top of page

Genesis 15:13
400 Years in a Foreign Land

Audio Version of this page coming soon

Gen 15:13 - Israylite Heritage
00:00 / 00:00

Print in PDF or Word format: 

There is a very important prophecy in the bible that speaks directly to the children of Israyl and where a portion of them are to be in the last days.  As we have seen there was a parallel between our forefathers captivity in Egypt and our slavery and exile into the United States.  This prophecy is known as the four hundred year prophecy, it can be found in the book of Genesis chapter 15: verses 13 -16.

 

NOTE; OUR AUDIO LESSON DEALING WITH THIS PROPHECY IN FULL CAN BE HEARD BY CLICKING ON THE ADUIO RECORDING AT THE TOP OF PAGE.

Genesis 15:13 And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years;

 

14  And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance.

 

15  And thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old age.

 

16  But in the fourth generation they shall come here again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full. 

Within these four verses, Yah presented three separate prophecies to our father Abraham.

 

  • PROPHECY  #1 VERSES 13-14 THE NATION OF YSRAYL IN A STRANGE LAND FOR 400 YEARS.
     

  • PROPHECY #2 VERSE 15 ABRAHAM SHALL DIE AT A GOOD OLD AGE.
     

  • PROPHECY #3 VERSE 16 AFTER THE FOURTH GENERATION, WE SHALL ENTER THE LAND OF ISRAYL.

 

Two of the three prophecies have been fulfilled and we are in the midst of the third.

Father Abraham died at 175 years old.

 

Genesis 25:7 And these are the days of the years of Abraham's life which he lived, an hundred threescore and fifteen years.

 

8  Then Abraham gave up the breath, and died in a good old age, an old man, and full of years; and was gathered to his people.

 

The Amorites were one of the nations that dwelled in the land of Canaan, they were defeated during the Israylites conquest.

 

Numbers 21:31 Thus Israyl dwelt in the land of the Amorites.

 

32  And Moses sent to spy out Jaazer, and they took the villages thereof, and drove out the Amorites that were there.

 

Let’s examine the first prophecy which states the children of Israyl (Abraham’s seed) shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs and they shall be mistreated by the people of that land for a period of four hundred years.

 

Our history in the United States begins in the year 1619; twenty Hebrews were brought into the ports of Jamestown, VA as servants which began our captivity and mistreatment in the English colony of the United States. 

 

Yah said that we would be mistreated by them for a period of 400 years.  Many misunderstand this prophecy and think the children of Israyl will be in slavery for four hundred years, which is not the case.  The prophecy clearly states that we are to be mistreated by the Egyptians, this mistreatment includes slavery but is not limited to slavery.

 

I’ve also heard that this prophecy was fulfilled with the children of Israyl’s time in Egypt, let's explore that theory and see if it fits prophecy.

 

We spent 430 years in the land of Egypt; we entered 70 in number and grew to a mighty nation of approximately two million by the time of what's called the Exodus.

 

Exodus 12:40 Now the sojourning of the children of Israyl, who dwelt in Egypt, was four hundred and thirty years.

 

Because we spent four hundred and thirty in Egypt and served them as slaves many believe this is the fulfillment of Genesis 15:13-14.  But if we closely examine it we can easily see that is not the case.

Genesis 15:13 And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years;

 

14  And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance.

 

Let’s analyze verse 13 first.

 

1st point –

Abram (who’s name was later changed to Abraham by Yah) was told to

know for sure that his descendants (which are the children of Israyl) shall be a STRANGER in a land that is not theirs. 

 

NOTE: SEED IN VERSE 13 MEANS DESCENDANTS

 

During the founding and writing of the constitution of the United States, the Israylites didn’t

have one hand in putting this document together.  In fact, we were in chains and shackles to

those who formed this governmental system, so without doubt the United States is not ours. 

 

Scene at the signing of the United States Constitution

We were brought to this "strange land" as strangers.  But on the other hand not many are familiar with another prophecy Yah gave to our father Abraham in this same chapter of Genesis which relates to the prophecy in verse 13-14, in verse 18 Yah says.


Genesis 15:18  In the same day YAH made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed

have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates:

 

The true borders of the land of Israyl stretch from the river of Egypt which is the Nile river.   It

covers the entire land of Egypt, to the Euphrates river which is located in modern day Iraq.  So, the land of Egypt is our land it was given to us by Yah the most high.  But the prophecy states we shall be in a land that is not ours.  Strike 1 that the 430 years in Egypt fulfilled the four hundred year prophecy.

 

From Egypt to Iraq

2nd point –
The children of Israyl shall serve them.

 

We came into the ports of Jamestown, VA as captive servants then years later made into slaves, we have been serving the people of this land for our entire duration in her borders which as of the year 2016  has been 397 years.

 

We were servants to the Egyptians, we were enslaved by them according to scripture for at least eighty years.  Eighty was the age of Moses when Yah sent him to free the children of Israyl from the Egyptians, he was born into slavery.

 

 

3rd point –
The children of Israyl SHALL BE MISTREATED FOUR HUNDRED

YEARS BY THOSE OF THIS STRANGE LAND.

 

Point #3 separates the Egyptian captivity from the one in which we are in now.

 

YAH SAID WE ARE TO BE MISTREATED FOUR HUNDRED YEARS.  We were not

mistreated four hundred years in Egypt, as was just mention in point #2.  We can only account for no less then eighty years.  Our people first arrived in Egypt during the time our brother Joseph served as Pharaoh's viceroy, which made him second in command to only Pharaoh.

 

Genesis 41:39  And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as YAH hath shewed thee all this,

there is none so discreet and wise as thou art:

 

40  Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou.

 

41  And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt.

 

42  And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph's hand, and arrayed

him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck;

 

43  And he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried before him,

Bow the knee: and he made him ruler over all the land of Egypt.

 

44  And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I am Pharaoh, and without thee shall no man lift up his

hand or foot in all the land of Egypt. 

Our 430 year stay in Egypt began when the entire household of Jacob was brought into the

land of Egypt by Joseph our brother (Check the physical Appearance section for more information on joseph in Egypt). 

 

Upon our arrival in Egypt we were given the best land and treated with high esteem by the Egyptians.  They showed us favor because our brother was second in

command.

 

Genesis 47:5  And Pharaoh spake unto Joseph, saying, Thy father and thy brethren are come

unto thee:

 

6  The land of Egypt is before thee; in the best of the land make thy father and brethren to

dwell; in the land of Goshen let them dwell: and if thou knowest any men of activity among

them, then make them rulers over my cattle.

 

11  And Joseph placed his father and his brethren, and gave them a possession in the land of

Egypt, in the best of the land, in the land of Rameses, as Pharaoh had commanded.

 

Our brother Joseph ruled Egypt with the authority of a Pharaoh.  In order for this prophecy to be fulfilled in Egypt, this means our people should have been mistreated thirty years after entering Egypt; so Joseph would have been mistreated also by the Egyptians, let's see if this was the case.

The family of Jacob entering Egypt
Taken from an Egyptian wall drawing

Joseph in Egypt

 

The oppression of the children of Israyl began many years after the death of the Israylite

Joseph.  Joseph’s death took place well after the first 30 years of the Israylites stay in Egypt

According to scripture, Joseph lived for 110 years; he lived long enough to see his great

grandchildren.

 

Genesis 50:22  And Joseph dwelt in Egypt, he, and his father's house: and Joseph lived an

hundred and ten years.

 

23  And Joseph saw Ephraim's children of the third generation: the children also of

Machir the son of Manasseh were brought up upon Joseph's knees.

 

Joseph interpreted Pharaoh’s dream at age 30, the dream said there would be 7 years of good

harvest and 7 years of famine. 

 

Genesis 41:46  And Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt.

And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh, and went throughout all the land of

Egypt.

 

His brothers came to buy corn from Egypt during the first year of the famine.  From age 30 till the time the Israylites came into Egypt, a total of 8 years had passed since Joseph became ruler in Egypt.  He was 38 when the whole house of Israyl was brought to live in Egypt.  He died at 110 years old, so Joseph lived with his family in Egypt as a ruler for 72 years. This means that upon his death there was still 358 years remaining of the 430 the Israylites lived in Egypt.  The oppression of Israyl didn't begin until some time had passed after his death.

Genesis 50:26  So Joseph died, being an hundred and ten years old: and they embalmed him,

and he was put in a coffin in Egypt.

 

We are told that Joseph was embalmed and put into a coffin in Egypt. In ancient Egypt, embalming and coffin burials were reserved for royalty, members of Pharaoh's court and the rich. Joseph was still in good favor with the Egyptians when he died, and if Joseph was still treated well by the Egyptians at his death, so were the Hebrews.

 

Exodus 1:8 "Now, there rose up a new king over Egypt, which knew not Joseph."

 

This is a very profound statement because remember Joseph was second in charge to Pharaoh   being viceroy would have made Joseph a very popular and well known man throughout the

land of Egypt, particularly in the house of Pharaoh. Ancient Egyptian history tells us that one

could only claim the Pharaoh's throne if:

 

  • He was the son of the Pharaoh, a prince

  • He was a high ranking member of the king's court

  • He was another male member of the Pharaoh's family.

  • If a coup took place.

 

In any case, the next Pharaoh would have known who Joseph was, because Joseph was also in the king’s court and knew all of the king's sons, all the high ranking members, and all of Pharaoh's male family members.

Scholars have stated that Joseph and the Hebrews were in Egypt when a people known as the Hyksos were in charge.  They try to make a point that the Hyksos were the ones showing favor to the Hebrews and not the native Egyptians. The Hyksos also known as the shepherd kings did conquer and rule Egypt for over 200 years. Their domination of Egypt was known in Egyptian history as the GREAT HUMILIATION.  If we look deeply into scripture we'll find that the Egyptians in Joseph's time were in fact native Egyptians.

 

First, let's consider the conversation Joseph had with the Hebrews who were first to arrive in

Egypt. He was instructing them on how to respond to one of Pharaoh's questions.

 

Genesis 46:33  And it shall come to pass, when Pharaoh shall call you, and shall say, What is

your occupation?

34  That ye shall say, Thy servants' trade hath been about cattle from our youth even until

now, both we, and also our fathers: that ye may dwell in the land of Goshen; for every

shepherd is an abomination unto the Egyptians.

 

 Joseph says to them, when Pharaoh asks their occupation, "That ye should say, your servants trade have been about cattle from our youth even until now, both we, and also our fathers: that you may dwell in the land of Goshen; FOR EVERY SHEPHERD IS AN ABOMINATION UNTOTHE EGYPTIANS."

 

This statement alone proves that the Hyksos were not in charge of Egypt during the time of Joseph.  The Hyksos were known as the shepherd kings or kings of the shepherds, so why would every shepherd be an abomination to the SHEPHERD KINGS? But every shepherd would be an abomination to native Egyptians, because the shepherd kings (Hyksos) had brought GREAT HUMILIATION to the Egyptians.
 

Now, back to my point of the new king coming to power and not knowing Joseph. In order for this to happen, a few Pharaohs had to have come to power and with each of them a new vice royal / government. This also means that after Joseph's death, enough time had elapsed where Joseph's memory in the house of Pharaoh was long forgotten, and the Hebrews were no longer seen as good neighbors but a foreign threat.   This is not hard to believe, ask the average citizen of your country "who was in power at the turn of the 20th century", who was second in authority. Many if not all people (including governmental officials) will not know the answer. 
 

The Hebrew’s oppression in Egypt did not last 400 years. Exactly how long did it last? We can only speculate on that as well, but we do know that it lasted no less than 80 years.  This was the age of Moses when the Hebrews were liberated. Israyl was in slavery from the time Moses was born to the time they were freed, which was 80 years. 

We can also only account for a period of slavery representing the mistreatment of the Hebrews

in Egypt.  Prior to them being enslaved they lived in good favor among the Egyptians; in fact, times were so good our population exploded in Egypt.

 

Exodus 1:6  And Joseph died, and all his brethren, and all that generation.

 

7  And the children of Israyl were fruitful, and increased abundantly, and multiplied, and

waxed exceeding mighty; and the land was filled with them.

 

Our population growth was so strong that this caused the new Pharaoh to take notice of us and

enslave us.

 

If not Egypt then where?

400 Years in the United States
 

As we see the 430 years Egyptian sojourn of the children of Israyl, doesn't account for the 400 years of mistreatment that is prophecy to happen in the book of Genesis 15:13.  All bible prophecy is real and true; many bible scholars will accept Egypt as the fulfillment of the 400 years even though they know that's not the case.  But they can't phantom that this prophecy is being fulfilled right in our modern times.  In order to understand that and believe it you must first acknowledge who the descendants of the biblical Israylites are. 

 

This website has without doubt identified whom the real children of Israyl are according to the bible.  Armed with that information we can now understand this powerful prophecy and it will add to the knowledge of whom Israyl is today.

 

 

This prophecy applies to the Israylites in the United States, whom forefathers where brought into the English colony of Jamestown, VA in the year 1619.  Jamestown was founded in the year 1607 and named after the King of England James who also had the bible translated into English.  12 years after Jamestown was founded, members of the 12 tribes of Israyl were brought into her ports as servants to fulfill Genesis 15:13.  Jamestown had a 400 year anniversary celebration in the year 2007.

 

For the past 397 years we have been mistreated like no other from coming here as servants (as the prophecy says we shall serve them) to slavery, to share cropping, to lynching's, to Jim Crow, to discrimination, to street violence and etc.  There hasn't been one instance of our people having any peace in this land.  The United States was viewed as a strange land to the Israylite captives who first arrived to her shores as slaves from the west coast of Africa; we were strangers in this land.

 

Every Nationality that reside in the United States came to this land on their own free will, all except the children of Israyl.  Everybody was invited with a warm welcome and a promise to live free as human beings, as it states on the inscription upon the Statue of Liberty.

 

Give me your tired, your poor,

Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,

The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.

Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,

I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

According to the prophecy, the 400 years of mistreatment will come to an end in the year 2019, which at the time of this writing in the year 2016 is 3 years away.  No, the world will not end in 2019 but the freedom of the Israylites is coming at that time.  In the year 2010, Israylite Heritage Hebrew Community went to Jamestown, Virginia, to repent to the father Yah for our transgressions against Him as a people, and to ask that His mercy endure forever upon us.

Just because the Genesis 15:13 prophecy refers to the Israylites in the United States does this exclude the other Israylites such as the ones in the Islands, Europe, Africa etc?  NO, this prophecy and event will be a signal to all the other Israylites that our redemption is near.  Our nation is one; if the curses affect one group of Israylites it affects us all.   This will be the beacon to the house of Israyl worldwide that Yah is about to free us all from the captivity of the nations. And lead us back to our own land, which will stretch from Egypt to Iraq.

 

Jeremiyah 23:7  Therefore, behold, the days come, saith YAH, that they shall no more say,

YAH liveth, which brought up the children of Israyl out of the land of Egypt;

 

8  But, YAH liveth, which brought up and which led the seed of the house of Israyl out of the

North country (North America), and from all countries whither I had driven them; and they shall dwell in their own land.

 

Swing low sweet chariot coming for to carry me home, and my home is over Jordan HalleluYAH

Donate

To Help

$

Assist in doing the work of Yah by making a contribution

bottom of page