Bible Chronology of the Old Testament

by Matt Slick

The following chronological list is adapted from The Chronological Bible. Its purpose is to help you develop an overall understanding of the order of the major people and events of the Bible. The dates are disputed here and there; but overall, they can give you a reference in time and order.

The Pre-existent Christ Creation Satan cast out of heaven Six days of creation Garden of Eden Fall of Adam and Eve Expulsion from Eden Cain kills Abel Noah is born The Flood	John 1 Gen. 1:1 Isaiah 14:12-17 Gen. 1:3-26 Gen. 2:8-17 Gen. 3:1-7 Gen. 3:21-24 Gen. 4 Gen. 5:28-29 Gen. 7:10-24	From the Creation to the Flood
The Tower of Babel Abram (Abraham) is born Job Abram becomes Abraham Birth of Isaac, then Jacob, then Joseph	Gen. 11 Gen. 11:27 Job 1 Genesis 17 Genesis 21-30	The Flood to the Patriarchs
The 10 plagues against Egypt The Hebrews are freed then pursued Crossing the Red Sea Receiving the 10 Commandments Israel wanders in the desert for 40 years	Exodus 7 - 11 Exodus 12 Exodus 13 - 15 Exodus 20 Numbers 14	The Exodus to Entering Canaan 1462 - 1422 B.C.
The conquest and division of Canaan Israel becomes a world power Samson is born Saul becomes first King	Joshua 6 - 12 1200 - 750 B. C. Judges 13 1 Samuel 9	Canaan to the Reign of King Saul 1422 - 1065 B. C.
David and Goliath David becomes King David with Bathsheba Absalom's rebellion David prepares temple materials	1 Samuel 17 2 Samuel 5 2 Samuel 11 2 Samuel 15-18 1 Chronicles 22	The Reign of King David 1025 - 985 B. C.
Solomon becomes King Solomon asks God for wisdom The building of the Temple Solomon's downfall	1 Kings 1 1 Kings 3 1 Kings 6 1 Kings 11	The Reign of King Solomon 985 - 945 B. C.
The nation of Israel divided into two: Israel to the north and Judah to the south. This period was full of kings, who ruled each realm. Many of the kings were evil. Other gods were worshiped occasionally. During this time Elijah has his ministry. Hosea preached. Jonah dealt with Nineveh. Rome was founded. The temple was restored.		The Divided Kingdom (Israel and Judah) From Solomon to the Fall of Israel 945 - 586 B. C.
Both Israel and Judah fall to foreign powers. Micah prophesies. Isaiah is martyred. Jeremiah is born. Daniel is born. Zephaniah prophesies. Ezekiel is born. Jeremiah preaches.		The Fall of Israel to the Fall of Judah 721 - 586 B. C.
Ezekiel prophesies as Jerusalem falls Nebuchadnezzar's image Daniel's vision of the four beasts Daniel's vision of the 70 weeks Fall of Babylon to Persians	Ezekiel 33 Daniel 3 Daniel 7 Daniel 9 Isaiah 13, Jer. 25	Israel is taken into Captivity 586 - 516 B.C.
Dedication of the Temple Deliverance of the Jews Ezra prepares to return to Jerusalem Building of the wall of Jerusalem Malachi's Prophecies	Ezra 6 Esther 8 Ezra 7 Nehemiah 2 Malachi	The Restoration from Captivity 516 -400 B. C.
Greece is the world power from Rome is the world power from God does not speak for about 400 years	331 - 168 B. C. 168 B. C. - 476 A.D.	Time Between the Testaments 400 B. C. - 5. A.D.