3:17 430 years. In Ex. 12:40 this figure is given for the length of Israel’s stay in Egypt. In the Greek Old Testament (Septuagint) version of Exodus, the time of the patriarchs’ stay in Canaan is included in the 430 years. But Paul is not necessarily following the Septuagint in alluding to the passage. It is enough for his purpose to show that centuries passed before the law was given at Sinai (cf. Gen. 15:13; Acts 7:6).