Chronology of
יציאת מצרים YEẒIʾAT MIẒRAYIM (Exodus),
סיני SINAI, and entry
into ארץ ישראל EREẒ YISRAʾEL

Liberation from מצרים MIẒRAYIM began a journey toward covenant, shared institutions and a homeland. The narrative follows עם ישראל AM YISRAʾEL through revelation, rebellion and renewal: neither escape from slavery nor receiving התורה HAʾTORA completed the work of becoming a people responsible for its own future.1

The years follow received chronology, principally סדר עולם SEDER OLAM. Dates supplied by later traditions are identified; these are textual chronologies, not independently established historical years.

From slavery to liberation

ז׳ באדר ב׳שס״ח 7th 𝑜𝑓 Adar, AM 2368Precision: day · Basis: not-assessed

משה MOŜE was born under Egyptian rule.

ז׳ באדר ב׳שס״ח 7th 𝑜𝑓 Adar, AM 2368: משה MOŜE was born under Egyptian rule.2

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The ten plagues follow the order in Exodus. Five entries below retain unverified calendar placements from their linked articles; four have no assigned month or day. Only the firstborn entry has a scripturally supported festival date. These differences in dating evidence do not change the narrative sequence.3

UndatedPrecision: undated · Basis: not-assessed

Blood

Blood: The Nile became blood. Month and day remain unassigned.

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UndatedPrecision: undated · Basis: not-assessed

Frogs

Frogs: Frogs entered Egyptian homes and Pharaoh's household. Month and day remain unassigned.

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א׳ באלול 1st 𝑜𝑓 ElulPrecision: recurring-day · Basis: not-assessed

The third plague brought insects from the dust; the court experts could not reproduce it.

א׳ באלול 1st 𝑜𝑓 Elul: The third plague brought insects from the dust; the court experts could not reproduce it. This inherited calendar placement remains unverified.

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UndatedPrecision: undated · Basis: not-assessed

The fourth plague

The fourth plague: The infestation breached Egyptian households while Goshen was distinguished. Month and day remain unassigned.

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א׳ בחשוון 1st 𝑜𝑓 ḤeŝvanPrecision: recurring-day · Basis: not-assessed

Pestilence struck Egyptian livestock.

א׳ בחשוון 1st 𝑜𝑓 Ḥeŝvan: Pestilence struck Egyptian livestock. This inherited calendar placement remains unverified.

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א׳ בכסלו 1st 𝑜𝑓 KislevPrecision: recurring-day · Basis: not-assessed

Boils afflicted people and animals; the court experts could not stand before משה MOŜE.

א׳ בכסלו 1st 𝑜𝑓 Kislev: Boils afflicted people and animals; the court experts could not stand before משה MOŜE. This inherited calendar placement remains unverified.

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UndatedPrecision: undated · Basis: not-assessed

Hail

Hail: Hail struck Egypt's fields and exposed the difference between those who heeded the warning and those who ignored it. Month and day remain unassigned.

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א׳ בשבט 1st 𝑜𝑓 ŜʾvatPrecision: recurring-day · Basis: not-assessed

Locusts consumed what remained after the hail.

א׳ בשבט 1st 𝑜𝑓 Ŝʾvat: Locusts consumed what remained after the hail. This inherited calendar placement remains unverified.

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א׳ באדר 1st 𝑜𝑓 AdarPrecision: recurring-day · Basis: not-assessed

Darkness halted movement while עם ישראל AM YISRAʾEL had light.

א׳ באדר 1st 𝑜𝑓 Adar: Darkness halted movement while עם ישראל AM YISRAʾEL had light. This inherited calendar placement remains unverified.

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י״ד בניסן ב׳תמ״ח 14th 𝑜𝑓 Nisan, AM 2448Precision: day · Basis: not-assessed

Households of עם ישראל AM YISRAʾEL offered the first קרבן פסח KORBAN PESAḤ before leaving slavery.

י״ד בניסן ב׳תמ״ח 14th 𝑜𝑓 Nisan, AM 2448: Households of עם ישראל AM YISRAʾEL offered the first קרבן פסח KORBAN PESAḤ before leaving slavery.4

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ט״ו בניסן 15th 𝑜𝑓 NisanPrecision: unresolved-year-day · Basis: not-assessed

The tenth plague struck Egypt's firstborn at midnight, before the departure of עם ישראל AM YISRAʾEL.

ט״ו בניסן 15th 𝑜𝑓 Nisan: The tenth plague struck Egypt's firstborn at midnight, before the departure of עם ישראל AM YISRAʾEL. The date follows the scriptural festival sequence.5

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ט״ו בניסן ב׳תמ״ח 15th 𝑜𝑓 Nisan, AM 2448: עם ישראל AM YISRAʾEL left מצרים MIẒRAYIM under משה MOŜE's leadership. [פסח PESAḤ annually commemorates this liberation; סוכות SUKOT commemorates the wilderness dwelling that followed.6

כ״א בניסן ב׳תמ״ח 21st 𝑜𝑓 Nisan, AM 2448Precision: day · Basis: not-assessed

עם ישראל AM YISRAʾEL crossed ים סוף YAM SUF; the pursuing Egyptian forces drowned.

כ״א בניסן ב׳תמ״ח 21st 𝑜𝑓 Nisan, AM 2448: עם ישראל AM YISRAʾEL crossed ים סוף YAM SUF; the pursuing Egyptian forces drowned.7

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2448-01-23Precision: day · Basis: not-assessed

A later tradition places the arrival at מרה MERA, where bitter water became drinkable.

2448-01-23: A later tradition places the arrival at מרה MERA, where bitter water became drinkable. The precise arrival day remains disputed.8

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2448-02-01Precision: day · Basis: not-assessed

A later tradition places the arrival at אילם ELIM, with its twelve springs and seventy palms.

2448-02-01: A later tradition places the arrival at אילם ELIM, with its twelve springs and seventy palms.9

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ט״ו באייר ב׳תמ״ח 15th 𝑜𝑓 Iyar, AM 2448Precision: day · Basis: not-assessed

The provisions brought from מצרים MIẒRAYIM ran out; dependence on manna followed.

ט״ו באייר ב׳תמ״ח 15th 𝑜𝑓 Iyar, AM 2448: The provisions brought from מצרים MIẒRAYIM ran out; dependence on manna followed.10

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Revelation and covenant

א׳ בסיון ב׳תמ״ח 1st 𝑜𝑓 Sivan, AM 2448Precision: day · Basis: not-assessed

עם ישראל AM YISRAʾEL encamped at הר סיני HAR SINAI.

א׳ בסיון ב׳תמ״ח 1st 𝑜𝑓 Sivan, AM 2448: עם ישראל AM YISRAʾEL encamped at הר סיני HAR SINAI.11

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2448-03-06Precision: day · Basis: not-assessed

@Matan Tora] joined the liberated people to the covenant of השם HAʾSHEM (G-d).

2448-03-06: @Matan Tora] joined the liberated people to the covenant of השם HAʾSHEM (G-d). [שבועות ŜAVUʾOT annually commemorates the giving of התורה HAʾTORA.13

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Rupture and renewal

ט״ז בתמוז ב׳תמ״ח 16th 𝑜𝑓 Tamuz, AM 2448Precision: day · Basis: not-assessed

עגל הזהב EGEL HAʾZAHAV (the Golden Calf) was fashioned while משה MOŜE remained on the mountain.

ט״ז בתמוז ב׳תמ״ח 16th 𝑜𝑓 Tamuz, AM 2448: עגל הזהב EGEL HAʾZAHAV (the Golden Calf) was fashioned while משה MOŜE remained on the mountain.14

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י״ז בתמוז ב׳תמ״ח 17th 𝑜𝑓 Tamuz, AM 2448Precision: day · Basis: not-assessed

משה MOŜE descended and shattered the first tablets.

י״ז בתמוז ב׳תמ״ח 17th 𝑜𝑓 Tamuz, AM 2448: משה MOŜE descended and shattered the first tablets.15

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י״ח בתמוז ב׳תמ״ח 18th 𝑜𝑓 Tamuz, AM 2448Precision: day · Basis: not-assessed

רש״י RAŜI's sequence places the destruction of עגל הזהב EGEL HAʾZAHAV and punishment of its worshippers on this day.

י״ח בתמוז ב׳תמ״ח 18th 𝑜𝑓 Tamuz, AM 2448: רש״י RAŜI's sequence places the destruction of עגל הזהב EGEL HAʾZAHAV and punishment of its worshippers on this day.16

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2448-04-18Precision: day · Basis: not-assessed

סדר עולם SEDER OLAM places משה MOŜE's ascent to seek forgiveness for עם ישראל AM YISRAʾEL on this day.[[[ רש״י RAŜI on Exodus instead gives [י״ט בתמוז ב׳תמ״ח 19th 𝑜𝑓 Tamuz, AM 2448

2448-04-18: סדר עולם SEDER OLAM places משה MOŜE's ascent to seek forgiveness for עם ישראל AM YISRAʾEL on this day.17

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2448-05-28Precision: day · Basis: not-assessed

משה MOŜE returned and prepared replacement tablets, ending the intercessory period in סדר עולם SEDER OLAM's sequence.

2448-05-28: משה MOŜE returned and prepared replacement tablets, ending the intercessory period in סדר עולם SEDER OLAM's sequence.18

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2449-07-10Precision: day · Basis: not-assessed

משה MOŜE returned with the second tablets and announced reconciliation.

2449-07-10: משה MOŜE returned with the second tablets and announced reconciliation. The tradition connects this renewal with יום הכיפורים YOM HAʾKIPURIM.20

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Institutions and the wilderness crisis

א׳ בניסן ב׳תמ״ט 1st 𝑜𝑓 Nisan, AM 2449Precision: day · Basis: not-assessed

המשכן HAʾMIŜKAN became the people's standing sanctuary.

א׳ בניסן ב׳תמ״ט 1st 𝑜𝑓 Nisan, AM 2449: המשכן HAʾMIŜKAN became the people's standing sanctuary.21

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א׳ בניסן ב׳תמ״ט 1st 𝑜𝑓 Nisan, AM 2449Precision: day · Basis: not-assessed

Tribal dedication offerings began, continuing through י״ב בניסן ב׳תמ״ט 12th 𝑜𝑓 Nisan, AM 2449.

א׳ בניסן ב׳תמ״ט 1st 𝑜𝑓 Nisan, AM 2449: Tribal dedication offerings began, continuing through י״ב בניסן ב׳תמ״ט 12th 𝑜𝑓 Nisan, AM 2449. Each tribe participated in the shared sanctuary.22

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א׳ באייר ב׳תמ״ט 1st 𝑜𝑓 Iyar, AM 2449Precision: day · Basis: not-assessed

משה MOŜE and אהרן AHARON were commanded to count the men eligible for military service.

א׳ באייר ב׳תמ״ט 1st 𝑜𝑓 Iyar, AM 2449: משה MOŜE and אהרן AHARON were commanded to count the men eligible for military service.23

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כ״ט בסיון ב׳תמ״ט 29th 𝑜𝑓 Sivan, AM 2449Precision: day · Basis: not-assessed

משה MOŜE sent twelve scouts into ארץ ישראל EREẒ YISRAʾEL.

כ״ט בסיון ב׳תמ״ט 29th 𝑜𝑓 Sivan, AM 2449: משה MOŜE sent twelve scouts into ארץ ישראל EREẒ YISRAʾEL.24

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2449-05-09Precision: day · Basis: not-assessed

The scouts' report provoked weeping and refusal to enter the land; the wilderness generation was condemned to die before entry.

2449-05-09: The scouts' report provoked weeping and refusal to enter the land; the wilderness generation was condemned to die before entry.25

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A new generation enters the land

י׳ בניסן ב׳תפ״ז 10th 𝑜𝑓 Nisan, AM 2487Precision: day · Basis: not-assessed

מרים MIRIAM died during the final wilderness year.

י׳ בניסן ב׳תפ״ז 10th 𝑜𝑓 Nisan, AM 2487: מרים MIRIAM died during the final wilderness year.26

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א׳ באב ב׳תפ״ז 1st 𝑜𝑓 Av, AM 2487Precision: day · Basis: not-assessed

אהרן AHARON died; the founding generation's leadership continued to pass away.

א׳ באב ב׳תפ״ז 1st 𝑜𝑓 Av, AM 2487: אהרן AHARON died; the founding generation's leadership continued to pass away.27

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א׳ בשבט ב׳תפ״ח 1st 𝑜𝑓 Ŝʾvat, AM 2488Precision: day · Basis: not-assessed

משה MOŜE began his final address, preparing the people to live under the covenant in ארץ ישראל EREẒ YISRAʾEL.

א׳ בשבט ב׳תפ״ח 1st 𝑜𝑓 Ŝʾvat, AM 2488: משה MOŜE began his final address, preparing the people to live under the covenant in ארץ ישראל EREẒ YISRAʾEL.28

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ז׳ באדר ב׳תפ״ח 7th 𝑜𝑓 Adar, AM 2488Precision: day · Basis: not-assessed

משה MOŜE died without entering the land.

ז׳ באדר ב׳תפ״ח 7th 𝑜𝑓 Adar, AM 2488: משה MOŜE died without entering the land. Leadership passed to יהושע YEHOSUA.29

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י׳ בניסן ב׳תפ״ח 10th 𝑜𝑓 Nisan, AM 2488Precision: day · Basis: not-assessed

יהושע YEHOSUA led עם ישראל AM YISRAʾEL across נהר הירדן NEHAR HAʾYARDEN.

י׳ בניסן ב׳תפ״ח 10th 𝑜𝑓 Nisan, AM 2488: יהושע YEHOSUA led עם ישראל AM YISRAʾEL across נהר הירדן NEHAR HAʾYARDEN. Crossing water now marked entry into the homeland, not flight from slavery.30

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י״ד בניסן ב׳תפ״ח 14th 𝑜𝑓 Nisan, AM 2488Precision: day · Basis: not-assessed

עם ישראל AM YISRAʾEL offered קרבן פסח KORBAN PESAḤ at גלגל GILGAL, observing the liberation festival within ארץ ישראל EREẒ YISRAʾEL.

י״ד בניסן ב׳תפ״ח 14th 𝑜𝑓 Nisan, AM 2488: עם ישראל AM YISRAʾEL offered קרבן פסח KORBAN PESAḤ at גלגל GILGAL, observing the liberation festival within ארץ ישראל EREẒ YISRAʾEL.31

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כ״ב בניסן ב׳תפ״ח 22nd 𝑜𝑓 Nisan, AM 2488Precision: day · Basis: not-assessed

A later calendar tradition places the beginning of the seven-day encirclement of יריחו YERIḪO here.

כ״ב בניסן ב׳תפ״ח 22nd 𝑜𝑓 Nisan, AM 2488: A later calendar tradition places the beginning of the seven-day encirclement of יריחו YERIḪO here.32

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כ״ח בניסן ב׳תפ״ח 28th 𝑜𝑓 Nisan, AM 2488Precision: day · Basis: not-assessed

In that later dating, יריחו YERIḪO fell to עם ישראל AM YISRAʾEL under יהושע YEHOSUA.

כ״ח בניסן ב׳תפ״ח 28th 𝑜𝑓 Nisan, AM 2488: In that later dating, יריחו YERIḪO fell to עם ישראל AM YISRAʾEL under יהושע YEHOSUA.33

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Footnotes

  1. Exodus 12–19, Exodus 12–19; Numbers 1‑33, Numbers 1, 13–14; Joshua 4–6, ↩
  2. Kiddushin 38a,; Seder Olam Rabbah 10, ↩
  3. Exodus 12–19, Exodus 7–12; see the linked articles' dating explanations. ↩
  4. Exodus 12–19, Exodus 12:3–14 ↩
  5. Exodus 12–19, Exodus 12:6–12, 29; Leviticus 23:5–6. ↩
  6. Seder Olam Rabbah 5,; Exodus 12–19, Exodus 12:14–17; Leviticus 23:42–43. The autumn observance of סוכות SUKOT does not date the beginning of that wilderness dwelling to ט״ו בתשרי 15th 𝑜𝑓 Tiŝrei. ↩
  7. Seder Olam Rabbah 5, ↩
  8. Exodus 15:22–27,; Chabad, The First Shabbat Celebrated, ↩
  9. Kehot, interpolated translation of Beshalach, Kehot's interpolated translation of Exodus 15:27. Its preceding arrival at מרה MERA is placed on כ״ה בניסן ב׳תמ״ח 25th 𝑜𝑓 Nisan, AM 2448, a different reconstruction from the preceding entry. ↩
  10. Seder Olam Rabbah 5, ↩
  11. Shabbat 86b–87b, 86b ↩
  12. Shabbat 86b–87b, ↩
  13. Pesachim 68b identifies the festival with the giving of התורה HAʾTORA. The Sages and סדר עולם SEDER OLAM place revelation on ו׳ בסיון 6th 𝑜𝑓 Sivan; the competing opinion in the תלמוד TALMUD places it on ז׳ בסיון 7th 𝑜𝑓 Sivan. Shabbat 86b–87b,; Seder Olam Rabbah 5, ↩
  14. Rashi on Exodus 32:1, ↩
  15. Mishnah Ta‘anit 4:6,; Seder Olam Rabbah 6, ↩
  16. Rashi on Exodus 33:11,. Other commentators place the destruction on the previous day; Ramban on Exodus 33:7,. ↩
  17. רש״י RAŜI on Exodus instead gives י״ט בתמוז ב׳תמ״ח 19th 𝑜𝑓 Tamuz, AM 2448. These are alternative chronologies, not successive ascents. Seder Olam Rabbah 6,; Rashi on Exodus 33:11, ↩
  18. Seder Olam Rabbah 6, ↩
  19. סדר עולם SEDER OLAM gives this date; the א׳ באלול ב׳תמ״ח 1st 𝑜𝑓 Elul, AM 2448 tradition derives from the new-moon ascent in פרקי דרבי אליעזר PIRKEI DEʾRABI ELIʾEZER, not from the same calculation. Seder Olam Rabbah 6,; Pirkei de-Rabbi Eliezer 46, ↩
  20. Seder Olam Rabbah 6, ↩
  21. Seder Olam Rabbah 7, ↩
  22. Seder Olam Rabbah 7,; Numbers 1‑33, Numbers 7 ↩
  23. Numbers 1‑33, Numbers 1:1–3 ↩
  24. Seder Olam Rabbah 8–9, 8; Ta‘anit 29a, ↩
  25. סדר עולם SEDER OLAM dates the return to this day; a later tradition places the report on the preceding afternoon, followed by weeping at night. Seder Olam Rabbah 8–9, 8; Chabad, Spies Return, ↩
  26. Seder Olam Rabbah 10, ↩
  27. Numbers 1‑33, Numbers 33:38 ↩
  28. Seder Olam Rabbah 10, ↩
  29. Seder Olam Rabbah 10,. The annual commemoration is distinct from this death event. ↩
  30. Joshua 4–6, 4:19–24 ↩
  31. Joshua 4–6, 5:10 ↩
  32. Joshua 4–6, 6 supplies the sequence, not its numbered days. Chabad's later calendar entry supplies the starting day. ↩
  33. Joshua 4–6, 6. The day follows the seven-day sequence in the later calendar entry. ↩