Bible Timeline
Bible Timeline
Interactive Chronology of Biblical Events
Key
★
Major event
c.
Circa (about)
🔺
Year marker
■
Time span marker
Many dates listed are approximate and may vary according to different scholars.
Bible History
THE BRONZE AGE
Genesis & Patriarchal Period
★
c. 2166-1991 BC
Life of Abraham, the first Hebrew patriarch. God calls him to leave his homeland and promises to make him a great nation.
Genesis 12:1-3
c. 1792-1750 BC
Hammurabi rules Babylon and creates his famous law code, the Code of Hammurabi, one of the earliest written legal codes.
World History Context
Hammurabi’s Code influences later legal systems including biblical laws. The “eye for an eye” principle appears in both codes.
■
c. 1670-1570 BC
Hyksos rule Egypt. They are Semitic people who control parts of Egypt during the Second Intermediate Period.
Middle East History
The Hyksos period may coincide with the Israelites’ rise in Egypt before the Exodus.
★
c. 1526-1406 BC
Life of Moses. He leads the Israelites out of Egypt in the Exodus, receives the Torah at Sinai, and oversees the building of the Tabernacle.
Exodus 2-40
c. 1446 BC
The Exodus from Egypt. Israelites leave Egyptian slavery under Moses’ leadership after the ten plagues.
Exodus 12-14
★
c. 1440 BC
Construction of the Tabernacle, the portable sanctuary where God dwells among His people during wilderness wanderings.
Exodus 25-40; Hebrews 9:1-10
THE IRON AGE
Conquest & Judges Period
■
c. 1400-1350 BC
Conquest of Canaan under Joshua. Israelites enter the Promised Land, conquer Jericho, and begin to settle in Canaan.
Joshua 1-12
c. 1380 BC
Beginning of the period of the Judges. Israel is led by charismatic leaders raised up by God to deliver them from oppressors.
Judges 2:16-19
The Book of Judges records a cyclical pattern: Israel sins, God allows oppression, Israel repents, God raises a judge to deliver them.
★
c. 1200-1150 BC
Judgeship of Deborah, the only female judge. She leads Israel to victory over the Canaanites alongside military commander Barak.
Judges 4-5
★
c. 1162-1122 BC
Judgeship of Gideon. He defeats the Midianites with only 300 men after God reduces his army size to demonstrate divine power.
Judges 6-8
★
c. 1075-1055 BC
Judgeship of Samson. He possesses supernatural strength but is compromised by his relationship with Delilah. He ultimately destroys the Philistine temple.
Judges 13-16
United Monarchy
c. 1050 BC
Saul becomes Israel’s first king after the people demand a monarchy like other nations.
1 Samuel 8-10
★
c. 1010-970 BC
Reign of King David. He establishes Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, expands the kingdom, and is promised an eternal dynasty.
2 Samuel 5-7; 1 Chronicles 11-17
★
c. 970-930 BC
Reign of King Solomon. He builds the First Temple in Jerusalem, replacing the portable Tabernacle. Known for wisdom, wealth, and building projects.
1 Kings 3-11; 2 Chronicles 1-9
c. 930 BC
Division of the Kingdom after Solomon’s death. Northern Kingdom (Israel) and Southern Kingdom (Judah) separate.
1 Kings 12
