Explore + Learn

Timeline

Biblical chronology is reconstructed, not given. Every entry carries a marker for how firmly it is known.

Attested Approximate Debated

  1. Origins

    Primeval narrative

    Genesis 1–11: creation, flood and dispersal.

    • — Creation and flood narrativesDebated

  2. Patriarchs

    c. 2000–1700 BCE

    Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph.

    • c. 2000 BCE Abraham migrates from UrDebated
    Explore this period

  3. Egypt & Exodus

    c. 1500–1200 BCE

    Slavery, departure and covenant.

    • c. 1250 BCE Proposed date of the ExodusDebated
    • c. 1208 BCE Merneptah Stele names IsraelAttested
    Explore this period

  4. Judges

    c. 1200–1050 BCE

    Settlement and tribal leadership.

    • c. 1150 BCE Philistine settlement on the coastAttested

  5. United Monarchy

    c. 1050–930 BCE

    Saul, David and Solomon.

    • c. 1000 BCE David takes JerusalemApproximate
    Explore this period

  6. Divided Kingdom

    c. 930–586 BCE

    Israel and Judah, and the writing prophets.

    • 722 BCE Assyria destroys SamariaAttested
    • 701 BCE Sennacherib besieges JerusalemAttested
    Explore this period

  7. Exile

    586–538 BCE

    Babylonian conquest and deportation.

    • 586 BCE Jerusalem and the temple destroyedAttested
    Explore this period

  8. Second Temple Period

    538 BCE – 70 CE

    Return, rebuilding, Hellenism and Rome.

    • 515 BCE Second temple completedApproximate
    • 63 BCE Pompey takes JerusalemAttested
    Explore this period

  9. Life of Jesus

    c. 4 BCE – 30/33 CE

    Galilean ministry and Jerusalem passion.

    • c. 28 CE Public ministry beginsApproximate
    • 30 / 33 CE CrucifixionDebated
    Explore this period

  10. Early Church

    c. 30–60 CE

    Jerusalem community and the gentile mission.

    • c. 49 CE Gallio inscription anchors Paul in CorinthAttested
    Explore this period

  11. Apostolic Age

    c. 60–100 CE

    Letters, gospels and the fall of Jerusalem.

    • 70 CE Roman destruction of the templeAttested