According to historical and biblical accounts, the nation of Israel existed for several centuries before Moses wrote the law. The Israelites are believed to have descended from the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and their descendants lived in the land of Canaan prior to the time of Moses. The exact number of years is a subject of debate and interpretation, but estimates suggest that the Israelites were in existence for around 400-500 years before the time of Moses and the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai.