Bible Timeline
From creation to the early church, in order.
50 key events of Scripture set out in ten eras, each with an approximate date and the passage where you can read it.
Beginnings
Before recorded dates
- Undated
Creation
God creates the heavens, the earth and all living things, and makes man and woman in his image.
Genesis 1–2 - Undated
The Fall
Adam and Eve disobey God. Sin and death enter the world, and God promises a Redeemer.
Genesis 3 - Undated
Cain and Abel
The first murder, as Cain kills his brother. The line of promise continues through Seth.
Genesis 4 - Undated
The Flood
God judges a corrupt world and preserves Noah, his family and the animals in the ark.
Genesis 6–9 - Undated
The Tower of Babel
God confuses the languages of a proud humanity and scatters the nations.
Genesis 11:1–9
The Patriarchs
c. 2100–1800 BC
- c. 2090 BC
The Call of Abraham
God calls Abram to leave his country and promises him land, descendants and blessing for all nations.
Genesis 12:1–9 - c. 2065 BC
The Birth of Isaac
The promised son is born to Abraham and Sarah in their old age.
Genesis 21:1–7 - c. 2005 BC
Jacob and Esau
Twin sons are born to Isaac and Rebekah. The promise passes to Jacob, later renamed Israel.
Genesis 25:19–34 - c. 1900 BC
Joseph Sold into Egypt
Betrayed by his brothers, Joseph rises from slavery and prison to govern Egypt.
Genesis 37; 41 - c. 1875 BC
Israel Settles in Egypt
Jacob and his family move to Egypt during the famine and grow into a great people.
Genesis 46–47
Exodus and Conquest
c. 1525–1375 BC
- c. 1526 BC
The Birth of Moses
Born under Pharaoh's death decree, Moses is drawn from the Nile and raised in the royal household.
Exodus 2:1–10 - c. 1446 BC
The Passover and the Exodus
After ten plagues God brings Israel out of slavery and through the Red Sea.
Exodus 12–14 - c. 1446 BC
The Law at Sinai
God makes a covenant with Israel and gives the Ten Commandments.
Exodus 19–20 - c. 1446–1406 BC
Forty Years in the Wilderness
A generation that refused to trust God dies in the desert while he sustains the nation.
Numbers 13–14 - c. 1406 BC
Entering the Promised Land
Under Joshua, Israel crosses the Jordan and the walls of Jericho fall.
Joshua 3–6
The Judges
c. 1375–1050 BC
- c. 1375–1050 BC
The Time of the Judges
Israel repeatedly turns from God, is oppressed, and is delivered by judges such as Deborah, Gideon and Samson.
Judges 2:16–19 - During the judges
Ruth
A Moabite widow follows Naomi to Bethlehem, marries Boaz and becomes the great-grandmother of David.
Ruth 1–4 - c. 1100 BC
Samuel
Hannah's prayer is answered. Samuel grows to be prophet and the last of the judges.
1 Samuel 1–3
The United Kingdom
c. 1050–930 BC
- c. 1050 BC
Saul Becomes King
Israel asks for a king, and Samuel anoints Saul.
1 Samuel 8–10 - c. 1010 BC
David Becomes King
The shepherd who defeated Goliath reigns, makes Jerusalem his capital and receives God's promise of an everlasting throne.
2 Samuel 5; 7 - c. 970 BC
Solomon Becomes King
David's son asks for wisdom and leads Israel into its most prosperous years.
1 Kings 1–3 - c. 966–959 BC
The Temple Is Built
Solomon builds the house of the LORD in Jerusalem, and the glory of God fills it.
1 Kings 6; 8
The Divided Kingdom
c. 930–586 BC
- c. 930 BC
The Kingdom Divides
Ten tribes break away under Jeroboam to form Israel in the north. Judah remains under David's line in the south.
1 Kings 12 - c. 870–850 BC
Elijah
Elijah confronts King Ahab and the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel.
1 Kings 17–19 - c. 740–700 BC
Isaiah
Isaiah warns Judah of judgment and foretells Immanuel and the suffering servant.
Isaiah 6; 7; 53 - 722 BC
The Fall of Samaria
Assyria conquers the northern kingdom and carries Israel into exile.
2 Kings 17 - c. 640–609 BC
Josiah's Reforms
The book of the law is found in the temple, and Josiah leads Judah back to the LORD.
2 Kings 22–23 - c. 627–586 BC
Jeremiah
Jeremiah calls Judah to repent in its final decades and promises a new covenant.
Jeremiah 1; 31:31–34
Exile and Return
605–c. 430 BC
- 605 BC
Daniel Taken to Babylon
Daniel and his friends are carried off with the first group of exiles and serve in the royal court.
Daniel 1 - 586 BC
The Fall of Jerusalem
Babylon destroys the city and Solomon's temple and takes Judah into exile.
2 Kings 25 - 539 BC
Babylon Falls to Persia
The Medes and Persians take Babylon. Under their rule Daniel is thrown to the lions and preserved.
Daniel 5–6 - 538 BC
The First Return
Cyrus of Persia allows the Jews to go home, and a first group returns under Zerubbabel.
Ezra 1–2 - 516 BC
The Second Temple Completed
The rebuilt temple is dedicated in Jerusalem.
Ezra 6:14–16 - c. 479–473 BC
Esther
A Jewish queen of Persia risks her life, and her people are delivered from destruction.
Esther 4–9 - 458 BC
Ezra Returns
Ezra the scribe leads a second group home and teaches the law.
Ezra 7 - 445 BC
Nehemiah Rebuilds the Walls
Nehemiah leads the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls in fifty-two days.
Nehemiah 2–6 - c. 430 BC
Malachi
The last of the Old Testament prophets promises a messenger who will prepare the way of the Lord.
Malachi 3:1; 4:5–6
Between the Testaments
c. 430–5 BC
- c. 430–5 BC
The Four Hundred Silent Years
No new Scripture is given. Persia gives way to Greece and then Rome, and Israel waits for the promised Messiah.
Galatians 4:4
The Life of Christ
c. 5 BC–AD 30
- c. 5 BC
The Birth of Jesus
The Son of God is born of the virgin Mary in Bethlehem.
Luke 2:1–20 - c. AD 26
Baptism and Temptation
Jesus is baptized by John in the Jordan and overcomes the devil in the wilderness.
Matthew 3:13–4:11 - c. AD 27–30
The Ministry of Jesus
Jesus calls the twelve, teaches the kingdom of God, heals the sick and raises the dead.
Matthew 4–25 - c. AD 30
The Crucifixion
Jesus is betrayed, condemned under Pontius Pilate and crucified for the sins of his people.
Luke 22–23 - c. AD 30
The Resurrection and Ascension
On the third day he rises from the dead, appears to many over forty days, and ascends to heaven.
Luke 24; Acts 1:1–11
The Early Church
c. AD 30–95
- c. AD 30
Pentecost
The Holy Spirit is poured out, Peter preaches, and about three thousand believe.
Acts 2 - c. AD 34
Stephen and Saul
Stephen becomes the first martyr. Saul the persecutor meets the risen Christ on the road to Damascus.
Acts 7; 9 - c. AD 46–57
Paul's Missionary Journeys
Paul carries the gospel through Asia Minor and Greece, planting churches.
Acts 13–21 - c. AD 49
The Jerusalem Council
The apostles affirm that Gentiles are saved by grace through faith, without the law of Moses.
Acts 15 - c. AD 60–62
Paul in Rome
Paul arrives in Rome as a prisoner and preaches there unhindered.
Acts 28:16–31 - AD 70
Jerusalem Destroyed
Roman armies destroy the city and the temple, as Jesus had foretold.
Matthew 24:1–2 - c. AD 95
The Revelation to John
On the island of Patmos, John receives the vision that closes the New Testament.
Revelation 1:9–11
Dates before the kings of Israel are approximate and debated. This timeline follows the traditional early chronology, which places the Exodus about 1446 BC; some scholars place it about 1260 BC. The crucifixion is dated by many to AD 30 and by others to AD 33. Events in Genesis 1–11 are left undated.