TIMELINE OF THE OLD TESTAMENT

CREATION

4000 BCE

God Created. Gen. 1 4000 BC
When Man Sinned Gen. 3 4000+BC
Adam & Eve expelled from Garden of Eden
First murder occurred when Cain killed Abel

EARLY BRONZE AGE

3500 BCE

THE FLOOD

2515 BCE

Sin was running rampant. God no longer tolerated it. Gen. 6-9
First Covenant between God and man known as the Noahic Covenant . Gen 9

THE TOWER OF BABEL

2100 BCE

Gen. 11

GOD CALLS ABRAM

2091 BCE

God called Abram to the land of Canaan Gen. 12

ABRAM’’S JOURNEY

2085 BCE

Abram and Lot part ways. God promises Abram many descendants.
Abram rescues Lot. Gen. 13-14

ABRAHAMIC COVENANT

2081 BCE

God’s second covenant with man. Gen. 15

ISHMAEL’S BIRTH

2080 BCE

Because of Abram and Sarai’s lack of faith in God’s promise to them Ishmael was born to Abram and Hagar. Gen. 16

GOD’S PROMISE OF SON TO SARAI

2067 BCE

God promised Abram and Sarai their son Isaac. Sarai laughed because she was old. Gen. 18

ISAAC’S BIRTH

2066 BCE

Isaac was born to Abram and Sarai to fulfill God’s promise. Gen. 21

TESTING ABRAHAM’S FAITH

2054 BCE

God asks Abraham to offer Isaac as a sacrifice. God saved Isaac and offered a ram instead. Ge. 22

THE EGYPTIAN MIDDLE KINGDOM

2040 BCE

Egyptian Middle Kingdom lasted approximately 400 years from 2040 BC to 1640 BC

ISAAC AND REBEKAH

2026 BCE

Isaac and Rebekah get married. Gen. 24

REBEKAH GIVES BIRTH

2006 BCE

Isaac and Rebekah have twins Jacob and Esau. Esau was first born.
According to Jewish custom the firstborn would receive the father’s birthright and blessing. Gen. 25

MIDDLE BRONZE AGE

2000 BCE

Middle Bronze Age lasted from 2000 BC to1600 BC

THE MIDDLE BRONZE AGE

2000 BCE

The middle Bronze Age ranged from 2000 BC- 1600 BC

ESAU SURRENDERS HIS BIRTHRIGHT

1978 BCE

Esau surrenders his birthright for food from his brother Jacob. Gen. 25

ISAAC’S BLESSING

1929 BCE

Jacob deceives Isaac for Esau’s blessing.
Rebekah sends Jacob to her brother Laban’s home for fear of Esau’s retaliation. Gen. 27-28

JACOB SERVES LABAN

1928 BCE

Jacob serves Laban for 7 years for the right to marry Rachel. Laban tricks him to marry Leah his oldest daughter first. He serves another 7 years for the right to marry Rachel. Gen. 29
* There was always a jealousy between Rachel and Leah for the love of Jacob.

JACOB STARTS A FAMILY

1916 BCE

Leah is the first to bear children and Rachel finally conceives and bears Joseph. All together Jacob had twelve sons. Gen. 30

JACOB AND LABAN AGREE TO PART WAYS

1908 BCE

Jacob leaves for Canaan to reluctantly be reunited with his brother Esau. Gen. 31

JACOB’S STRUGGLE TO BECOME THE MAN GOD WANTS HIM TO BE

1906 BCE

Jacob wrestles with God at Peniel and his name was changed to Israel because He struggled with God and man. He prevailed.
Gen. 32
Jacob was reunited with Esau. Gen. 33

RACHEL’S DEATH

1903 BCE

Rachel dies giving birth to Benjamin. This is Jacob’s 12th and final son. These 12 sons are the father’s of the twelve tribes of Israel.
Gen. 35

JOSEPH SOLD INTO SLAVERY

1898 BCE

Joseph’s dreams of his brothers bowing down to him angered them and they sold him into slavery. Gen. 37

BABYLONIAN EMPIRE

1895 BCE

Babylonian empire ranged from 1895-539 BC

JOSEPH RISES TO POWER

1886 BCE

Joseph interpreted Pharoah’s dream of 7 year of abundance throughout the land of Egypt followed by 7 years of famine.
Pharaoh put Joseph in charge of preparing for the 7 years of famine.
Gen. 41

JOSEPH REUNITED WITH HIS BROTHERS

1875 BCE

Due to famine in Canaan, Israel sends Joseph’s 10 brothers to Egypt to buy supplies. Benjamin stays home with his father. Joseph tests his brothers for sincerity and loyalty to the family and was reunited with Benjamin and then eventually reveals himself to the brothers. Then the rest of the family is brought to Egypt including his father Israel. Gen. 42-46

JACOB’S DEATH

1859 BCE

Israel becomes ill and blesses all 12 sons. He dies and is buried in Egypt. Gen. 49-50

JOSEPH PASSES AWAY

1806 BCE

Joseph’s death is recorded in Gen. 50

THE BRONZE AGE

1600 BCE

The late Bronze Age was from 1600 BC - 1200 BC

ISRAELITES FORCED INTO SLAVERY

1600 BCE

There was approximately 200 years between the death of Joseph and then oppression of Israel by Pharoah. Exodus 1

MOSES

1522 BCE

Moses is born into an Israelite family. He is adopted by the daughter of Pharoah. Exodus 2

MOSES RUNS

1485 BCE

Moses kills an Egyptian and is found out and fears Pharoah. Hem goes to Midian. Exodus 2

ISRAEL’S JOURNEY TO THE PROMISE LAND BEGINS

1446 BCE

Israel classes the Red Sea which God shows His power to protect Israel. Exodus 14
Israel arrives at Mt. Sarai where the Ten Commandments are given. Exodus 20-24
Instructions for building theTabernacle and Ark of the covenant are given to them. Exodus 25-31
Aaron and the Israelites falter in their faith in God and build a golden calf. Exodus 32
God and Moses were angered and 3000 Israelites were killed for their rebellion and lack of repentance. Exodus 32

ISRAEL CALLS OUT TO GOD

1446 BCE

Israel is in slavery and calls out to God for deliverance Exodus 2
Moses is called and sent to deliver Israel. Exodus 3-6
God uses Moses and the Ten plagues to free Israel from slavery and the Exodus begins. Exodus 3-18

TABERNACLE COMPLETED

1445 BCE

Tabernacle is completed and is filled with the presence of God. Exodus 40
The laws of sacrifice and offerings and Aaron and his son’s consecrated as Priests. Leviticus 1-9

ISREAL’S LACK OF FAITH IN GOD’S PROMISE

1445 BCE

Moses sends 12 spies into Canaan. Upon their return, 10 were fearful and 2 were faithful. The two faithful were Caleb and Joshua. Numbers 13.
People murmur and choose to not go into Canaan so God forced them to wonder the wilderness till all from that generation were dead except Joshua and Caleb. Numbers 14-15

JOSHUA CHOSEN

1407 BCE

Joshua was chosen to lead Israel after Moses.
Joshua would be the one to lead Israel into the promise land. Numbers 27

MOSES DIES

1406 BCE

Moses gives a blessing over the 12 tribes of Israel and then dies. Deuteronomy 32-34
Joshua takes command of Israel to lead them into the promise land.
Joshua 1

LAND DIVIDED

1399 BCE

Joshua and Israel conquer Canaan and the land is divided between the 12 tribes. Joshua 13-22

JOSHUA’S DEATH

1375 BCE

In Joshuas farewell to Israel he challenges them to continue following God. He challenges them to choose who they will serve and says that for Him and his house will serve the Lord. Joshua 23-24

JUDGES RULE ISRAEL

1375 BCE

Judges rule from 1375 BC till 1100BC with numerous judges like Othniel, Ehud, Shamgar, Deborah, Gideon, Tola, Jair, Jephthah, Ibizan, Elon, Abdon and Samson. Judges 1-21

RUTH

1140 BCE

Ruth chooses to RETURN to Bethlehem with Naomi where she meets Boaz and marries him which puts her in the bloodline of King Davis and Christ. Ruth 1-4

SAMUEL

1100 BCE

Samuel is born and dedicated to God and given to the Tabernacle for God’s work by his mother.
Samuel was a priest not through the lineage of the tribe of Levi but was specifically called by God.
Samuel 1

KING SAUL

1042 BCE

Samuel anoints Saul as the first King of Israel.This is a result of Israel’s rejection of God’s kingship over Israel and Israel’s desire to be like every other nation. I Samuel 8-10

SAUL’S DISOBEDIENCE

1028 BCE

Samuel ordered Saul to destroy Amalekites . Saul was to destroy everything. But Saul disobeyed and spared some of the flocks and people and lied to Samuel about it. Because of his disobedience Samuel informed him that he would no longer be King and that God had chosen another. I Samuel 15

DAVID

1024 BCE

Samuel anoints David as King in Bethlehem.I Samuel 16
David’s battle with Goliath. I Samuel 17

SAUL KILLED

1010 BCE

Saul and his son Jonathan are killed in battle against the Philistines on the mount of Gilboa. I Samuel 31
David mourns Saul and his friend Jonathan’s death. II Samuel 1
David is made King over Judah. II Samuel 2

DAVID BEGINS HIS REIGN OVER ALL ISRAEL

1003 BCE

David becomes King over the United Kingdom of Israel and rules all of God’s people. II Samuel 5 and I Chronicles 11

DAVID’S SIN

993 BCE

David’s sin of infidelity with Bathsheba. The planned death of her husband Uriah. II Samuel 11
*Due to the sin there was a lot of turmoil in David’s house that later caused a divided kingdom.

SOLOMON’S REIGN

970 BCE

In Davids last days, Solomon assumes reign over Israel. I Chronicles 28-29 and I KIngs 1-2

THE TEMPLE

967 BCE

King David had the desire to build a permanent temple for God but God didn’t allow David to do it. Solomon built the temple with supplies Davids had collected for it. I Kings 6

THE ARK

966 BCE

The Ark of the covenant was brought to the Temple. I Kings 8

SOLOMON DIES

931 BCE

Upon Solomon’s death the KINGDOM IS DIVIDED into Israel and Judah.
I Kings 11-13

THE ASSYRIAN EMPIRE

900 BCE

The Assyrian Empire was from 900-600 BC

UZZIAH

791 BCE

He was King-over Judah when he was only 16. He reigned 52 years in Jerusalem.
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AMOS

750 BCE

He was a prophet during the reign of Jeroboam II.
A big part of his prophecy was God’s omnipotence and God’s divine judgement. Book of Amos

ISAIAH

739 BCE

Isaiah receives a vision from God and a command. Isaiah 6

ISAIAH’S PROPHESY

735 BCE

Isaiah prophesies of the coming Messiah. Isaiah 7

FALL OF ISRAEL

722 BCE

Israel the northern Kingdom was conquered by Assyria and taken into captivity. II kings 17

HEZEKIAH

716 BCE

Hezekiah was 25 years old when he became King and was a good king. He did right in the eyes of the Lord. He reign over Judah for 29 years. II Chronicles 29

NAHUM

660 BCE

Nahum was one of the 12 minor prophets. Nahum taught God would punish those who were evil but not punish those who were good and trusted Him.

JOSIAH

640 BCE

Josiah was 8 years old when he became king. He reigned for 31 years and did what was right in the eyes of the Lord.

JEREMIAH

627 BCE

Jeremiah was a prophet during some of the most troublesome decade of Israel’s history. Jeremiah 1-10

HAGGAI

609 BCE

Haggai was a prophet during the building of the second temple in Jerusalem.

DANIEL

605 BCE

Nebuchadnezzar King of Babylon conquered Judah and took Judah into captivity.

Daniel one of the ones taken into captivity.

EZEKIEL

592 BCE

Ezekiel prophesied about the fall of Judah.

THE FALL OF JUDAH

586 BCE

Nebuchadnezzar defeated Judah in 587 BC

THE PERSIAN EMPIRE

559 BCE

The Persian Empire ruled from 559 BC - 331 BC

THE EDICT OF CYRUS

538 BCE

It was declared to preserve human rights. It was mentioned 3 times in the Hebrew Bible. It was declared by Cyrus The Great.

EZRA

458 BCE

As a Priest Ezra returned from exile in Babylon. He encouraged the people to start sacrificing to the Lord again in 558 BC. Book of Ezra

NAHUM

444 BCE

He had a desire to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem that had been destroyed. Book of Nahum
Nahum gathered the people of Judah and led them to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Nahum 3
The people of Judah settled in Jerusalem. Nahum 11-12
Nahum restored the Law. Nahum 13

Christ

1 BCE

It was approximately 400 years before Israel heard from God again at the birth of Christ.