Bible history timeline

A timeline for major historical events that are recorded in the Bible. The years listed below are approximate. Click on any headline below to read more about that event:

In the beginning: God creates the world and everything in it

In the beginning: Adam and Eve bring sin into the world; God promises a savior to resolve the problem of sin

2091 BC BC: God chooses Abraham as part of God's plan of salvation

2085 BC: Melchizedek blesses Abraham, providing a foreshadowing of Jesus' priesthood

2050 BC: The near-sacrifice of Abraham's son Isaac

2000 BC: God chooses Abraham to be forefather to the promised Messiah

2000 BC: God promises to Abraham are passed down to Isaac

2000 BC: God promises to Abraham are passed down to his grandson Jacob

1898 BC: Joseph is sold into slavery

1876 BC: Israelites arrive in Egypt

1400 BC: Exodus begins

1400 BC: Moses begins writing the Old Testament

1400 BC: Israel establishes itself as a country

1400 BC: Israel is ruled by judges - not kings

1050 BC: Saul becomes Israel's first king

1010 BC: David becomes King of Israel

970 BC: Solomon becomes king; builds Temple

926 BC: Israel divides into two kingdoms: Kingdom of Judah and Northern Kingdom of Israel

721 BC: Assyrians conquer the Northern Kingdom of Israel

612 BC: Babylon conquers Nineveh (Assyrian Empire)

605 BC: Babylon exerts influence over Judah

597 BC: Babylon attacks Judah

586 BC: Babylon destroys Jerusalem and Temple

586-573 BC: Babylon king Nebuchadnezzar attacks Tyre

539 BC: Cyrus the Great conquers Babylon

538 BC: Cyrus releases Jews from Babylonian Captivity

536 BC: Work begins to rebuild Temple

516 BC: Second Temple is dedicated

333 BC: Greeks begin rule over land of Israel

331 BC: Alexander conquers Tyre (Phoenician Empire)

250 BC: The Old Testament is translated into Greek

175 BC: Greek ruler Antiochus Epiphanes torments the Jews

164-63 BC: Jews regain independence for part of their homeland

63 BC: Romans take over land of Israel

About 5 BC: Jesus is born in Bethlehem

About 26 AD: Jesus begins his ministry

About 27 AD: Jesus explains what people need to do to be saved

About 26-30 AD: Jesus performs miracles

About 30 AD: Jesus is executed and resurrected

First Century AD: The writing of the New Testament is completed

70 AD: Romans destroy Jerusalem and Temple

70 AD: Jerusalem ceases to serve as center of worship, fulfilling a prophecy from Jesus

70 AD: The 'trampling' of Jerusalem begins, fulfilling a prophecy from Jesus

136 AD: Romans destroy and plow Jerusalem

After 136 AD: Worldwide Jewish diaspora begins, fulfilling a prophecy from Jesus

1948 (May 14): Modern Israel declares independence

Through present times: Gospel spreads worldwide, fulfilling prophecies from Jesus