Patriarchs

2167–1806 BCE · 2 snapshots

Watch the boundaries of biblical-era polities shift across a draggable timeline. Click any place to see its affiliation in all 13 periods, scriptural references and archaeology notes.

Snapshots

Abraham's Migration to Canaan

2001 BCE

Abraham leaves Ur and Haran for Canaan, builds altars at Shechem and Bethel, and receives the covenant promise of offspring and land.

PatriarchAbraham
EgyptEarly 12th Dynasty

Scripture: Gen 11:31-12:9; 15; 17

Archaeology & dating: Middle Bronze Age IIA (c. 2000-1750 BCE); end of the Third Dynasty of Ur

Jacob's Descent to Egypt

1877 BCE

Jacob dreams of a ladder at Bethel; later, during a famine, he brings his household of seventy to Egypt and settles in Goshen.

PatriarchJacob
Vizier of EgyptJoseph

Scripture: Gen 28:10-22; 32:22-32; 46:1-7

Archaeology & dating: Middle Bronze Age IIB (c. 1750-1650 BCE); Egypt's 12th-13th Dynasties

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Journeys in this period

Abraham's Call and Migration to Canaan2092–2057 BCE · Abraham
Jacob's Descent to Egypt1930–1877 BCE · Jacob, Joseph

Boundaries are schematic approximations, not survey-grade geography. This is a historical-geography study tool and takes no position on matters of faith.