Call of Abraham
~2091 BCGod calls Abram from Ur of the Chaldees to a land He will show him, promising to make him a great nation, bless him, and bless all families of the earth through him. Abraham obeys by faith.
Patriarchs
-2100 BC — -1800 BC
The era of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph — God's covenant promises of descendants, land, and blessing. From Abraham's call out of Ur to Joseph's rise in Egypt, establishing the people of Israel.
Key Events
Covenant with Abraham
~2081 BCGod establishes a formal covenant with Abraham, promising countless descendants and the land of Canaan. The covenant is sealed through circumcision as an outward sign.
Birth of Isaac
~2066 BCThe miraculous birth of Isaac to Abraham (100 years old) and Sarah (90 years old), fulfilling God's promise. Isaac is the child of promise through whom the covenant line continues.
Binding of Isaac
~2050 BCGod tests Abraham by commanding him to sacrifice Isaac on Mount Moriah. Abraham obeys, but God provides a ram as a substitute — a profound foreshadowing of Christ's substitutionary sacrifice.
Jacob and Esau
~2006 BCThe twin sons of Isaac — Jacob, the younger, receives the birthright and blessing through cunning, then flees from Esau's wrath. God later renames Jacob 'Israel' after wrestling with him at Peniel.
Joseph Sold into Slavery
~1898 BCJacob's favorite son Joseph is sold into slavery by his jealous brothers and taken to Egypt. Through imprisonment and divine gift of dream interpretation, Joseph rises to become Egypt's second-in-command.