Many readers know individual Bible stories but are unsure how they fit together. Did Elijah live before or after David? When did the exile happen? This simple timeline places the major events in order.
A note on dates: many early dates are approximate, and scholars differ — for example, the exodus is dated by some to the 15th century BC and by others to the 13th. The order of events is more important than exact years.
Before Abraham (Genesis 1–11)
- Creation — God creates the heavens and the earth.
- The fall — Adam and Eve disobey God.
- Noah and the flood
- The tower of Babel
These chapters are not dated in the Bible in a way that can be placed on a historical calendar, and Christians hold different views on how to read them chronologically.
The patriarchs (around 2000–1700 BC)
- Abraham is called by God to leave Ur and go to Canaan (Genesis 12).
- Isaac, Jacob and Jacob's twelve sons.
- Joseph is sold into Egypt and rises to power; Jacob's family settles in Egypt.
Egypt and the exodus (15th or 13th century BC)
- Israel becomes enslaved in Egypt.
- Moses leads the exodus; the Passover; crossing the Red Sea.
- The law given at Mount Sinai.
- Forty years in the wilderness.
Conquest and judges
- Joshua leads Israel into Canaan.
- The period of the judges — Deborah, Gideon, Samson — and the story of Ruth.
The united kingdom (around 1050–930 BC)
- Saul, Israel's first king (around 1050 BC).
- David reigns (around 1010–970 BC); Jerusalem becomes the capital.
- Solomon reigns (around 970–930 BC) and builds the first temple.
The divided kingdom (930–586 BC)
- 930 BC — the kingdom splits into Israel (north) and Judah (south).
- Prophets Elijah and Elisha minister in the north.
- 8th century prophets: Amos, Hosea, Isaiah, Micah.
- 722 BC — the northern kingdom of Israel falls to Assyria.
- Judah continues; King Hezekiah and King Josiah bring reforms.
- Jeremiah warns Judah.
- 586 BC — Babylon destroys Jerusalem and the temple.
Exile and return (586–430 BC)
- Exile in Babylon — Daniel and Ezekiel.
- 539 BC — Persia conquers Babylon.
- 538 BC — King Cyrus allows the Jews to return.
- 516 BC — the second temple is completed (encouraged by Haggai and Zechariah).
- Esther in Persia.
- Ezra teaches the law; Nehemiah rebuilds Jerusalem's walls (mid-5th century BC).
- Malachi, the last Old Testament prophet (around 430 BC).
Between the testaments (430–5 BC)
- 333 BC — Alexander the Great conquers the region; Greek language and culture spread.
- The Hebrew Scriptures are translated into Greek (the Septuagint).
- 167–164 BC — the Maccabean revolt; the temple is rededicated (remembered at Hanukkah).
- 63 BC — Rome takes control of Judea.
- Herod the Great rules as king under Rome and rebuilds the temple.
The life of Jesus (around 5 BC – AD 30/33)
- Birth of Jesus in Bethlehem (around 6–4 BC, before Herod's death).
- Ministry of John the Baptist.
- Jesus' public ministry — around three years.
- Crucifixion and resurrection in Jerusalem (around AD 30 or 33).
- Ascension forty days later.
The early church (AD 30–100)
- Pentecost — the Holy Spirit comes; the church begins (Acts 2).
- Stephen is martyred; the church spreads to Judea and Samaria.
- Conversion of Paul (around AD 34–35).
- Paul's missionary journeys (around AD 46–57); most of his letters are written.
- Paul in Rome (around AD 60–62).
- AD 70 — Rome destroys Jerusalem and the temple.
- Revelation written by John on Patmos (around AD 95).
How to use this timeline
Keep it beside you as you read. When you open a prophet or a psalm, ask which period it belongs to. A study Bible usually gives a date and setting for each book. See the historical books and the major and minor prophets.