Expert: Brenda Martin - 11/5/2008

Question
What was Paul referring to in Galatians 3:17 when he wrote, "My point is this:the law, which came 430 years later, does not annul a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to nullify the promise" (RSV). I has thought that he was referring to the Mosaic Covenant not annulling the Abrahamic Covenant of Promise. But I recently noticed in a Bible chronology that 430 years after the beginning of the Abrahamic Covenant began Moses was not even born yet. According to this chronology it was about 620 years after the Abrahamic Covenant began that Israel received the Law. Was Paul perhaps using a commonly accepted chronology of his day? Or was the Bible chronology I saw just way off? It had the Abrahamic Covenant beginning in 2066 BC and the Mosaic in 1446 BC.
Thank you for any help you can give me.
Michael

Answer
HI Michael, Yes Galatians explains that the Law covenant did not negate the Abrahamic covenant but was added to it. It also pointed out that the time interval between the making of the two covenants was 430 years, which is important in Bible chronology.

It was following the death of his father Terah that Abraham went out from Haran in 1943 B.C.E. and crossed the Euphrates River, evidently on the 14th day of the month that later became known as Nisan. (Ge 11:32; Ex 12:40-43,) It was at that time that the covenant between God and Abraham went into effect, and the 430-year period of temporary residence until the making of the Law covenant with Israel began.

"ABRAHAMIC COVENANT BEGAN IN 2066 BC AND THE MOSAIC IN 1446 BC?"

No;  The Abrahamic covenant began in 1943 b.c.e.
    The Law covenant began in 1513 b.c.e
Giving the 430 years in between.

Abraham entered Canaan in 1943 B.C.E. Bible chronology indicates that it was 215 years before the Jews moved to Egypt. That leaves 215 years for the Jews to have actually “dwelt in Egypt.”

“OR WAS THE BIBLE CHRONOLOGY I SAW JUST WAY OFF?”

Yes; if you want a more in-depth answer of the 2 covenants please let me know.

All the best
Brenda