The Bible’s traditional figure is about 600,000 Israelite men , which would mean roughly 2 million people total when women and children are included. Some scholars and teachers, though, argue the number may have been much smaller depending on how the ancient wording is understood.

Quick Scoop

Exodus 12:37 says the Israelites left Egypt with “about six hundred thousand men on foot, besides women and children,” and that is the source of the often- cited 2 million estimate.

Why the number varies

  • Traditional reading: about 600,000 men , or around 2.4 million people total.
  • Smaller-estimate reading: some interpreters think the text could mean a much smaller group, possibly tens of thousands rather than millions.

Simple answer

If you want the standard biblical answer , it is about 2 million people.

Bottom line

There is no single universally agreed number, but the most common traditional estimate is 600,000 men out of Egypt, translating to roughly 2 million people overall.

TL;DR: Moses is traditionally said to have led about 2 million people out of Egypt, though some scholars argue the actual number may have been far smaller.