The Bible's Own Clock
The Bible's Timeline
Four thousand years in eleven eras. Each one carries the events that happened inside it, the verse that records each event, and the books written or set there.
We use the traditional conservative dates. The exodus falls in 1446 BC, counted from the 480 years of 1 Kings 6:1. The kings' reigns follow Edwin Thiele's count of Scripture's own numbers, and the years before Abraham follow Archbishop Ussher's calculation. Where a real alternative date exists, the event says so.
Summary
One verse sets the Bible's clock: 1 Kings 6:1 puts 480 years between the exodus and the fourth year of Solomon, which fixes the exodus at 1446 BC and the patriarchs counted back from it. The years before Abraham follow Ussher's reckoning and the kings' reigns follow Thiele, and a date this page marks with a c. is close rather than fixed.
- The 480 years of 1 Kings 6:1 put the exodus at 1446 BC and Solomon's temple at 966 BC.
- A second reading puts the exodus about 1260 BC, under Rameses II, 186 years later.
- Samaria fell in 722 BC and Jerusalem in 586 BC, so Judah outlasted Israel by 136 years.
- The kingdom stood divided for 344 years, from Solomon's death in 930 BC to the burning of Jerusalem in 586 BC.
- The eleven panels draw 227 marks: 42 reigns, 26 prophets, the dated events, and each book's writing.
- 1Creation and the Beginnings4004 – 2100 BC (Ussher's reckoning)
- 2The Patriarchsc. 2166 – 1876 BC
- 3Egypt, the Exodus and the Law1876 – 1406 BC
- 4Conquest and the Judges1406 – 1050 BC
- 5The United Kingdom1050 – 930 BC
- 6The Divided Kingdom930 – 586 BC
- 7The Exile605 – 538 BC
- 8The Return and the Rebuilding538 – 430 BC
- 9Between the Testaments430 – 5 BC
- 10The Life of Christc. 5 BC – AD 33
- 11The Church and the CanonAD 33 – 95
The eleven eras are this site’s own divisions. Scripture marks none of these boundaries as a boundary, and two of them sit at a death rather than at an event. Where two eras share years the bar shades them. The exile begins with the deportation of 605 BC, and the divided kingdom runs on until Jerusalem falls in 586. Those nineteen years belong to both.
How to read every panel below
- How each date on this panel is known
- recorded a dated record outside the Bible fixes the year
- tied to a reign the Bible names a king's year, and the outside record dates that king
- counted counted from the Bible's own numbers, such as the 480 years of 1 Kings 6:1
- reckoned a later scholar's reckoning, Ussher's for the years before Abraham
- no year given the Bible puts the event in order and gives it no year
A date this site marks “c.” carries a soft edge, because the year is close rather than fixed. Each panel below draws its era to scale on its own axis. Its record runs in strips: the rulers, the prophets, the events and the books written. Each strip is named at its left edge, and all of them share the one year line at the foot. A bar that begins before the era, or runs past it, is cut at the frame and carries an arrow there. Its real years stand in the panel’s own list. A book sits in the era its story sits in. Its bar is the span the site publishes for its writing rather than for its events. The numbers on the events strip match the numbered cards beneath the panel.
Creation and the Beginnings
4004 – 2100 BC (Ussher's reckoning)Genesis 1–11 carries close to half the years this page draws: about 1,900 of the roughly 4,100 between creation and Patmos. Four events carry it: the creation, the fall, the flood, and the scattering at Babel. The dates below are Ussher's, counted from the genealogies of Genesis 5 and 11.
These 1,904 years are 46 percent of everything this page draws, and three of the four events in them carry a year.
1,904 years25 marksLives 20Events 3Books written 2axis to 1817 BC
Lives20
- Adam, 4004 BC to 3074 BC. Counted from Genesis 2:7 and 5:5: 930 years.Shem, 2446 BC to 1846 BC. Counted from Genesis 11:10 and 11:11: 600 years.
- Seth, 3874 BC to 2962 BC. Counted from Genesis 5:3 and 5:8: 912 years.Arphaxad, 2346 BC to 1908 BC. Counted from Genesis 11:10 and 11:13: 438 years.
- Enosh, 3769 BC to 2864 BC. Counted from Genesis 5:6 and 5:11: 905 years.Shelah, 2311 BC to 1878 BC. Counted from Genesis 11:12 and 11:15: 433 years.
- Kenan, 3679 BC to 2769 BC. Counted from Genesis 5:9 and 5:14: 910 years.Eber, 2281 BC to 1817 BC. Counted from Genesis 11:14 and 11:17: 464 years.
- Mahalalel, 3609 BC to 2714 BC. Counted from Genesis 5:12 and 5:17: 895 years.Peleg, 2247 BC to 2008 BC. Counted from Genesis 11:16 and 11:19: 239 years.
- Jared, 3544 BC to 2582 BC. Counted from Genesis 5:15 and 5:20: 962 years.Reu, 2217 BC to 1978 BC. Counted from Genesis 11:18 and 11:21: 239 years.
- Enoch, 3382 BC to 3017 BC. Counted from Genesis 5:18 and 5:23-24: 365 years.Serug, 2185 BC to 1955 BC. Counted from Genesis 11:20 and 11:23: 230 years.
- Methuselah, 3317 BC to 2348 BC. Counted from Genesis 5:21 and 5:27: 969 years.Nahor, 2155 BC to 2007 BC. Counted from Genesis 11:22 and 11:25: 148 years.
- Lamech, 3130 BC to 2353 BC. Counted from Genesis 5:25 and 5:31: 777 years.Terah, 2126 BC to 1921 BC. Counted from Genesis 11:24 and 11:32: 205 years.
- Noah, 2948 BC to 1998 BC. Counted from Genesis 5:28 and 9:29: 950 years.
- Abram, 1996 BC to 1821 BC. Counted from Genesis 11:32 with 12:4, and 25:7: 175 years.
the flood, 2348 BC
Events3
- The creation, 4004 BC, 4004 BC. God makes the heavens and the earth in six days and rests on the seventh.The flood, 2348 BC, 2348 BC. The fountains of the deep break open and the waters cover the earth for a year. Eight people come out.
- Babel and the scattering, 2242 BC, c. 2242 BC. One language becomes many, and the nations spread out from Shinar. The table of nations in Genesis 10 is the map of that scattering.
Books written2
- Job, 2000 BC, written. c. 2000 BC — an ancient, patriarchal-era setting roughly contemporary with Abraham, which is the reading this site holds on the book's own internal evidence; when it was written down is never stated, and views range from Moses (an old Jewish tradition) to Solomon's era to after the exile, with the ancient setting preserved either way.
- Genesis, 1446 BC to 1406 BC, written. c. 1446–1406 BC (written by Moses; the events run from creation to Joseph's death in Egypt, c. 1800 BC — dating positions differ among Bible-believing scholars, and critical scholars date the writing much later)
Every mark on this panel, with its years, its source and its verse25 marks
Lives20
Twenty generations from Adam to Abram, each bar one lifespan by Ussher's reckoning, counted from the chapter and verse named on it.
4004 BC to 3074 BCAdam
Counted from Genesis 2:7 and 5:5: 930 years.
3874 BC to 2962 BCSeth
Counted from Genesis 5:3 and 5:8: 912 years.
3769 BC to 2864 BCEnosh
Counted from Genesis 5:6 and 5:11: 905 years.
3679 BC to 2769 BCKenan
Counted from Genesis 5:9 and 5:14: 910 years.
3609 BC to 2714 BCMahalalel
Counted from Genesis 5:12 and 5:17: 895 years.
3544 BC to 2582 BCJared
Counted from Genesis 5:15 and 5:20: 962 years.
3382 BC to 3017 BCEnoch
Counted from Genesis 5:18 and 5:23-24: 365 years.
3317 BC to 2348 BCMethuselah
Counted from Genesis 5:21 and 5:27: 969 years.
3130 BC to 2353 BCLamech
Counted from Genesis 5:25 and 5:31: 777 years.
2948 BC to 1998 BCNoah
Counted from Genesis 5:28 and 9:29: 950 years.
2446 BC to 1846 BCShem
Counted from Genesis 11:10 and 11:11: 600 years.
2346 BC to 1908 BCArphaxad
Counted from Genesis 11:10 and 11:13: 438 years.
2311 BC to 1878 BCShelah
Counted from Genesis 11:12 and 11:15: 433 years.
2281 BC to 1817 BCEber
Counted from Genesis 11:14 and 11:17: 464 years.
2247 BC to 2008 BCPeleg
Counted from Genesis 11:16 and 11:19: 239 years.
2217 BC to 1978 BCReu
Counted from Genesis 11:18 and 11:21: 239 years.
2185 BC to 1955 BCSerug
Counted from Genesis 11:20 and 11:23: 230 years.
2155 BC to 2007 BCNahor
Counted from Genesis 11:22 and 11:25: 148 years.
2126 BC to 1921 BCTerah
Counted from Genesis 11:24 and 11:32: 205 years.
1996 BC to 1821 BCAbram
Counted from Genesis 11:32 with 12:4, and 25:7: 175 years.
Books written2
Each bar is the span the site publishes for the book's writing, not for the years its story covers.
2000 BCJobwritten
c. 2000 BC — an ancient, patriarchal-era setting roughly contemporary with Abraham, which is the reading this site holds on the book's own internal evidence; when it was written down is never stated, and views range from Moses (an old Jewish tradition) to Solomon's era to after the exile, with the ancient setting preserved either way.
1446 BC to 1406 BCGenesiswritten
c. 1446–1406 BC (written by Moses; the events run from creation to Joseph's death in Egypt, c. 1800 BC — dating positions differ among Bible-believing scholars, and critical scholars date the writing much later)
Not drawn on this panel
- Events: The fall: and the first promise. Why: Scripture places them in order and gives them no year, so they carry no mark on the axis.
The events of this era, in words4 events · 4004 – 2100 BC (Ussher's reckoning)
- 14004 BCreckoned
The creation
God makes the heavens and the earth in six days and rests on the seventh.
Genesis 1:1“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”
- 2Genesis 3no year given
The fall: and the first promise
Adam and Eve disobey, and God speaks the seed promise: the woman's offspring will crush the serpent's head. Every later promise grows from this one.
Genesis 3:15“And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed. He will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.””
- 32348 BCreckoned
The flood
The fountains of the deep break open and the waters cover the earth for a year. Eight people come out.
Genesis 7:11“In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, on the seventeenth day of the second month, all the fountains of the great deep burst forth, and the floodgates of the heavens were opened.”
- 4c. 2242 BCreckoned
Babel and the scattering
One language becomes many, and the nations spread out from Shinar. The table of nations in Genesis 10 is the map of that scattering.
Genesis 11:4““Come,” they said, “let us build for ourselves a city with a tower that reaches to the heavens, that we may make a name for ourselves and not be scattered over the face of all the earth.””
The Patriarchs
c. 2166 – 1876 BCGod narrows His promise to one family. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph carry it for four generations: from a call in Ur to a household of seventy in Egypt.
Four generations carry the promise across 290 years, and five of the events in them carry a date.
290 years13 marksLives 7Events 5Books written 1
Lives7
- Noah, 2900 BC to 1950 BC, Patriarch. The site's own published dating: c. 2900-1950 BC.
- Abraham, 2166 BC to 1991 BC, Patriarch. The site's own published dating: c. 2166-1991 BC.Joseph, 1915 BC to 1805 BC, Patriarch. The site's own published dating: c. 1915-1805 BC.
- Sarah, 2156 BC to 2029 BC, Matriarch. The site's own published dating: c. 2156-2029 BC.
- Isaac, 2066 BC to 1886 BC, Patriarch. The site's own published dating: c. 2066-1886 BC.
- Jacob, 2006 BC to 1859 BC, Patriarch. The site's own published dating: c. 2006-1859 BC.
- Job, 2000 BC to 1800 BC, Patriarch. The site's own published dating: c. 2000-1800 BC (uncertain).
Events5
- The call of Abraham, 2091 BC, c. 2091 BC. The year is counted back from the descent into Egypt, so it moves with that date. On the Greek and Samaritan reading of Exodus 12:40 the call falls about 215 years later, near 1876 BC. This site reads the Hebrew text, which puts the call where it is drawn.Joseph is sold into Egypt, 1898 BC, c. 1898 BC. His brothers sell him to traders. Thirteen years later he is second in Egypt, and the family survives the famine because of it.
- The covenant, cut, 2081 BC, c. 2081 BC. Abram believes God, and it is counted to him as righteousness: the verse Paul builds the doctrine of justification on.Jacob's household goes down to Egypt, 1876 BC, c. 1876 BC. Seventy people settle in Goshen. They stay four hundred and thirty years.
- Isaac is born, 2066 BC, c. 2066 BC. The promised son arrives when Abraham is a hundred and Sarah is ninety.
Every mark on this panel, with its years, its source and its verse13 marks
Lives7
Each bar is the site's own published dating of that life, from its character page.
2900 BC to 1950 BCNoahPatriarch
The site's own published dating: c. 2900-1950 BC.
2166 BC to 1991 BCAbrahamPatriarch
The site's own published dating: c. 2166-1991 BC.
2156 BC to 2029 BCSarahMatriarch
The site's own published dating: c. 2156-2029 BC.
2066 BC to 1886 BCIsaacPatriarch
The site's own published dating: c. 2066-1886 BC.
2006 BC to 1859 BCJacobPatriarch
The site's own published dating: c. 2006-1859 BC.
2000 BC to 1800 BCJobPatriarch
The site's own published dating: c. 2000-1800 BC (uncertain).
1915 BC to 1805 BCJosephPatriarch
The site's own published dating: c. 1915-1805 BC.
Books written1
Each bar is the span the site publishes for the book's writing, not for the years its story covers.
1446 BC to 1406 BCGenesiswritten
c. 1446–1406 BC (written by Moses; the events run from creation to Joseph's death in Egypt, c. 1800 BC — dating positions differ among Bible-believing scholars, and critical scholars date the writing much later)
The events of this era, in words5 events · c. 2166 – 1876 BC
- 1c. 2091 BCcounted
The call of Abraham
God tells Abram to leave his country, and promises him a nation, a land, and a blessing that reaches every family on earth.
How close: The year is counted back from the descent into Egypt, so it moves with that date. On the Greek and Samaritan reading of Exodus 12:40 the call falls about 215 years later, near 1876 BC. This site reads the Hebrew text, which puts the call where it is drawn.
Genesis 12:1“Then the LORD said to Abram, “Leave your country, your kindred, and your father’s household, and go to the land I will show you.”
- 2c. 2081 BCcounted
The covenant, cut
Abram believes God, and it is counted to him as righteousness: the verse Paul builds the doctrine of justification on.
Genesis 15:6“Abram believed the LORD, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”
- 3c. 2066 BCcounted
Isaac is born
The promised son arrives when Abraham is a hundred and Sarah is ninety.
Genesis 21:2“So Sarah conceived and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God had promised.”
- 4c. 1898 BCcounted
Joseph is sold into Egypt
His brothers sell him to traders. Thirteen years later he is second in Egypt, and the family survives the famine because of it.
Genesis 50:20“As for you, what you intended against me for evil, God intended for good, in order to accomplish a day like this—to preserve the lives of many people.”
- 5c. 1876 BCcounted
Jacob's household goes down to Egypt
Seventy people settle in Goshen. They stay four hundred and thirty years.
Genesis 46:27“And with the two sons who had been born to Joseph in Egypt, the members of Jacob’s family who went to Egypt were seventy in all.”
Two readings of this date, drawn at the same weight and the gap measured: 215 years apart. The filled mark is the reading this site follows. c. 1876 BCc. 1661 BCc. 1661 BC: the descent on the Greek and Samaritan reading of Exodus 12:40, which splits the 430 years between Canaan and Egypt. Many read Paul's 430 years in Galatians 3:17 the same way.
Also dated
The four hundred and thirty years come from Exodus 12:40, and the number a Bible prints there depends on which ancient text it follows. The Hebrew reads that Israel's sojourn “in Egypt” was 430 years: the reading this timeline uses, which is what sets the descent at 1876 BC. The Greek Old Testament and the Samaritan Pentateuch read the sojourn as spent “in Egypt and in Canaan,” which splits the 430 in half: about 215 years with the patriarchs in Canaan and about 215 in Egypt, moving the descent forward to roughly 1661 BC without moving the exodus at all. Paul's 430 years from the promise to the law (Galatians 3:17, “The law that came 430 years later”) is read by many as agreeing with the Greek; others count Paul's 430 from the last confirmation of the promise: spoken to Jacob at Beersheba on his way down to Egypt (Genesis 46:2–4): which keeps the Hebrew figure and this timeline's dates. MannaFest follows the Hebrew text here, and says plainly that the alternative is a variant in the manuscripts rather than a modern doubt.
Egypt, the Exodus and the Law
1876 – 1406 BCA family becomes a nation, and a nation becomes slaves. Then God brings them out with ten plagues and a parted sea. He gives them His law at Sinai and teaches them to live with Him in the middle of the camp.
The 470 years from the descent into Egypt to the Jordan hold the 430 years of Exodus 12:40 and the forty in the wilderness.
470 years16 marksProphets 1Lives 6Events 5Books written 4
Lives6
- Jacob, 2006 BC to 1859 BC, Patriarch. The site's own published dating: c. 2006-1859 BC.Aaron, 1529 BC to 1407 BC, Priest. The site's own published dating: c. 1529-1407 BC.
- Job, 2000 BC to 1800 BC, Patriarch. The site's own published dating: c. 2000-1800 BC (uncertain).Joshua, 1500 BC to 1390 BC, Warrior. The site's own published dating: c. 1500-1390 BC.
- Joseph, 1915 BC to 1805 BC, Patriarch. The site's own published dating: c. 1915-1805 BC.Pharaoh of the Exodus, 1446 BC, King. The site's own published dating: c. 1446 BC.
Events5
- Moses is born, 1526 BC, c. 1526 BC. Pharaoh orders the Hebrew boys drowned; one is drawn out of the river and raised in the palace.The exodus, 1446 BC, 1446 BC. After ten plagues and the first Passover, Israel walks out of Egypt in a single night.
- Sinai: the law given, 1446 BC, 1446 BC. Three months out of Egypt, God speaks the Ten Commandments from the mountain.
- The tabernacle raised, 1445 BC, 1445 BC. The tent is finished and the glory fills it. God moves in with His people.
- Moses dies on Nebo, 1406 BC, 1406 BC. Forty years of wilderness end on the plains of Moab, in sight of the land.
Books written4
- Exodus, 1446 BC to 1406 BC, written. c. 1446–1406 BC (traditional early date, following the 480 years of 1 Kings 6:1; some conservative scholars date the exodus later, c. 1260 BC, under Rameses II)
- Leviticus, 1445 BC, written. c. 1445 BC (traditional; given in the single month between the tabernacle's completion in Exodus 40 and the march in Numbers 1 — critical scholars assign most of the book to a much later priestly hand)
- Numbers, 1444 BC to 1406 BC, written. c. 1444–1406 BC (traditional; the forty years from the second year after the exodus to the plains of Moab — under the later exodus dating the same span shifts to roughly 1260–1220 BC)
- Deuteronomy, 1406 BC, written. c. 1406 BC (traditional; Moses' final month on the plains of Moab, in the fortieth year after the exodus — a widely held critical view instead dates the book to the seventh century BC, near Josiah's reform)
Every mark on this panel, with its years, its source and its verse16 marks
Prophets1
Each bar is the site's published dating of the prophet's ministry.
1526 BC to 1406 BCMosesProphet
The site's own published dating: c. 1526-1406 BC.
Lives6
Each bar is the site's own published dating of that life, from its character page.
2006 BC to 1859 BCJacobPatriarch
The site's own published dating: c. 2006-1859 BC.
2000 BC to 1800 BCJobPatriarch
The site's own published dating: c. 2000-1800 BC (uncertain).
1915 BC to 1805 BCJosephPatriarch
The site's own published dating: c. 1915-1805 BC.
1529 BC to 1407 BCAaronPriest
The site's own published dating: c. 1529-1407 BC.
1500 BC to 1390 BCJoshuaWarrior
The site's own published dating: c. 1500-1390 BC.
1446 BCPharaoh of the ExodusKing
The site's own published dating: c. 1446 BC.
Books written4
Each bar is the span the site publishes for the book's writing, not for the years its story covers.
1446 BC to 1406 BCExoduswritten
c. 1446–1406 BC (traditional early date, following the 480 years of 1 Kings 6:1; some conservative scholars date the exodus later, c. 1260 BC, under Rameses II)
1445 BCLeviticuswritten
c. 1445 BC (traditional; given in the single month between the tabernacle's completion in Exodus 40 and the march in Numbers 1 — critical scholars assign most of the book to a much later priestly hand)
1444 BC to 1406 BCNumberswritten
c. 1444–1406 BC (traditional; the forty years from the second year after the exodus to the plains of Moab — under the later exodus dating the same span shifts to roughly 1260–1220 BC)
1406 BCDeuteronomywritten
c. 1406 BC (traditional; Moses' final month on the plains of Moab, in the fortieth year after the exodus — a widely held critical view instead dates the book to the seventh century BC, near Josiah's reform)
The events of this era, in words5 events · 1876 – 1406 BC
- 1c. 1526 BCcounted
Moses is born
Pharaoh orders the Hebrew boys drowned; one is drawn out of the river and raised in the palace.
Exodus 2:10“When the child had grown older, she brought him to Pharaoh’s daughter, and he became her son. She named him Moses and explained, “I drew him out of the water.””
- 21446 BCcounted
The exodus
After ten plagues and the first Passover, Israel walks out of Egypt in a single night.
Exodus 12:41“At the end of the 430 years, to the very day, all the LORD’s divisions went out of the land of Egypt.”
Two readings of this date, drawn at the same weight and the gap measured: 186 years apart. The filled mark is the reading this site follows. 1446 BCc. 1260 BCc. 1260 BC: the later date, argued by K. A. Kitchen from Rameses II's building works and the store cities of Exodus 1:11.
Also dated
Two conservative chronologies are in the field. K. A. Kitchen argues the later date, about 1260 BC under Rameses II, from the store cities of Exodus 1:11 and the Egyptian record. Eugene Merrill and Bryant Wood hold the earlier date, 1446 BC, read off the 480 years of 1 Kings 6:1. This site follows the 480 years.
- 31446 BCcounted
Sinai: the law given
Three months out of Egypt, God speaks the Ten Commandments from the mountain.
Exodus 20:2““I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.”
- 41445 BCcounted
The tabernacle raised
The tent is finished and the glory fills it. God moves in with His people.
Exodus 40:34“Then the cloud covered the Tent of Meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.”
- 51406 BCcounted
Moses dies on Nebo
Forty years of wilderness end on the plains of Moab, in sight of the land.
Deuteronomy 34:5“So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of Moab, as the LORD had said.”
Conquest and the Judges
1406 – 1050 BCIsrael crosses the Jordan and takes the land. Then the same cycle repeats for roughly three and a half centuries. The people forget God, an enemy presses them, they cry out, and God raises a deliverer.
The judges hold the land for 356 years, from the fall of Jericho to the anointing of Saul.
356 years13 marksJudges 3Prophets 1Lives 4Events 4Books written 1
Judges3
Lives4
Events4
- Jericho falls, 1406 BC, 1406 BC. The walls come down on the seventh day, and the conquest begins.Deborah, Gideon, Samson, 1200 BC, c. 1200 BC. The judges hold the tribes together, one crisis at a time. Nobody is in charge.Ruth in the fields of Boaz, 1100 BC, c. 1100 BC. A Moabite widow gleans in Bethlehem and marries into the line that will produce David: and the Messiah.
- The land divided, 1380 BC, c. 1380 BC. Joshua allots the territory tribe by tribe and dies. The generation that saw the miracles passes with him.
Every mark on this panel, with its years, its source and its verse13 marks
Judges3
The book of Judges gives each judge a length of oppression and of rest and never an absolute year, so these bars are the site's own published dating of each life.
Prophets1
Each bar is the site's published dating of the prophet's ministry.
1100 BC to 1010 BCSamuelProphet
The site's own published dating: c. 1100-1010 BC.
Lives4
Each bar is the site's own published dating of that life, from its character page.
Books written1
Each bar is the span the site publishes for the book's writing, not for the years its story covers.
1406 BC to 1380 BCJoshuawritten
c. 1406–1380 BC, following the early date drawn from the 480 years of 1 Kings 6:1 (a later conquest around 1250–1200 BC is the main alternative some scholars prefer); written substantially by Joshua himself, with the closing burial notices added by a later hand.
Not drawn on this panel
- Books written: Judges: the store dates its events rather than its writing (c. 1380–1050 BC); Ruth: the store dates its events rather than its writing (c. 1150–1100 BC). Why: no composition span is drawn.
The events of this era, in words4 events · 1406 – 1050 BC
- 11406 BCcounted
Jericho falls
The walls come down on the seventh day, and the conquest begins.
Joshua 6:20“So when the rams’ horns sounded, the people shouted. When they heard the blast of the horn, the people gave a great shout, and the wall collapsed. Then all the people charged straight into the city and captured it.”
- 2c. 1380 BCcounted
The land divided
Joshua allots the territory tribe by tribe and dies. The generation that saw the miracles passes with him.
Joshua 24:15“But if it is unpleasing in your sight to serve the LORD, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living. As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD!””
- 3c. 1200 BCcounted
Deborah, Gideon, Samson
The judges hold the tribes together, one crisis at a time. Nobody is in charge.
Judges 21:25“In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.”
- 4c. 1100 BCcounted
Ruth in the fields of Boaz
A Moabite widow gleans in Bethlehem and marries into the line that will produce David: and the Messiah.
Ruth 4:17“The neighbor women said, “A son has been born to Naomi,” and they named him Obed. He became the father of Jesse, the father of David.”
The United Kingdom
1050 – 930 BCIsrael asks for a king like the nations and gets Saul. Then comes David, and with him God's promise that one of his sons will reign forever. Matthew's Gospel opens on that promise, tracing Jesus' family line back to him.
One kingdom under three kings lasts 120 years, and Scripture gives each of the three a reign of forty.
120 years14 marksKings of the united kingdom 3Prophets 4Events 4Books written 3
Kings of the united kingdom3
- Saul, 1050 BC to 1010 BC, Mixed. 40 years by Scripture's own count at Acts 13:21; the years follow Thiele's reconstruction.Solomon, 970 BC to 930 BC, Mixed. 40 years by Scripture's own count at 1 Kings 11:42; the years follow Thiele's reconstruction.
- David, 1010 BC to 970 BC, Good. 40 years by Scripture's own count at 2 Samuel 5:4; the years follow Thiele's reconstruction.
Prophets4
- Samuel, 1100 BC to 1010 BC, Prophet. The site's own published dating: c. 1100-1010 BC.Ahijah, 960 BC to 900 BC, Prophet. The site's own published dating: c. 960-900 BC.
- Gad, 1020 BC to 970 BC, Prophet. The site's own published dating: c. 1020-970 BC.
- Nathan, 1010 BC to 960 BC, Prophet. The site's own published dating: c. 1010-960 BC.
Events4
- Saul anointed, 1050 BC, 1050 BC. Samuel warns them what a king will cost. They want one anyway.David becomes king, 1010 BC, 1010 BC. The shepherd from Bethlehem takes the throne, unites the tribes, and brings the ark to Jerusalem.The temple begun, 966 BC, 966 BC. Solomon starts building in the fourth year of his reign: 480 years after the exodus. This verse is the hinge of the whole Old Testament chronology.
- The Davidic covenant, 1000 BC, c. 1000 BC. God promises David a house, a kingdom and a throne established forever.
Books written3
- Psalms, 1400 BC to 450 BC, written. c. 1400–450 BC — the songs were written across roughly a thousand years, from Moses (Psalm 90) through David's reign (c. 1010–970 BC) and on to the community that came home from Babylon (Psalm 137), and the five-book collection reached its final shape around 450 BC. (Some scholars treat the 'of David' headings as notes added by later editors; MannaFest receives them as part of the inspired text, and takes the New Testament's own attributions as decisive.)
- Proverbs, 950 BC, written. c. 950 BC for the core sayings of Solomon, with chapters 25–29 copied out by King Hezekiah's scribes around 700 BC — the book says so itself in 25:1 — and the closing words of Agur and Lemuel gathered in later. (Many scholars date chapters 1–9 to a much later period; MannaFest affirms substantial Solomonic authorship of the core, as 1 Kings 4:32 reports, and treats the book's own record of stage-by-stage collecting as honesty, not a problem.)
- Ecclesiastes, 935 BC, written. c. 935 BC, near the close of Solomon's reign — the book opens by naming its speaker "the son of David, king in Jerusalem" (1:1). (Many scholars point to features of the Hebrew and two possible Persian loanwords and date the book to the 5th–3rd century BC, reading "the Preacher" as a later writer speaking in Solomon's voice; MannaFest holds to Solomon and names the debate rather than hiding it.)
Every mark on this panel, with its years, its source and its verse14 marks
Kings of the united kingdom3
The reign lengths are Scripture's own, at the verse named on each bar; the years follow Thiele.
1050 BC to 1010 BCSaulMixed
40 years by Scripture's own count at Acts 13:21; the years follow Thiele's reconstruction.
Acts 13:21“Then the people asked for a king, and God gave them forty years under Saul son of Kish, from the tribe of Benjamin.”
1010 BC to 970 BCDavidGood
40 years by Scripture's own count at 2 Samuel 5:4; the years follow Thiele's reconstruction.
2 Samuel 5:4“David was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned forty years.”
970 BC to 930 BCSolomonMixed
40 years by Scripture's own count at 1 Kings 11:42; the years follow Thiele's reconstruction.
1 Kings 11:42“Thus the time that Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel was forty years.”
Prophets4
Each bar is the site's published dating of the prophet's ministry.
1100 BC to 1010 BCSamuelProphet
The site's own published dating: c. 1100-1010 BC.
1020 BC to 970 BCGadProphet
The site's own published dating: c. 1020-970 BC.
1010 BC to 960 BCNathanProphet
The site's own published dating: c. 1010-960 BC.
960 BC to 900 BCAhijahProphet
The site's own published dating: c. 960-900 BC.
Books written3
Each bar is the span the site publishes for the book's writing, not for the years its story covers.
1400 BC to 450 BCPsalmswritten
c. 1400–450 BC — the songs were written across roughly a thousand years, from Moses (Psalm 90) through David's reign (c. 1010–970 BC) and on to the community that came home from Babylon (Psalm 137), and the five-book collection reached its final shape around 450 BC. (Some scholars treat the 'of David' headings as notes added by later editors; MannaFest receives them as part of the inspired text, and takes the New Testament's own attributions as decisive.)
950 BCProverbswritten
c. 950 BC for the core sayings of Solomon, with chapters 25–29 copied out by King Hezekiah's scribes around 700 BC — the book says so itself in 25:1 — and the closing words of Agur and Lemuel gathered in later. (Many scholars date chapters 1–9 to a much later period; MannaFest affirms substantial Solomonic authorship of the core, as 1 Kings 4:32 reports, and treats the book's own record of stage-by-stage collecting as honesty, not a problem.)
935 BCEcclesiasteswritten
c. 935 BC, near the close of Solomon's reign — the book opens by naming its speaker "the son of David, king in Jerusalem" (1:1). (Many scholars point to features of the Hebrew and two possible Persian loanwords and date the book to the 5th–3rd century BC, reading "the Preacher" as a later writer speaking in Solomon's voice; MannaFest holds to Solomon and names the debate rather than hiding it.)
Not drawn on this panel
- Books written: 1 Samuel: the store dates its events rather than its writing (c. 1105–1010 BC); 2 Samuel: the store dates its events rather than its writing (c. 1010–970 BC); 1 Kings: the store dates its events rather than its writing (c. 970–853 BC). Why: no composition span is drawn.
The events of this era, in words4 events · 1050 – 930 BC
- 11050 BCcounted
Saul anointed
Samuel warns them what a king will cost. They want one anyway.
1 Samuel 8:7“And the LORD said to Samuel, “Listen to the voice of the people in all that they say to you. For it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected Me as their king.”
- 21010 BCcounted
David becomes king
The shepherd from Bethlehem takes the throne, unites the tribes, and brings the ark to Jerusalem.
2 Samuel 5:4“David was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned forty years.”
- 3c. 1000 BCcounted
The Davidic covenant
God promises David a house, a kingdom and a throne established forever.
2 Samuel 7:16“Your house and kingdom will endure forever before Me, and your throne will be established forever.””
- 4966 BCcounted
The temple begun
Solomon starts building in the fourth year of his reign: 480 years after the exodus. This verse is the hinge of the whole Old Testament chronology.
1 Kings 6:1“In the four hundred and eightieth year after the Israelites had come out of the land of Egypt, in the month of Ziv, the second month of the fourth year of Solomon’s reign over Israel, he began to build the house of the LORD.”
The Divided Kingdom
930 – 586 BCTen tribes break away under Jeroboam and never come back. Israel in the north lasts about two hundred years before falling to Assyria. Judah in the south lasts longer before falling to Babylon. The prophets speak the whole time.
The two kingdoms stood side by side for 208 years, and Judah stood 136 years longer: 344 years from the split to the burning of Jerusalem.
344 years68 marksKings of Judah 20Kings of Israel 19Prophets 15Lives 1Events 5Books written 8
Kings of Judah20
- Rehoboam, 930 BC to 913 BC, Evil. 17 years by Scripture's own count at 1 Kings 14:21; the years follow Thiele's reconstruction.Jehoram, 848 BC to 841 BC, Evil. 8 years by Scripture's own count at 2 Kings 8:17; the years follow Thiele's reconstruction.Jotham, 750 BC to 735 BC, Good. 16 years by Scripture's own count at 2 Kings 15:33; the years follow Thiele's reconstruction.Amon, 642 BC to 640 BC, Evil. 2 years by Scripture's own count at 2 Kings 21:19; the years follow Thiele's reconstruction.
- Abijah, 913 BC to 910 BC, Evil. 3 years by Scripture's own count at 1 Kings 15:2; the years follow Thiele's reconstruction.Ahaziah, 841 BC to 841 BC, Evil. 1 year by Scripture's own count at 2 Kings 8:26; the years follow Thiele's reconstruction.Ahaz, 735 BC to 715 BC, Evil. 16 years by Scripture's own count at 2 Kings 16:2; the years follow Thiele's reconstruction.Josiah, 640 BC to 609 BC, Good. 31 years by Scripture's own count at 2 Kings 22:1; the years follow Thiele's reconstruction.
- Asa, 910 BC to 869 BC, Good. 41 years by Scripture's own count at 1 Kings 15:10; the years follow Thiele's reconstruction.Amaziah, 796 BC to 767 BC, Mixed. 29 years by Scripture's own count at 2 Kings 14:2; the years follow Thiele's reconstruction.Manasseh, 697 BC to 642 BC, Mixed. 55 years by Scripture's own count at 2 Kings 21:1; the years follow Thiele's reconstruction.
- Jehoshaphat, 872 BC to 848 BC, Good. 25 years by Scripture's own count at 1 Kings 22:42; the years follow Thiele's reconstruction.Hezekiah, 715 BC to 686 BC, Good. 29 years by Scripture's own count at 2 Kings 18:2; the years follow Thiele's reconstruction.Jehoahaz, 609 BC to 609 BC, Evil. 3 months by Scripture's own count at 2 Kings 23:31; the years follow Thiele's reconstruction.
- Athaliah, 841 BC to 835 BC, Usurper. 6 years by Scripture's own count at 2 Kings 11:3; the years follow Thiele's reconstruction.Jehoiakim, 609 BC to 598 BC, Evil. 11 years by Scripture's own count at 2 Kings 23:36; the years follow Thiele's reconstruction.
- Joash, 835 BC to 796 BC, Good. 40 years by Scripture's own count at 2 Kings 12:1; the years follow Thiele's reconstruction.Jehoiachin, 598 BC to 597 BC, Evil. 3 months by Scripture's own count at 2 Kings 24:8; the years follow Thiele's reconstruction.
- Uzziah, 790 BC to 739 BC, Good. 52 years by Scripture's own count at 2 Kings 15:2; the years follow Thiele's reconstruction.Zedekiah, 597 BC to 586 BC, Evil. 11 years by Scripture's own count at 2 Kings 24:18; the years follow Thiele's reconstruction.
Kings of Israel19
- Jeroboam I, 930 BC to 909 BC, Evil. 22 years by Scripture's own count at 1 Kings 14:20; the years follow Thiele's reconstruction.Jehu, 841 BC to 814 BC, Mixed. 28 years by Scripture's own count at 2 Kings 10:36; the years follow Thiele's reconstruction.Zechariah, 753 BC to 752 BC, Evil. 6 months by Scripture's own count at 2 Kings 15:8; the years follow Thiele's reconstruction.
- Nadab, 909 BC to 908 BC, Evil. 2 years by Scripture's own count at 1 Kings 15:25; the years follow Thiele's reconstruction.Jehoahaz, 814 BC to 798 BC, Evil. 17 years by Scripture's own count at 2 Kings 13:1; the years follow Thiele's reconstruction.Hoshea, 732 BC to 722 BC, Evil. 9 years by Scripture's own count at 2 Kings 17:1; the years follow Thiele's reconstruction.
- Baasha, 908 BC to 886 BC, Evil. 24 years by Scripture's own count at 1 Kings 15:33; the years follow Thiele's reconstruction.Jehoash, 798 BC to 782 BC, Evil. 16 years by Scripture's own count at 2 Kings 13:10; the years follow Thiele's reconstruction.
- Elah, 886 BC to 885 BC, Evil. 2 years by Scripture's own count at 1 Kings 16:8; the years follow Thiele's reconstruction.Jeroboam II, 793 BC to 753 BC, Evil. 41 years by Scripture's own count at 2 Kings 14:23; the years follow Thiele's reconstruction.
- Zimri, 885 BC to 885 BC, Evil. 7 days by Scripture's own count at 1 Kings 16:15; the years follow Thiele's reconstruction.Shallum, 752 BC to 752 BC, Evil. 1 month by Scripture's own count at 2 Kings 15:13; the years follow Thiele's reconstruction.
- Omri, 885 BC to 874 BC, Evil. 12 years by Scripture's own count at 1 Kings 16:23; the years follow Thiele's reconstruction.Menahem, 752 BC to 742 BC, Evil. 10 years by Scripture's own count at 2 Kings 15:17; the years follow Thiele's reconstruction.
- Ahab, 874 BC to 853 BC, Evil. 22 years by Scripture's own count at 1 Kings 16:29; the years follow Thiele's reconstruction.Pekahiah, 742 BC to 740 BC, Evil. 2 years by Scripture's own count at 2 Kings 15:23; the years follow Thiele's reconstruction.
- Ahaziah, 853 BC to 852 BC, Evil. 2 years by Scripture's own count at 1 Kings 22:51; the years follow Thiele's reconstruction.Pekah, 752 BC to 732 BC, Evil. 20 years by Scripture's own count at 2 Kings 15:27; the years follow Thiele's reconstruction.
- Joram, 852 BC to 841 BC, Evil. 12 years by Scripture's own count at 2 Kings 3:1; the years follow Thiele's reconstruction.
Prophets15
- Ahijah, 960 BC to 900 BC, Prophet. The site's own published dating: c. 960-900 BC.Isaiah, 790 BC to 686 BC, Isaiah 1:1. Isaiah 1:1 names the reigns he spoke under. The bar runs from the accession of Uzziah to the death of Hezekiah on the regnal chart.Ezekiel, 622 BC to 570 BC, Prophet. The site's own published dating: c. 622-570 BC.
- Elijah, 900 BC to 840 BC, Prophet. The site's own published dating: c. 900-840 BC.Micah, 750 BC to 686 BC, Micah 1:1. Micah 1:1 names the reigns he spoke under. The bar runs from the accession of Jotham to the death of Hezekiah on the regnal chart.Daniel, 620 BC to 530 BC, Prophet. The site's own published dating: c. 620-530 BC.
- Elisha, 890 BC to 800 BC, Prophet. The site's own published dating: c. 890-800 BC.Nahum, 663 BC to 612 BC, Prophet. The site's own published dating: c. 663-612 BC.
- Hosea, 790 BC to 686 BC, Hosea 1:1. Hosea 1:1 names the reigns he spoke under. The bar runs from the accession of Uzziah to the death of Hezekiah on the regnal chart.Habakkuk, 615 BC to 605 BC, Prophet. The site's own published dating: c. 615-605 BC.
- Amos, 790 BC to 739 BC, Amos 1:1. Amos 1:1 names the reigns he spoke under. The bar runs from the accession of Uzziah to the death of Uzziah on the regnal chart.Zephaniah, 640 BC to 609 BC, Zephaniah 1:1. Zephaniah 1:1 names the reigns he spoke under. The bar runs from the accession of Josiah to the death of Josiah on the regnal chart.
- Jonah, 785 BC to 760 BC, Prophet. The site's own published dating: c. 785-760 BC.Jeremiah, 640 BC to 586 BC, Jeremiah 1:2-3. Jeremiah 1:2-3 names the reigns he spoke under. The bar runs from the accession of Josiah to the death of Zedekiah on the regnal chart.
- Huldah, 640 BC to 620 BC, Prophet. The site's own published dating: c. 640-620 BC.
Events5
- The kingdom splits, 930 BC, 930 BC. Rehoboam answers the tribes harshly and loses ten of them in a day.Elijah on Carmel, 857 BC, c. 857 BC. Fire falls in front of 450 prophets of Baal, and the nation sees who God is.Samaria falls: Israel deported, 722 BC, 722 BC. Assyria takes the northern kingdom into exile. The ten tribes never return as a nation.Josiah's reform, 622 BC, 622 BC. The book of the law is found in the temple, and the last good king tears down the high places.
- Sennacherib at the gates of Jerusalem, 701 BC, 701 BC. Assyria besieges Hezekiah's Jerusalem and withdraws overnight. The Assyrian record of the siege survives on the Taylor Prism.
Books written8
- Joel, 835 BC to 800 BC, written. c. 835–800 BC on the traditional early dating (the boy-king Joash's reign, when a priest ran the government, which fits a book that names no king); the date is genuinely unsettled, and a large body of scholars places Joel after the exile instead, in the fifth or fourth century BC — nothing in the book's message depends on which is rightIsaiah, 740 BC to 680 BC, written. c. 740–680 BC — Isaiah was called "in the year that king Uzziah died" (about 739 BC) and served through the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, past Sennacherib's siege of Jerusalem in 701 BC. (Most academic scholars divide the book among two or three later authors, because chapters 40–66 address the Babylonian exile and name Cyrus by name; MannaFest holds to one eighth-century Isaiah, since the book stakes its whole argument on a God who declares "the end from the beginning," and the New Testament quotes freely from both halves as "Isaiah.")Habakkuk, 609 BC to 598 BC, written. c. 609–598 BC, in the reign of Jehoiakim, before Babylon's rise was obvious (some critical scholars date it after Jerusalem's fall and read the Babylon oracle as hindsight; the house reading takes it as genuine prediction)
- Jonah, 780 BC to 750 BC, written. c. 780–750 BC, in the reign of Jeroboam II of Israel, and read here as an account of things that actually happened, though many modern scholars take it as a parable insteadNahum, 630 BC to 620 BC, written. c. 630–620 BC — after Thebes fell in 663 BC, which Nahum speaks of as past, and before Nineveh fell in 612 BC (some critics argue it was written after the fact; the plain reading takes it as real prediction)
- Amos, 760 BC to 750 BC, written. c. 760–750 BC — "two years before the earthquake" (1:1), during Uzziah's reign in Judah and Jeroboam II's in Israel; that earthquake was still a byword two centuries later (Zechariah 14:5), and a destruction layer at Hazor has been proposed as its trace, though the identification is not settled
- Hosea, 755 BC to 715 BC, written. c. 755–715 BC — dated by the kings named in 1:1, running from the prosperous last years of Jeroboam II through the fall of Samaria to Assyria in 722 BC
- Micah, 735 BC to 700 BC, written. c. 735–700 BC, under kings Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah (which oracles belong to which reign is debated, but Jeremiah 26 anchors Micah 3:12 to Hezekiah's day)
Every mark on this panel, with its years, its source and its verse68 marks
Kings of Judah20
The reign lengths are Scripture's own, at the verse named on each bar; the years follow Thiele.
930 BC to 913 BCRehoboamEvil
17 years by Scripture's own count at 1 Kings 14:21; the years follow Thiele's reconstruction.
1 Kings 14:21“Meanwhile, Rehoboam son of Solomon reigned in Judah. He was forty-one years old when he became king, and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city the LORD had chosen from all the tribes of Israel in which to put His Name. His mother’s name was Naamah the Ammonite.”
913 BC to 910 BCAbijahEvil
3 years by Scripture's own count at 1 Kings 15:2; the years follow Thiele's reconstruction.
1 Kings 15:2“and he reigned in Jerusalem three years. His mother’s name was Maacah daughter of Abishalom.”
910 BC to 869 BCAsaGood
41 years by Scripture's own count at 1 Kings 15:10; the years follow Thiele's reconstruction.
1 Kings 15:10“and he reigned in Jerusalem forty-one years. His grandmother’s name was Maacah daughter of Abishalom.”
872 BC to 848 BCJehoshaphatGood
25 years by Scripture's own count at 1 Kings 22:42; the years follow Thiele's reconstruction.
1 Kings 22:42“Jehoshaphat was thirty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem twenty-five years. His mother’s name was Azubah daughter of Shilhi.”
848 BC to 841 BCJehoramEvil
8 years by Scripture's own count at 2 Kings 8:17; the years follow Thiele's reconstruction.
2 Kings 8:17“Jehoram was thirty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years.”
841 BC to 841 BCAhaziahEvil
1 year by Scripture's own count at 2 Kings 8:26; the years follow Thiele's reconstruction.
2 Kings 8:26“Ahaziah was twenty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem one year. His mother’s name was Athaliah, the granddaughter of Omri king of Israel.”
841 BC to 835 BCAthaliahUsurper
6 years by Scripture's own count at 2 Kings 11:3; the years follow Thiele's reconstruction.
2 Kings 11:3“And Joash remained hidden with his nurse in the house of the LORD for six years while Athaliah ruled the land.”
835 BC to 796 BCJoashGood
40 years by Scripture's own count at 2 Kings 12:1; the years follow Thiele's reconstruction.
2 Kings 12:1“In the seventh year of Jehu, Joash became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem forty years. His mother’s name was Zibiah; she was from Beersheba.”
796 BC to 767 BCAmaziahMixed
29 years by Scripture's own count at 2 Kings 14:2; the years follow Thiele's reconstruction.
2 Kings 14:2“He was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem twenty-nine years. His mother’s name was Jehoaddan; she was from Jerusalem.”
790 BC to 739 BCUzziahGood
52 years by Scripture's own count at 2 Kings 15:2; the years follow Thiele's reconstruction.
2 Kings 15:2“He was sixteen years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem fifty-two years. His mother’s name was Jecoliah; she was from Jerusalem.”
750 BC to 735 BCJothamGood
16 years by Scripture's own count at 2 Kings 15:33; the years follow Thiele's reconstruction.
2 Kings 15:33“He was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem sixteen years. His mother’s name was Jerusha daughter of Zadok.”
735 BC to 715 BCAhazEvil
16 years by Scripture's own count at 2 Kings 16:2; the years follow Thiele's reconstruction.
2 Kings 16:2“Ahaz was twenty years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem sixteen years. And unlike David his father, he did not do what was right in the eyes of the LORD his God.”
715 BC to 686 BCHezekiahGood
29 years by Scripture's own count at 2 Kings 18:2; the years follow Thiele's reconstruction.
2 Kings 18:2“He was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem twenty-nine years. His mother’s name was Abi, the daughter of Zechariah.”
697 BC to 642 BCManassehMixed
55 years by Scripture's own count at 2 Kings 21:1; the years follow Thiele's reconstruction.
2 Kings 21:1“Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem fifty-five years. His mother’s name was Hephzibah.”
642 BC to 640 BCAmonEvil
2 years by Scripture's own count at 2 Kings 21:19; the years follow Thiele's reconstruction.
2 Kings 21:19“Amon was twenty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem two years. His mother’s name was Meshullemeth daughter of Haruz; she was from Jotbah.”
640 BC to 609 BCJosiahGood
31 years by Scripture's own count at 2 Kings 22:1; the years follow Thiele's reconstruction.
2 Kings 22:1“Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem thirty-one years. His mother’s name was Jedidah daughter of Adaiah; she was from Bozkath.”
609 BC to 609 BCJehoahazEvil
3 months by Scripture's own count at 2 Kings 23:31; the years follow Thiele's reconstruction.
2 Kings 23:31“Jehoahaz was twenty-three years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem three months. His mother’s name was Hamutal daughter of Jeremiah; she was from Libnah.”
609 BC to 598 BCJehoiakimEvil
11 years by Scripture's own count at 2 Kings 23:36; the years follow Thiele's reconstruction.
2 Kings 23:36“Jehoiakim was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eleven years. His mother’s name was Zebidah daughter of Pedaiah; she was from Rumah.”
598 BC to 597 BCJehoiachinEvil
3 months by Scripture's own count at 2 Kings 24:8; the years follow Thiele's reconstruction.
2 Kings 24:8“Jehoiachin was eighteen years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem three months. His mother’s name was Nehushta daughter of Elnathan; she was from Jerusalem.”
597 BC to 586 BCZedekiahEvil
11 years by Scripture's own count at 2 Kings 24:18; the years follow Thiele's reconstruction.
2 Kings 24:18“Zedekiah was twenty-one years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eleven years. His mother’s name was Hamutal daughter of Jeremiah; she was from Libnah.”
Kings of Israel19
The reign lengths are Scripture's own, at the verse named on each bar; the years follow Thiele.
930 BC to 909 BCJeroboam IEvil
22 years by Scripture's own count at 1 Kings 14:20; the years follow Thiele's reconstruction.
1 Kings 14:20“And the length of Jeroboam’s reign was twenty-two years, and he rested with his fathers, and his son Nadab reigned in his place.”
909 BC to 908 BCNadabEvil
2 years by Scripture's own count at 1 Kings 15:25; the years follow Thiele's reconstruction.
1 Kings 15:25“In the second year of Asa’s reign over Judah, Nadab son of Jeroboam became king of Israel, and he reigned two years.”
908 BC to 886 BCBaashaEvil
24 years by Scripture's own count at 1 Kings 15:33; the years follow Thiele's reconstruction.
1 Kings 15:33“In the third year of Asa’s reign over Judah, Baasha son of Ahijah became king of all Israel, and he reigned in Tirzah twenty-four years.”
886 BC to 885 BCElahEvil
2 years by Scripture's own count at 1 Kings 16:8; the years follow Thiele's reconstruction.
1 Kings 16:8“In the twenty-sixth year of Asa’s reign over Judah, Elah son of Baasha became king of Israel, and he reigned in Tirzah two years.”
885 BC to 885 BCZimriEvil
7 days by Scripture's own count at 1 Kings 16:15; the years follow Thiele's reconstruction.
1 Kings 16:15“In the twenty-seventh year of Asa’s reign over Judah, Zimri reigned in Tirzah for seven days. Now the troops were encamped against Gibbethon of the Philistines,”
885 BC to 874 BCOmriEvil
12 years by Scripture's own count at 1 Kings 16:23; the years follow Thiele's reconstruction.
1 Kings 16:23“In the thirty-first year of Asa’s reign over Judah, Omri became king of Israel, and he reigned twelve years, six of them in Tirzah.”
874 BC to 853 BCAhabEvil
22 years by Scripture's own count at 1 Kings 16:29; the years follow Thiele's reconstruction.
1 Kings 16:29“In the thirty-eighth year of Asa’s reign over Judah, Ahab son of Omri became king of Israel, and he reigned in Samaria twenty-two years.”
853 BC to 852 BCAhaziahEvil
2 years by Scripture's own count at 1 Kings 22:51; the years follow Thiele's reconstruction.
1 Kings 22:51“In the seventeenth year of Jehoshaphat’s reign over Judah, Ahaziah son of Ahab became king of Israel, and he reigned in Samaria two years.”
852 BC to 841 BCJoramEvil
12 years by Scripture's own count at 2 Kings 3:1; the years follow Thiele's reconstruction.
2 Kings 3:1“In the eighteenth year of Jehoshaphat’s reign over Judah, Jehoram son of Ahab became king of Israel, and he reigned in Samaria twelve years.”
841 BC to 814 BCJehuMixed
28 years by Scripture's own count at 2 Kings 10:36; the years follow Thiele's reconstruction.
2 Kings 10:36“So the duration of Jehu’s reign over Israel in Samaria was twenty-eight years.”
814 BC to 798 BCJehoahazEvil
17 years by Scripture's own count at 2 Kings 13:1; the years follow Thiele's reconstruction.
2 Kings 13:1“In the twenty-third year of the reign of Joash son of Ahaziah over Judah, Jehoahaz son of Jehu became king of Israel, and he reigned in Samaria seventeen years.”
798 BC to 782 BCJehoashEvil
16 years by Scripture's own count at 2 Kings 13:10; the years follow Thiele's reconstruction.
2 Kings 13:10“In the thirty-seventh year of the reign of Joash over Judah, Jehoash son of Jehoahaz became king of Israel in Samaria, and he reigned sixteen years.”
793 BC to 753 BCJeroboam IIEvil
41 years by Scripture's own count at 2 Kings 14:23; the years follow Thiele's reconstruction.
2 Kings 14:23“In the fifteenth year of the reign of Amaziah son of Joash over Judah, Jeroboam son of Jehoash became king of Israel, and he reigned in Samaria forty-one years.”
753 BC to 752 BCZechariahEvil
6 months by Scripture's own count at 2 Kings 15:8; the years follow Thiele's reconstruction.
2 Kings 15:8“In the thirty-eighth year of Azariah’s reign over Judah, Zechariah son of Jeroboam became king of Israel, and he reigned in Samaria six months.”
752 BC to 752 BCShallumEvil
1 month by Scripture's own count at 2 Kings 15:13; the years follow Thiele's reconstruction.
2 Kings 15:13“In the thirty-ninth year of Uzziah’s reign over Judah, Shallum son of Jabesh became king, and he reigned in Samaria one full month.”
752 BC to 742 BCMenahemEvil
10 years by Scripture's own count at 2 Kings 15:17; the years follow Thiele's reconstruction.
2 Kings 15:17“In the thirty-ninth year of Azariah’s reign over Judah, Menahem son of Gadi became king of Israel, and he reigned in Samaria ten years.”
742 BC to 740 BCPekahiahEvil
2 years by Scripture's own count at 2 Kings 15:23; the years follow Thiele's reconstruction.
2 Kings 15:23“In the fiftieth year of Azariah’s reign over Judah, Pekahiah son of Menahem became king of Israel and reigned in Samaria two years.”
752 BC to 732 BCPekahEvil
20 years by Scripture's own count at 2 Kings 15:27; the years follow Thiele's reconstruction.
2 Kings 15:27“In the fifty-second year of Azariah’s reign over Judah, Pekah son of Remaliah became king of Israel, and he reigned in Samaria twenty years.”
732 BC to 722 BCHosheaEvil
9 years by Scripture's own count at 2 Kings 17:1; the years follow Thiele's reconstruction.
2 Kings 17:1“In the twelfth year of the reign of Ahaz over Judah, Hoshea son of Elah became king of Israel, and he reigned in Samaria nine years.”
Prophets15
A solid bar runs between the reigns the prophet's own superscription names. A faint bar is the site's published dating of his ministry.
960 BC to 900 BCAhijahProphet
The site's own published dating: c. 960-900 BC.
900 BC to 840 BCElijahProphet
The site's own published dating: c. 900-840 BC.
890 BC to 800 BCElishaProphet
The site's own published dating: c. 890-800 BC.
790 BC to 686 BCIsaiahIsaiah 1:1
Isaiah 1:1 names the reigns he spoke under. The bar runs from the accession of Uzziah to the death of Hezekiah on the regnal chart.
Isaiah 1:1“This is the vision concerning Judah and Jerusalem that Isaiah son of Amoz saw during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.”
790 BC to 686 BCHoseaHosea 1:1
Hosea 1:1 names the reigns he spoke under. The bar runs from the accession of Uzziah to the death of Hezekiah on the regnal chart.
Hosea 1:1“This is the word of the LORD that came to Hosea son of Beeri in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, and of Jeroboam son of Jehoash, king of Israel.”
790 BC to 739 BCAmosAmos 1:1
Amos 1:1 names the reigns he spoke under. The bar runs from the accession of Uzziah to the death of Uzziah on the regnal chart.
Amos 1:1“These are the words of Amos, who was among the sheepherders of Tekoa—what he saw concerning Israel two years before the earthquake, in the days when Uzziah was king of Judah and Jeroboam son of Jehoash was king of Israel.”
785 BC to 760 BCJonahProphet
The site's own published dating: c. 785-760 BC.
750 BC to 686 BCMicahMicah 1:1
Micah 1:1 names the reigns he spoke under. The bar runs from the accession of Jotham to the death of Hezekiah on the regnal chart.
Micah 1:1“This is the word of the LORD that came to Micah the Moreshite in the days of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah—what he saw regarding Samaria and Jerusalem:”
663 BC to 612 BCNahumProphet
The site's own published dating: c. 663-612 BC.
640 BC to 609 BCZephaniahZephaniah 1:1
Zephaniah 1:1 names the reigns he spoke under. The bar runs from the accession of Josiah to the death of Josiah on the regnal chart.
Zephaniah 1:1“This is the word of the LORD that came to Zephaniah son of Cushi, the son of Gedaliah, the son of Amariah, the son of Hezekiah, in the days of Josiah son of Amon king of Judah:”
640 BC to 586 BCJeremiahJeremiah 1:2-3
Jeremiah 1:2-3 names the reigns he spoke under. The bar runs from the accession of Josiah to the death of Zedekiah on the regnal chart.
Jeremiah 1:2“The word of the LORD came to Jeremiah in the thirteenth year of the reign of Josiah son of Amon king of Judah,”
640 BC to 620 BCHuldahProphet
The site's own published dating: c. 640-620 BC.
622 BC to 570 BCEzekielProphet
The site's own published dating: c. 622-570 BC.
620 BC to 530 BCDanielProphet
The site's own published dating: c. 620-530 BC.
615 BC to 605 BCHabakkukProphet
The site's own published dating: c. 615-605 BC.
Lives1
Each bar is the site's own published dating of that life, from its character page.
605 BC to 562 BCNebuchadnezzarKing
The site's own published dating: 605–562 BC.
Books written8
Each bar is the span the site publishes for the book's writing, not for the years its story covers.
835 BC to 800 BCJoelwritten
c. 835–800 BC on the traditional early dating (the boy-king Joash's reign, when a priest ran the government, which fits a book that names no king); the date is genuinely unsettled, and a large body of scholars places Joel after the exile instead, in the fifth or fourth century BC — nothing in the book's message depends on which is right
780 BC to 750 BCJonahwritten
c. 780–750 BC, in the reign of Jeroboam II of Israel, and read here as an account of things that actually happened, though many modern scholars take it as a parable instead
760 BC to 750 BCAmoswritten
c. 760–750 BC — "two years before the earthquake" (1:1), during Uzziah's reign in Judah and Jeroboam II's in Israel; that earthquake was still a byword two centuries later (Zechariah 14:5), and a destruction layer at Hazor has been proposed as its trace, though the identification is not settled
755 BC to 715 BCHoseawritten
c. 755–715 BC — dated by the kings named in 1:1, running from the prosperous last years of Jeroboam II through the fall of Samaria to Assyria in 722 BC
740 BC to 680 BCIsaiahwritten
c. 740–680 BC — Isaiah was called "in the year that king Uzziah died" (about 739 BC) and served through the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, past Sennacherib's siege of Jerusalem in 701 BC. (Most academic scholars divide the book among two or three later authors, because chapters 40–66 address the Babylonian exile and name Cyrus by name; MannaFest holds to one eighth-century Isaiah, since the book stakes its whole argument on a God who declares "the end from the beginning," and the New Testament quotes freely from both halves as "Isaiah.")
735 BC to 700 BCMicahwritten
c. 735–700 BC, under kings Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah (which oracles belong to which reign is debated, but Jeremiah 26 anchors Micah 3:12 to Hezekiah's day)
630 BC to 620 BCNahumwritten
c. 630–620 BC — after Thebes fell in 663 BC, which Nahum speaks of as past, and before Nineveh fell in 612 BC (some critics argue it was written after the fact; the plain reading takes it as real prediction)
609 BC to 598 BCHabakkukwritten
c. 609–598 BC, in the reign of Jehoiakim, before Babylon's rise was obvious (some critical scholars date it after Jerusalem's fall and read the Babylon oracle as hindsight; the house reading takes it as genuine prediction)
Not drawn on this panel
- Books written: 1 Kings: the store dates its events rather than its writing (c. 970–853 BC); 2 Kings: the store dates its events rather than its writing (c. 850–560 BC); Zephaniah: the store dates its writing to a decade rather than to years. Why: no composition span is drawn.
The events of this era, in words5 events · 930 – 586 BC
- 1930 BCcounted
The kingdom splits
Rehoboam answers the tribes harshly and loses ten of them in a day.
1 Kings 12:16“When all Israel saw that the king had refused to listen to them, they answered the king: “What portion do we have in David, and what inheritance in the son of Jesse? To your tents, O Israel! Look now to your own house, O David!” So the Israelites went home,”
- 2c. 857 BCcounted
Elijah on Carmel
Fire falls in front of 450 prophets of Baal, and the nation sees who God is.
1 Kings 18:39“When all the people saw this, they fell facedown and said, “The LORD, He is God! The LORD, He is God!””
- 3722 BCrecorded
Samaria falls: Israel deported
Assyria takes the northern kingdom into exile. The ten tribes never return as a nation.
2 Kings 17:6“In the ninth year of Hoshea, the king of Assyria captured Samaria and carried away the Israelites to Assyria, where he settled them in Halah, in Gozan by the Habor River, and in the cities of the Medes.”
- 4701 BCrecorded
Sennacherib at the gates of Jerusalem
Assyria besieges Hezekiah's Jerusalem and withdraws overnight. The Assyrian record of the siege survives on the Taylor Prism.
2 Kings 19:35“And that very night the angel of the LORD went out and struck down 185,000 men in the camp of the Assyrians. When the people got up the next morning, there were all the dead bodies!”
- 5622 BCtied to a reign
Josiah's reform
The book of the law is found in the temple, and the last good king tears down the high places.
2 Kings 22:8“Then Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the scribe, “I have found the Book of the Law in the house of the LORD!” And he gave it to Shaphan, who read it.”
The reigns on one shared year axis39 kings · 930 – 586 BC
- The verdict Scripture gives each king
- good
- mixed
- evil
- usurper
A prophet’s bar runs across the reigns Scripture names him under, so the bar is the span he is placed in rather than the length of his life. Reigns from Edwin R. Thiele, The Mysterious Numbers of the Hebrew Kings (3rd ed., 1983). Every king is named, with his door, in the list beside this chart.
Judah: 20 kings
- Rehoboam930–913 BC · evil
- Abijah913–910 BC · evil
- Asa910–869 BC · good
- Jehoshaphat872–848 BC · good
- Jehoram848–841 BC · evil
- Ahaziah841–841 BC · evil
- Athaliah841–835 BC · usurper
- Joash835–796 BC · good
- Amaziah796–767 BC · mixed
- Uzziah790–739 BC · good
- Jotham750–735 BC · good
- Ahaz735–715 BC · evil
- Hezekiah715–686 BC · good
- Manasseh697–642 BC · mixed
- Amon642–640 BC · evil
- Josiah640–609 BC · good
- Jehoahaz609–609 BC · evil
- Jehoiakim609–598 BC · evil
- Jehoiachin598–597 BC · evil
- Zedekiah597–586 BC · evil
Israel: 19 kings
- Jeroboam I930–909 BC · evil
- Nadab909–908 BC · evil
- Baasha908–886 BC · evil
- Elah886–885 BC · evil
- Zimri885–885 BC · evil
- Omri885–874 BC · evil
- Ahab874–853 BC · evil
- Ahaziah853–852 BC · evil
- Joram852–841 BC · evil
- Jehu841–814 BC · mixed
- Jehoahaz814–798 BC · evil
- Jehoash798–782 BC · evil
- Jeroboam II793–753 BC · evil
- Zechariah753–752 BC · evil
- Shallum752–752 BC · evil
- Menahem752–742 BC · evil
- Pekahiah742–740 BC · evil
- Pekah752–732 BC · evil
- Hoshea732–722 BC · evil
The Exile
605 – 538 BCBabylon comes in three waves. Daniel goes in the first, Ezekiel in the second, and in 586 BC the temple burns. Jeremiah's seventy years are counted from that burning to the second temple finished in 516 BC. The era's own span is the shorter count, and the panel's title carries it.
Sixty-seven years run from the first deportation to the decree that ends the exile, the shortest era on the page before Christ.
67 years17 marksKings of Judah 3Prophets 4Lives 2Events 4Books written 4
Kings of Judah3
- Jehoiakim, 609 BC to 598 BC, Evil. 11 years by Scripture's own count at 2 Kings 23:36; the years follow Thiele's reconstruction.
- Jehoiachin, 598 BC to 597 BC, Evil. 3 months by Scripture's own count at 2 Kings 24:8; the years follow Thiele's reconstruction.
- Zedekiah, 597 BC to 586 BC, Evil. 11 years by Scripture's own count at 2 Kings 24:18; the years follow Thiele's reconstruction.
Prophets4
- Jeremiah, 640 BC to 586 BC, Jeremiah 1:2-3. Jeremiah 1:2-3 names the reigns he spoke under. The bar runs from the accession of Josiah to the death of Zedekiah on the regnal chart.
- Ezekiel, 622 BC to 570 BC, Prophet. The site's own published dating: c. 622-570 BC.
- Daniel, 620 BC to 530 BC, Prophet. The site's own published dating: c. 620-530 BC.
- Obadiah, 586 BC to 580 BC, Prophet. The site's own published dating: c. 586-580 BC.
Lives2
Events4
- The first deportation, 605 BC, 605 BC. Nebuchadnezzar takes the young nobility of Judah to Babylon. Daniel is among them.Jerusalem and the temple burned, 586 BC, 586 BC. The city falls, the temple is destroyed, and the land keeps its sabbaths.Babylon falls in a night, 539 BC, 539 BC. The writing appears on Belshazzar's wall and Persia takes the city before morning.
- The second deportation, 597 BC, 597 BC. Ten thousand more are carried off, Ezekiel among them. He begins to prophesy by the Chebar canal.
Books written4
- Jeremiah, 627 BC to 580 BC, written. c. 627–580 BC — called in the thirteenth year of Josiah (627 BC) and still speaking after Jerusalem burned in 586 BC (a minority of scholars read 627 as the year of his birth rather than his call, which would shift the ministry a little later)
- Ezekiel, 593 BC to 571 BC, written. c. 593–571 BC — the call comes in the fifth year of King Jehoiachin's captivity (593 BC) and the last dated oracle falls in 571 BC; Ezekiel is the most carefully dated prophetic book in the Old Testament
- Lamentations, 586 BC to 580 BC, written. c. 586–580 BC, written while the ruins were still fresh (Jewish and Christian tradition names Jeremiah as the poet and MannaFest follows it; the Hebrew text itself carries no author's name)
- Obadiah, 586 BC, written. c. 586 BC, soon after Babylon burned Jerusalem (an older conservative reading places it about 845 BC, when Edom revolted under King Jehoram)
Every mark on this panel, with its years, its source and its verse17 marks
Kings of Judah3
The reign lengths are Scripture's own, at the verse named on each bar; the years follow Thiele.
609 BC to 598 BCJehoiakimEvil
11 years by Scripture's own count at 2 Kings 23:36; the years follow Thiele's reconstruction.
2 Kings 23:36“Jehoiakim was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eleven years. His mother’s name was Zebidah daughter of Pedaiah; she was from Rumah.”
598 BC to 597 BCJehoiachinEvil
3 months by Scripture's own count at 2 Kings 24:8; the years follow Thiele's reconstruction.
2 Kings 24:8“Jehoiachin was eighteen years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem three months. His mother’s name was Nehushta daughter of Elnathan; she was from Jerusalem.”
597 BC to 586 BCZedekiahEvil
11 years by Scripture's own count at 2 Kings 24:18; the years follow Thiele's reconstruction.
2 Kings 24:18“Zedekiah was twenty-one years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eleven years. His mother’s name was Hamutal daughter of Jeremiah; she was from Libnah.”
Prophets4
A solid bar runs between the reigns the prophet's own superscription names. A faint bar is the site's published dating of his ministry.
640 BC to 586 BCJeremiahJeremiah 1:2-3
Jeremiah 1:2-3 names the reigns he spoke under. The bar runs from the accession of Josiah to the death of Zedekiah on the regnal chart.
Jeremiah 1:2“The word of the LORD came to Jeremiah in the thirteenth year of the reign of Josiah son of Amon king of Judah,”
622 BC to 570 BCEzekielProphet
The site's own published dating: c. 622-570 BC.
620 BC to 530 BCDanielProphet
The site's own published dating: c. 620-530 BC.
586 BC to 580 BCObadiahProphet
The site's own published dating: c. 586-580 BC.
Lives2
Each bar is the site's own published dating of that life, from its character page.
605 BC to 562 BCNebuchadnezzarKing
The site's own published dating: 605–562 BC.
559 BC to 530 BCCyrus the GreatKing
The site's own published dating: 559–530 BC.
Books written4
Each bar is the span the site publishes for the book's writing, not for the years its story covers.
627 BC to 580 BCJeremiahwritten
c. 627–580 BC — called in the thirteenth year of Josiah (627 BC) and still speaking after Jerusalem burned in 586 BC (a minority of scholars read 627 as the year of his birth rather than his call, which would shift the ministry a little later)
593 BC to 571 BCEzekielwritten
c. 593–571 BC — the call comes in the fifth year of King Jehoiachin's captivity (593 BC) and the last dated oracle falls in 571 BC; Ezekiel is the most carefully dated prophetic book in the Old Testament
586 BC to 580 BCLamentationswritten
c. 586–580 BC, written while the ruins were still fresh (Jewish and Christian tradition names Jeremiah as the poet and MannaFest follows it; the Hebrew text itself carries no author's name)
586 BCObadiahwritten
c. 586 BC, soon after Babylon burned Jerusalem (an older conservative reading places it about 845 BC, when Edom revolted under King Jehoram)
Not drawn on this panel
- Books written: Daniel: the store dates its events rather than its writing (c. 605–536 BC). Why: no composition span is drawn.
The events of this era, in words4 events · 605 – 538 BC
- 1605 BCrecorded
The first deportation
Nebuchadnezzar takes the young nobility of Judah to Babylon. Daniel is among them.
Daniel 1:1“In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it.”
- 2597 BCrecorded
The second deportation
Ten thousand more are carried off, Ezekiel among them. He begins to prophesy by the Chebar canal.
Ezekiel 1:1“In the thirtieth year, on the fifth day of the fourth month, while I was among the exiles by the River Kebar, the heavens opened and I saw visions of God.”
- 3586 BCrecorded
Jerusalem and the temple burned
The city falls, the temple is destroyed, and the land keeps its sabbaths.
2 Kings 25:9“He burned down the house of the LORD, the royal palace, and all the houses of Jerusalem—every significant building.”
- 4539 BCrecorded
Babylon falls in a night
The writing appears on Belshazzar's wall and Persia takes the city before morning.
Daniel 5:30“That very night Belshazzar king of the Chaldeans was slain,”
The Return and the Rebuilding
538 – 430 BCCyrus lets the exiles go home. They rebuild the altar, then the temple, then the walls: and the Old Testament closes with a promise that a messenger will come first.
The return takes 108 years, from the decree of Cyrus to the last word of Malachi.
108 years20 marksProphets 4Lives 5Events 5Books written 6
Prophets4
- Daniel, 620 BC to 530 BC, Prophet. The site's own published dating: c. 620-530 BC.Malachi, 460 BC to 430 BC, Prophet. The site's own published dating: c. 460-430 BC.
- Zechariah, 520 BC to 480 BC, Prophet. The site's own published dating: c. 520-480 BC.
- Haggai, 520 BC, Prophet. The site's own published dating: c. 520 BC.
Lives5
- Cyrus the Great, 559 BC to 530 BC, King. The site's own published dating: 559–530 BC.Xerxes, 486 BC to 465 BC, King. The site's own published dating: 486–465 BC.Nehemiah, 445 BC to 433 BC, Other. The site's own published dating: c. 5th century BC (fl. c. 445-433 BC).
- Darius the Great, 522 BC to 486 BC, King. The site's own published dating: 522–486 BC.Ezra, 458 BC, Priest. The site's own published dating: c. 5th century BC (fl. c. 458 BC).
Events5
- The decree of Cyrus, 538 BC, 538 BC. Persia's king orders the temple rebuilt: named by Isaiah a century and a half before he was born.The second temple finished, 516 BC, 516 BC. Twenty-one years after the first stone, the house is completed: seventy years after the first was burned.Esther in Susa, 479 BC, c. 479 BC. A Jewish queen in Persia stops the extermination of her people. God is never named in the book, and never absent from it.Nehemiah rebuilds the wall, 445 BC, 445 BC. Fifty-two days of work under threat. Daniel's seventy weeks are counted from a decree in this era.
- Malachi: and then silence, 430 BC, c. 430 BC. The last Old Testament voice promises Elijah before the day of the LORD, and the prophets go quiet for four centuries.
Books written6
- Ezra, 538 BC to 457 BC, written. c. 538–457 BC: Cyrus's decree in 538 BC, the temple finished in 516 BC, and Ezra's own journey in the seventh year of Artaxerxes I, 458 BC (a minority of scholars move Ezra's arrival to 398 BC under Artaxerxes II, after Nehemiah rather than before him).
- Haggai, 520 BC, written. c. 520 BC — four oracles dated to the day across four months of the second year of Darius I, making Haggai the most precisely dated book in the Old TestamentEsther, 483 BC to 473 BC, written. c. 483–473 BC, in the reign of Ahasuerus — identified by most conservative scholars with Xerxes I (486–465 BC) — placing the story in the quiet decades between the temple's completion in 516 BC and Ezra's return in 458 BC.Nehemiah, 445 BC to 424 BC, written. c. 445–424 BC: Nehemiah's commission in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes I, 445 BC, his first term as governor to 433 BC, and a later return visit; the priestly lists at the end were extended by a later scribal hand, a normal practice for such records.
- Zechariah, 520 BC to 518 BC, written. c. 520–518 BC for chapters 1–8, which date themselves, with chapters 9–14 coming later in the same prophet's ministry (much modern scholarship assigns those chapters to a later anonymous writer; MannaFest holds the whole scroll as Zechariah's)Malachi, 460 BC to 430 BC, written. c. 460–430 BC, in the Persian period, around the time of Nehemiah's reforms (a minority reads "Malachi" as a title, "my messenger," rather than a personal name, leaving the prophet unnamed)
Every mark on this panel, with its years, its source and its verse20 marks
Prophets4
Each bar is the site's published dating of the prophet's ministry.
Lives5
Each bar is the site's own published dating of that life, from its character page.
559 BC to 530 BCCyrus the GreatKing
The site's own published dating: 559–530 BC.
522 BC to 486 BCDarius the GreatKing
The site's own published dating: 522–486 BC.
486 BC to 465 BCXerxesKing
The site's own published dating: 486–465 BC.
458 BCEzraPriest
The site's own published dating: c. 5th century BC (fl. c. 458 BC).
445 BC to 433 BCNehemiahOther
The site's own published dating: c. 5th century BC (fl. c. 445-433 BC).
Books written6
Each bar is the span the site publishes for the book's writing, not for the years its story covers.
538 BC to 457 BCEzrawritten
c. 538–457 BC: Cyrus's decree in 538 BC, the temple finished in 516 BC, and Ezra's own journey in the seventh year of Artaxerxes I, 458 BC (a minority of scholars move Ezra's arrival to 398 BC under Artaxerxes II, after Nehemiah rather than before him).
520 BCHaggaiwritten
c. 520 BC — four oracles dated to the day across four months of the second year of Darius I, making Haggai the most precisely dated book in the Old Testament
520 BC to 518 BCZechariahwritten
c. 520–518 BC for chapters 1–8, which date themselves, with chapters 9–14 coming later in the same prophet's ministry (much modern scholarship assigns those chapters to a later anonymous writer; MannaFest holds the whole scroll as Zechariah's)
483 BC to 473 BCEstherwritten
c. 483–473 BC, in the reign of Ahasuerus — identified by most conservative scholars with Xerxes I (486–465 BC) — placing the story in the quiet decades between the temple's completion in 516 BC and Ezra's return in 458 BC.
460 BC to 430 BCMalachiwritten
c. 460–430 BC, in the Persian period, around the time of Nehemiah's reforms (a minority reads "Malachi" as a title, "my messenger," rather than a personal name, leaving the prophet unnamed)
445 BC to 424 BCNehemiahwritten
c. 445–424 BC: Nehemiah's commission in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes I, 445 BC, his first term as governor to 433 BC, and a later return visit; the priestly lists at the end were extended by a later scribal hand, a normal practice for such records.
The events of this era, in words5 events · 538 – 430 BC
- 1538 BCrecorded
The decree of Cyrus
Persia's king orders the temple rebuilt: named by Isaiah a century and a half before he was born.
2 Chronicles 36:23““This is what Cyrus king of Persia says: ‘The LORD, the God of heaven, who has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, has appointed me to build a house for Him at Jerusalem in Judah. Whoever among you belongs to His people, may the LORD his God be with him, and may he go up.’””
- 2516 BCtied to a reign
The second temple finished
Twenty-one years after the first stone, the house is completed: seventy years after the first was burned.
Ezra 6:15“And this temple was completed on the third day of the month of Adar, in the sixth year of the reign of King Darius.”
- 3c. 479 BCtied to a reign
Esther in Susa
A Jewish queen in Persia stops the extermination of her people. God is never named in the book, and never absent from it.
Esther 4:14“For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows if perhaps you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?””
- 4445 BCtied to a reign
Nehemiah rebuilds the wall
Fifty-two days of work under threat. Daniel's seventy weeks are counted from a decree in this era.
Nehemiah 2:17“Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in. Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned down. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, so that we will no longer be a disgrace.””
- 5c. 430 BCtied to a reign
Malachi: and then silence
The last Old Testament voice promises Elijah before the day of the LORD, and the prophets go quiet for four centuries.
Malachi 4:5“Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and awesome Day of the LORD.”
Between the Testaments
430 – 5 BCNo prophet speaks for about four hundred years, but the stage is being built. Greek becomes the world's language. The Scriptures get translated into it, the synagogue takes shape, and Rome takes Jerusalem.
Four hundred and twenty-five years pass between Malachi and Matthew, and no book of the Protestant canon is written in them.
425 years8 marksProphets 2Lives 1Events 5
Prophets2
Events5
- Alexander takes the Near East, 332 BC, 332 BC. Greek language and Greek thought spread from Egypt to India: the roads the gospel later travels.The Septuagint: the Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures, 250 BC, c. 250 BC. The Hebrew Scriptures are translated into Greek at Alexandria, and that translation becomes the Bible the apostles quote.Antiochus desecrates the temple, 167 BC, 167 BC. A pig on the altar and a statue of Zeus in the holy place: the pattern Daniel described, and Jesus points back to it.Rome takes Jerusalem, 63 BC, 63 BC. Pompey walks into the holy of holies. Judea becomes Roman, and stays Roman through the whole New Testament.
- The Maccabees cleanse the temple, 164 BC, 164 BC. The revolt succeeds and the temple is rededicated: the feast Jesus attends in John 10.
Every mark on this panel, with its years, its source and its verse8 marks
Prophets2
Each bar is the site's published dating of the prophet's ministry.
90 BC to AD 5AnnaProphet
The site's own published dating: c. 90 BC - 5 CE.
6 BC to AD 30John the BaptistProphet
The site's own published dating: c. 6 BC - 30 CE.
Lives1
Each bar is the site's own published dating of that life, from its character page.
37 BC to 4 BCHerod the GreatKing
The site's own published dating: 37–4 BC.
Not drawn on this panel
- Books written: Daniel: the store dates its events rather than its writing (c. 605–536 BC). Why: no composition span is drawn.
The events of this era, in words5 events · 430 – 5 BC
- 1332 BCrecorded
Alexander takes the Near East
Greek language and Greek thought spread from Egypt to India: the roads the gospel later travels.
- 2c. 250 BCrecorded
The Septuagint: the Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures
The Hebrew Scriptures are translated into Greek at Alexandria, and that translation becomes the Bible the apostles quote.
- 3167 BCrecorded
Antiochus desecrates the temple
A pig on the altar and a statue of Zeus in the holy place: the pattern Daniel described, and Jesus points back to it.
Daniel 11:31“His forces will rise up and desecrate the temple fortress. They will abolish the daily sacrifice and set up the abomination of desolation.”
- 4164 BCrecorded
The Maccabees cleanse the temple
The revolt succeeds and the temple is rededicated: the feast Jesus attends in John 10.
John 10:22“At that time the Feast of Dedication took place in Jerusalem. It was winter,”
- 563 BCrecorded
Rome takes Jerusalem
Pompey walks into the holy of holies. Judea becomes Roman, and stays Roman through the whole New Testament.
The Life of Christ
c. 5 BC – AD 33The life of Christ is the centre of the whole timeline. Everything before it points forward; everything after it looks back. Roughly three years of public ministry, and one week that the Gospels give a third of their space to.
The whole life of Christ takes 37 years, under one percent of the years this page draws.
37 years16 marksProphets 2Lives 7Events 3Books written 4
Prophets2
Lives7
- Herod the Great, 37 BC to 4 BC, King. The site's own published dating: 37–4 BC.Paul, AD 5 to AD 67, Apostle. The site's own published dating: c. 5-67 AD.
- Herod Antipas, 4 BC to AD 39, King. The site's own published dating: 4 BC–AD 39.
- Peter, AD 1 to AD 68, Apostle. The site's own published dating: c. 1-68 AD.
- James, Son of Zebedee, AD 1 to AD 44, Apostle. The site's own published dating: c. 1-44 AD.
- John the Apostle, AD 6 to AD 100, Apostle. The site's own published dating: c. 6-100 AD.
- Timothy, AD 17 to AD 97, Apostle. The site's own published dating: c. 17-97 AD (traditional).
Events3
- Jesus is born in Bethlehem, 5 BC, c. 5 BC. Herod the Great dies in 4 BC, so the birth is earlier than the calendar that counts from it.The baptism and the wilderness, AD 27, c. AD 27. John baptises Him, the Spirit descends, and the public ministry begins.
- The crucifixion, AD 30 to AD 33, AD 30 or 33. Passover in Jerusalem. The two candidate years both fit a Friday Passover; the site names both.
Books written4
- Matthew, AD 50 to AD 65, written. c. AD 50–65, while the temple still stood (many critical scholars prefer AD 80–90, after Jerusalem fell)
- Mark, AD 55 to AD 65, written. c. AD 55–65, tied to Peter's ministry in Rome and written before Jerusalem fell in AD 70 (some scholars date it just after)
- Luke, AD 60 to AD 62, written. c. AD 60–62, before Acts closed with Paul still alive in Rome (the common critical dating is c. AD 80–85)
- John, AD 85 to AD 95, written. c. AD 85–95, from Ephesus in the last years of the apostle John (a minority argue for a date before AD 70, noting that John speaks of a Jerusalem pool as still standing)
Every mark on this panel, with its years, its source and its verse16 marks
Prophets2
Each bar is the site's published dating of the prophet's ministry.
90 BC to AD 5AnnaProphet
The site's own published dating: c. 90 BC - 5 CE.
6 BC to AD 30John the BaptistProphet
The site's own published dating: c. 6 BC - 30 CE.
Lives7
Each bar is the site's own published dating of that life, from its character page.
37 BC to 4 BCHerod the GreatKing
The site's own published dating: 37–4 BC.
4 BC to AD 39Herod AntipasKing
The site's own published dating: 4 BC–AD 39.
AD 1 to AD 68PeterApostle
The site's own published dating: c. 1-68 AD.
AD 1 to AD 44James, Son of ZebedeeApostle
The site's own published dating: c. 1-44 AD.
AD 5 to AD 67PaulApostle
The site's own published dating: c. 5-67 AD.
AD 6 to AD 100John the ApostleApostle
The site's own published dating: c. 6-100 AD.
AD 17 to AD 97TimothyApostle
The site's own published dating: c. 17-97 AD (traditional).
Books written4
Each bar is the span the site publishes for the book's writing, not for the years its story covers.
AD 50 to AD 65Matthewwritten
c. AD 50–65, while the temple still stood (many critical scholars prefer AD 80–90, after Jerusalem fell)
AD 55 to AD 65Markwritten
c. AD 55–65, tied to Peter's ministry in Rome and written before Jerusalem fell in AD 70 (some scholars date it just after)
AD 60 to AD 62Lukewritten
c. AD 60–62, before Acts closed with Paul still alive in Rome (the common critical dating is c. AD 80–85)
AD 85 to AD 95Johnwritten
c. AD 85–95, from Ephesus in the last years of the apostle John (a minority argue for a date before AD 70, noting that John speaks of a Jerusalem pool as still standing)
Not drawn on this panel
- Events: The resurrection. Why: Scripture places them in order and gives them no year, so they carry no mark on the axis.
The events of this era, in words4 events · c. 5 BC – AD 33
- 1c. 5 BCtied to a reign
Jesus is born in Bethlehem
Herod the Great dies in 4 BC, so the birth is earlier than the calendar that counts from it.
Luke 2:11“Today in the city of David a Savior has been born to you. He is Christ the Lord!”
- 2c. AD 27tied to a reign
The baptism and the wilderness
John baptises Him, the Spirit descends, and the public ministry begins.
Matthew 3:17“And a voice from heaven said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased!””
- 3AD 30 or 33tied to a reign
The crucifixion
Passover in Jerusalem. The two candidate years both fit a Friday Passover; the site names both.
Luke 23:46“Then Jesus called out in a loud voice, “Father, into Your hands I commit My Spirit.” And when He had said this, He breathed His last.”
Also dated
AD 30 and AD 33 both fit the astronomical data; scholars are genuinely divided.
- 4the third dayno year given
The resurrection
The tomb is empty and He is seen alive by more than five hundred people.
Luke 24:6“He is not here; He has risen! Remember how He told you while He was still in Galilee:”
The Church and the Canon
AD 33 – 95Pentecost comes first, then thirty years of missionary journeys, then the letters that became most of the New Testament. Jerusalem falls in AD 70, exactly as Jesus said it would, and the last apostle writes from Patmos.
The church's first 62 years carry the writing of 24 of the 27 books of the New Testament, on the dates this site publishes for them.
62 years17 marksProphets 1Lives 6Events 5Books written 5
Lives6
- Herod Antipas, 4 BC to AD 39, King. The site's own published dating: 4 BC–AD 39.
- Peter, AD 1 to AD 68, Apostle. The site's own published dating: c. 1-68 AD.
- James, Son of Zebedee, AD 1 to AD 44, Apostle. The site's own published dating: c. 1-44 AD.
- Paul, AD 5 to AD 67, Apostle. The site's own published dating: c. 5-67 AD.
- John the Apostle, AD 6 to AD 100, Apostle. The site's own published dating: c. 6-100 AD.
- Timothy, AD 17 to AD 97, Apostle. The site's own published dating: c. 17-97 AD (traditional).
Events5
- Pentecost, AD 33, AD 33. The Spirit falls, Peter preaches, and three thousand are added in a day.The Jerusalem council, AD 49, AD 49. The church decides that Gentiles come in by faith, not by circumcision. The gospel goes to the nations unencumbered.Jerusalem destroyed, AD 70, AD 70. Rome burns the temple. Not one stone is left on another, forty years after Jesus said so.Revelation on Patmos, AD 95, c. AD 95. The last apostle, in exile, is shown the end: and the canon closes with a tree of life, where it began.
- Paul's letters, AD 48 to AD 67, AD 48 – 67. Thirteen letters written on the road and from prison: the theological backbone of the New Testament.
Books written5
- Romans, AD 57, written. c. AD 57, written from Corinth near the end of Paul's third journey (a few place it a year or two either side, AD 55–58)1 John, AD 85 to AD 95, written. c. AD 85–95, late in the apostolic age, written by John the apostle (some modern scholars propose an unnamed writer from a 'Johannine school'; the ancient church, through Irenaeus and others, named the apostle, and the site follows that)
- Acts, AD 62, written. c. AD 62, while Paul was still under house arrest in Rome awaiting trial (later datings after AD 70 have been argued)Revelation, AD 95, written. c. AD 95, near the end of Domitian's reign — the date Irenaeus reports and the historic position of the church, which this site follows (a minority argue for an early date of c. AD 65–68 under Nero, before Jerusalem fell; that early date is what a thoroughly past-fulfillment reading requires)
- 1 Peter, AD 62 to AD 64, written. c. AD 62–64, from 'Babylon' — an old code name for Rome — shortly before Peter's death under Nero (some scholars, holding the letter was written later in Peter's name, place it in the 80s or 90s)
Every mark on this panel, with its years, its source and its verse17 marks
Prophets1
Each bar is the site's published dating of the prophet's ministry.
AD 40 to AD 60AgabusProphet
The site's own published dating: c. 40-60 CE.
Lives6
Each bar is the site's own published dating of that life, from its character page.
4 BC to AD 39Herod AntipasKing
The site's own published dating: 4 BC–AD 39.
AD 1 to AD 68PeterApostle
The site's own published dating: c. 1-68 AD.
AD 1 to AD 44James, Son of ZebedeeApostle
The site's own published dating: c. 1-44 AD.
AD 5 to AD 67PaulApostle
The site's own published dating: c. 5-67 AD.
AD 6 to AD 100John the ApostleApostle
The site's own published dating: c. 6-100 AD.
AD 17 to AD 97TimothyApostle
The site's own published dating: c. 17-97 AD (traditional).
Books written5
Each bar is the span the site publishes for the book's writing, not for the years its story covers.
AD 57Romanswritten
c. AD 57, written from Corinth near the end of Paul's third journey (a few place it a year or two either side, AD 55–58)
AD 62Actswritten
c. AD 62, while Paul was still under house arrest in Rome awaiting trial (later datings after AD 70 have been argued)
AD 62 to AD 641 Peterwritten
c. AD 62–64, from 'Babylon' — an old code name for Rome — shortly before Peter's death under Nero (some scholars, holding the letter was written later in Peter's name, place it in the 80s or 90s)
AD 85 to AD 951 Johnwritten
c. AD 85–95, late in the apostolic age, written by John the apostle (some modern scholars propose an unnamed writer from a 'Johannine school'; the ancient church, through Irenaeus and others, named the apostle, and the site follows that)
AD 95Revelationwritten
c. AD 95, near the end of Domitian's reign — the date Irenaeus reports and the historic position of the church, which this site follows (a minority argue for an early date of c. AD 65–68 under Nero, before Jerusalem fell; that early date is what a thoroughly past-fulfillment reading requires)
Not drawn on this panel
- Books written: Hebrews: the store dates its writing to a decade rather than to years. Why: no composition span is drawn.
The events of this era, in words5 events · AD 33 – 95
- 1AD 33counted
Pentecost
The Spirit falls, Peter preaches, and three thousand are added in a day.
Acts 2:4“And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.”
- 2AD 49tied to a reign
The Jerusalem council
The church decides that Gentiles come in by faith, not by circumcision. The gospel goes to the nations unencumbered.
Acts 15:11“On the contrary, we believe it is through the grace of the Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.””
- 3AD 48 – 67tied to a reign
Paul's letters
Thirteen letters written on the road and from prison: the theological backbone of the New Testament.
Romans 1:16“I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, then to the Greek.”
- 4AD 70recorded
Jerusalem destroyed
Rome burns the temple. Not one stone is left on another, forty years after Jesus said so.
Matthew 24:2““Do you see all these things?” He replied. “Truly I tell you, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.””
- 5c. AD 95tied to a reign
Revelation on Patmos
The last apostle, in exile, is shown the end: and the canon closes with a tree of life, where it began.
Revelation 22:2“down the middle of the main street of the city. On either side of the river stood a tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit and yielding a fresh crop for each month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.”
Carried on this site, drawn on no panel
14 of the people this site dates carry a dating no axis can hold. It may be a century rather than a year, two readings rather than one, or no year at all. A bar drawn for any of them would put a number on the page that nobody counted. They are named here in the site’s own words instead.
- Adam: Beginning of time
- Andrew: c. 1st century AD
- Barnabas: c. 1st century AD
- Esther: c. 5th century BC
- Joel: date debated, likely c. 835 or 400 BC
- Lazarus: c. 1st century AD
- Martha: c. 1st century AD
- Mary Magdalene: c. 1st century AD
- Mary of Bethany: c. 1st century AD
- Mary, Mother of Jesus: c. 18 BC-1st century AD (death not recorded in Scripture)
- Philip the Evangelist: c. 1st century AD
- Stephen: c. 1st century AD (d. c. 34-35 AD)
- Thomas: c. 1st century AD
- Titus: c. 1st century AD
Keep walking the clock
Prophecy
The Prophecy TimelineAll 286 messianic prophecies walked in order, from the earliest promises to their New Testament fulfillment.The Kings
The Reigns of the KingsAll 42 kings of Israel and Judah, ordered by reign, with the dates and the verdict Scripture gives each one.Featured Study
The Seventy Weeks: Daniel 9:24–27Seventy weeks, 490 years, walked period by period from the decree to rebuild Jerusalem to the cutting off of the Anointed One.Featured Study
Adam to NoahTen generations and sixteen centuries: the register of Genesis 5, read as the Bible's own earliest clock.Featured Study
The Four Silent CenturiesThe 400 years between Malachi and Matthew: the empires that ruled Judea, the rise of the synagogue, and the world the gospel walked into.