Israel and Bible Timeline

A look at facts on Israel through a Bible Timeline.

The Bible is real history!

Canaanite Period

Megiddo, Hazor and Jerusalem first built.

c.1800-1700 B.c.

Abraham arrives in Canaan from Ur of the Chaldees in Mesopotamia.

c.1600 B.c.

Descendants of the Patriarchs migrate to Egypt because of famine in Canaan.

Israelite Period

Conquest of Canaan by Israelites led by Joshua and division of Land among Twelve Tribes.

12-11th centuries B.C.

Judges rule Israel.

c.1029-1007 B.c.

Israel united under King Saul to combat Philistines who had invaded Canaan and established cities along coast at Gaza, Ashkelon, Ekron, Gath and Ashdod.

c.1000-968 B.c.

King David completes the Israelite conquest ruling first from Hebron and then from Jerusalem which he had captured from the Jebusites.

First Temple Period

Solomon builds the magnificent Temple on Mount Moriah in Jerusalem ensuring a place in the Bible Timeline.

928 B.c.

Following King Solomon's death there was division of the monarchy. The northern kingdom of Israel is ruled by Jeroboam and the southern kingdom of Judah is ruled by Rehoboam from Jerusalem.

722 B.C.

Kingdom of Israel destroyed by Assyrians and the population exiled an later disappeared (the ten lost tribes).

587 B.C.

Jerusalem destroyed by the Babylonians under Nebuchadnezzar and the population of Judah was exiled.

Second Temple Period

Cyrus II of Persia issues a decree enabling Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple, which is completed in 515 B.C.

445 B.C.

Nehemiah rules Judah and rebuilds the walls of Jerusalem.

Hellenistic Period

Alexander the Great defeats the Persian Empire and sets out to conquer the world. During this time the Bible is translated into Greek (Septuagint).

167 B.C.

The Seleucid Antiochus Epiphanes begins to Hellenize in Palestine and forbids practice of Judaism. This leads to a successful revolt headed by the Maccabees, members of the Hasmonean family.

In 165, the Temple is purified and rededicated.

Roman Period

The Romans under General Pompey enter Palestine and end Hasmonean rule.

37-6 B.C.

Herod the Great becomes King of the Jews. He rebuilds the Temple and other monumental projects including Caesarea, Herodion and Masada.

4 B.C.

Jesus is born in Bethlehem creating a new Bible Timeline.

c. 27-30 A.D.

Jesus' ministry in Galilee.

c. 29 A.D.

Jesus Crucified in Jerusalem.

66-73 A.D.

Jewish Revolt against the Romans. In 70, Jerusalem falls to Roman General Titus and the Temple is razed.

Only the Western Wall survives.

73

Fall of Masada, the last Jewish stronghold.

132-5

Bar Kochba Revolt. After it has been suppressed, Hadrian destroys Jerusalem and builds Aelia Capitolina, a pagan city, in its stead.

Byzantine Period

Constantine recognizes Christianity, later converting himself. In 326, his mother Helena comes to the Holy Land and builds great basilicas over holy sites

335

Consecration of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher.

614

Persian conquest of the Holy Land. Many churches and monasteries destroyed.

628

The Holy land is recaptured by the Byzantines.

629

Emperor Heraclius enters Jerusalem and restores the Holy Cross.

630

Mohammed's Hejira ("flight") from Mecca to Medina.

632

Death of Mohammed

634-8

Moslem conquest of the Holy Land and start of rule by the Caliphs.

Crusader Period

Crusaders conquer Jerusalem and massacre all its inhabitants. Establishment of Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem under Baldwin I.

1147

Second Crusade arrives in the Holy Land.

1187

Destruction of Crusader army by Saladin at Battle of Horns of Hattin, and collapse of Crusader kingdom.

1265

Mamelukes, led by Sultan Beybars, reconquer the Holy Land.

1270

Final Crusade arrives and all its participants are massacred.

Mameluke Period

Last Crusade stronghold at Acco taken, signaling end of Crusade Kingdom and becoming part of the Bible Timeline

1333

Franciscan Order established in Jerusalem. Its members care for holy places and pilgrims.

Ottoman Period

Ottoman Turkish conquest of the Holy Land. Their rule continues for 400 years.

1520

Suleiman the Magnificent (1520-66) begins spate of building including the city walls of Jerusalem and Acre.

1799

Napoleon Bonaparte invades Palestine but does not succeed in capturing it and is forced to leave.

British Mandate

Palestine is taken by the British General Allenby, signaling the end of the Ottoman Empire.

The Balfour Declaration promises the Jews a National Home.

State of Israel

State of Israel Proclaimed. War of Independence.

1967

Jerusalem is united under Israeli sovereignty.

1973

Yom Kippur War.

1978

Peace treaty with Egypt.

1933

Oslo agreement with Palestinians.

1944

Peace treaty with Jordan.

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