Adventistische Schriften über: "How can it be that only four generations passed from the capture of Jericho (Salmon) to King David, while Acts mentions 450 years? How can only four generations fit into this long period?"

The discrepancy between the few generations and the 450-year time span mentioned in Acts is often explained by different interpretations of the chronology. Some interpreters suggest that the 450 years do not refer to the period of the judges' rule, but to the interval between the calling of the fathers (Abraham's) and the division of the land in Canaan. Others assume that the chronology in conventional tables such as Usher's is erroneous, and that the biblical data in the books of Judges and Acts support a longer period of about 580 years from the Exodus to the building of the temple.

Chronological Placement of the 450 Years

It seems to me that our translation does not convey the true meaning of the passage [Acts 13]... and that the four hundred fifty years do not refer to the time when the judges ruled in Israel, but to the period that elapsed between the event mentioned in verse 17 and the beginning of their administration. I see no other way for the Scripture to be harmonized in its various parts.

1 – Signs of the Times [J.V. Himes], The Advent Herald, and Signs of the Times Reporter [Himes], vol. 3 (HST October 15, 1840, page 111.17)

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Harmonization of Acts and the Old Testament

Paul provides a very precise enumeration... Adding these numbers together yields a total of 580 years. It should be noted that Paul's account is very detailed and provides data for almost everything... which is based on unquestionable testimony from other sources.

2 – Signs of the Times [J.V. Himes], The Advent Herald, and Signs of the Times Reporter [Himes], vol. 3 (HST October 15, 1840, page 112.1)

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Possible Errors in the Text Transmission

We suspect that there is an error in the text of the Book of Kings that originates from one of the copyists. We consider this more reasonable than assuming that the writers of Joshua and Judges erred in the chronological data; especially since their testimony is confirmed by Paul in Acts 13, where he gives 450 years for the judges.

3 – Signs of the Times [J.V. Himes], The Advent Herald, and Signs of the Times Reporter [Himes], vol. 8 (HST March 15, 1842, page 190.9)

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• Biblical chronology judges period
• Paul 450 years Acts
• Duration from Exodus to temple construction