When Did Moses Live?
Quick Summary
Moses is traditionally dated to the 13th century BCE, with an alternate scholarly proposal placing him in the 15th century BCE.
The Bible situates Moses’ life in relation to Israel’s enslavement in Egypt, the Exodus, and the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai (Exodus 1–40; Deuteronomy).
Scripture provides relative chronological markers rather than exact calendar dates, requiring historical reconstruction.
Most discussions about Moses’ lifetime are tied directly to debates about the date of the Exodus.
Moses’ life fits broadly within the period of Egypt’s New Kingdom.
Introduction
Moses stands at the center of Israel’s foundational story. Prophet, liberator, lawgiver, and covenant mediator, his life shapes everything that follows in the biblical narrative. Yet for all his importance, Scripture never tells readers exactly when Moses was born or died according to a modern calendar. Instead, the Bible situates Moses’ life within a sequence of events that define Israel’s identity, slavery in Egypt, deliverance through the Exodus, and covenant at Sinai.
The question “When did Moses live?” therefore cannot be answered by pointing to a single verse or inscription. It requires careful attention to biblical chronology, ancient Near Eastern history, and the ways ancient peoples measured time. Scholars generally approach the question indirectly by dating the Exodus and then working backward and forward from that event.
Understanding when Moses lived matters because it affects how the Exodus is read historically, how Israel’s law fits into its ancient context, and how the biblical story intersects with the wider world. While exact dates remain debated, the biblical and historical evidence together allow for a reasonably clear time frame.
Biblical Context for Dating Moses
The Bible provides several internal markers that help frame Moses’ life, even though it does not give absolute dates. According to Exodus, Moses was born during a period of intense oppression, when Pharaoh ordered the death of Hebrew male infants (Exodus 1:22). He was raised in Pharaoh’s household, fled Egypt as a young adult after killing an Egyptian overseer (Exodus 2:11–15), and lived in Midian for forty years before returning to lead Israel out of slavery (Exodus 7:7).
Exodus 7:7 states that Moses was eighty years old when he confronted Pharaoh, and Deuteronomy 34:7 records that Moses died at the age of 120. These numbers give a relative life span but do not anchor Moses to a specific calendar year.
Another important biblical reference is 1 Kings 6:1, which states that Solomon began building the temple in the fourth year of his reign, 480 years after the Israelites came out of Egypt. This verse has played a central role in dating the Exodus and, by extension, Moses’ lifetime. Whether this number is taken literally or symbolically significantly affects the proposed dates.
The Exodus as the Primary Anchor
Because Moses’ life is inseparable from the Exodus, debates about when Moses lived largely mirror debates about when the Exodus occurred. Two primary views dominate scholarly discussion.
The Early Date (15th Century BCE)
The early date places the Exodus around 1446 BCE. This view takes the 480 years of 1 Kings 6:1 as a literal figure. If Solomon’s fourth year is dated to approximately 966 BCE, then counting backward places the Exodus in the mid-15th century BCE.
Under this view, Moses would have been born around 1526 BCE and died around 1406 BCE. Proponents argue that this date aligns with certain archaeological patterns and fits the biblical chronological framework.
Supporters of the early date also point to Judges 11:26, which suggests that Israel had been in the land for about 300 years by the time of Jephthah, reinforcing a longer timeline.
The Late Date (13th Century BCE)
The late date places the Exodus in the 13th century BCE, most commonly around 1270–1250 BCE. This view connects the biblical account to the reign of Ramesses II and the mention of the city of Rameses in Exodus 1:11.
If the Exodus occurred in this period, Moses would have been born in the late 14th century BCE and died in the early 13th century BCE. This proposal situates Moses firmly within Egypt’s New Kingdom, a time of large building projects and strong centralized power.
Many scholars favor the late date because it aligns with Egyptian historical records, settlement patterns in Canaan, and the general geopolitical landscape reflected in later biblical texts.
Egyptian Historical Context
Although Egyptian records do not mention Moses or the Exodus directly, the broader historical context provides important background. Both the early and late dates place Moses’ life within Egypt’s New Kingdom period, which lasted from approximately 1550 to 1070 BCE.
This era was marked by extensive construction projects, strong royal authority, and the use of large labor forces, all details that resonate with the biblical depiction of Israel’s enslavement. The New Kingdom also represents the height of Egyptian power in the Levant, which fits the biblical portrayal of Israel emerging from Egyptian dominance into the land of Canaan.
The absence of direct Egyptian references to Moses is not surprising. Egyptian royal inscriptions rarely recorded defeats or internal crises, and foreign slave populations were typically undocumented by name.
Genealogies and Generational Time
Another factor in dating Moses is the biblical use of genealogies. Exodus 6 traces Moses’ lineage through Levi, Kohath, Amram, and Moses himself. While some have attempted to calculate dates based on generational lengths, genealogies in the Bible often function theologically rather than mathematically.
Ancient genealogies frequently omit generations, compress time, and emphasize key figures rather than complete family trees. As a result, genealogical data supports a general time frame but cannot establish precise dates.
Theological Significance of Moses’ Timing
The timing of Moses’ life carries theological weight within the biblical narrative. Moses appears at a moment when Israel’s descendants have grown into a large people yet lack political power or identity. His life bridges promise and fulfillment, moving Israel from the promises given to Abraham toward the covenant community formed at Sinai.
The Bible consistently portrays God’s actions as occurring at appointed times. Moses’ life unfolds in stages marked by forty-year periods, birth to flight, exile in Midian, and leadership in the wilderness. These patterns emphasize formation, preparation, and divine purpose rather than chronological precision.
In later Scripture, Moses becomes a reference point for law, prophecy, and leadership. His timing situates him as a foundational figure whose influence extends far beyond his lifetime.
Moses in Relation to Other Biblical Figures
Placing Moses within the broader biblical timeline helps clarify his role. He follows the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, whose lives are typically dated to the early second millennium BCE. Moses precedes Joshua, the judges, and the monarchy by several centuries.
The law given through Moses shapes Israel’s life throughout the periods of judges and kings. Prophets repeatedly appeal back to Moses as the standard of covenant faithfulness, reinforcing his enduring importance.
What Can Be Said with Confidence
While scholars disagree on precise dates, several conclusions can be stated with confidence:
Moses lived during Egypt’s New Kingdom period.
His life is inseparably linked to the Exodus.
The Bible prioritizes relative chronology over absolute dating.
Moses’ historical setting aligns with known patterns of ancient Near Eastern history.
The question of when Moses lived ultimately reflects the nature of biblical timekeeping. Scripture situates events in relation to God’s saving actions rather than modern chronological systems.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Moses live in the 13th or 15th century BCE?
Both dates are proposed by scholars. The 15th-century date follows a literal reading of 1 Kings 6:1, while the 13th-century date aligns with Egyptian historical context and archaeological considerations. Neither view commands universal agreement.
Is there archaeological evidence for Moses?
There is no direct archaeological evidence naming Moses. This absence is consistent with ancient record-keeping practices and does not invalidate the biblical account.
How old was Moses when he died?
According to Deuteronomy 34:7, Moses died at the age of 120. The Bible presents this as a complete and fulfilled lifespan.
Why does the Bible not give exact dates for Moses’ life?
Ancient biblical writers were less concerned with absolute dating than with theological meaning and narrative flow. Time is often measured relative to key events rather than calendar years.
How important is the date of Moses’ life for faith?
The significance of Moses lies more in his role and calling than in precise dates. His life marks God’s covenantal action in history, regardless of chronological debates.
Works Consulted
Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary
Dictionary of the Old Testament: Pentateuch
John J. Collins, Introduction to the Hebrew Bible
K. A. Kitchen, On the Reliability of the Old Testament
The New Interpreter’s Bible
