Israel History
Created
Updated
| Description | Period | Biblical Books | Event | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abraham, originally from Ur in Mesopotamia, receives a divine call to move to Canaan, marking the beginning of the Hebrew patriarchal narratives. | Patriarchal Period (~2000–1700 BCE) | Genesis 12–25 | Abraham's Journey to Canaan | c. 2000 BCE |
| Isaac, son of Abraham and Sarah, is born; God reaffirms the covenant with him. | Patriarchal Period (~2000–1700 BCE) | Genesis 17–27 | Isaac's Birth and Covenant | c. 1900 BCE |
| Twin sons Jacob and Esau are born to Isaac and Rebekah; Jacob later receives his father’s blessing. | Patriarchal Period (~2000–1700 BCE) | Genesis 25–36 | Jacob and Esau | c. 1850 BCE |
| Jacob wrestles with an angel and is renamed Israel; his twelve sons become progenitors of the Twelve Tribes. | Patriarchal Period (~2000–1700 BCE) | Genesis 32–35 | Jacob Becomes Israel | c. 1800 BCE |
| Joseph, Jacob's son, is sold into slavery by his brothers but rises to prominence in Egypt. | Patriarchal Period (~2000–1700 BCE) | Genesis 37–50 | Joseph in Egypt | c. 1750 BCE |
| Due to famine, Jacob's family moves to Egypt under Joseph's protection. | Patriarchal Period (~2000–1700 BCE) | Genesis 46–50 | Migration to Egypt | c. 1700 BCE |
| The Israelites multiply and thrive in Egypt. | Sojourn in Egypt and the Exodus (~1700–1250 BCE) | Exodus 1 | Israelites Prosper in Egypt | c. 1700–1600 BCE |
| A new Pharaoh perceives the Israelites as a threat and enslaves them. | Sojourn in Egypt and the Exodus (~1700–1250 BCE) | Exodus 1 | Enslavement Begins | c. 1550 BCE |
| Moses is born and adopted by Pharaoh's daughter after being saved from a death decree. | Sojourn in Egypt and the Exodus (~1700–1250 BCE) | Exodus 2 | Birth of Moses | c. 1525 BCE |
| The Israelites receive the Law at Mount Sinai and wander the desert for 40 years due to disobedience. | Sojourn in Egypt and the Exodus (~1700–1250 BCE) | Exodus 15–40; Leviticus; Numbers; Deuteronomy | Wilderness Wanderings | c. 1446–1406 BCE |
| After a series of plagues, Pharaoh releases the Israelites; they depart Egypt and cross the Red Sea. | Sojourn in Egypt and the Exodus (~1700–1250 BCE) | Exodus 5–14 | The Ten Plagues and the Exodus | c. 1446 BCE |
| God speaks to Moses through the burning bush, commissioning him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. | Sojourn in Egypt and the Exodus (~1700–1250 BCE) | Exodus 3–4 | Moses Called by God | c. 1446 BCE |
| Key victories at Jericho and Ai; land allotment among the tribes. | Conquest and Settlement in Canaan (~1406–1050 BCE) | Joshua 6–24 | Conquest Campaigns | c. 1406–1375 BCE |
| Under Joshua's leadership, the Israelites begin the conquest of Canaan. | Conquest and Settlement in Canaan (~1406–1050 BCE) | Joshua 1–5 | Entry into Canaan | c. 1406 BCE |
| Israel is a confederation of tribes led by judges like Deborah, Gideon, and Samson. | Conquest and Settlement in Canaan (~1406–1050 BCE) | Judges; Ruth; 1 Samuel 1–7 | Period of the Judges | c. 1375–1050 BCE |
| The Philistines settle along the coast, becoming a significant adversary. | Conquest and Settlement in Canaan (~1406–1050 BCE) | Judges; 1 Samuel | Philistine Settlement | c. 1200 BCE |
| The Israelites demand a monarchy; Saul is anointed by Samuel as the first king. | The United Monarchy (~1050–930 BCE) | 1 Samuel 8–15 | Saul Becomes First King | c. 1050 BCE |
| David, initially a shepherd, becomes king after Saul's death; unites the tribes. | The United Monarchy (~1050–930 BCE) | 1 Samuel 16–31; 2 Samuel | David's Rise to Power | c. 1010 BCE |
| David captures Jerusalem, establishing it as the political and spiritual center. | The United Monarchy (~1050–930 BCE) | 2 Samuel 5–6; 1 Chronicles | Jerusalem as Capital | c. 1000 BCE |
| The Ark of the Covenant is moved to Jerusalem, signifying God's presence. | The United Monarchy (~1050–930 BCE) | 2 Samuel 6; 1 Chronicles 13 | The Ark Brought to Jerusalem | c. 990 BCE |
| Solomon succeeds David; known for wisdom and extensive building projects. | The United Monarchy (~1050–930 BCE) | 1 Kings 1–11; 2 Chronicles 1–9 | Solomon's Reign Begins | c. 970 BCE |
| Solomon builds the Temple in Jerusalem, centralizing worship. | The United Monarchy (~1050–930 BCE) | 1 Kings 6–8; 2 Chronicles 2–7 | Construction of the First Temple | c. 966–960 BCE |
| His foreign marriages lead to idolatry; discontent grows due to heavy taxation. | The United Monarchy (~1050–930 BCE) | 1 Kings 11 | Solomon's Decline | c. 950 BCE |
| After Solomon's death, the kingdom divides into Israel (north) and Judah (south). | The Divided Monarchy (Israel: ~930–722 BCE; Judah: ~930–586 BCE) | 1 Kings 12; 2 Chronicles 10 | Kingdom Splits | c. 930 BCE |
| Ahab and Queen Jezebel promote Baal worship; opposed by Prophet Elijah. | The Divided Monarchy (Israel: ~930–722 BCE; Judah: ~930–586 BCE) | 1 Kings 16–22 | Reign of King Ahab (Israel) | c. 874–853 BCE |
| Elisha continues Elijah's prophetic work, performing miracles. | The Divided Monarchy (Israel: ~930–722 BCE; Judah: ~930–586 BCE) | 2 Kings 2–13 | Ministry of Elisha | c. 850 BCE |
| Prophets Amos and Hosea warn Israel of impending judgment due to social injustices and idolatry. | The Divided Monarchy (Israel: ~930–722 BCE; Judah: ~930–586 BCE) | Amos; Hosea | Prophetic Voices | c. 750 BCE |
| Assyria conquers Israel; many Israelites are exiled, becoming the 'Lost Tribes.' | The Divided Monarchy (Israel: ~930–722 BCE; Judah: ~930–586 BCE) | 2 Kings 17 | Fall of the Northern Kingdom | 722 BCE |
| Hezekiah institutes religious reforms; successfully resists Assyrian siege. | Judah Alone (~722–586 BCE) | 2 Kings 18–20; 2 Chronicles 29–32; Isaiah | King Hezekiah's Reforms | c. 715–686 BCE |
| King Sennacherib's invasion is thwarted, possibly by a plague. | Judah Alone (~722–586 BCE) | 2 Kings 19; 2 Chronicles 32; Isaiah 36–37 | Assyrian Siege of Jerusalem | 701 BCE |
| Josiah finds the Book of the Law; enacts significant religious reforms. | Judah Alone (~722–586 BCE) | 2 Kings 22–23; 2 Chronicles 34–35 | Reign of King Josiah | c. 640–609 BCE |
| Josiah is killed at the Battle of Megiddo against Egypt. | Judah Alone (~722–586 BCE) | 2 Kings 23; 2 Chronicles 35 | Death of Josiah | 609 BCE |
| Babylon defeats Egypt at Carchemish; Judah becomes a Babylonian vassal. | Judah Alone (~722–586 BCE) | 2 Kings 24; Daniel 1; Jeremiah | Babylonian Dominance Begins | 605 BCE |
| King Jehoiachin is exiled; Prophet Ezekiel among the captives. | Judah Alone (~722–586 BCE) | 2 Kings 24; Ezekiel | First Babylonian Exile | 597 BCE |
| Babylonian forces destroy Jerusalem and the First Temple; begin major exile. | Judah Alone (~722–586 BCE) | 2 Kings 25; Lamentations; Jeremiah | Destruction of Jerusalem | 587-586 BCE |
| Jews live in Babylon; Prophets like Ezekiel and Daniel provide guidance. | Babylonian Exile (586–538 BCE) | Ezekiel; Daniel; Psalm 137 | Life in Exile | 586–538 BCE |
| Leadership changes in Babylon create shifts in policy. | Babylonian Exile (586–538 BCE) | Daniel | Death of Nebuchadnezzar II | 562 BCE |
| Cyrus the Great unites the Persians and Medes, challenging Babylonian power. | Babylonian Exile (586–538 BCE) | Isaiah 44–45 | Rise of the Persian Empire | c. 550 BCE |
| Cyrus conquers Babylon, ending the Babylonian Empire. | Babylonian Exile (586–538 BCE) | Daniel 5 | Fall of Babylon | 539 BCE |
| Cyrus allows exiled peoples, including Jews, to return to their homelands and rebuild temples. | Return and Restoration (538–515 BCE) | Ezra 1 | Edict of Cyrus | 538 BCE |
| Approximately 50,000 Jews return to Judah to rebuild the Temple. | Return and Restoration (538–515 BCE) | Ezra 2–3 | First Return under Sheshbazzar and Zerubbabel | 537 BCE |
| Foundation of the Second Temple is laid; local opposition stalls progress. | Return and Restoration (538–515 BCE) | Ezra 3–4 | Rebuilding Begins | 536 BCE |
| Encourage the people to resume Temple construction. | Return and Restoration (538–515 BCE) | Haggai; Zechariah | Prophets Haggai and Zechariah | 520 BCE |
| The Temple is completed and dedicated, restoring sacrificial worship. | Return and Restoration (538–515 BCE) | Ezra 6 | Completion of the Second Temple | 515 BCE |
| Ezra the scribe leads a group back to Jerusalem; enforces adherence to the Law. | Post-Exilic Developments (After 515 BCE) | Ezra 7–10 | Ezra's Return | 458 BCE |
| Nehemiah becomes governor; rebuilds walls despite opposition, restoring the city's defenses. | Post-Exilic Developments (After 515 BCE) | Nehemiah 1–7 | Nehemiah Rebuilds Jerusalem's Walls | 445 BCE |
| Returns from Persia to address issues in Judah, including intermarriage and Temple neglect. | Post-Exilic Developments (After 515 BCE) | Nehemiah 13 | Nehemiah's Second Term | 432 BCE |
| The prophet Malachi calls Israel to faithfulness and foretells the coming of Elijah before the 'great and dreadful day of the Lord.' | Post-Exilic Developments (After 515 BCE) | Malachi | Ministry of Malachi | c. 430 BCE |
| Nehemiah, governor of Judah and rebuilder of Jerusalem's walls, dies. | Post-Exilic Developments (After 515 BCE) | Nehemiah | Death of Nehemiah | c. 424 B.C. |
| The period of Old Testament prophetic revelation concludes. | Post-Exilic Developments (After 515 BCE) | Malachi | Close of the Old Testament Canon | c. 400 B.C. |
| Alexander the Great conquers the Persian Empire, including Judah, spreading Greek culture. | Greek Influence | Alexander the Great Conquers Judah | 332 B.C. | |
| After his death, Alexander's empire is divided among his generals. | Greek Influence | Death of Alexander the Great | 323 B.C. | |
| Antiochus III defeats the Ptolemies; Judah comes under Seleucid rule. | Greek Influence | Seleucid Control of Judah | 198 B.C. | |
| Harsh policies against Jewish practices; desecration of the Temple. | Greek Influence | Reign of Antiochus IV Epiphanes | 175–164 B.C. | |
| Jewish rebellion led by Judas Maccabeus against Seleucid rule. | Maccabean Time | 1 Maccabees | Maccabean Revolt Begins | 167 B.C. |
| Judas Maccabeus cleanses and rededicates the Temple. | Maccabean Time | 1 Maccabees 4 | Rededication of the Temple (Hanukkah) | 164 B.C. |
| Simon Maccabeus secures political independence. | Maccabean Time | 1 Maccabees | Judean Independence Achieved | 142 B.C. |
| Roman General Pompey takes control of Jerusalem; Judea becomes a client kingdom. | Roman Occupation | Pompey Conquers Jerusalem | 63 B.C. |