How Many Years Between Moses And Jesus?
For centuries, religious scholars and theologians have tried to establish a clear timeline between two of the most influential figures in Judeo-Christian history – Moses and Jesus.
If you too have wondered ‘how many years between Moses and Jesus?’ or ‘what is the time difference between Moses and Jesus? ‘, then this comprehensive guide will walk you through the details and help establish an approximate period between these iconic biblical figures.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: Approximately 1500 years separated Moses and Jesus.
Dating the Life of Moses
Birth and Early Life
Moses was born during the later part of the 15th century BCE (around 1400 BCE) in Egypt. According to the biblical Book of Exodus, Moses was a Hebrew child adopted by an Egyptian princess after she discovered the infant in a papyrus basket floating on the Nile River.
As an adopted member of the royal family, Moses likely received training in the disciplines of Egyptian wisdom and governance to potentially become a leader in Egypt.
However, after witnessing the suffering of his Hebrew brethren under forced labor, Moses fled Egypt.
He lived as a shepherd in Midian for around 40 years before God spoke to him from a burning bush and commanded him to lead the Hebrews out of Egypt.
The Exodus and Receiving of the Ten Commandments
After a series of ten plagues on Egypt, around 1446 BCE the pharaoh finally agreed to let Moses lead the Hebrew people out of bondage. This event is known as The Exodus.
After crossing the Red Sea and journeying through the wilderness, Moses led the Israelites to Mount Sinai.
It was there that God delivered the Ten Commandments and established His covenant with the Israelites. Moses continued leading the people through the wilderness for around 40 years.
During this time, Moses appointed leaders, distributed land, and communicated God’s laws and instructions to establish social order and worship.
Death of Moses
Moses died at the age of 120 years, just before the Israelites crossed over the River Jordan into Canaan.
His eyes were not weak nor his strength gone” (Deuteronomy 34:7 NIV). Moses was exceptional in that he retained good health and clear vision even in old age. But despite his pivotal role, Moses himself never entered the Promised Land.
His death and burial site are unknown, although some scholars believe he was buried in the Moab mountains east of the Jordan River.
Key Events in Moses’ Life and Estimated Timeline
Moses’ Birth – Estimated Around 1526 BCE
Moses was born during a tumultuous time for the Israelites in Egypt. According to the biblical account, the Pharaoh at the time had ordered that all newborn Hebrew boys be killed to suppress the rapidly growing Israelite population (Exodus 1:15-22).
To save Moses, his mother placed him in a basket and set him adrift on the Nile River, where he was discovered by Pharaoh’s daughter and raised as an Egyptian (Exodus 2:1-10).
Scholars estimate Moses’ birth around 1526 BCE, based on Biblical chronology and the estimated dates of the reigns of Egyptian pharaohs.
The Exodus – Estimated Between 1446-1406 BCE
When Moses was around 80 years old, God called him to lead the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt (Exodus 7:7).
After a series of 10 plagues sent by God, Pharaoh finally agreed to let them go. The Israelites made a rapid departure known as the Exodus.
Scholars estimate this pivotal event occurred between 1446-1406 BCE. Key details:
- Moses confronted Pharaoh with God’s demand: “Let my people go!”
- God sent 10 plagues on Egypt, including locusts, darkness, and the death of firstborn sons.
- The Israelites put lamb’s blood on their doorposts so the angel of death would “pass over” them.
- The Red Sea miraculously parted allowing the Israelites to escape the pursuing Egyptian army.
The Exodus marked the beginning of God’s covenant relationship with Israel as his chosen people. It was foundational to the Israelites’ identity and faith as God manifested his power to save them.
Moses’ Death – Estimated Around 1406 BCE
After the Exodus, Moses led the Israelites through 40 years in the wilderness before they reached the border of the Promised Land. Moses sent spies into Canaan but the people rebelled and refused to enter the land.
As punishment for their disobedience, God sentenced that generation, including Moses, to die in the desert (Numbers 20:7-13).
Before his death at around 120 years old, Moses appointed Joshua to succeed him and lead the people into Canaan (Deuteronomy 34).
Scholars estimate that Moses died around 1406 BCE, shortly before the Israelites crossed the Jordan River into Canaan under Joshua’s leadership.
Dating the Life of Jesus
Year of Birth
Though the exact year of Jesus’ birth is unknown, most scholars agree he was born between 6 and 4 BC.
The Gospel of Matthew states Jesus was born during the reign of King Herod the Great. Since Herod died in 4 BC, Jesus must have been born before then.
The Gospel of Luke also provides clues, mentioning a Roman census during the governorship of Quirinius in Syria. Historical records show Quirinius became governor in 6 AD. So Jesus was likely born between 6 and 4 BC.
Beginning of Ministry
The Gospels provide few details about Jesus’ life from birth to adulthood. When he was around 30 years old, Jesus traveled from Nazareth to the Jordan River to be baptized by John the Baptist. This event marked the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry.
The exact year is uncertain, but scholars estimate it was around 28-30 AD based on the dates of other historical figures mentioned in the Gospels.
Crucifixion and Death
The most commonly accepted date for Jesus’ crucifixion is Friday, April 3, 33 AD. The Gospels record his death occurring after Passover, on the Preparation Day before the Sabbath.
Other clues come from the reign of Pontius Pilate as governor of Judea and the dates of the service of Jewish high priests Annas and Caiaphas.
Taking all of this into account, biblical scholars and historians believe Friday, April 3, 33 AD to be the probable date of Jesus’ death on the cross. However, some suggest alternate dates between 30 and 36 AD.
Comparing the Timelines: Moses to Jesus
Moses and Jesus are two monumental figures in biblical history, though they lived many centuries apart. Determining the years between them allows us to better understand the chronology and context of the Bible.
Moses is believed to have lived sometime between the 15th and 13th century BCE. Though exact dates are uncertain, many scholars estimate he was born around 1526 BCE.
This is based on biblical accounts that Moses was 80 years old when he led the Israelites out of Egypt (Exodus 7:7), combined with the estimated date of the Exodus at 1446 BCE.
Jesus, on the other hand, is estimated to have been born around 6-4 BCE and died in his early 30s around 30-33 CE. This places his life firmly in the first century CE, over 1500 years after Moses.
Some key events and figures help bridge the years between Moses and Jesus:
- After Moses, the Israelites were led by Joshua into the Promised Land around 1406 BCE.
- The Israelites were ruled by Judges until the establishment of the monarchy under Kings Saul, David and Solomon between 1050 and 930 BCE.
- The kingdom divides into Israel and Judah after Solomon’s death in 930 BCE.
- The northern kingdom of Israel falls to the Assyrians in 722 BCE, while the southern kingdom of Judah survives until falling to the Babylonians in 586 BCE.
- The Jews return from Babylonian exile in 538 BCE to rebuild Jerusalem and reconstruct the Temple.
- Israel comes under control of the Persian, Greek and finally Roman Empires over the next centuries.
By Jesus’ time, Israel had been under Roman rule for almost a century. The centuries between Moses and Jesus saw tumultuous times for the Israelites/Jews including the catastrophic loss of the northern kingdom, the destruction of Jerusalem and exile to Babylon.
However, their return and reconstruction paved the way for the coming of Jesus centuries later as the Messiah.
Scholarly Estimates on Years Between Moses and Jesus
1513 Years Between Moses and Jesus Based on Timeline Analysis
Most Bible scholars estimate there were about 1,513 years between Moses and Jesus based on a timeline analysis of events and people described in the Old and New Testaments.
According to the biblical timeline, Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt around 1446 BC. Jesus was born around 5 BC. Subtracting 1446 from 5 equals 1,451 years between these two pivotal figures.
Adding an estimated 40 years for the additional time until Jesus began his public ministry brings the total to approximately 1,513 years.
This timeframe is supported by tracing the generations from Moses to King David, then from King David to Jesus, as described in the books of 1 and 2 Kings and Matthew chapter 1.
Factoring in estimated ages and reigns of kings and other leaders at various points connects the eras of Moses and Jesus with around 15 centuries between them.
Supporting Evidence from Other Sources
Evidence from outside the Bible also confirms there were about 15 centuries separating Moses and Jesus.
The ancient Jewish historian Flavius Josephus, in his work Antiquities of the Jews, written around 93 AD, puts 1446 BC as the date of the exodus from Egypt under Moses.
Other historical references to the reigns of later kings of Judah and Israel, such as in the annals of Assyrian kings, allow dating of events between Moses and Jesus.
These lines of evidence agree with the approximate 1,500 year span between the two pivotal biblical figures that scholars have deduced from analysis of the biblical accounts.
Conclusion
In conclusion, most biblical scholars agree that approximately 1513 years separated the lives of Moses and Jesus based on available information about their timelines.
By analyzing key events in their lives and drawing upon external historical records, we can piece together a chronology that places Moses’ birth around 1526 BCE, at the time of the Egyptian pharaohs, while Jesus began his ministry around 27-29 AD under Roman occupation.
Their messages and ministries have undoubtedly left an indelible impact on theology and western society at large across the 15 centuries that lie between.
