Chronology of the Bible

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Biblical chronology is the academic discipline of identifying the Gregorian calendar dates for events mentioned by the Bible. The dating of events, from the narrative of Joseph to the times of the Babylonian captivity, are heavily reliant on the related discipline of Egyptian Chronology, the Old Testament, New Testament, Mishnah sources, and on the work of James Ussher.

Dates in the Bronze Age are traditional and do not have archaeological corroborations. Dates in the Iron Age and later are placed by the Bible into the wider framework of history, and so are dated by biblical references to historically verifiable events, such as Shishak's raid in 926 BCE.

For a historical look at the bible see The Bible and history

See Short chronology for a more detailed history of the Ancient Middle East and Ancient Near East region. See Timeline of Christianity for a more detailed chronology of the Christian Era.

1 Dating of Creation
- 1.1 Jewish computation
- 1.2 Other computations
2 Creation to Babylonian exile
3 Second temple period
4 Early Christianity
5 Common Era
6 See also
7 Sources
8 References

Dating of Creation

Jewish computation

Years in the Hebrew calendar are counted from the Creation year. The system in use today was adopted sometime before 3925 AM (165 CE), and based on the calculation in the Seder Olam Rabbah of Rabbi Yose Ben Halafta in about 160 CE.[1] By his calculation first humans were created in the year 3761 BCE.[2] The Jewish year spanning 2007–2008 CE, after Rosh Hashanah, is 5768 AM in the Hebrew calendar.

Other computations

Medieval historian Bede dated creation to 18 March 3952 BCE. The Chronicon of Eusebius and Jerome dated creation to the year of 5199 BCE.[3][4] Earlier editions of the Roman Martyrology for Christmas Day used this date,[5] as did the Irish Annals of the Four Masters.[6]

James Ussher (1654) dated creation to 23 October 4004 BCE according to the Julian Calendar, which in the Gregorian Calendar would be 21 September 4004 BCE.

Creation to Babylonian exile

Date
(AM) Date
(BCE) Event

Creation to Flood

0 AM
(Genesis 1:1ff) 3924 BCE The universe is created, including Adam and Eve. ??
(Genesis 3:23) ?? Adam and Eve banished from the Garden of Eden. 130 AM
(Genesis 5:3) 3794 BCE Seth, son of Adam with Eve, born 235 AM
(Genesis 5:6) 3689 BCE Enosh, son of Seth, born 325 AM
(Genesis 5:9) 3599 BCE Kenan, son of Enosh, born 395 AM
(Genesis 5:12) 3529 BCE Mahalalel, son of Kenan, born 460 AM
(Genesis 5:15) 3464 BCE Jared, son of Mahalalel, born 622 AM
(Genesis 5:18) 3302 BCE Enoch, son of Jared, born 687 AM
(Genesis 5:21) 3237 BCE Methuselah, son of Enoch, born 874 AM
(Genesis 5:25) 3050 BCE Lamech, son of Methusaleh, born 930 AM
(Genesis 5:5) 2994 BCE Adam dies 1042 AM
(Genesis 5:8) 2882 BCE Seth dies 1052 AM
(Genesis 5:23-24) 2872 BCE Enoch "walks with God" 1056 AM
(Genesis 5:28) 2868 BCE Noah, son of Lamech, born 1140 AM
(Genesis 5:11) 2784 BCE Enosh dies 1235 AM
(Genesis 5:14) 2689 BCE Kenan dies 1290 AM
(Genesis 5:17) 2634 BCE Mahalalel dies 1422 AM
(Genesis 5:20) 2502 BCE Jared dies 1558 AM
(Genesis 11:10) 2366 BCE Shem, son of Noah, born 1651 AM
(Genesis 5:31) 2273 BCE Lamech dies 1656 AM
(Genesis 5:27) 2268 BCE Methusaleh dies, possibly in Flood 1656 AM
(Genesis 7:11) 2268 BCE On the seventeenth day of the second month, the Floodbegins. 1657 AM
(Genesis 8:4) 2268 BCE On the sevententh day of the seventh month, Noah's Arklands on Mount Ararat 1657 AM
(Genesis 8:13-14) 2267 BCE On the twenty-seventh day of the second month, Noahand his family exit the ark

Origin of the Patriarchs

1658 AM
(Genesis 11:10) 2266 BCE Arpachshad, son of Shem, born 1693 AM
(Genesis 11:12) 2231 BCE Shelah, son of Arpachshad, born 1723 AM
(Genesis 11:14) 2201 BCE Eber, son of Shelah, born 1757 AM
(Genesis 11:16) 2167 BCE Peleg, son of Eber, born 1787 AM
(Genesis 11:18) 2137 BCE Reu, son of Peleg, born 1819 AM
(Genesis 11:20) 2105 BCE Reu begets Serug1849 AM
(Genesis 11:22) 2075 BCE Nahor, son of Serug, born 1878 AM
(Genesis 11:24) 2046 BCE Terah, son of Nahor, born 1948 AM
(Genesis 11:26) 1976 BCE Abram, son of Terah, born 1958 AM
(Genesis 17:17) 1966 BCE Saraiis born 1996 AM
(Genesis 11:19) 1928 BCE Peleg dies 1996 AM
(Genesis 10:25) 1928 BCE The Tower of Babelwas destroyed 1997 AM
(Genesis 11:25) 1927 BCE Nahor dies 2026 AM
(Genesis 11:21) 1898 BCE Reu dies 2034 AM
(Genesis 16:16) 1890 BCE Ishmael, son of Abram with Sarai's handmaiden, Hagar, born 2047 AM
(Genesis 17:10) 1877 BCE Abram and Sarai are renamed Abraham and Sarah by God.
Abraham is circumcised.
Sodom and Gomorrahare destroyed 2048 AM
(Genesis 21:5) 1876 BCE Isaac, son of Abraham with Sarah, born 2049 AM
(Genesis 11:23) 1875 BCE Serug dies 2083 AM
(Genesis 11:32) 1841 BCE Terah dies 2085 AM
(Genesis 23:1) 1839 BCE Sarahdies 2096 AM
(Genesis 11:13) 1828 BCE Arpachshad dies 2108 AM
(25:26) 1816 BCE Jacoband Esau, son of Isaac with Rebekah, born 2123 AM
(Genesis 25:7) 1801 BCE Abraham dies 2126 AM
(Genesis 11:15) 1798 BCE Shelah dies 2158 AM
(Genesis 11:11) 1766 BCE Shem dies 2171 AM
(Genesis 25:17) 1753 BCE Ishmael dies 2187 AM
(Genesis 11:17) 1737 BCE Eber dies 2199 AM
(Genesis 41:46) 1725 BCE Joseph, son of Jacob with Rachel, born 2216 AM
(Genesis 37:2) 1708 BCE Joseph is sold by his brothers 2227 AM
(Genesis 41:1) 1697 BCE Joseph interprets the dreams of the butler and the baker while in prison 2228 AM
(Genesis 35:28) 1696 BCE Isaac dies 2229 AM
(Genesis 41:46) 1695 BCE Joseph is elevated to Pharaoh's second 2238 AM
(Genesis 47:9; 45:11; 41:46) 1686 BCE Jacob moves to Egypt at the age of 130
After 7 years of plenty and 2 years of famine
When Joseph was 39 2245 AM
(Genesis 47:28) 1679 BCE Jacob dies 2309 AM
(Genesis 50:26) 1615 BCE Joseph dies

Nationhood

2364 AM
(Exodus 7:7) Amrambegets Aaronwith Jochebed2367 AM
(Exodus 7:7) Amram begets Moseswith Jochebed 2448 AM
(Genesis 15:13) The Israelites leave in a mass exodus from Egypt. 2487 AM
(Deuteronony 34:7 Moses and Aaron die 2488 AM
(Joshua 4:19) The Israelites enter Canaan 2448–2884 AM
(I Kings 6:1; II Samuel 5:4) Period of Joshua, Judgesand Saul, first King of Israel

The Kings

(dates without biblical references[7])

Main articles: Kingdom of Israel and Kingdom of Judah

2853 AM
(II Samuel 5:4) 1071 BCE Jessebegets David2883–2923 AM
(I Kings 2:11) 1041–1001 BCE David reigns as king of Israel 2890 AM
(I Kings 2:11) 1034 BCE David moves his capitol from Hebron to Jerusalem 2923–2963 AM
(I Kings 26:42) 1001–961 BCE Solomonreigns as king of Israel 2927 AM
(I Kings 6:1) 997 BCE Foundation of Templelaid in the 4th year of Solomon's reign
480th year after the Exodus 2963 AM
(I Kings 12) 961 BCE Israel splits into two rival kingdoms: Israel (in the north) and Judah (in the south) 2964–2981 AM 961–944/3 BCE Rehoboam son of Solomonreigns as king of Judah 2964–2986 AM 961/60–939 BCE Jeroboam I son of Nebatreigns as king of Israel 2981–2984 AM 944/3–941 BCE Abijam son of Rehoboamreigns as king of Judah 2984–3025 AM 941–900 BCE Asa son of Abijamreigns as king of Judah 2986–2987 AM 939–938 BCE Nadab son of Jeroboam Ireigns as king of Israel 2987–3010 AM 938–915 BCE Baashareigns as king of Israel 3010–3011 AM 915–914 BCE Elah son of Baashareigns as king of Israel 3011 AM 914 BCE Zimrireigns as king of Israel 3011–3012 AM 914–913 BCE Tibnireigns as king of Israel 3011–3022 AM 913–903 BCE Omrireigns as king of Israel 3022–3042 AM 903–883/2 BCE Ahab son of Omrireigns as king of Israel 3025–3050 AM 900–875 BCE Jehoshaphat son of Asareigns as king of Judah 3042–3043 AM 883/2–882/1 BCE Ahaziah son of Ahabreigns as king of Israel 3047–3054 AM 878/7–871/70 BCE Jehoroam (Joram) son of Jehoshaphatreigns as king of Judah 3043–3054 AM 875–871/70 BCE Joram (Jehoram) son of Ahabreigns as king of Israel 3054–3055 AM 871/70–870 BCE Ahaziah son of Jehoramreigns as king of Judah 3055–3061 AM 870–864 BCE Athaliah wife of Jehoramrules over Judah 3054–3084 AM 871/70–841 BCE Jehu son of Nimshireigns as king of Israel 3061–3101 AM 864–824 BCE Joash (Jehoash) son of Ahaziahreigns as king of Judah 3084–3100 AM 841–825/4 BCE Jehoahaz son of Jehureigns as king of Israel 3098–3114 AM 827/6–811 BCE Jehoash (Joash) son of Jehoahazreigns as king of Israel 3100–3129 AM 825–796 BCE Amaziah son of Joashreigns as king of Judah 3103–3154 AM 822–771/70 BCE Jeroboam II son of Jehoashreigns as king of Israel 3117–3168 AM 808–757/6 BCE Uzziah (Azariah) son of Amaziahreigns as king of Judah 3154–3155 AM 771/70–770 BCE Zechariah son of Jeroboam IIreigns as king of Israel 3155–3155 AM 770 BCE Shallumreigns as king of Israel 3155–3166 AM 770–759 BCE Menahem son of Gadireigns as king of Israel 3166–3168 AM 759–757 BCE Pekahiah son of Menahemreigns as king of Israel 3168–3184 757/6–741/40 BCE Jotham son of Uzziahreigns as king of Judah 3167–3188 AM 758–737 BCE Pekah son of Remaliahreigns as king of Israel 3184–3200 AM 741/40–725 BCE Ahaz son of Jothamreigns as king of Judah 3188–3206 AM 737–719 BCE Hoshea son of Elahreigns as king of Israel 3200–3229 AM 725–696 BCE Hezekiah son of Ahazreigns as king of Judah 3206 AM 719 BCE Northern kingdom of Israel falls to Assyria3229–3284 AM 696–641 BCE Manasseh son of Hezekiahreigns as king of Judah 3284–3286 AM 641–639 BCE Amon son of Manassehreigns as king of Judah 3286–3317 AM 639–608 BCE Josiah son of Amonreigns as king of Judah 3317 AM 608 BCE Jehoahaz son of Josiahreigns as king of Judah 3317–3327 AM 608–598 BCE Jehoiakim son of Josiahreigns as king of Judah 3327 AM 598–597 BCE Jehoiachin (Jeconiah, Coniah) son of Jehoiakimreigns as king of Judah 3327–3338 AM 597–587 BCE Zedekiah (Mattaniah) son of Josiahreigns as king of Judah 3338 AM 587 BCE Kingdom of Judah falls to Babylon

Second temple period

516 BC Second Temple completed by Zerubbabel under Persian rule
515 BC Second Temple dedicated
458 BC Ezra brings law to Jerusalem
446 BC Nehemiah inquired about the Jews and Jerusalem
445 BC Nehemiah stood before the king and was made governor
444 BC Nehemiah built the wall of Jerusalem
332 BC Alexander the Great conquers Israel
323 BC Alexander the Great dies in Babylon
250 BC-AD 100 Septuagint written in Alexandria over a long period of time.
168-165 BC Hasmonean uprising
80 BC Roman defeat of the Maccabees
65 BC Syria becomes a Roman province
63 BC Roman conquest of Judea
37-4 BC Herod the Great is ruler of Judea, appointed by Rome

Early Christianity

See also: Early Christianity and Chronology of Jesus

98 BC Anna, the prophetess, wed her husband 91 years before the birth of Jesus in 7 BC
91 BC Anna, the prophetess, became widowed
7 BC Birth of Jesus.
5 BC God told Joseph to take Jesus and Mary and to flee into Egypt from Herod the Great. Herod the Great then slaughtered all the children 2 years old and under in around Bethlehem.
4 BC Herod the Great died
2 BC Joseph, Mary, and Jesus return from Egypt to Nazareth in Israel after the death of Herod the Great in 4 BC

29 AD: John the Baptist began his ministry in the "15th year of Tiberius" (Luke 3:1-2)
33 AD: Death and resurrection of Jesus

Common Era

45-95 New Testament written Bible Chronology
51-52 or 52-53 AD: proconsulship of Gallio according to an inscription, only fixed date in chronology of Paul [8]
66-73 Revolt against Rome
70 Destruction of the Second Temple by Titus
132-135 Bar Kokhba revolt
200 Mishnah compiled
300 (circa) Codex Vaticanus written
425 (circa) Jerusalem Talmud edited
550 (circa) Babylonian Talmud edited

Sources

Mattis, Kantor, The Jewish time line encyclopedia: a year-by-year history from Creation to present, Jason Aronson Inc., Northvale, N.J., 1992
Handbook of Biblical Chronology by Jack Finegan (Revised edition, 1998), ISBN 1-56563-143-9.
"Biblical Chronology". Catholic Encyclopedia. (1913). New York: Robert Appleton Company.
The Jerusalem Chronology of the Israelite Monarchies by Brad Aaronson (1989)