From Adam to Jesus: How Many Years Really Passed?

Christian Pure Team

·

Summary

  • The timeline from Adam to Jesus is calculated using biblical genealogies, especially in Genesis chapters 5 and 11, which detail family lines and ages of patriarchs.
  • Different ancient texts like the Masoretic Text (MT) and Septuagint (LXX) provide varying timelines, leading to estimates of about 4000 years (MT) or 5200-5500 years (LXX) from Adam to Jesus.
  • New Testament genealogies in Matthew and Luke connect Jesus to key Old Testament figures, emphasizing His fulfillment of prophecies and role as Savior for all humanity.
  • The early Church Fathers often referenced these genealogies and varied timelines, shaping theological understanding and historical perspective on God’s plan through Christ.

From Adam to Jesus: God’s Amazing Timeline of Hope! How Do We Even Begin to Calculate the Years from Adam to Jesus? How do we even start to figure out that incredible stretch of time between Adam and Jesus? Well, God, in His goodness, has given us a way! The main path is by looking closely, with faith-filled eyes, at the biblical genealogies – those family lists that God inspired to be written down. These records, especially the ones you’ll…

Continue reading with a subscription

Get unlimited access to all our premium content and exclusive features.

Subscribe Now

Enjoy unlimited access, cancel anytime.

Bibliography (Click to show)

“Bibliography:

  1. creation.com, accessed May 28, 2025, https://creation.com/text-traditions
  2. Chronology of the Bible, accessed May 28, 2025, https://biblebrodown.com/blog/chronology-of-the-bible
  3. biblearchaeology.org, accessed May 28, 2025, https://biblearchaeology.org/images/Genesis-5-and-11/Smith-Henry-Winter-2018-BAS_MT-SP-or-LXX.pdf
  4. Bible Chronology charts: Septuagint LXX vs. corrupted Masoretic MT, accessed May 28, 2025, https://www.bible.ca/manuscripts/Bible-chronology-charts-age-of-earth-date-Genesis-5-11-Septuagint-text-LXX-original-autograph-corrupted-Masoretic-MT-primeval-5554BC.htm
  5. Bible Timeline | Biblical Timeline | Bible History Timeline | HCU, accessed May 28, 2025, https://hc.edu/museums/dunham-bible-museum/tour-of-the-museum/bible-in-america/bibles-for-a-young-republic/chronological-index-of-the-years-and-times-from-adam-unto-christ/
  6. Bible Dates – 4000-Year Timeline From The Creation of Adam To …, accessed May 28, 2025, https://www.thesimpleanswers.com/articles/2024/12/03/bible-dates-4000-year-timeline-from-the-creation-of-adam-to-the-death-of-jesus/
  7. Genealogy of Jesus – Wikipedia, accessed May 28, 2025, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genealogy_of_Jesus
  8. Luke 3:23-38 – Jesus' Genealogy – Enter the Bible, accessed May 28, 2025, https://enterthebible.org/passage/luke-323-38-jesus-genealogy
  9. "The case for the Septuagint's chronology in Genesis 5 and 11" by …, accessed May 28, 2025, https://digitalcommons.cedarville.edu/icc_proceedings/vol8/iss1/48/
  10. A COMPARISON OF THE TEXT OF GENESIS IN THREE TRADITIONS: MASORETIC TEXT, SAMARITAN PENTATEUCH, SEPTUAGINT – Evangelical Theological Society, accessed May 28, 2025, https://etsjets.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/files_JETS-PDFs_64_64-1_JETS_64.1_25-43_Steinmann.pdf
  11. Septuagintal Versus Masoretic Chronology in Genesis 5 and 11, accessed May 28, 2025, https://digitalcommons.cedarville.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1192&context=icc_proceedings
  12. THE GENERATIONS OF ADAM – Grace & Knowledge, accessed May 28, 2025, http://graceandknowledge.faithweb.com/Generations%20of%20Adam.html
  13. Ussher chronology – Wikipedia, accessed May 28, 2025, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ussher_chronology
  14. Julius Africanus Sextus: 221 AD. Creation in 5500 AD. 70 weeks of …, accessed May 28, 2025, https://www.bible.ca/manuscripts/Julius-Africanus-Sextus-Chronology-Genesis5-Textual-variants-Bible-manuscripts-Old-Testament-Torah-Tanakh-creation-5500BC-age-earth-Daniel9-70-weeks-221AD.htm
  15. Septuagint-based Bible Chronology – 2001 Translation, accessed May 28, 2025, https://2001translation.org/about/chronology
  16. Does the Bible Contain Contradicting Genealogies of Jesus?, accessed May 28, 2025, https://learn.ligonier.org/articles/genealogies-of-jesus
  17. The Time Gap Between Adam and Jesus: A Biblical Analysis for Christians, accessed May 28, 2025, https://biblebasedliving.com/the-time-gap-between-adam-and-jesus-a-biblical-analysis-for-christians
  18. Matthew 1 NIV – The Genealogy of Jesus the Messiah – Bible Gateway, accessed May 28, 2025, https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%201&version=NIV
  19. The ancestry of Jesus – Word Online, accessed May 28, 2025, https://wordonline.org/videos/the-genealogy-of-jesus
  20. Jesus and Genealogies – The Bible Project, accessed May 28, 2025, https://bibleproject.com/articles/jesus-genealogies/
  21. Why do the numbers in biblical genealogies and census figures appear symbolic rather than historical? – Bible Hub, accessed May 28, 2025, https://biblehub.com/q/why_are_biblical_numbers_symbolic.htm
  22. The Significance of Numbers in Scripture – Agape Bible Study, accessed May 28, 2025, https://www.agapebiblestudy.com/documents/The%20Significance%20of%20Numbers%20in%20Scripture.htm
  23. Luke 3:23-38 ESV – The Genealogy of Jesus Christ – Bible Gateway, accessed May 28, 2025, https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%203%3A23-38&version=ESV
  24. Why does Jesus' Genealogy in Luke differ from Matthew? – The Word for Word Bible Comic, accessed May 28, 2025, https://www.wordforwordbiblecomic.com/blog/why-does-jesus-genealogy-in-luke-differ-from-matthew
  25. paultanner.org, accessed May 28, 2025, https://paultanner.org/English%20Docs/Creation/17_Tanner_Gen%205%20and%2011_Gapless%20Genealogies.pdf
  26. Exploring Biblical Creation: From Adam to Jesus – Bible Based Living, accessed May 28, 2025, https://biblebasedliving.com/exploring-biblical-creation-from-adam-to-jesus
  27. Biblical Genealogies: Interpretation Challenges and Bible Inerrancy Issues, accessed May 28, 2025, https://www.addeigloriam.org/bible-study-guide/genre/bible-genre-genealogies.htm
  28. How many years ago were Adam and Eve created? – Bible – Reddit, accessed May 28, 2025, https://www.reddit.com/r/Bible/comments/111jpu2/how_many_years_ago_were_adam_and_eve_created/
  29. How Many Years From Adam to Jesus? – Blessed App, accessed May 28, 2025, https://www.blessed-app.com/article/b_1844
  30. Bible Timeline | Answers in Genesis, accessed May 28, 2025, https://answersingenesis.org/bible-timeline/
  31. The Case for the Septuagint's Chronology in Genesis 5 and 11 – Associates for Biblical Research, accessed May 28, 2025, https://biblearchaeology.org/research/biblical-chronologies/4353-the-case-for-the-septuagints-chronology-in-genesis-5-and-11
  32. James Ussher and His Chronology: Reasonable or Ridiculous …, accessed May 28, 2025, https://www.icr.org/article/james-ussher-his-chronology-reasonable
  33. The Annals of the World James Ussher's Classic Survey of World History – Scripture Truth, accessed May 28, 2025, https://scripturetruth.com/products/the-annals-of-the-world-james-ussher-s-classic-survey-of-world-history-james-ussher-9780890513606
  34. Integrating Historical Witnesses in Biblical Chronology | Answers Research Journal, accessed May 28, 2025, https://answersresearchjournal.org/bible/integrating-historical-witnesses-biblical-chronology/
  35. Genealogies and Biblical Chronology – Perspective Digest, accessed May 28, 2025, https://www.perspectivedigest.org/archive/26-1/genealogies-and-biblical-chronology
  36. Annals of the World eBook : Ussher, James: Kindle Store – Amazon.com, accessed May 28, 2025, https://www.amazon.com/Annals-World-James-Ussher-ebook/dp/B001J2XZ78
  37. Jewish Time Line – Akhlah, accessed May 28, 2025, https://akhlah.com/jewish-traditions/timeline/
  38. Timeline of Jewish History – Chabad.org, accessed May 28, 2025, https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/3915966/jewish/Timeline-of-Jewish-History.htm
  39. Anno Mundi – Wikipedia, accessed May 28, 2025, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anno_Mundi
  40. The Hebrew Year 5785—or Is It? | ArmstrongInstitute.org, accessed May 28, 2025, https://armstronginstitute.org/366-the-hebrew-year-5785-or-is-it
  41. The Jewish Calendar – Jewish Virtual Library, accessed May 28, 2025, https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/the-jewish-calendar
  42. The Early Church on Creation | Answers in Genesis, accessed May 28, 2025, https://answersingenesis.org/church/the-early-church-on-creation/
  43. Byzantine calendar – Wikipedia, accessed May 28, 2025, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Byzantine_calendar
  44. Byzantine Creation Era Calendar – Православие.Ru, accessed May 28, 2025, https://pravoslavie.ru/97046.html
  45. Bible Chronology | Prophecy Workshop, accessed May 28, 2025, https://www.prophecy-workshop.com/bible-chronology
  46. Augustine's Philosophy of History in the City of God – Reformed & Confessional, accessed May 28, 2025, https://www.reformconfess.com/blog/augustines-philosophy-of-history-in-the-city-of-god
  47. Pseudo-Philo: 60 AD Creation in 5886 BC, Septuagint Chronology, accessed May 28, 2025, https://www.bible.ca/manuscripts/Augustine-of-Hippo-Chronology-Genesis5-Textual-variants-Bible-manuscripts-Old-Testament-Torah-Tanakh-Septuagint-Hebrew-400AD.htm
  48. CHURCH FATHERS: City of God, Book XVIII (St. Augustine), accessed May 28, 2025, https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/120118.htm
  49. Chronology of Jesus – Wikipedia, accessed May 28, 2025, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chronology_of_Jesus
  50. Eusebius Introduces his Tabular Timeline System : History of …, accessed May 28, 2025, https://www.historyofinformation.com/detail.php?id=3349
  51. Eusebius: Chronicle (5) – translation – Attalus.org, accessed May 28, 2025, https://www.attalus.org/translate/eusebius5.html
  52. Eusebius' Chronicle, Hebrew Chronicle, Flavius Josephus – Attalus.org, accessed May 28, 2025, https://www.attalus.org/armenian/euseb7.htm
  53. Allegorical interpretations of Genesis – Wikipedia, accessed May 28, 2025, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allegorical_interpretations_of_Genesis
  54. Chronology Chronicles, pt. 2: The Patriarchs of Genesis 5 & 11 – New Creation Blog, accessed May 28, 2025, https://newcreation.blog/chronology-chronicles-pt-2/
  55. Mind the Gap – Theopolis Institute, accessed May 28, 2025, https://theopolisinstitute.com/leithart_post/mind-the-gap/
  56. Did God Give Us Meaningless Genealogies in Genesis? – Steve Schramm, accessed May 28, 2025, https://steveschramm.com/meaningless-genealogies-genesis/
  57. Can You Calculate the Age of the Earth from Genesis 5? | pursueGOD.org, accessed May 28, 2025, https://www.pursuegod.org/can-calculate-age-earth-genesis-5/
  58. Manasseh's Genealogies: Why They Change Between Numbers, Joshua, and Chronicles, accessed May 28, 2025, https://www.thetorah.com/article/manassehs-genealogies-why-they-change-between-numbers-joshua-and-chronicles
  59. FLUIDITY PROBLEM1 – Digital Commons @ Andrews University, accessed May 28, 2025, https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2859&context=auss
  60. Bible Genealogy – Answers in Genesis, accessed May 28, 2025, https://answersingenesis.org/bible-timeline/genealogy/
  61. www.blessed-app.com, accessed May 28, 2025, https://www.blessed-app.com/article/b_1903#:~:text=The%20term%20%22begat%22%20appears%20frequently,lineage%20and%20descent%20of%20individuals.
  62. Begot – Topical Bible, accessed May 28, 2025, https://biblehub.com/topical/b/begot.htm
  63. Exploring Biblical Creation: From Adam to Jesus – Bible Based Living, accessed May 28, 2025, https://biblebasedliving.com/exploring-biblical-creation-from-adam-to-jesus/
  64. Prophetic Turbulence and Timelines – Adventist Today, accessed May 28, 2025, https://atoday.org/prophetic-turbulence-and-timelines/
  65. Timeline of Messianic Prophecies, accessed May 28, 2025, https://wscru.com/time/
  66. Genesis 3:9-15, 21 – The Adamic Covenant: God's Grace Shown | Good Shepherd PCA, accessed May 28, 2025, https://gsflo.org/blog/2024/12/02/genesis-3-9-15-21-the-adamic-covenant-god-s-grace-shown
  67. From Adam to Jesus, Lesson 1 – Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran …, accessed May 28, 2025, https://kimberlinglutheran.com/2012/11/01/from-adam-to-jesus-lesson-1/

“

Discover more from Christian Pure

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading

RedditWhatsApp
Share to...
CopyLinkedInMastodonPinterestPrintRedditSMSThreadsWhatsAppBlueskyVK