The Old Testament tells the story of the relationship between God and the people of Israel, from the calling of Abraham to the coming of Jesus Christ. Over almost two thousand years, the biblical narrative unfolds through promises, covenants, exoduses, kingdoms, exiles and returns, in a land at the crossroads of the great civilizations of the Near East.
Understanding the Timeline of the Old Testament helps place the Bible’s main events and figures within their historical, political and religious context.
Through patriarchs, judges, kings, prophets and major historical events, this timeline shows how the people of Israel took shape and how the way was prepared for the coming of Jesus Christ.
Timeline of the Old Testament
The Timeline of the Old Testament and Israel: a crossroads of civilizations
The Holy Land held a strategic position between Africa, Asia and the Mediterranean. Because of this, the history of Israel was closely tied to the great powers of each era.
Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, the empire of Alexander the Great, and Rome each exerted their influence over the region in turn. This made Israel a true crossroads of civilizations, and explains many of the events recounted in the Bible.
The Patriarchs: Abraham, Isaac and Jacob
The story of the Old Testament begins with the Patriarchs. Around 1850 BC, Abraham arrives in the land of Canaan, answering God’s call. With him begins the story of the chosen people and the first great divine promise.
Isaac and Jacob carry this covenant forward. Jacob, also called Israel, will be regarded as the father of the twelve tribes of Israel.
Around 1750 BC, Joseph and his brothers settle in Egypt, where their descendants will remain for several generations.
Canaan under Egyptian influence
Between roughly 1500 and 1200 BC, Canaan was made up of small city-states under the political and military control of Egypt. This context helps explain the situation the Israelites found before their arrival in the Promised Land.
The Journey to the Promised Land
Around 1250 BC, one of the most important events of the Old Testament takes place: the Exodus.
Led by Moses, the Israelites leave Egypt and cross the Red Sea on their way to the Promised Land. The liberation from slavery and the covenant sealed at Sinai are among the foundational pillars of Israel’s religious identity.
The Conquest of Canaan and the Time of the Judges
Between roughly 1200 and 1030 BC, the Israelites gradually settle in Canaan. During this period they contend for control of the land against various peoples and small independent kingdoms, including the Amorites, Hittites, Jebusites, Perizzites, Hivites, Philistines and Amalekites.
This is also the era of the Judges, leaders who governed the people in times of crisis before the monarchy was established.
Beginnings of the Monarchy
At the start of the 11th century BC, Israel takes the form of a united kingdom.
Saul, first King of Israel
Between 1030 and 1010 BC, Saul reigns as the first king of Israel.
David, King of Israel
Between 1010 and 970 BC, David consolidates the kingdom and makes Jerusalem the political and religious center of Israel.
Solomon and the First Temple
Between 970 and 931 BC, Solomon reigns over a period of prosperity and orders the building of the First Temple in Jerusalem.
The Kingdom Divided: Israel and Judah
After Solomon’s death, the kingdom splits into two independent states.
Kingdom of Judah
In the south, Rehoboam reigns as King of Judah, between 931 and 911 BC.
Kingdom of Israel
In the north, Jeroboam reigns as King of Israel, between 928 and 907 BC.
Over the following centuries, the two kingdoms follow different political paths.
The Fall of the Northern Kingdom
In 722 BC, the Assyrian Empire conquers Samaria, the capital of the Kingdom of Israel.
The population is deported by order of Sargon II, and the Northern Kingdom ceases to exist as an independent political entity. From that point on, the territory remains under Assyrian control.
The Fall of Judah and the Exile in Babylon
The Kingdom of Judah survives longer, but is eventually conquered by Babylon.
First deportation
In 597–596 BC, the first deportation of the people of Judah takes place.
Destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple
In 587–586 BC, Nebuchadnezzar conquers Jerusalem, destroys the Temple, and causes a second deportation.
This marks the beginning of the Babylonian Exile, one of the most traumatic episodes in the history of Israel.
Province of the Babylonian Empire
Between 587 and 539 BC, Judah becomes a province of the Babylonian Empire.
The Return from Exile and Persian Rule
The situation changes when the Persian king Cyrus conquers Babylon.
Between 539 and 538 BC, he allows the exiles to return to Jerusalem. Shortly after, between 520 and 515 BC, the Temple is rebuilt.
Province of the Persian Empire
Between 539 and 332 BC, Judea remains part of the Persian Empire, enjoying considerable religious autonomy.
Alexander the Great and the Hellenistic World
In 332 BC, Alexander the Great brings the region into his empire.
The Empire of Alexander the Great
Between 332 and 323 BC, Judea is part of the vast empire built by Alexander.
Ptolemaic rule
After Alexander’s death, Judea comes under the Hellenistic Egyptian rule of the Ptolemaic dynasty, between 323 and 198 BC.
Seleucid rule
In 198 BC, the territory passes to the Seleucids, the Hellenistic kingdom based in Syria. Their rule lasts until 167 BC.
The Maccabean Revolt and Jewish Independence
Resistance to Seleucid religious impositions leads to the Maccabean Revolt (167–141 BC).
Thanks to this uprising, Judea regains its independence and becomes an autonomous Jewish kingdom.
Independent Jewish kingdom
Between 141 and 63 BC, Judea enjoys a period of political independence under the Hasmonean dynasty.
The Arrival of Rome
In 63 BC, Pompey conquers Jerusalem and Judea comes under Roman rule.
Roman domination
From 63 BC onward, Rome controls the region.
Herod the Great
Between 40 and 4 BC, Herod the Great governs Judea under Roman protection. It is precisely within this historical context that the birth of Jesus Christ takes place.
The Old Covenant as Preparation for the Coming of Jesus Christ
The Timeline of the Old Testament traces the historical and spiritual journey of the people of Israel, from Abraham to the time of Jesus. For the Christian tradition, these promises find their fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Born of the line of Abraham, the tribe of Judah and the house of David, Jesus’ life, death and resurrection inaugurate a new and eternal Alliance. By its nature, the story of the Old Covenant is not a closed narrative, but a preparation for the events recounted in the New Testament.
Understanding this journey helps to read the Bible as one unified story, placing each figure, event and book within a single history of salvation. In the Saxum Visitor Center tour, this overarching view helps visitors see how historical and religious events interweave to form a single story: the history of salvation.