Biblical literalist chronology


Biblical literalist chronology is the attempt to correlate the theological dates used in the Bible with the real chronology of actual events. The Bible measures time from the date of Creation, but there is no agreement on when this was, some of the better-known alternatives including Archbishop James Ussher, who placed it in 4004 BCE, Isaac Newton in 4000 BCE, Martin Luther in 3961 BCE, the traditional Jewish date of 3760 BCE, and the traditional Greek Orthodox date, based on the Septuagint, of 5009 BCE. To the foundation of the Temple of Solomon the passage of time is measured by simple addition of from the Creation; for later periods it measures time by the reigns of kings, but the data is conflicting and there is no agreement on how to resolve the problems.

Background

The Jewish Bible dates events either by simple arithmetic taking the creation of the world as the starting point, or, in the later books, by correlations between the reigns of kings in Israel and Judah. The data it provides falls into three periods:
  1. From the Creation to Abraham's migration to Canaan, during which events are dated by adding the ages of the patriarchs;
  2. From Abraham's migration to the foundation of Solomon's temple, in which the chronology in Genesis continues to be arrived at by adding ages, but from Exodus on is usually given in statements;
  3. From the foundation of the temple onward, which gives the reigns in years of kings in Israel and Judah.
For the biblical authors the chronology was theological in intent, functioning as prophecy and not as history. Biblical literalism, however, does not treat it this way, because literalists have a profound respect for the Bible as the word of God. This way of thinking had its origins in Christian fundamentalism, an early 20th century movement which opposed then-current non-supernatural interpretations of the life of Jesus by stressing, among other things, the verbal inspiration of scripture. The underlying concept, or fear, was that if anything in the Bible were not true, everything would collapse.

Literalist chronologies

The creation of a literalist chronology of the Bible faces several hurdles, of which the following are the most significant:
The Bible measures events from the year of God's creation of the world, a type of calendar called Anno Mundi, shortened as AM. The task of a literal biblical chronology is to convert this to dates in the modern chronology expressed as years before or after Christ, BC and AD. There have been many attempts to do this, none of them universally accepted. The following tables divide the Bible's AM dates by the three periods into which they most naturally fall.

Creation to Abraham's migration to Canaan

Masoretic
Date 		Event
Note
AM 1
AM 1656
AM 1946
AM 2021		Creation
Flood
Birth of Abraham
Entry into Canaan		From Creation to the birth of Abraham time is calculated by adding the ages of the Patriarchs when their first child is born. It seems possible that the period of the Flood is not meant to be included in the count – Shem, born 100 years before the Flood, "begot" his first son two years after it, which should make him 102, but Genesis 11:10-11 specifies that he is only 100, suggesting that time has been suspended.
A literal chronology would put the creation of the world about 4000 BCE and the Flood about 2300 BCE. The best-known attempt to provide a date for Creation is probably that of Archbishop James Ussher, who placed it 4004 BCE, but there are many alternatives, including Isaac Newton in 4000 BCE, Martin Luther in 3961 BCE, the traditional Jewish date of 3760 BCE, and the traditional Greek Orthodox date, based on the Septuagint, of 5009 BCE. The dates given to subsequent events such as the Flood will depend on this initial date.

Abraham's entry into Canaan to the foundation of Solomon's temple

After Solomon's temple

Example of literalist chronology

The following tabulation of years and dates is according to the literal letter of the text of the Bible alone. Links to multiple translations and versions are provided for verification. For comparison, known historically dated events are associated with the resultant literal dates. Dates according to the famous Ussher chronology appear in small type italics "'", "'". In ancient Israel a part year was designated as the previous king's last year and the new king's 1st year. The arithmetic can be checked by starting at the bottom of the table with the date of the destruction of the Temple in 587 and adding the number of years in the Scriptures back up to the beginning. Dates with events in italics appearing in for historical comparison are according to Bernard Grun's The Timetables of History. For the period after 587 BCE known historical dates are used as referents. Biblical source texts for stated numbers of years are referenced and linked. Reference sources are the RSVCE, The New American Bible The Timetables of History by Bernard Grun, and the Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary.

Adam to the Flood 4246—2590 BC

Before the Common Era
EventBible texts
4246
Ante C. 4004		The year Adam was formed."4246 BC." Reckoning the years in Egypt 430 years, Israel/Jacob 130 years, Isaac 60, Abraham 100, Terah 70, Nahor 29, Serug 30, Reu 32, Peleg 30, Eber 34, Shelah 30, Arpachshad 35, Shem 100, Noah 503, Lamech 182, Methuselah 187, Enoch 65, Jared 162, Mahalalel 65, Kenan 70, Enosh 90, Seth 105, Adam 130 = 2669 years back to 4246 BCE. He lived 930 years.
4116
Ante C. 3874		The year Seth was born.
  • Adam was 130 years old.
    • 4011
    Ante C. 3769    		The year Enosh was born.
  • Seth was 105, Adam 235 years old.
    • 3921The year Kenan was born.
  • Enosh was 90, Seth 195, Adam 325 years old.
    • 3851The year Mahalalel was born.
  • Kenan was 70, Enosh 160, Seth 265, Adam 395 years old.
    • 3786The year Jared was born.
  • Mahalalel was 65, Kenan 135, Enosh 225, Seth 330, Adam 460 years old.
    • 3624The year Enoch was born.
  • Jared was 162, Mahalalel 227, Kenan 297, Enosh 387, Seth 492, Adam 622 years old.
    • 3559The year Methuselah was born.
  • Enoch was 65, Jared 227, Mahalalel 292, Kenan 362, Enosh 452, Seth 557, Adam 687 years old.
  • Disastrous floods in Mesopotamian region near end of –4000 to –3501 period.
    • 3372The year Lamech was born.
  • Methuselah was 187, Enoch 252, Jared 414, Mahalalel 479, Kenan 549, Enosh 639, Seth 744, Adam 874 years old.
    • 3316The year Adam died. He was 930 years old.
  • Lamech was 56, Methuselah 243, Enoch 308, Jared 470, Mahalalel 592, Kenan 662, Enosh 752, Seth 857 years old.
  • Testament of Adam. See Pseudepigrapha.
    		• Genesis 5:5
    3259
    Ante C. 3017    		The year Enoch was taken by God. He was 365 years old.
  • Lamech was 113, Methuselah 300, Jared 527, Mahalalel 592, Kenan 662, Enosh 752, Seth 857 years old.
  • See Book of Enoch and Second Book of Enoch
    • 3204The year Seth died. He was 912 years old.
  • Lamech was 168, Methuselah 355, Jared 582, Mahalalel 647, Kenan 717, Enosh 807 years old.
    • 3190
    Ante C. 2948    		The year Noah was born.
  • Lamech was 182, Methuselah 369, Jared 596, Mahalalel 661, Kenan 731, Enosh 821 years old.
    • 3106The year Enosh died. He was 905 years old.
  • Noah was 84, Lamech 266, Methuselah 453, Jared 680, Mahalalel 745, Kenan 815 years old.
    • 3011The year Kenan died. He was 910 years old.
  • Noah was 179, Lamech 361, Methuselah 548, Jared 775, Mahalalel 840 years old.
    • 2956The year Mahalalel died. He was 895 years old.
  • Noah was 234, Lamech 416, Methuselah 603, Jared 803 years old.
    • 2824The year Jared died. He was 962 years old.
  • Noah was 366, Lamech 548, Methuselah 735 years old.
  • See Second Dynasty of Egypt c. 2890–2686 BCE
    Gilgamesh, legendary king of Uruk
    • 2690Noah was 500 years old.
  • Lamech was 682, Methuselah 872 years old.
  • See Sumer
    Sumer: Early Dynastic Period
    Old Kingdom of Egypt beginning 2700–2200 BCE or 2686–2181 BCE
    See Mastaba
    • 2687The year Shem was born.
    He was 100 years old 2 years after the Flood, when Noah was 603.
  • Noah was 503, Lamech 685, Methuselah 875 years old.
  • See Third Dynasty of Egypt 2686–2613 BCE
    Pharaoh Djoser reigned 19 or 28 years c. 2670 BCE
    Pyramid of Djoser 2630–2611 BCE
    		•

    2595The year Lamech died. He was 777 years old.
  • Shem was 92, Noah 595, Methuselah 964 years old.
    • 2590
    Ante C. 2348    		The year Methuselah died. He was 969 years old.
  • The Flood began.
  • Shem was 97, Noah 600 years old.
  • See Fourth Dynasty of Egypt
    Pharaoh Khufu

    • Genesis 7:11

    The Flood to Abram 2589—2211 BC

    Before the Common Era
    		EventBible texts
    2589The Flood waters dried up, and the ark came to rest on the Mountains of Ararat.
    • Shem was 98, Noah 601 years old.
    Genesis 8:13
    2587
    Ante C. 2204    		The year Arpachshad was born, 2 years after the Flood.
  • Shem was 100, Noah 603 years old.
  • The Great Pyramid of Giza, built over a period of 20 years c. 2580–2560 BCE
    		• Genesis 11:10
    2552The year Shelah was born.
  • Arpachshad was 35, Shem 135, Noah 638 years old.
    • 2522The year Eber was born.
  • Shelah was 30, Arpachshad 65, Shem 165, Noah 668 years old.
  • Mis-anni-padda, king of Ur, first recorded ruler in Mesopotamia.
    • 2488The year Peleg was born. "...in his days the earth was divided."
  • Eber was 34, Shelah 64, Arpachshad 99, Shem 199, Noah 702 years old.
  • See Tower of Babel and Nimrod.
  • Settlement of Aramean nomads from Euphrates area and of Semitic Canaanite tribes in Palestine. –2500 to –2001.
    		•
    2458The year Reu was born.
  • Peleg was 30, Eber 64, Shelah 94, Arpachshad 129, Shem 229, Noah 732 years old.
    • 2426The year Serug was born.
  • Reu was 32, Peleg 62, Eber 96, Shelah 126, Arpachshad 161, Shem 261, Noah 764 years old.
    • 2396The year Nahor was born.
  • Serug was 30, Reu 62, Peleg 92, Eber 126, Shelah 156, Arpachshad 191, Shem 291, Noah 794 years old.
  • Lugalzaggisi, king of Uruk, defeats the Lagash empire and becomes "King of the Countries".
  • Puzur-Suen king of Sumer reigned 25 years c. 24th–23rd century BCE
    • 2367The year Terah was born.
  • Nahor was 29, Serug 59, Reu 91, Peleg 121, Eber 155, Shelah 185, Arpachshad 220, Shem 320, Noah 823 years old.
  • Sargon, first king of Akkadian dynasty, defeats Lugalzaggisi, and creates a vast Semitic empire in Mesopotamia, and calls himself "King of the Four Quarters".
    • 2297The year Abram was born.
  • Terah was 70, Nahor 99, Serug 129, Reu 161, Peleg 191, Eber 225, Shelah 255, Arpachshad 290, Shem 390, Noah 893 years old.
    		•

    2287The year Sarai was born, half-sister of Abram.
  • Abram was 10, Terah 80, Nahor 109, Serug 139, Reu 171, Peleg 201, Eber 235, Shelah 265, Arpachshad 300, Shem 400, Noah 903 years old.
  • Sargon of Akkad reigned c. 2334–2279 BCE
    Pharaoh Pepi I Meryre c. 2332–2283 BCE
  • Naramsin, ruler of Babylon.
    		•
    2249The year Peleg died. He was 239 years old .
  • Sarai was 38, Abram 48, Terah 118, Nahor 147, Serug 177, Reu 209, Eber 273, Shelah 303, Arpachshad 338, Shem 438, Noah 941 years old.
  • Ur, Kush, and Uruk
    • 2248The year Nahor died. He was 148 years old .
  • Sarai was 39, Abram 49, Terah 119, Serug 178, Reu 210, Eber 274, Shelah 304, Arpachshad 339, Shem 439, Noah 942 years old.
    • 2240The year Noah died. He was 950 years old.
  • Sarai was 47, Abram 57, Terah 127, Serug 186, Reu 218, Eber 282, Shelah 312, Arpachshad 347, Shem 447.
    • 2222
    Ante C. 1921    		The year Abram departed from Haran. He was 75 years old.
  • Sarai was 65, Terah 145, Serug 204, Reu 236, Eber 300, Shelah 330, Arpachshad 365, Shem 465 years old.
    • 2219The year Reu died. He was 239 years old .
  • Abram was 78, Terah 148, Serug 207, Eber 303, Shelah 333, Arpachshad 368, Shem 468 years old.
    • c. 2219–2211
    Ante C. 1912    		"And in the 14th year..." The Battle of the kings in the Valley of Siddim.
  • Abram defeated Chedorlaomer and rescued Lot.
  • Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine and blessed Abram by God Most High. Genesis 14:19.
    • 2212–2211
    Ante C. 1911    		"After Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan..."
    Sarai gave her handmaid Hagar to Abram as a wife.
  • 2211. The year Ishmael was born to Abram and Hagar, Sarai's handmaid.
  • Sarai was 76, Abram 86, Terah 156, Serug 215, Eber 311, Shelah 341, Arpachshad 376, Shem 476 years old.
  • Hyksos "Shepherd Kings" rule in Egypt began.

    • Abraham to Joseph 2198—1936 BC

    Before the Common Era
    		EventBible texts
    2198
    Ante C. 1897    		The Covenant of circumcision.
    2197
    Ante C. 1896    		The year Isaac was born.
  • Ishmael was 14, Sarah 90, Abraham 100, Terah 170, Serug 229, Eber 325, Shelah 355, Arpachshad 390, Shem 490 years old.
    • 2196The year Serug died. He was 230 years old.
  • Isaac was 1 year old, Ishmael 15, Sarah 91, Abraham 101, Terah 171, Eber 326, Shelah 356, Arpachshad 391, Shem 491 years old.
    • c. 2195–2192
    Ante C. 1891    		Isaac was weaned about 2–5 years old. Abraham made a great feast.
  • The next morning Hagar and Ishmael were cast out.
  • Ishmael was 17–20 years old, a "child". Genesis 21:14.
    		• Genesis 16:16
    no date

    A.M. 2135,
    Ante C. 1869    		The binding of Isaac.
  • The testing of Abraham. "...now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me."
  • Isaac was between the ages of 12 and 20 years, a "lad", a "boy", a youth. He was old enough and strong enough to carry on his shoulders the wood for the burnt offering.
    • 2162The year Terah died in Haran. He was 205 years old.
  • Isaac was 35, Ishmael 49, Sarah 125, Abraham 135, Eber 320, Shelah 390, Arpachshad 425, Shem 525 years old.
    • 2160
    Ante C. 1859    		The year Sarah died at Hebron. She was 127 years old.
    Abraham bought the field and the cave in Machpelah. The first possession of the promised land in Palestine.
  • Isaac was 37, Ishmael 51, Abraham 137, Eber 322, Shelah 392, Arpachshad 427, Shem 527 years old.
    		•
    2149The year Arpachshad died. He was 438 years old .
  • Isaac was 48, Ishmael 62, Sarah 138, Abraham 148, Eber 373, Shelah 403, Shem 538 years old.
    • 2137
    Ante C. 1836    		The year Esau and Jacob were born.
  • Isaac was 60, Ishmael 74, Sarah 150, Abraham 160, Eber 385, Shelah 415, Shem 550 years old.
  • See Eleventh Dynasty of Egypt
    Mentuhotep I reigned at Thebes c. 2135 BCE
    • 2122
    Ante C. 1821    		The year Abraham died. He was 175 years old.
  • Esau and Jacob were 15, Isaac 75, Ishmael 89, Eber 400, Shelah 430, Shem 565 years old.
  • Intef I reigned 4–16 years c. 2120 BCE
    • 2119The year Shelah died. He was 433 years old .
  • Esau and Jacob were 18, Isaac 78, Ishmael 92, Eber 403, Shem 568 years old.
  • Intef II reigned almost 50 years 2112–2063 BCE
    • c. 2100Abraham leaves Ur in Chaldea
    2087The year Shem died. He was 600 years old.
  • Esau and Jacob were 50, Isaac 110, Ishmael 124, Eber 435 years old.
    • 2074The year Ishmael died. He was 137 years old.
  • Esau and Jacob were 63, Isaac 123, Eber 448 years old.
    • 2060
    Ante C. 1759    		Jacob was sent away to Paddan-aram to take a wife from the daughters of Laban.
  • Jacob was 77, Esau 77, Isaac 137, Eber 462 years old.
  • Jacob began to serve Laban 7 years for Rachel.
    		•
    2058The year Eber died. He was 464 years old .
  • Jacob was 79, Esau 79, Isaac 139 years old.
    • 2053
    Ante C. 1752    		The year Jacob completed 7 years of service to Laban for Rachel. He was given Leah instead.
  • Rachel was given to Jacob in return for another 7 years of service.
  • Jacob was 84, Esau 84, Isaac 144 years old.
    • c. 2051–2050The approximate time when Levi was born.
  • Beginning of the Middle Kingdom of Egypt

    • 2046
    Ante C. 1746    		The year Joseph was born.
  • Jacob began to serve Laban another 6 years for his flocks.
  • Jacob was 91, Esau 91, Isaac 151 years old.
    		•
    2040
    Ante C. 1739    		God commanded Jacob to return to the land of his fathers and to his kindred.
  • Jacob was named "Israel".
  • Joseph was 6, Jacob/Israel 97, Esau 97, Isaac 157 years old.
    		•
    2029
    Ante C. 1728    		The year Joseph was 17 years old, a mere lad, a boy, he was sold, and taken into Egypt.
  • Jacob/Israel was 108, Isaac 168 years old.
    • 2018
    Ante C. 1717    		11 years had passed. Joseph was 28 years old.
  • In prison he interpreted the dreams of Pharaoh's chief butler and chief baker.
  • The chief butler forgot Joseph for 2 whole years.
    • 2017The year Isaac died. He was 180 years old.
  • Joseph was 29, Jacob 120 years old.
    • 2016
    Ante C. 1715    		Joseph was 30 years old when he was brought out of prison and interpreted Pharaoh's dreams. He entered Pharaoh's service, was placed over the whole land of Egypt, and was married to Asenath.
  • The 7 years of plenty began.
  • Jacob/Israel was 121 years old.
  • See Mentuhotep II

    • c. 2010Manasseh and Ephraim were born before the year of famine came.
  • Joseph was 36, Israel 127 years old.
    • 2009
    Ante C. 1708    		The 7 years of famine began.
  • Joseph was 37, Israel 128 years old.
    • 2007
    Ante C. 1706    		The year Israel entered Egypt.
  • Joseph settled his father and his brothers in Egypt, "and gave them a possession in the land of Egypt, in the best of the land, in the land of Rameses", also called Avaris, and Qantir. See Land of Goshen.
  • Joseph was 39, Israel 130 years old.
  • 5 more years of famine remained.
  • Israel and his sons, families and servants, dwelt in Egypt 17 years.
  • The people of Israel dwelt in the land of Egypt a total of 430 years.
    		•



    1990
    Ante C. 1689    		The year Israel died. He was 147 years old.
  • Joseph was 55 years old.
    		• Genesis 47:28
    197730 years after Israel entered Egypt, the Egyptians began to enslave the Israelites. Abraham's "posterity would be aliens in a land belonging to others, who would enslave them and ill-treat them 400 years".
  • Joseph was 69 years old. He lived another 41 years.
  • Ephraim and Manasseh were about 39, Levi about 74 years old.
  • See Amenemhat I
  • See Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs
  • The beginning of the peak period of Hyksos rule in Egypt.

    • Egypt to the Exodus 1914—1577 BC

    Before the Common Era
    		EventBible texts
    c. 1914The approximate year that Levi died. He was 137 years old.
    18th century
    c. 1848–1686    		Hammurabi, king of Babylonia, reunited the kingdom.
    Hammurabi began reign in 1848, 1792, or 1736 BCE—he reigned 1792 BCE to 1750 BCE according to the middle chronology, 1728 BCE to 1686 BCE according to the short chronology.
    • Amraphel cannot be equated with Hammurabi or any other king of whom records are available from the ancient Near East.
    • The Code of Hammurabi c. 1750, has much in common with the other cuneiform collections of Ur-Nammu, Lipit-Ishtar, the kingdom of Eshnunna, the Hittite laws, the Middle Assyrian laws, and the Neo-Babylonian laws.
    • Egypt prospered under the pharaohs of the Twelfth Dynasty and conducted extensive trade with all the nations of the Near East.
    • Merneferre Ay, 1700–1677 BCE, reigned 23 years, 18 months, and 18 days.
    • Salitis ?–1674 BCE
    • Yaqub-Har reigned during the 17th or 16th century BCE, during Egypt's fragmented Second Intermediate Period.
    • See List of Thirteenth Dynasty pharaohs
      Fourteenth Dynasty
    1660The year Aaron was born. Miriam's age is not given.
  • See Apepi/Apophis and Khamudi
    List of pharaohs of the Fourteenth Dynasty
    		•

    c. 1659The cities of Pithom and Ra-amses/Rameses were built.
    c.1659—1657
    Ante C. 1571    		Pharaoh decreed that every son born to the Hebrews be thrown into the Nile.
  • Apepi
  • Wazad
  • Sekheperenre
    See List of pharaohs and Chronology of the Second Intermediate Period
    The current state of Egyptian chronology cannot identify with certainty the sequence, and the length and years, of reigns of pharaohs of the Second Intermediate Period.
    • 1657
    Ante C. 1571    		Moses was born, and hidden 3 months.
    —interval between death of Joseph 2936 BCE and birth of Moses 1657 BCE = 299 years literal count.
  • Aaron was 3 years old and was not affected by Pharaoh's decree.
    It is possible, by no means certain, that Miriam was older than her brother Aaron. Compare Exodus 2:4-8.
  • Apepi and Khamudi —to c. 1648 BCE
    See Salitis, reign began around 1648 BC
    Sakir-Har
    Second Intermediate Period of Egypt
    Fifteenth Dynasty of Egypt
    		•
    Exodus 7:7
    Numbers 20:1
    1617
    Ante C. 1531    		Moses was 40 years old when he killed the Egyptian. Pharaoh sought to kill him, and Moses fled.
  • Aaron was 43 years old.
  • Moses stayed in the land of Midian 40 years.
  • reigning pharaohs 1650–1550 BCE:
    Khyan
    Apepi I Apepi II
    The current state of Egyptian chronology cannot identify with certainty the sequence, and the length and years, of reigns of pharaohs of the Second Intermediate Period.
    		•
    1615The year Joshua was born.
  • Moses was 42, Aaron 45 years old.
  • See Khyan 1600–1580 BCE
    Rahotep c. 1585 BCE
    		• Exodus 7:7



    1577
    Ante C. 1491    		Moses was 80 years old when he was sent back to Egypt.
    Aaron was 83 years old.
  • The Ten Plagues and the Passover.
  • 1577. The Exodus—"And at the end of 430 years...all the hosts of the LORD went out from the land of Egypt." Exodus 12:40.
    1577 BCE is the resultant date of the Exodus according to the literal counting of 559 years before Solomon laid the foundation of the Temple in the 4th year of his reign.
  • Joshua was 38, Moses 80, Aaron 83 years old. *See Sobekemsaf and Sobekemsaf II c. 1570s BCE
    Seventeenth Dynasty of Egypt 1580–1550 BCE
    Turin King list
  • The liberation of Egypt from Hyksos rule by Amosis I in 1575 BCE marked the beginning of the New Kingdom –1575 to –1200.
  • See Minoan eruption and Tempest Stele.

    • The Wilderness Period to the Conquest of Canaan 1576—1505 BC

    Before the Common Era
    		EventBible texts
    1576
    Ante C. 1490    		The Tabernacle was erected 1 year after the people of Israel came out of the land of Egypt, in the first month, on the first day, at the beginning of the second year.
    • Joshua was 39, Moses 81, Aaron 84 years old.
    • According to Exodus 33:11, Joshua was a "young man", not yet 20 years old.

    1575Moses sent out Hoshea/Joshua the son of Nun and 11 other leaders in Israel from the wilderness of Paran to spy out the land of Canaan. Caleb was 40 years old.
    At their report the congregation cried out, and God decreed the people would wander in the wilderness 40 years.
  • Joshua was 40, Moses 82, Aaron 85 years old.
  • Joshua 14:7 plainly says that Caleb and the brethren who went up with him to spy out the land were sent from Kadesh-barnea, not the wilderness of Paran.
    Deuteronomy 2:14 plainly says that the time from their leaving Kadesh-barnea until the entire generation, the men of war, had perished was 38 years, "as the LORD had sworn to them."
  • See Eighteenth Dynasty of Egypt
    Seqenenre Tao reign began 1560/1558 BCE
    Kamose c. 1555–1550 BCE
    Amenhotep I 1555–1530 BCE
    		•



    c. 1538/7Miriam died 1537 —see the interval of time in Numbers between the death of Miriam and the death of her brother Aaron. Numbers 20:1–33:38.Numbers 20:1
    1537
    Ante C. 1452    		The 40th year after the people of Israel had come out of Egypt.
    Aaron died. He was 123 years old.
    Moses also died. He was 120 years old.
  • Joshua was 78 years old
  • See Apocalypse of Moses and Assumption of Moses
    		• Numbers 20:1


    Joshua 14:6-7
    1537–1505
    —→Ante C. 1434    		The conquest of Canaan, a period of 32 years, beginning with Jericho.
    The Bible does not state the number of the years of the conquest of Canaan during the lifetime of Joshua, only that Joshua was 110 years old when he died.
  • See Ai and Hazor
    John Garstang and Kathleen Kenyon
  • See Mesopotamian dynasties: mid-second millennium
    		• Deuteronomy 2:14





    1505
    Ante C. 1434    		The year Joshua died. He was 110 years old.
    "...Israel served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders who outlived Joshua...".
  • Joshua added statutes and ordinances to the Book of the Law. Joshua 24:25-26. See Deuteronomy 34:1-9.
  • A plain, explicit number representing the remaining days of life of the elders who outlived Joshua cannot be drawn from the text of the Bible; the Bible does not tell the period of time elapsed between the burial of Joshua and the day when "all that generation also were gathered to their fathers." Judges 2:10.
    		•
    Joshua 14:7-10

    The Judges to the United Monarchy 1505—1018 BC

    Before the Common Era
    		EventBible texts
    1505"...the people served the LORD...all the days of the elders who outlived Joshua...and there arose a generation after them, who did not know the LORD...."
    • A plain, explicit meaning for the exact period of "the days of the elders" and of the "generation after them" cannot be drawn from the text of the Bible alone; the Bible text does not explicitly state the number of days of that generation.
      The "300 years" of Judges 11:26 is not useful here in determining the period of that generation and does not correspond to the literal numbering of the years stated plainly in all the chronological texts of the Bible tabulated from David back to Joshua, from 2 Samuel through Joshua.
      The "450 years" of Acts 13:19-20 for the period of the judges exactly corresponds to the literal tabulation of the years in this table, from 1505 BCE, after Joshua, to 1055 BCE, when David began to rule over all Israel and Judah, but it does not correspond to the literal tabulation of the years of the "judges until Samuel the prophet" 1115/1075 BCE. This text too is not useful in determining the number of days and length of years of the 2 generations after Joshua.
    • "...whenever the judge died, they turned back and behaved worse than their fathers..."





    "about 450 years"
    to c. 1055 BCE
    1505–1497Israel served Cushan-Rishathaim king of Mesopotamia 8 years.
  • See Kassites and Aram-Naharaim
  • 1498. The Exodus—"And at the end of 430 years...all the hosts of the LORD went out from the land of Egypt."
    1498 BCE is the resultant date of the Exodus according to the literal counting of 480 years before Solomon laid the foundation of the Temple in the 4th year of his reign.
  • See Thutmose I, Thutmose II, Hatshepsut pharaohs of Egypt about this time.
    • 1497–1457Othniel, son of Kenaz the younger brother of Caleb, judged Israel.
  • The land had rest for 40 years 1497–1457, then Othniel died. Judges 3:9-11.
  • The ages of Othniel and Kenaz are not given in the Bible.
  • 1486. Moses and Joshua defeat Sihon king of the Amorites.
    See Judges 11:4-28 and Numbers 21:21-31.
    Jephthah declared that 300 years before him, Israel took the land of Sihon king of the Ammonites, from the Arnon to the Jabbok and from the wilderness to the Jordan, and during 300 years the Ammonites had not taken it back.
    Moses and Joshua took the land of Sihon before Israel had crossed over the Jordan and taken Jericho.
    		•


    1457–1439Israel served Eglon king of Moab 18 years.Judges 2:19
    1439–1359Ehud delivered Israel and the land had rest for 80 years.
  • Amenhotep IV builds his new residence Amarna.
    • 1359After Ehud died, Shamgar delivered Israel.
    1359–1339Jabin king of Canaan cruelly oppressed the people of Israel for 20 years.
  • Sisera was slain. Jabin was subdued and finally destroyed.
    		•
    1339–1299The land of Israel had rest 40 years.
    1299–1292Israel was in the hand of Midian 7 years.
    1292–1252
    Ante C. 1245→    		Gideon/Jerubbaal delivered Israel.
    The land of Israel had rest 40 years in the days of Gideon.
  • Pharaoh Ramesses II reigned 1279–1213 BCE
  • The Israelites, led by Moses, leave Egypt, reach Canaan.
    		•
    1252–1249
    Ante C. 1235→    		Abimelech ruled over Israel 3 years.
    1249–1226Tola judged Israel 23 years.
    1226–1204Jair judged Israel 22 years.
    1204–1186Israel was crushed and oppressed in the hand of the Philistines and in the hand of the Ammonites 18 years.
  • Crossing of the Jordan by the Israelites.
  • Destruction of Troy during the Trojan War.
    • 1186–1180
    Ante C. 1187→    		Jephthah judged Israel 6 years.
  • Ruth 1:1 Ante C. 1298. A period of famine began. Elimelech and Naomi, with their two sons Mahlon and Chilion went into the country of Moab. Elimelech died, and Naomi and her sons remained there about 10 years.
    Mahlon and Chilion took Moabite wives, Ruth and Orpah.
  • See Bronze Age collapse

    • 1180–1173Ibzan judged Israel 7 years.
  • The famine in Israel continued. Mahlon and Chilion died childless.
  • Eli was born.
    		•
    1173–1163Elon judged Israel 10 years 1173–1163
  • c. 1172. The famine in Israel ended. Orpah went back to her people.
    Naomi returned with Ruth, and Boaz took Ruth as his wife.
    c. 1172 Obed, son of Boaz, was born about this time—the 1st generation, c. 40 years 1172–1132—the 1st of 2 generations before the birth of David 1092.
    		•


    1163–1155Abdon judged Israel 8 years.
    1155–1115Israel was in the hand of the Philistines 40 years. This can be divided into 2 periods:
  • 1155–1135. First, Israel was in the hand of the Philistines 20 years 1155–1135.
    c. 1132 Jesse, son of Obed, was born about this time, 2nd generation, c. 40 years 1132–1092, literalist estimate, before the birth of David 1092.
  • 1135–1115. Then Samson judged Israel 20 years during the latter half of the same period "in the days of the Philistines".
    		•

    no dateUnknown period of time :
  • for the outrage at Gibeah and the sending out of the messengers
  • for the calling out of the men of Israel for the war with Benjamin and the months that followed
  • for the smiting of Jabesh-gilead afterward
  • for the subsequent taking of wives for the survivors during the yearly feast of the LORD at Shiloh and diplomatic negotiation and settlement of grievance
  • for the repair of the cities. Judges 19–21.
    		•


    1115Eli was 59 years old, and he judged Israel 40 years.
  • Hannah brought her son Samuel to Eli, as soon as the child was weaned, to "lend him to the LORD".
  • Samuel grew and the LORD was with him.
    "And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established as a prophet of the LORD...And the word of Samuel came to all Israel."
    		•

    1115-1105Eli was 68 years old and judge of Israel 40 years.
    Saul was anointed king over Israel by Samuel the prophet "when Samuel became old" and Samuel was judge over Israel. 1 Samuel 6–10.
    Saul reigned 42 years, according to 1 Samuel 13:1.
  • According to 1 Samuel 4:10-10:24, Eli the high priest and judge at Shiloh died 98 years old, when the ark of the covenant was captured by the Philistines, after he had judged Israel 40 years—Eli seems to have died years before Samuel anointed Saul king over Israel.
    A literal reckoning of a 42-year reign has Saul anointed king 30 years before the ark was captured by the Philistines and Eli died, 50 years before David brought the ark up to Jerusalem after it had been in the house of Abinadab 20 years.
    		• 1 Samuel 4:10-18
    1 Samuel 6:1-3
    1 Samuel 7:2
    1 Samuel 8:1
    1 Samuel 8:22
    1 Samuel 9:25-10:1
    1 Samuel 10:17-26

    1103Eli was 70 years old and judge of Israel 40 years. 1 Samuel 4:15-18.
    Saul son of Kish, of the tribe of Benjamin, was anointed king over Israel by Samuel the prophet "when Samuel became old" and Samuel was judge over Israel. 1 Samuel 6–10.
    Saul reigned 40 years, according to Acts 13:21, and according to some readings of 1 Samuel 13:1.
  • A literal reckoning of the beginning of the 40-year reign of Saul according to Acts 13:21 gives a resultant date of 1103 BCE:
    —beginning of David's reign over all Israel 1055 BCE
    —beginning of David's prior 7 year 6 month reign over the house of Judah 1063/2
    —beginning of Saul's 40-year reign over Israel 1103
    See Translations and versions: variant readings of the reign of Saul
    		• 1 Samuel 4:8-10
    1 Samuel 6:1-3
    1 Samuel 7:2
    1 Samuel 8:1
    1 Samuel 8:22
    1 Samuel 9:25-10:1
    1 Samuel 10:17-26
    1 Samuel 13:1
    1095Eli was 88 years old and judge of Israel.
    Saul was anointed by Samuel the prophet "when Samuel became old" and Samuel was judge over Israel. 1 Samuel 6–10.
    Saul reigned 32 years according to 1 Samuel 13:1.
  • According to 1 Samuel 4:10–10:24 Eli the high priest and judge over Israel died 98 years old when the ark of the covenant was captured by the Philistines, and after he had judged Israel 40 years—Eli seems to have died years before Samuel anointed Saul king over Israel.
    A literal reckoning of a 32-year reign has Saul anointed 20 years before the ark was captured by the Philistines and Eli died, 40 years before David removed it from the house of Abinadab and brought it up to Jerusalem 8 years after Saul died.
    		• 1 Samuel 6–10
    1092The year David son of Jesse was born. Eli was 82 years old and judge of Israel.
    Saul had been king over Israel 13 years, 11 years, 3 years.    		1 Samuel 13:1

    1075
    Ante C. 1116    		The ark of the covenant was captured by the Philistines.
    Eli died. He was 98 years old ; he had judged Israel 40 years.
    The ark remained in the land of the Philistines 7 months.
  • David was 17 years old.
  • Samuel judged all Israel after Eli died. 1 Samuel 4:10–7:17
  • Saul had remained king over Israel 30 years, 28 years, 20 years, and he continued to reign 12 more years
    .
    		•
    1075The ark of the covenant was sent back to Israel, and it remained in the house of Abinadab 20 years at Kiriath-Jearim.

    1075–1064
    Ante C. 1096–1057    		Samuel judged Israel 11 years after Eli died.
  • He made his sons judges.
  • He anointed Saul king.
    1065. Saul was one year old when he began to reign . He reigned 2 years. 1 Samuel 13:1.
  • When Saul was rejected Samuel anointed David as king.
  • David slew Goliath, and entered Saul's service.
    Psalm 151
  • Saul began to fear David, and sought some way to kill him.
    Jonathan made a covenant with David. David fled into the wilderness.
    Saul killed the priests at Nob.
  • Samuel died . Saul searched for David, to kill him.
    		•
    1 Samuel 9-12
    1 Samuel 13:1








    1064–1063/2David fled and dwelt at Ziklag 1 year 4 months.
    1063/2
    Ante C. 1055    		The year Saul was slain on Mount Gilboa with his sons.
    He died 72 years old, 70 years old, 32 years old, 3 years old, age unknown. Compare Acts 13:21, 1 Samuel 7:2; 13:1 and 2 Samuel 5:4-6:11
  • David departed from Ziklag, and went to Hebron.
  • David was 30 years old.
    		• 1 Samuel 7:2
    1 Samuel 13:1



    Acts 13:21
    1062–1055David at Hebron was anointed king over the house of Judah.
  • He reigned over Judah 7 years 6 months.
    		•
    1055
    Ante C. 1044    		David was anointed king over Israel by all the elders of Israel.
  • David took Jerusalem, and brought the ark up to Jerusalem from the house of Abinadab where it had been kept 20 years.
  • When Uzzah died, David placed the ark in the house of Obed-edom 3 mo.
    After Obed-edom was blessed, David brought the ark into the city of David.
  • David was 37 years old.
    		•
    1055–1022David reigned over all Israel and Judah 33 years.
  • Book of Psalms. See Psalms of Asaph
    		• 2 Samuel 5:4-5


    1022
    Ante C. 1014    		The year David died. He was 70 years old .
  • Solomon sat upon the throne of David, and he reigned 40 years.
  • Rehoboam was born.
    		•


    1018
    Ante C. 1012    		Solomon began to build the house of the LORD the 4th year of his reign.
  • From the end of the reign of Zedekiah and the burning of the temple, back to the 4th year of the reign of Solomon, the literal biblical total is 431 years.
  • The 4th year of Solomon according to a literal reading of 1 Kings 6:1 was the 480th year after the people of Israel came out of the land of Egypt, giving the date of the Exodus as 1498 BCE.
  • The literal biblical sum of the years 2 Chronicles through Exodus from the 4th year of Solomon back to the Exodus is 559 years, giving the date of the Exodus as 1577 BCE.
    		• 1 Kings 6:1

    1011Solomon finished building the house of the LORD the 11th year of his reign. He was 7 years building it.
  • See Book of Proverbs and Song of Songs
    Proverbs of Agur and The Words of King Lemuel
    Psalms of Solomon and Odes of Solomon
    The Bible does not give the name of the author of Ecclesiastes or the name of the author of The Wisdom of Solomon; the name of Solomon does not appear in the texts of those books of the Bible.
    The Odes of Solomon should not be confused with the Book of Odes.
    • 1002Saul becomes first king of Israel and is defeated by Philistines.1 Samuel 8–31
    1000Accession of David as king of united kingdom of Judah and Israel.2 Samuel 5:3-5

    The Divided Monarchy to the Destruction of the Temple 982—587 BC

    Before the Common Era
    		EventBible texts
    982
    Ante C. 975    		The year Solomon died. He had reigned 40 years.
    982–965/4Rehoboam reigned 17 years, and he died.
    He was 58 years old
  • 977. The 5th year of the reign of Rehoboam.
    Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem: "he took away everything".
  • 965. According to 1 Kings 14:21 Rehoboam died the 17th year of his reign.
    964. According to 1 Kings 15:1 he died the 18th year of the reign of Jeroboam, who had begun his own reign shortly after the beginning of Rehoboam's reign.
    		•



    964–961
    Ante C. 958→    		Abijam reigned 3 years.
    961–920
    Ante C. 955→    		Asa reigned 41 years.
  • 933. King Solomon dies, succeeded by his son Rehoboam I as king of Judah.
    		•
    920–895
    →Ante C. 889    		Jehoshaphat reigned 25 years, and he died. He was 60 years old.
  • Micaiah was prophet.
  • 917. The 3rd year of Jehoshaphat.
    Micaiah was sent with others to teach in the cities of Judah.
    2 Chronicles 17:7-9.
  • 895. Micaiah foretold the death of Jehoshaphat.
    		•



    895–887Jehoram/Joram reigned 8 years, and he died. He was 40 years old.
    887–886Ahaziah reigned 1 year, and he died.
    According to 2 Kings, he was 23 years old when he died.
    According to 2 Chronicles, he was 43 years old when he died.
    886–879Athaliah reigned 6/7 years, and was slain.
    879–839
    Ante C. 878→    		Jehoash/Joash reigned 40 years, and he died. He was 47 years old.
    839–810
    →Ante C. 810    		Amaziah reigned 29 years, and he died. He was 54 years old.
  • Hosea and Jonah were prophets.
  • 824. The 15th year of Amaziah's reign.
    Jeroboam II restored the borders of Israel according to the word of the LORD which he had spoken by Jonah son of Amittai.
    2 Kings 14:23-25.
  • Hosea's prophetic ministry began during the reign of Jeroboam II.
    		•



    810-758
    Ante C. 810→    		Azariah/Uzziah reigned 52 years, and he died. He was 68 years old.
  • Hosea, Jonah, Amos were prophets.
  • Nineveh, capital of Assyria, flourished 800–612 BCE.
  • Jonah son of Amittai was sent to Nineveh to cry against it.
  • Hosea continued his prophetic ministry during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, Hezekiah.
  • Amos the prophet from Judah exercised his ministry during the reign of Uzziah beginning c. 767–762 BCE. "In the days of Uzziah...2 years before the earthquake." Amos 1:1; Zechariah 14:5
    Traces of a major earthquake have been found at Hazor.
  • c. 761–758. During the reign of Menahem over Israel, Tiglath-pileser/Tiglath-pilneser/Pul king of Assyria came against the land.
    According to current historical dating based on Assyrian chronology, Tiglath-pileser reigned 745–727 BCE.
    		•




    Hosea 1:1

    Jonah 1:1

    758–742
    Ante C. 758→    		Jotham reigned 16 years, and he died. He was 41 years old.
  • Hosea, Jonah, Amos, Isaiah, Micah were prophets.
  • 758. The year of Isaiah's vision of the LORD in the Temple, and his call.
    Isaiah 6:1-8 "Here am I! Send me!" Isaiah exercised his prophetic ministry during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, Hezekiah. He was told to prophesy until the land was utterly desolate and men were moved far away, which did not occur until the beginning of the Exile.
  • c. 742. Micah of Moresheth exercised his prophetic ministry during the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz, Hezekiah. Micah was a contemporary of Isaiah, Hosea and possibly Amos.
    		•




    742–726Ahaz reigned 16 years, and he died. He was 36 years old.
  • Hosea, Jonah, Amos, Isaiah, Micah were prophets.
  • 733. The 9th year of the reign of Ahaz.
    Isaiah foretold the sign of Immanuel when Rezin king of Syria and Pekah king of Israel came up to wage war against Jerusalem and besieged it.
  • 732. Ahaz sent messengers to Tiglath-pileser/Tiglath-pilneser/Pul king of Assyria asking for rescue from Rezin and Pekah.
  • Pul carried away the Reubenites, Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh into exile.
    		•





    726–697
    Ante C. 727→    		Hezekiah reigned 29 years, and he died. He was 54 years old.
  • Hosea, Jonah, Amos, Isaiah, Micah, Joel were prophets.
  • 726. Joel was the name of a Levite who helped Hezekiah cleanse the Temple 1st year of his reign.
  • 725–722. Shalmaneser V king of Assyria came against Hoshea king of Israel, and besieged Samaria 3 years.
    The position of the Book of Joel among the early prophets in the Hebrew canon is considered evidence for an early date.
  • 722. Sargon II king of Assyria began to reign 722. He sent his commander-in-chief to take Ashdod. Sargon finished the destruction of Samaria begun by his brother Shalmaneser V.
    Sargon was succeeded by his son Sennacherib. Tobit 1:18.
  • 714. The 14th year of Hezekiah, Sennacherib king of Assyria took all the fortified cities of Judah, and came against Jerusalem. The angel of the LORD slew 185,000 in the camp of the Assyrians, and Sennacherib went back to Nineveh.
    Sennacherib commanded the death of Tobit. Tobit 1:21-24.
  • c. 704. Merodach-baladan sent a gift and envoys to Hezekiah. During the reign of Sargon II, Merodach-Baladan was little more than a puppet of Assyria, answering to Sargon.
    		•






    DR
    NRSV









    697–642
    Ante C. 698→    		Manasseh reigned 55 years, and he died. He was 67 years old.
  • Isaiah and Nahum were prophets.
  • 681. The 16th year of Manasseh.
    Sennacherib king of Assyria was killed by his sons.
    2 Kings 19:37; 2 Chronicles 32:21; Tobit 1:21.
    Esarhaddon then reigned.
    Ahikar immediately interceded for Tobit, who then became blind.
    Tobit was 56 years old, 58 years old, 62 years old when he became blind. Tobit 1:22-2:10; 14:2.
  • Prophets warn that the LORD will cast off Jerusalem like Samaria and the house of Ahab. 2 Kings 21:10-15. The LORD brought upon them the commanders of the army of the king of Assyria.
  • 673. After 8 years Tobit was cured of his blindness. He was 64 years old, 66 years old, 68 years old. Tobit 14:2.
  • Manasseh was taken with hooks, bound, and brought to Babylon. He repented, and was brought back to Jerusalem, returning from exile. He then purified the house of the LORD. 2 Chronicles 33:10-16; Judith 4:3.
    Prayer of Manasseh
  • Nahum exercised his prophetic ministry sometime after 650 BCE, before the death of Manasseh. Nahum 3:8-10 refers to the destruction of the Egyptian capital No-amon or Thebes which had already occurred.
  • 642. Manasseh died. His son Amon succeeded him.
    		•












    Joel 1:6-12
    Micah 1:1


    Nahum 3:15-17
    642–640
    Ante C. 643→    		Amon reigned 2 years, and he died. He was 24 years old.
  • Isaiah and Nahum were prophets.
    		•
    640–609
    Ante C. 641→    		Josiah reigned 31 years, and he died. He was 39 years old.
  • Isaiah, Jeremiah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Huldah, Zephaniah were prophets.
  • 637. The year Tobit died 102 years old.
  • 630. The Book of Zephaniah.
  • 628. The 12th year of the reign of Josiah, he purged the land, and broke down the idols and altars of the Baals.
  • 627. The 13th year of Josiah son of Amon, the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah.
    The year Tobit died 112 years old.
  • 623. The 17th year of Josiah.
    The year Ezekiel was born. Ezekiel 1:1.
  • "I am rousing the Chaldeans, that bitter and hasty nation." Habakkuk 1:6-11.
    Habakkuk was a prophet of the late 7th century before the fall of Nineveh.
    In the Book of Habakkuk the Babylonians are called Chaldeans, so named for the region from which their rulers came.
  • 622. The 18th year of the reign of Josiah. The Temple was repaired, the Book of the Law was found, and the Jews were gathered.
    Josiah in Jerusalem was king over Israel, "and made all who were in Israel serve the LORD their God". He gathered qahal the elders, priests and people together, and preached the book of the law to all the people both great and small, exhorting them to join in the covenant with the LORD.
    The Pesach that year surpassed all those celebrated in the days of the judges and the days of all the kings of Israel and Judah. 2 Kings 23:15-23.
    Josiah was told all the evil that would befall the people and all the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem after his death. 2 Kings 22:15-20; 2 Chronicles 34:23-28.
    The Book of Ecclesiastes. "Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher , vanity of vanities; all is vanity."
  • 612. The 28th year of Josiah. Nineveh the Assyrian capital fell to Nabopolassar and Cyaxares. Nahum 2.
  • 609. The 39th year of Josiah.
    3 years after the fall of Nineveh, Pharaoh Neco/Necho/Nechoh, Second Pharaoh of the Twenty-sixth Dynasty, began to reign. When Neco advanced toward Carchemish, Josiah met him in battle and was killed.
    		•






    DR
    NRSV









    609
    Ante C. 610    		Jehoahaz reigned 3 months, and Pharaoh Neco took him away.
  • Neco installed Eliakim/Jehoiakim as king of Judah.
  • Isaiah, Jeremiah and Zephaniah were prophets.
    		•
    609–598
    Ante C. 610→    		Eliakim/Jehoiakim reigned 11 years, and he died. He was 36 years old.
  • Isaiah, Jeremiah, Zephaniah and Daniel were prophets.
  • 609. Jeremiah 26. Jeremiah spoke in the Temple, and was threatened with death.
  • Pharaoh Neco seized Gaza as a base. Jeremiah 47:1.
  • 606. The 3rd year of Jehoiakim.
    Daniel 1:1-5. Jehoiakim and the treasures of the Temple were taken to Babylon, and Daniel, Hananiah, Azariah, Mishael, young men, were taken with them.
  • In Babylon, young Daniel saved Susanna from the false witness of the elders. Daniel 13:41-51, 60-62.
  • 605. The 4th year of Jehoiakim.
    Jeremiah called Baruch, who wrote on a scroll the words of the LORD.
    Jeremiah 46:2. Pharaoh Neco was defeated at Carchemish by Nebuchadnezzar.
    Nabopolassar died.
    The 1st year of Nebuchadnezzar II king of babylon. He reigned 43 years, 605–562 BCE.
    Jeremiah declared the decree of the LORD that peoples will serve the king of Babylon 70 years.
    Nebuchadnezzar defeated Pharaoh Neco at Carchemish, completing Babylon's conquest of Palestine. 2 Kings 24:7; Jeremiah 46:2.
  • 603. The 6th year of Jehoiakim.
    Daniel 1:5, 17-20. Nebuchadnezzar in Babylon found Daniel, Hananiah, Azariah and Mishael ten times better than all magicians and enchanters in his kingdom. He gave them Babylonian names, "Belteshazzar", "Shadrach", "Meshach" and "Abednego".
  • 601. The 8th year of Jehoiakim.
    Darius the Mede was born.
  • 599. The 10th year of Jehoiakim, the 7th year of Nebuchadnezzar.
    Jeremiah 52:28. The king of Babylon carried away 3,023 persons.
  • 598. The 11th year of the reign of Jehoiakim, the 7th year of Nebuchadnezzar.
    According to 2 Kings 24:6 Jehoiakim died and slept with his fathers. According to 2 Chronicles 36:4-7 Nebuchadnezzar bound Jehoiakim in fetters to take him to Babylon and carried off with him part of the vessels of the Temple.
  • Ezekiel was taken to Babylon along with King Jehoiachin and 10,000 others, including political and military leaders and skilled craftsmen. Mordecai was one of the captives taken to Babylon with Jeconiah. Esther 11:4.
  • According to 2 Kings 24:6-17 Jehoiachin was 18 years old when he was carried away to Babylon. According to 2 Chronicles 36:9-10 he was 8 years old.
    		•





    598–588
    Ante C. 590→588    		Mattaniah/Zedekiah was 21 years old when he was made king of Judah by Nebuchadnezzar. He reigned 11 years, until he was 32 years old.
  • Isaiah, Zephaniah, Jeremiah and Daniel were prophets.
  • 598. In the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah Jeremiah put yoke-bars on his neck, and warned the envoys of Edom, Moab, Sidon, and the court of Judah. Jeremiah 27:1-3. Hananiah broke the bars, and died the same year.
    Zedekiah sent Elasah and Gemariah to Babylon to Nebuchadnezzar. Jeremiah sent word by them to the elders and to the priests that 70 years must be completed. Zephaniah reported to Jeremiah the false prophesy from Babylon, and Jeremiah declared Shemaiah of Nehelam in Babylon to be a false prophet, to be punished by God. Jeremiah 29:1-3, 8-10, 24-32.
  • 597. The siege of Jerusalem in the 9th year of Nebuchadnezzar, the 2nd year of Zedekiah.
  • 594. The 4th year of Zedekiah king of Judah, the 12th year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar over the Assyrians in Nineveh. Nebuchadnezzar made war against King Arphaxad/Cyaxares who ruled over the Medes in Ecbatana. Judith 1:1-6.
  • 593. The 5th year of Zedekiah king of Judah, the 5th year of the exile of Jehoiachin/Jeconiah/Coniah.
    "in the 5th year at the time when the Chaldeans took Jerusalem and burned it with fire", Baruch read to Jeconiah son of Jehoiakim "this book".
    Baruch took the vessels that had been carried away from the Temple to return them to the land of Judah. Offerings could still be made on the "altar of the Lord our God", and prayer for "Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and for the life of Belshazzar his son". Baruch 1:1-12.
    Ezekiel's vision of the LORD and his call at the age of 30, the age priests normally were inducted into office. Ezekiel 1:1; Numbers 4:30.
  • 592. The 6th year of Zedekiah king of Judah, the 6th year of Jehoiachin.
    Ezekiel's vision of the appearance of a man clothed in linen. Ezekiel 8:1.
  • 591. The 7th year, the word of the LORD when the elders came to query Ezekiel. Ezekiel 20:1.
    3,023 persons were carried away by Nebuchadnezzar. Jeremiah 52:28.
  • 589. The 9th year, 10th month, 10th day. "The king of Babylon has this day laid siege to Jerusalem." 2 Kings 23:31–24:1; Ezekiel 24:1-2.
    The 9th year of Zedekiah, Nebuchadnezzar besieged Jerusalem. Jeremiah 39:1.
    Zephaniah was the priest whom Zedekiah sent to Jeremiah asking him to pray for the nation. Jeremiah 21:1-7; 37:3-21.
    Pharaoh Hophra began his 19-year reign in Egypt. At the beginning of his reign he tried to drive the Babylonian army away from its siege of Jerusalem. ; 46:17. Jeremiah was imprisoned.
  • 589/8. Jeremiah continued in prison, in the court of the guard, then the princes lowered him into the cistern to die. Ebed-melech interceded for Jeremiah, drew him out, and Jeremiah was put back into the court of the guard. Jeremiah 38.
  • 588. The 10th year of Zedekiah, the 17th year of Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon.
    Nebuchadnezzar overthrew and utterly destroyed Arphaxad, and plundered Ecbatana. Judith 1:13-15.
    Ezekiel prophesied against Pharaoh and all Egypt.
    ;.
    Jeremiah in prison bought the field. Jeremiah 32:1-15.
    Zedekiah freed the slaves, but they were taken back. Jeremiah 34:8-11
    		•




    NRSV
    NRSV
    compare DR
















    587The 11th year of Zedekiah, the 18th year of Nebuchadnezzar.
    Isaiah, Zephaniah, Jeremiah, Daniel and Ezekiel were prophets.
  • 587. Nabuchodonosor/Nebuchadnezzar sent his general Holofernes to take revenge on the whole territory of Cilicia, Damascus, Syria, Moab, Ammon, all Judea, and Egypt. Judith 2:1. The Jews had only recently returned from the captivity, and all the people of Judea were newly gathered together, and the sacred vessels and the altar had been newly consecrated after their profanation. Judith 4:1-3.
  • Judith beheaded Holofernes, the Assyrian army was dismayed and they fled. Judith 14:18–15:2. "no one ever again spread terror among the people of Israel in the days of Judith or for a long time after her death." Judith 16:25.
    Ezekiel declared that Pharaoh of Egypt will be brought down. Ezekiel 31:1.
  • The Siege of Jerusalem.
  • The 11th year of Zedekiah, the 4th month, the wall was breached. Zedekiah was captured, his sons and the nobles were put to death. Zephaniah, the Second Priest, was put to death. Zedekiah, 32 years old, was blinded and taken to Babylon. The Temple was burned, and the people taken into exile.
    832 persons were taken captive. Jeremiah 52:29.
  • Jeremiah prophesied "until the captivity of Jerusalem in the 5th month." Jeremiah 1:3; 52:29.
  • Esau/Edom rejoiced and gloated over the destruction of Jerusalem, looted the city, cut off the fugitives, and handed over the survivors. Lamentations 4:21-22; Ezekiel 36; Obadiah 10-14.
  • Gedaliah was appointed ruler of Judah by Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon.
  • 587 BCE marked the beginning of the 70 years of serving the king of Babylon according to Jeremiah 25:8-12.
    The 19th year and 1st year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar.
    		•



    Judith 2:1-14






    DR


    The Babylonian Captivity to the Decree of Cyrus 586—539 BC

    Before the Common Era
    		EventBible texts
    586
    Ante C. 588    		The 19th year and 2nd year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar.
    The 12th year of the exile of Jehoiachin/Jeconiah/Coniah.
    Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel and Ezekiel were prophets.
    • . Lamentation over Pharaoh king of Egypt.
    • . Nebuzaradan burned the house of the LORD and every great house, the army broke down all the walls around Jerusalem.
      ; ;.
    • Gedaliah was appointed governor of Judah.
      ;.
    • Daniel 2. In the 2nd year Daniel interpreted the dream of the great image.
      Daniel was made ruler over the whole province of Babylon.
    • Daniel 3. Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold.
      Hananiah, Azariah, Mishael were thrown into the furnace. They came out unharmed, and were promoted.







    582
    Ante C. 587    		The 23rd year and 6th year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar.
    Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel and Ezekiel were prophets.
  • . Nebuzaradan carried away captive 745 persons.
  • The book of Lamentations was written about this time by an eyewitness—similarities between Lamentations and Jeremiah in tenor, theology, themes, language, and imagery favor authorship by Jeremiah.
  • Ishmael son of Nethaniah murdered Gedaliah the appointed governor.
    		•

    582/1The 24th year and 7th year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar.
    Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel and Ezekiel were prophets.
  • Johanan son of Kareah and the forces with him fought against Ishmael, but Ishmael escaped. Johanan led the people to Egypt against God's word, to escape Babylonian retaliation, and forced Jeremiah to go with them.
  • The end of Isaiah's prophetic ministry. Isaiah 6:9-13.
  • Jeremiah in Egypt foretold the capture and exile of Pharaoh Hophra
  • See Martyrdom of Isaiah
    		•
    581Tobit, 158 years old, told his son to "leave Nineveh, because what the prophet Jonah said will surely happen", and then he died.
  • Nebuchadnezzar II burns Jerusalem.
    Historians do not agree precisely on the date Jerusalem was burned and destroyed by the Babylonians under Nebuchadnezzar II, who ended the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah. Taking Bernard Grun's proposed 581 BCE as the key historical base date in a literalist table moves forward by 6 years all the dates above in this table, as well as all those dates below which are arithmetically calculated therefrom. Given that a secure historial date has not been established, the choice of a particular base date from among the range of various dates proposed by archaeologists, scholars and historians is substantially arbitrary.
    		•  DR
    NAB
    NRSV
    Tobit 14:2-11 RSVCE, KJV
    Jonah 3
    Nahum 2
    571The 27th year of the exile of Jehoiachin/Jeconiah.
    The word of the LORD to Ezekiel that Nebuchadnezzar will be given the land of Egypt and its wealth for his army as recompense for his labor for the LORD.
    562
    Ante C. 562    		Nebuchadnezzar II died.
    He was succeeded by his son Evil-merodach/Awel-marduk.
    Daniel was prophet.
    561–560Evil-merodach/Awel-marduk began to reign in 561. Daniel was prophet.
  • Jehoiachin was freed from prison the 37th year of his exile, the first year of the reign of Evil-Merodach/Awel-marduk.
  • Evil-merodach died 560 BCE.
    		•
    560–539From the reign of Neriglissar to the 1st year of Cyrus.
    Daniel was prophet.
  • 560. Neriglissar, king of Babylon 560–558
  • c. 559. Cyrus organized the Persians into an army, revolted, defeated his father Astyages and grandfather Cambyses I, and assumed the throne.
  • 557. Labashi-Marduk ruled Babylon briefly.
  • 556. Nabonidus, king of Babylon 556-539.
  • 555. The year Tobiah, son of Tobit, died 99 years old, 82 years after the death of his father. Tobit 14:16.
  • 553. Belshazzar son of Nabonidus was made co-regent, and given charge of the defense of Babylon.
    The Bible plainly says that Belshazzar was the son of Nebuchadnezzar.
    ; Baruch 1:11-12.
    The names of Neriglissar, Labashi-Marduk and Nabonidus are not in the Bible.
  • 553. The 1st year of Belshazzar.
    Daniel's vision of 4 beasts and the Ancient of Days.
  • 550. The 3rd year of Belshazzar.
    Daniel's vision of the ram and the he-goat. Gabriel interpreted the vision.
  • 539. The last year of Nabonidus, and of Belshazzar.
    		•  DR



    539
    Ante C. 536    		The 17th year of Nabonidus, and the 14th year of Belshazzar.
    Belshazzar's feast. Daniel interpreted the writing on the wall.
    Belshazzar proclaimed Daniel/Belteshazzar the 3rd ruler in the kingdom.
  • 539. The Persian Cyrus II the Great entered Babylon without a fight.
    Belshazzar was slain, and Darius the Mede, son of Ahasuerus, a Mede, received the kingdom 62 years old. Daniel 5:30; 8:3-4.
    Daniel 6:28 seems to indicate that Cyrus and Darius ruled simultaneously.
  • 539. The 1st year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, by birth a Mede.
    Daniel 9. Daniel's prayer regarding the 70 years of Jeremiah.
    Gabriel came and revealed that 70 weeks of years are decreed.
    Daniel 9:1-2, 21-25. The identity of Darius cannot be drawn from the text of the Bible alone; the Bible does not say that Darius the Mede and Darius I Hystaspes are different persons, the text does not say they are the same.
  • 539. The 1st year of King Cyrus.
    The Decree of Cyrus freed the captives Babylon had taken.
    The first group of about 50,000 exiles, led by Sheshbazzar prince of Judah, departed and came to the house of God at Jerusalem.
    The literal reading of Ezra 1-7 does not say that Cyrus issued a decree that the city of Jerusalem was to be restored and rebuilt, but only the house of God.
    After their arrival in Jerusalem, Sheshbazzar was replaced by Zerubbabel, a leader of the people together with Jeshua/Joshua the high priest.
  • 539. Daniel continued until the 1st year of King Cyrus, and prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian.
    Daniel was a companion of Cyrus the king, and the most honored of his friends..
    		•










    DR
    NAB

    The Second Temple to Alexander the Great 538—334 BC

    Before the Common Era
    		EventBible texts
    538
    Ante C. 535    		The beginning of the 2nd year of the coming to the house of God at Jerusalem.
    Daniel was prophet.
    • The builders laid the foundation of the Temple of the LORD. Ezra 3:8-13.
    • The people of the land intimidated the Jews, brought accusations against them.
    • Work on the house of God ceased. Ezra 4:4-5, 24.

    536
    Ante C. 536    		The 3rd year of Cyrus king of Persia. Daniel was prophet.
  • Daniel's vision of a man in linen, who revealed what was to befall his people in the latter days. Daniel 10-12.
  • In –536 Cyrus II, the Great, of Persia freed the Jews from the Babylonian Captivity and aided their return to Israel. 536 BCE.
    		• 2 Chronicles 36:22-23
    Ezra 1:1-4
    530–520Cyrus the Great died 4 December 530.
    He was succeeded by Cambyses II son of Cyrus.
  • 527. The year that Tobiah, son of Tobit, died 117 years old, 100 years after the death of his father. "Before dying he rejoiced over Nineveh's destruction", and he praised God. Tobit 14:14-15.
  • 522. Cambyses was killed. Following the death of Cambyses II, Darius I Hystaspes the Great seized power.
  • 522. The 1st year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, by birth a Mede.
    Daniel 9. Daniel's prayer regarding the 70 years of Jeremiah.
    Gabriel came and revealed 70 weeks of years are decreed.
    The identity of Darius cannot be drawn from the text of the Bible alone; the Bible does not say that Darius the Mede and Darius I Hystaspes are different persons, the text does not say they are the same.
  • During this period work on the Temple had stopped, until the 2nd year of Darius.
    		• Ezra 4:24


    520–519
    Ante C. 519    		520. The 2nd year of Darius the king.
    Haggai and Zechariah were prophets.
  • The Jews resumed rebuilding the house of God with the support of the prophets Haggai and Zechariah. Ezra 5:1-2.
  • 29 August 520, 2nd year, 6th month, 1st day of the month.
    Haggai's 1st message. Haggai 1:1-11. See Book of Haggai
  • 21 September 520, 2nd year, 6th month, 24th day of the month.
    Temple building resumed. Haggai 1:12-15
  • 17 October 520, 2nd year, 7th month, 21st day of the month.
    Haggai's 2nd message. Haggai 2:1-9
  • October–November 520, 2nd year, 8th month.
    Zechariah's ministry began. Zechariah 1:1-6. See Book of Zechariah
  • 18 December 520, 2nd year, 9th month, 24th day of the month.
    Haggai's 3rd and 4th messages. Haggai 2:10-23
  • 15 February 519, 2nd year, 11th month, 24th day of the month.
    Zechariah's night visions. Zechariah 1:7–6:8.
    Literally, "the going forth of the word of the LORD to restore and rebuild Jerusalem" was announced by Zechariah in Jerusalem in the 2nd year, 11th month, 24th day of the month. Zechariah 1:14-17.
    70 weeks of years = 490 years, from 519 to 29 BCE. See Herod the Great.
  • Zechariah was also a leading priest at the time of Joiakim's high priesthood, possibly the same as the prophet. Nehemiah 12:16.
    		• Daniel 9:23-27

    518–517The 4th year of Darius the king.
    Zechariah and Obadiah were prophets.
  • 518. Zechariah continued his prophetic ministry. He removed 3 corrupt leaders. The people rejected his leadership, and weighed out 30 pieces of silver as his wages. Zechariah chapters 7–14.
  • 517. The end of the 70 years of serving the king of Babylon according to Jeremiah 25:8-13. The Jews began rebuilding the city, finishing the walls and repairing the foundations. Ezra 4:12
  • The Book of Obadiah historically belongs to the early postexilic period at the end of the 6th century. The Nabataeans infiltrated Edom and Moab from a homeland southeast of Petra. Indications that this was already happening at the time the book was written can be seen in Obadiah 1, 6-7
  • See Darius I: early reign
    Behistun Inscription
    Achaemenid Empire
    		•




    486"...and in the reign of Ahasuerus in the beginning of his reign they wrote an accusation against the inhabitants of Jerusalem." Ezra 4:6.
  • The Hebrew name Ahasuerus is usually identified with Xerxes I who reigned 486–465/4, known in Esther as "Ahasuerus" and as "The Great King Artaxerxes", son of Darius the Great and grandson of Cyrus the Great.
    		•



    484–483
    Ante C. 519    		The 2nd year of the reign of "Artaxerxes the Great"/Ahasuerus.
  • Mordecai's dream. Esther 11:2–12:6.
  • Mordecai reported the plot of eunuchs Gabatha and Tharra to kill Artaxerxes. Haman son of Hammedatha in great honor with the king, sought injury to Mordecai and his people because of the eunuchs. Esther 11:2–12:6.
  • 483. The 3rd year of the reign of Ahasuerus, Vashti was deposed.
    Beautiful young virgins were sought, and Hadassah/Esther was made queen. Esther 1:1-3, 12-21; 2:1-4, 8, 16-17.
    		•
    479–478
    Ante C. 515    		The 7th year of Ahasuerus.
  • Ezra went up from Babylon to Jerusalem, from the 1st month to the 5th month.
  • At his word, from the 9th month to the 1st month, the Jews separated from the people of the land and put away their foreign wives and children.
    		•
    474–473
    Ante C. 510→508    		The 12th year of Ahasuerus.
  • 474. The pur was cast before Haman in the 1st month.
    An edict was issued in the king's name to annihilate all the Jews on the 14th day of the 12th month.
  • Haman was exposed, and executed.
    Mordecai was given Haman's position. He issued a decree authorizing the Jews to defend themselves and destroy those who hated them.
  • 473. They smote their enemies, and the days of Purim were fixed.
    		•



    471The year that Tobiah, son of Tobit, died 127 years old, 110 years after the death of his father. "But before he died he heard of the destruction of Nineveh", and he rejoiced.Tobit 14:14-15 RSVCE, KJV
    c. 460–445The Book of Malachi is not dated by a reference to a ruler or specific event.
  • Internal evidence as well as its position in the canon favors a postexilic date. The social and religious problems Malachi addressed reflect the situation in Ezra 9 and 10 and Nehemiah 5 and 13, suggesting dates either before Ezra's return or just before Nehemiah's second term as governor .
    		•


    c. 446/5"...and in the days of Artaxerxes..."
  • Bishlam, Mithredath and Tabeel, and Rehum and Shimshai, obtained in writing from Artaxerxes king of Persia authorization to make a decree that the men rebuilding the wall and the city of Jerusalem cease.
  • They went in haste and by force and power made them cease.
    • 445
    Ante C. 454    		The 20th year of Artaxerxes.
  • Hananiah came to Susa. He told Nehemiah, cup-bearer to the king, that the wall of Jerusalem was broken down and the gates had been burned with fire.
  • Nehemiah obtained a decree from the king that Jerusalem be rebuilt.
    He went to Jerusalem, and inspected the wall. Nehemiah 1:1–2:15.
    490 years from the decree of Artaxerxes through Nehemiah to the governors of province Beyond the River that "the city may be rebuilt", according to Daniel 9:25, gives a date of 45 CE during the reign of the Roman emperor Claudius.
  • The wall was rebuilt in 52 days and finished in the 7th month, 1st day.
    Nehemiah 6:15.
  • Nehemiah the governor gave his brother Hanani and Hananiah, governor of the cattle, charge over Jerusalem. Nehemiah 7:2.
  • The people were enrolled by genealogies. 1 in 10 volunteered to live in Jerusalem.
  • When the 7th month came Ezra read the Law before the Water Gate, to an assembly of 42,360 persons and 7,337 servants.
    Nehemiah 7:5, 66-67; 8:1-2.
    The 24th day of the 7th month the Israelites separated themselves from all foreigners. Nehemiah 9:1-2.
    		•







    445–433
    →Ante C. 442    		Nehemiah was governor of Judah 12 years, from the 20th year to the 32nd year of Artaxerxes.
  • 433. Nehemiah returned to Artaxerxes in the 32nd year of Artaxerxes.
  • After some time he received leave to return to Jerusalem, and he cleansed the Temple. The sabbath rest was enforced.
    		•
    c. 445–333High priests recorded in Book of Nehemiah 12:10-11:
  • Jeshua, father of Joiakim Ezra 2:2, 36, 40
  • Joiakim, father of Eliashib Nehemiah 12:10, 12, 26
  • Eliashib, father of Joiada, Nehemiah 3:1, 20; 12:10; 13:28; Ezra 10:6
  • Joiada, father of Jonathan Nehemiah 12:10-11, 22; 13:28
  • Jonathan, father of Jaddua, Nehemiah 12:11, 14
    • c. 7th–5th centurySee: Book of Job
    The author of the book of Job is not known; it was composed some time between the 7th and 5th centuries B.C. "There was a man in the land of Uz..."
    356–334Alexander was born in 356 BCE, son of Philip of Macedon.
  • 336 BCE. Philip of Macedon was assassinated, and Alexander at the age of 20 became king of the Greeks.
  • 334 BCE. Alexander won a series of victories over the Persians.
    Daniel 8:5-7.
    		•



    Jaddua the high priest to John Hyrcanus 333—104 BC

    Before the Common Era
    		EventBible texts
    c. 333Jaddua, son of Jonathan, was high priest probably at the end of the Persian period when Alexander the Great approached Jerusalem about 333 BCE.
    See: First Book of Maccabees
    333–323
    →Ante C. 323    		Alexander, son of Philip of Macedon defeated Darius, and became king of the Persians and Medes. 1 Maccabees 1:1.
    • 333. Alexander continued his victorious military march into Syria, Egypt, Persia, Media, northern India. Daniel 7:7, 23; 8:6-7.
    • 323. He returned to Babylon where he died at the age of 33.


    323–217"Then his officers began to rule, each in his own place. They all put on crowns after his death, and so did their sons after them for many years; and they caused many evils on the earth". 1 Maccabees 1:8-9.
    Compare Daniel 8:5-7; 11:3-44.
  • 323. Onias I became high priest.
  • c. 309–300. A letter was sent to Onias I the high priest from Arius I king of the Spartans stating that the Spartans and the Jews are brothers. 1 Maccabees 12:7, 19-23.
    		•



    281–246Reign of Ptolemy II Philadelphus
  • His marriage to Arsinoe I. Her line afterward was not recognized.
    Daniel 11:5-6.
  • c. 250. The marriage of Antiochus II Theos and Berenice Syra of Egypt which ended in tragedy. Daniel 11:6
  • Establishment of the Library of Alexandria
  • Letter of Aristeas: Greek translation of the Torah.
  • See Ptolemaic rulers
    		•  NAB
    literalist footnotes
    219Simon, son of Jochanan/Onias, became high priest.
  • The house of God was renovated, the Temple was reinforced, the wall was built with turrets for the Temple precincts, and the reservoir was dug vast like a sea.
    		•
    1 Maccabees 12:7
    See: Third Book of Maccabees
    217–c. 215Persecution under Ptolemy IV Philopator
  • 22 June 217 BCE. Ptolemy IV Philopator defeated Antiochus III at the Battle of Raphia. 3 Maccabees 1:1-5; Daniel 11:11.
  • c. 216. Philopator issued a decree condemning all Jews to be destroyed.
  • c. 215. He reversed his command and freed them, and ordered that no one harm them. Those who had renounced Judaism to save themselves were executed.
    		•



    200Syria defeated Egypt at the Battle of Paneas. Daniel 11:13.
    The siege of Sidon after the Battle of Paneas. Daniel 11:15
    197Antiochus III betrothed his daughter to Ptolemy V Epiphanes.
    See: Second Book of Maccabees
    196–175Onias III became high priest.
  • 190. Roman general Scipio defeated Antiochus at Magnesia. Daniel 11:18.
  • Seleucus, the king of Asia, defrayed from his own revenues the expenses connected with the sacrificial services in the Temple.
    		•
    177 or 78–77
    Ante C. 177    		"The 4th year of the reign of Ptolemy and Cleopatra, Dositheus, who said that he was a priest and a Levite, and Ptolemy his son brought to Egypt the...Letter of Purim..."
  • The specific identities of this particular Ptolemy and his co-regent Cleopatra together with the period of their reign cannot be drawn from the Bible. Two dates have been proposed for the 4th year of the reign of the otherwise unspecified Ptolemy and Cleopatra. The New American Bible annotation suggests that Ptolemy refers to Ptolemy XII Auletes and Cleopatra to Cleopatra V Tryphaena, and the date referred to as 78–77 B.C. during their reign; the Douay-Rheims Bible suggests in its footnote annotation to Esther 11:1 "Ante C. 177". This date falls within the reign of Ptolemy VI Philometor, who ruled jointly with his mother, Cleopatra I Syra, until her death in 176 BC.
  • See Ptolemaic rulers and consorts.
    List of Ptolemies.
    Letter of Purim
    Rabbinic Greek translation of the Jewish scriptures
    • no dateDuring the high priesthood of Onias III 196–175 BCE.
  • Seleucus, the king of Asia, sent Heliodorus "a collector" to Jerusalem to take the treasures of the Temple. When he entered he was struck down and flogged. Onias interceded in prayer with an offering for his life, he lived, and with his forces went back to the king.
    		•
    175Seleucus IV Philopator king of Syria died.
    He was succeeded by Antiochus IV Epiphanes.

    Maccabees 3:1-35
    175–170
    Ante C. 175→    		175. Antiochus Epiphanes began to reign in the 137th year of the kingdom of the Greeks. 1 Maccabees 1:10; Daniel 7:8.
  • 175. Onias III, son of Simon II, high priest, was deposed by Jason, who had obtained the office of the high priesthood by corrupt means. 2 Maccabees 4:7.
  • Jason introduced Hellenism, and built a Greek gymnasium in sight of the Temple.
  • Menelaus obtained the high priesthood by outbidding his brother Jason. He was high priest until his execution in 162 BCE. 2 Maccabees 4:1-14.
    "Jason and his company revolted from the holy land and the kingdom and burned the gate and shed innocent blood." 2 Maccabees 1:7-8; 4:26.
  • 174. Onias III "the prince of the covenant" was murdered by Andronicus at the request of Menelaus. 2 Maccabees 4:23-35; Daniel 11:22.
  • 174–170. Antiochus invaded Egypt with a strong force, engaged Ptolemy in battle, captured the fortified cities, and plundered Egypt.
    1 Maccabees 1:16-19; Daniel 7:24; 11:22.
    		•




    2 Maccabees 4:7
    169–167
    Ante C. 170→168    		The persecution under Antiochus Epiphanes.
  • 169. Antiochus returned in the year 143. He went up against Israel, and entered the Temple. He murdered many. 1 Maccabees 1:20-24; Daniel 11:28.
  • 168. Antiochus sent his 2nd expedition into Egypt. 2 Maccabees 5:1; Daniel 11:29-30.
  • 167. A chief collector of tribute came from Antiochus.
    He killed many, plundered the city, burned it, and fortified the city of David against the Jews. By decree of the king Judaism was forbidden. Daniel 7:25; 8:10-12.
  • Early in December, 167 BCE, on the 15th day of the month Chislev in the year 145, "they erected a desolating sacrilege upon the altar of burnt offering." 1 Maccabees 1:29-54; Daniel 11:31; 12:11.
  • In Modein, Mattathias slew the king's officer who was monitoring the sacrifices, tore down the pagan altar, fled with many, and revolted. They received "a little help" when the Hasideans joined him. 1 Maccabees 2:15-44; Daniel 11:33-35.
    		•







    166–164The Maccabean revolt
  • 166. Mattathias died in the 146th year of the kingdom of the Greeks. 1 Maccabees 2:70.
  • Judas Maccabeus took command and led the revolt against the Greeks. 1 Maccabees 3–9; 2 Maccabees 5:27-15:37; Daniel 11:32-35; 12:1-3.
  • 165. The Greek generals Apollonius and Seron were crushed by Judas.
    Antiochus sent Lysias to wipe out Judea and Jerusalem, and crossed over the Euphrates river in the 147th year to collect revenues from Persia.
    Lysias, Ptolemy, Nicanor and Gorgias, also Philip, Timothy and Bacchides, were repeatedly defeated in battle.
    1 Maccabees 3:10-4:35; 2 Maccabees 8:8-9:1
  • 164. The Dedication of the Temple in the 148th year. 1 Maccabees 4:36-56; 2 Maccabees 10:1-9; Daniel 12:12.
    		•







    163–160The death of Antiochus IV to the death of Judas Maccabeus.
  • 163. Antiochus the king died in the 149th year in the mountains somewhere between mount Zion "the glorious holy mountain" and "the sea" in Persia. He had departed from Ecbatana and was driving furiously toward Jerusalem when he was struck down. See Zagros Mountains.
    1 Maccabees 6:1-16; 2 Maccabees 9:1-28; Daniel 7:26; 11:44-45; 12:11.
  • Antiochus Eupator was set up as king. He invaded Judea.
    Antiochus ordered Menelaus executed. He was thrown into a tower full of ashes and suffocated to death. 2 Maccabees 9:1-10, 28; 13:1-8.
  • 162. Judas besieged the citadel in the 150th year. 1 Maccabees 6:19-20.
  • 161. Demetrius began to reign in the 151st year.
    Alcimus presented a large bribe to Demetrius, and incited the king against Judas. Demetrius set up Alcimus as high priest.
    Nicanor was sent to kill Judas, but he hesitated.
    When Judas avoided him, Nicanor threatened to destroy the Temple.
  • Judas' vision of the high priest Onias and the prophet Jeremiah.
    Nicanor was slain in battle and beheaded.
    "And from that time the city has been in the possession of the Hebrews."
    1 Maccabees 7:1, 26-35, 43-50; 2 Maccabees 14:3-4, 12-14; 15:12-16, 25-37
  • 160. Bacchides and Alcimus encamped against Jerusalem in the 152nd year. Judas Maccabeus was slain at the Battle of Elasa.
    1 Maccabees 9:1-18.
    		•













    159–140
    Ante C. 160→140    		Jonathan Apphus accepted the leadership and took the place of his brother Judas. 1 Maccabees 9:28-31.
  • 159. Alcimus gave orders to tear down the wall of the inner court of the sanctuary in the 153rd year. He was stricken with paralysis and died in great agony. 1 Maccabees 9:54-56.
  • 152. In the 160th year Alexander Epiphanes landed and occupied Ptolemais. Demetrius marched out to meet him, and was killed.
    Alexander appointed Jonathan Apphus, brother of Judas Maccabeus, high priest.
    October 23–30, 152 BCE, Jonathan discharged his office as high priest.
    1 Maccabees 10:1-21.
  • 150. Ptolemy set out from Egypt with his daughter Cleopatra, came to Ptolemais in the 162nd year, and gave her to Alexander in marriage.
    Jonathan was given honor, and clothed in purple. 1 Maccabees 10:55-62.
  • 147. Demetrius son of Demetrius came from Crete, and appointed Apollonius governor of Coelesyria. He came against Jonathan with a large force in the 165th year, and was defeated.
    1 Maccabees 10:67-85.
  • 145. Alexander was beheaded by Zabdiel the Arab, Ptolemy died 3 days later, and Demetrius became king in the 167th year. 1 Maccabees 11:14-19.
  • 143. Trypho treacherously shut up Jonathan and his men in the city of Ptolemais and slew them. 1 Maccabees 12:39-48.
    In the reign of Demetrius in the 169th year, the Jews in Jerusalem wrote to the Jews in Egypt in the critical distress which came upon them in the years after Jason and his company had revolted from the holy land and burned the gates and shed innocent blood. 2 Maccabees 1:7-8.
  • 142. In the 170th year the yoke of the Gentiles was removed from Israel.
    The 1st year of Simon, great high priest and commander and leader of the Jews.
    The land had rest all the days of Simon. 1 Maccabees 13:41-42; 14:4.
  • 141. The citadel was cleansed, and the Jews entered it with praise in the 171st year.
    Simon made his son John commander with his residence at Gazara. 1 Maccabees 13:51-53
  • 140. The 3rd year of Simon the great high priest, he agreed to be high priest, and commander and ethnarch of the Jews and priests and protector.
    Demetrius marched into Media to make war against Trypho in the 172nd year. Arsaces sent a commander, who defeated and took him. 1 Maccabees 14:1-3; 14:47.
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    138–104
    Ante C. 139→124    		The 5th year of Simon the great high priest to the death of John Hyrcanus son of Simon.
  • 138. In the 174th year, Antiochus son of Demetrius I and younger brother of Demetrius II besieged Dor, and shut Trypho in.
  • Antiochus broke off relations with Simon, Trypho escaped, and Cendebeus invaded Judea. Judas and John, sons of Simon the high priest, took Simon's place at the head of the army and defeated Cendebeus.
    1 Maccabees 15:10-14, 37-41; 16:1-10.
  • 134. In the 177th year, Ptolemy son of Abubus and son-in-law of the high priest killed Simon and 2 of his sons at Dok. John Hyrcanus son of Simon killed the assassins sent against him and became high priest of an independent Judea in the 177th year.
    Daniel 7:27; 1 Maccabees 16:14-24.
  • 132. The 38th year of the reign of Ptolemy VIII Physcon
    Book of Sirach/Ecclesiasticus: "I arrived in Egypt in the 38th year of the reign of King Euergetes, and while there, I found a reproduction of our valuable teaching. I therefore considered myself in duty bound to devote some diligence and industry to the translation of this book." Sirach Foreword.
  • 124. The Jews in Jerusalem and Judea in the 188th year sent a letter to the Jews in Egypt that they are to see that the Hanukkah is kept, but referred to as "Sukkot of Kislev". 2 Maccabees 1:9.
  • 104. John Hyrcanus died.
    John was ruler and high priest from 134 BCE until his death in 104.
  • The Book of Wisdom has been dated to about a hundred years before the coming of Christ, written by a devout Jew as an admonition to his fellow rulers and kings.
  • The Book of Judith—"The unknown author composed this edifying narrative of divine providence at the end of the second or the beginning of the first century B.C."—c. 100 BCE.
    "During the life of Judith and for a long time after her death, no one again disturbed the Israelites." Judith 16:25.
  • See Book of Jubilees
    		•





    Esther 11:1—the 4th year of Ptolemy and Cleopatra as possibly 78–77 BC

    Before the Common Era
    		EventBible texts
    177 or 78–77"The 4th year of the reign of Ptolemy and Cleopatra, Dositheus, who said that he was a priest and a Levite, and Ptolemy his son brought to Egypt the...Letter of Purim..."
    		Esther 11:1

    2 Maccabees 1:10-12—Aristobulus II 66–63 BC

    Before the Common Era
    		EventBible texts
    66–63"...To Aristobulus, who is of the family of the anointed priests, teacher of Ptolemy the king...Having been saved by God out of grave dangers we thank him greatly for taking our side against the king. For he drove out those who fought against the holy city."
    • See Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews, Book 14, Chapters 2—4
    • 2 Maccabees 1:13-16 relates the death of Antiochus X Eusebes and his men, during the course of a military expedition, as locked inside the temple of Nanea in Persia, stoned to death and beheaded by the priests.
    • Pompey besieged Jerusalem, and took it.
      End of Jewish independence.

    Citations