A Chronology of Bible Events
Chronology of the Bible
Introduction
This bible timeline lists the outstanding events of the Bible in chronological order.
Having an idea of biblical chronology (the dates of various biblical events) is an excellent way to enhance your corporate or personal Bible study or devotion. A biblical timeline allows you to put a little historical context to what you are reading.
This free bible timeline can also be used with our Chronological Bible Reading Plan , which takes you through the Bible in one year in the order of when the narratives in each book took place.
A Word About A Biblical Timeline
This chronology of the Bible represents the best estimates in conservative scholarship for the events of biblical history.
Even so, there is no universal agreement on the dating of certain biblical events. Thus, you may find differing chronologies when consulting other bible timelines within various biblical / theological resources.
In addition, there is a debate on the dating of the creation account, even within evangelical circles.
We do not wish to engender polemic on this issue, thus we will simply assign a date of pre-2,000 B.C. for all of the events in Genesis 1-11.
You are free to modify this portion of the bible timeline in a way that best fits your theological tradition.
THE BIBLE TIMELINE – OLD TESTAMENT
Pre-history: < 2,000 B.C.
<2,000 B.C. – Events of Genesis 1-11
The Patriarchs: 2,000 – 1,750 B.C.
- 2,000s – Abraham’s life and covenant with God
- 1,900s – Isaac’s life
- 1,800s − Jacob’s life
- 1,750 − Joseph’s life and God’s people move to Egypt
Exodus and Conquest of the Promised Land: 1,440 – 1,375 B.C.
- 1,440 − Moses and the Exodus from Egypt
- 1,400-1,375 − Israel conquers the Promised Land
Israel in Canaan: 1375 – 430 B.C.
- 1,380−1,050 – Israel establishes judges to rule over them
- 1,150 − Birth of Samuel
Israel’s United Monarchy: 1,050 – 931 B.C.
- 1,050-1,101 – Saul reigns as Israel’s first king
- 1,010-971 – David reigns as Israel’s first shepherd-king
- 971-931 – Solomon reigns as Israel’s third king
- 960 – Solomon builds the Temple in Jerusalem
- 931 – Israelite Monarchy Splits into Southern and Northern Kingdoms
Israel’s Divided Monarchy: 931 – 587 B.C.
Kings of Judah (Southern Kingdom) and Israel (Northern Kingdom) (P) Indicates prophet.
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Only Judah (South) remains: 722-587 B.C.
- 697-642 – Manasseh
- 664-612 – Nahum (P)
- 640 – Zephaniah (P)
- 642-640 – Amon
- 640-609 – Josiah
- 621-580 – Jeremiah (P)
- 609 – Jehoahaz
- 609-598 – Jehoiakim
- 605 – Daniel and his friends are taken to Babylon
- 605 – Habbakuk (P)
- 598 – 597 – Jehoiachin
- 597-587 – Zedekiah
- 597 – Ezekiel (P)
- 587 – Fall of Jerusalem; Final exile of Judah by Babylon
- 587 – Obadiah
Return from Exile: 538-430 B.C.
- 538 – Zerrubbabel returns with first group of exiles to Jerusalem to rebuild temple
- 525 – Haggai (P)
- 520 – Zechariah (P)
- 515 – New temple completed and dedicated
- 450 – Malachi (P)
- 443 – Nehemiah returns to rebuild walls of Jerusalem
Intertestamental Period: 430-6 B.C.
- 332-323 – Alexander the Great ushers in Hellenism
- 320-198 – Egypt rules Palestine
- 198-63 – Syria rules Palestine
BIBLE TIMELINE – NEW TESTAMENT
Jesus Christ: 4 B.C. – 33 A.D.
Period of Christian Church: 33-100 A.D.
- 33 – Pentecost and the birth of the Christian church
- 33-34 – Apostle Paul converts to Christianity
- 47-48 – Paul’s First Missionary Journey (through Galatia)
- 48 – Paul writes Galatians – First book of the New Testament canon
- 48-51 – Paul’s Second Missionary Journey (through Europe)
- 51 – Paul writes 1 and 2 Thessalonians from Corinth
- 53-56 – Paul’s Third Missionary Journey with stay in Ephesus
- 56 – Paul writes 1 Corinthians while in Ephesus
- 56 – Paul write 2 Corinthians while in Ephesus and Romans on his return to Jerusalem
- 57-59 – Paul is imprisoned in Caesarea
- 60-62 – Paul’s arrival in Rome and imprisonment
- 60-62 – Paul writes Ephesians, Colossians, Philippians and Philemon while imprisoned in Rome
- 60 – Gospel of Mark is written
- 62 – James, Jesus’ brother, leader of Jerusalem church is martyred
- 64-65 – Paul’s Death
- 70 – Destruction of the Jewish Temple by Romans
- 70-80 – Gospel of Matthew is written
- 81-96 – Christian persecution under Emperor Domitian
- 90 – Gospel of John is written
- 100 – Death of Apostle John