When do the 400 years in the Bible begin?
The 400 years begin when Isaac was five years old and Ishmael was sent away into the wilderness, separated from contact with Isaac. From that point, 400 years elapsed until Moses led the children of Israel out of Egypt in the Exodus.
Les explains that the 430 years begins when Abram left Haran and came down to Canaan, continuing until Moses led the children out in the Exodus. The 400 years, however, starts later—when Isaac was five years old and Ishmael was sent completely away from contact with him. From that point, 400 years run until Moses leads the children out. Les notes this is not a contradiction but a different benchmark of time.