The movement of Israelites

Abraham Moves his people from Mesopotamia

2000 BCE

Abraham moved the Israelites from Mesopotamia to Canaan. God called Abraham to leave his homeland of Ur in Mesopotamia and travel to the "Promised Land" of Canaan, which is present-day Israel/Palestine.

God Speaks to Abraham

2000 BCE

God directly spoke to Abraham (then called Abram) and told him to "Go from your country, your people and your father's household to the land I will show you."

Moving from Canaan to Egypt

1700 BCE

Israelites went to Egypt from Canaan because of a severe famine that lasted seven years.

Pharaoh Welcomes Israelites with Open Arms

1600 BCE

Pharaoh welcomed Joseph's family and gave them good land in the region of Goshen where they could settle and continue their shepherding lifestyle. The Israelites remained in Egypt for several generations before the Exodus under Moses.

A New Leader

1397 BCE

A new Pharaoh "who did not know Joseph" came to power. This Pharaoh didn't remember how Joseph had saved Egypt during the famine and no longer favored the Israelites. The Israelites had multiplied greatly during their time in Egypt, and the Egyptians became afraid they might become too powerful or side with Egypt's enemies in war.

Israelites are set free

1200 BCE

After the final plague, Pharaoh finally agreed to let the Israelites go, leading to their dramatic escape from Egypt.This transition from welcome guests to enslaved people over several generations created the conditions that made the Exodus necessary.

Return to Canaan

1199 BCE

Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt in what became known as the Exodus, one of the most important events in Jewish history.After the final plague, Pharaoh finally agreed to release the Israelites. Moses led approximately 600,000 people (plus their families and livestock) out of Egypt.