The number 480 marks the period from Israel's exodus from Egypt to the building of Solomon's temple, symbolizing the completion of God's plan of salvation for His people.
In 1 Kings 6:1 it is stated that 480 years passed from the Israelites' exodus from Egypt until Solomon began to build the temple in Jerusalem. Many biblical scholars view this number as representing 12 generations of 40 years each, where 12 stands for the tribes of Israel and 40 represents a complete period of testing. The number thus symbolizes a divinely ordered transition from liberation (the exodus) to the establishment of permanent worship (the temple), emphasizing God's faithfulness throughout history. The Septuaginta (LXX) gives 440 years instead of 480 in 1 Kings 6:1. This discrepancy has sparked extensive chronological debate among biblical scholars, with some arguing that 480 is a symbolic-theological number rather than an exact chronological figure. In rabbinic tradition, attempts have been made to harmonize the 480 years with the specific time references in the Book of Judges and the Books of Samuel, resulting in a total period exceeding 480 years. This has led to discussions about overlapping periods of judgeship. The number 480 as 12 × 40 reflects a structural symmetry in biblical chronology: the 12 tribes each undergo one generation (40 years) of wandering and maturation before God's dwelling finds its permanent place. The number 40 is consistently used throughout the Bible to denote a period of testing and transition (the wilderness wanderings, Moses on Sinai, Jesus' fasting).*