inscription outside the Bible names the patriarchs. Some scholars place them in the Middle Bronze Age, about 2000–1600 BC, and see matches in names and customs. Others see the stories as written much later, from older traditions. This site uses the early framework while presenting the later views as serious alternatives.
- Christian conclusion
Paul reads the promise to Abraham as fulfilled in Christ and open to all nations.Gal 3:8; Gal 3:16