0. Clarifying Note about the Bible

How are years counted in the Bible?

The answer depends on how we look at the Bible. If we try to calculate it like a modern history book, we encounter a small "mystery."

According to the genealogies found in Genesis chapter 11 (connecting Noah's son to Abraham), approximately 300 to 400 years passed. However, there are two very important things the Bible teaches us to understand this correctly:

1. Time in the Bible is not like a clock

In those times, the sacred writers did not use numbers to give an exact date as we do today with calendars. They used lists of names (genealogies) to show family continuity. Sometimes they skipped several generations and only included the most important figures. Therefore, it is likely that many more years passed between Babel and Abraham than it appears at first glance.

2. Two different worlds

The Bible explains that with Abraham, the pace of history changes:

Babel belongs to "Biblical Prehistory" (chapters 1 to 11). These are symbolic stories that explain great truths about humanity.

Abraham (around 1800-1900 B.C.) enters documented history. Archaeologists have found cities and customs from that era that perfectly match what the Bible says about him.

What happened during that time?

During those centuries, humanity dispersed, great civilizations like Egypt and Mesopotamia were formed, and people began to worship many different gods (the sun, the moon, storms). The world had "forgotten" the one true God of Noah.

This is why Abraham's calling is so important: after centuries of silence and humanity losing its way following the chaos of Babel, God decides to intervene again to seek a friend and begin a rescue plan.