We have prepared a chart of the dates of birth, the ages, and the dates of death of the patriarchs in the book of Genesis. The reason that this chart is helpful is that it demonstrates that Adam was created in 4004 BC. By beginning with these dates, we can reconcile all the dates in the Old and New Testaments that deal with significant events like the flood, the Jewish captivity in Egypt, the Exodus, the division of the kingdoms of Israel and Judah, and the Babylonian captivity. Download the chart when you consider the notes that follow.

Some significant dates gleaned from this chart

2348 BC – The flood came in the year of the death of Methuselah [Gen 5:21-27].  His name means “When he is dead it shall be sent.”

2346 BC – Shem was 100 years old when he begat Arphaxad, 2 years after the flood [Gen 11:11].

1996 BC – Abram was born when Terah was 130 years old [Gen 11:32, 12:4].  Terah was 205 years old when he died in Haran.  Abram left Haran when he was 75 years old. 

1921 BC – Abram went into Egypt after leaving Haran. He left Haran when he was 75 old.  From this date we can reconcile the 430 years mentioned in Ex 12:40-41, following the Exodus.

1891 BC – In Gen 21:9, Isaac was mocked by Ishmael, an Egyptian.  Isaac was 5 years old at this time and Ishmael was 19 (Gen 17:1, 25).  From this date we can reconcile the 400 years of Gen 15:13.

1706 BC – Jacob entered Egypt with his family, when he was 130 years old (Gen 47:9).  Therefore, the descendants of Jacob were in Egypt for 215 years.

1571 BC – Moses was born 120 years before the Jews arrived at Canaan (Deut 34:7).

1491 BC – The date of the Exodus when the Jews departed out of Egypt.

1451 BC – The end of the wilderness journey to Canaan [Jos 5:6].

1011 BC – The 4th year of Solomon’s reign [1 Ki 6:1], 480 years after the Exodus.  See the chart reconciling 1 Ki 6:1 with Acts 13:18-22, covering the years between the Exodus and the 4th year of Solomon’s reign.

975 BC – The date the ten tribes were split from Judah [1 Ki 11:42], following Solomon’s 40-year reign.

586 BC – The final captivity of Zedekiah and Jerusalem.  See the chart of the kings of Judah from the split kingdom to the Babylonian captivity.

** Adam wasn’t born, he was created; Enoch didn’t die, he was taken to heaven alive.