All this took about 450 years. And after that he gave them judges until Samuel the prophet. Then they asked for a king, and God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The precise number "450 years" is a bit of a chronologer's puzzle, with scholars noting it differs from other Scripture accounts. What's easy to miss is that Paul might not be giving an exact timeline for the judges themselves, but rather marking a significant period from the "choice of our fathers" (perhaps starting with Isaac) leading up to the land's division, using a common Jewish reckoning of his day. This highlights how ancient writers often used round numbers to convey historical sweep rather than exact dates.
All this took about 450 years. And after that he gave them judges until Samuel the prophet. Then they asked for a king, and God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul is recounting Israel's history to the synagogue in Antioch, highlighting God's faithfulness despite their rebellion. After bringing them into the Promised Land, God gave them judges to lead them for about 450 years, demonstrating His continued provision until the time of the prophet Samuel. This period of judges ultimately led to their desire for a king, which Paul uses to transition to David and then to Jesus, the promised Messiah.
Paul drops a number – 450 years – and it’s caused a stir for centuries! How did he arrive at this figure, and why does it seem to clash with other biblical accounts?
This verse is famous for its chronological puzzle! Paul states that God gave judges for 'about 450 years.' However, when you try to add up the years from the Exodus to the building of Solomon's Temple according to 1 Kings 6:1, you get a different number.
So, what's going on?
Paul mentions God 'gave them judges.' What does this reveal about God's heart for His people, even when they struggled?
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The phrase 'he gave them judges' is more than just a historical note; it’s a testament to God's patient love.
A Pattern of Grace
Understand the original words
kritas · Greek Noun
Leaders raised up by God during the era between the conquest of Canaan and the monarchy to deliver Israel from oppression and govern according to God’s law. They serve as agents of divine justice, rescue, and temporary spiritual leadership.
prophētēn · Greek Noun
One called by God to speak His message, reveal His will, and call the people to repentance. Prophets served as the conscience of the nation, bridging the gap between God's holiness and the people's disobedience through revelation and warning.
melek · Hebrew Noun
A human monarch ruling over a nation, or in a biblical sense, one who holds supreme authority under the ultimate sovereignty of God. The request for a human king in Israel often signaled a lack of trust in God's direct rule.
The 450-year figure in Acts 13:20 is a point of chronological discussion. Paul likely uses a traditional Jewish reckoning that spans from the promise to Abraham or the birth of Isaac to the period of the judges, rather than a strict count solely of the judges' rule, offering a broader sweep of God's faithfulness.
c. 1446 BC
Exodus from Egypt
The Israelites are delivered from slavery in Egypt. This event marks the beginning of their covenant relationship with God and their journey to the Promised Land.
c. 1406 BC
Conquest and Division of Canaan
After years of wandering in the desert and conquest, the land of Canaan is divided among the twelve tribes of Israel under Joshua's leadership.
c. 1406 BC - 1076 BC— this verse
Period of the Judges
A period of roughly 450 years where God raised up judges to lead and deliver Israel from oppression after cycles of sin and repentance.
c. 1076 BC - 1054 BC
Eli's Judgeship
Eli, a priest, serves as a judge over Israel during a time of spiritual decline.
c. 1070 BC
Birth of Samuel
Samuel, a key prophet and the last of the judges, is born.
c. 1054 BC - 1014 BC
Saul's Reign
Israel demands a king, and God appoints Saul. His reign is marked by both initial successes and eventual disobedience.
c. 1014 BC - 974 BC
David's Reign
David, a man after God's own heart, becomes king and establishes Jerusalem as the capital.
This passage speaks to God raising up judges to deliver Israel from oppression, mirroring the context of Acts 13:20.
1 Samuel 8:1-5This passage highlights the Israelites' rejection of God's appointed judges and their desire for a king, showing the transition mentioned in Acts 13:20 where judges were followed by kings.
Psalm 78:70-72This psalm describes David being chosen as a shepherd to rule God's people with integrity, connecting to the concept of divinely appointed leadership that ultimately leads to the lineage of Jesus.
Nehemiah 9:20-21This prayer recounts God giving Israel His good Spirit to teach them in the wilderness and providing manna, reflecting on God's provision and guidance which spanned the entire period from the Exodus to the land of Canaan, as alluded to in the chronology of Acts 13:20.
barnesActs 13:20: "And after that he gave unto them judges about the space of four hundred and fifty years, until Samuel the prophet."
He gave unto them judges - Men who were raised up in an extraordinary manner to administer the affairs of the nation, to defend it from enemies, etc. See Judges 2:16 . About the space of four hundred and fifty years - This is a most difficult passage, and has exercised all the ingenuity of chronologists. The ancient versions agree with the present Greek text. The diff…
clarkeActs 13:20: "And after that he gave unto them judges about the space of four hundred and fifty years, until Samuel the prophet."
And after that he gave unto them judges about the space of four hundred and fifty years - This is a most difficult passage, and has been termed by Scaliger, Crux Chronologorum. The apostle seems here to contradict the account in 1 Kings 6:1 : And it came to pass in the four hundred and eightieth year after the children of Israel were come out of the land of Egypt, in…
The precise number "450 years" is a bit of a chronologer's puzzle, with scholars noting it differs from other Scripture accounts. What's easy to miss is that Paul might not be giving an exact timeline for the judges themselves, but rather marking a significant period from the "choice of our fathers" (perhaps starting with Isaac) leading up to the land's division, using a common Jewish reckoning of his day. This highlights how ancient writers often used round numbers to convey historical sweep rather than exact dates.
Paul is recounting Israel's history to the synagogue in Antioch, highlighting God's faithfulness despite their rebellion. After bringing them into the Promised Land, God gave them judges to lead them for about 450 years, demonstrating His continued provision until the time of the prophet Samuel. This period of judges ultimately led to their desire for a king, which Paul uses to transition to David and then to Jesus, the promised Messiah.
Paul is recounting Israel's history to the synagogue in Antioch, highlighting God's faithfulness despite their rebellion. After bringing them into the Promised Land, God gave them judges to lead them for about 450 years, demonstrating His continued provision until the time of the prophet Samuel. This period of judges ultimately led to their desire for a king, which Paul uses to transition to David and then to Jesus, the promised Messiah.
"All this took about 450 years. And after that he gave them judges until Samuel the prophet. Then they asked for a king, and God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years." — The precise number "450 years" is a bit of a chronologer's puzzle, with scholars noting it differs from other Scripture accounts. What's easy to miss is that Paul might not be giving an exact timelin…
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Last reviewed October 2026