950-700 Ruth (See Also Exilic Post-Exilic)

1

Timeline

Ancient amphictyony (an association of neighboring states for their common interest–in this case tribes)

1020-1000 Saul's reign

1000-961 David's reign

961-922 Solomon's reign
Early estimate of J (during Solomon's reign)

950-700 Ruth (see also Exilic—post-exilic)

922 Divided Monarchy: Rehoboam 922-915 Judah; Jeroboam I 922-901 Israel

Ninth Century

869-850 Ahab's reign in Israel

859-825 reign of Shalmaneser III of Assyria, who exacts tribute from Jehu

Eighth Century

786-746 reign of Jeroboam II of Israel

783-742 reign of Uzziah of Judah

786-742 Amos (Judahite)-(during the reigns of Jeroboam II and Uzziah)

750-732 Hosea (Israelite)

745-727 reign of Tiglathpileser III and return to glory of Assyria

742-701 First Isaiah (ch 1-39)-(threat and condemnation—brief, cryptic, imperious, contrast and paradox)

735-715 reign of Ahaz in Israel

740-687 Micah (Judahite)

721 Fall of Samaria to Assyrians

715-687 reign of Hezekiah in Judah

701 Sennacherib, King of Assyria, invades Judah

**** Consider why the prophets would have been writing at this point in history, during the reigns of the kings.

Seventh Century

640-609 reign of Josiah in Judah

663-612 Nahum (Judahite)—( a prophecy of doom against Nineveh, the Assyrian capital, by Nahum the Elkoshite, who is otherwise unknown.)

640-609 Zephaniah (Judahite)-(during the reign of Josiah)

627-587 Jeremiah (Judahite)-(from Josiah's reform through exile and death in Egypt)

626?-587? Habakkuk (Judahite)

First draft of the Deuteronomic History (DtH1)
(DtH1) Joshua

(DtH1) Judges (ancient savior stories of Ehud, Deborah and Gideon are collected, prefaced and bridged)

(DtH1) 1-2 Kings

Sixth Century

6th Century — 200 Jonah (big range)

593-573 Ezekiel

587 Fall of Jerusalem

Priestly Source (also possibly pre-exilic / post exilic)

Lamentations

The Final draft of the Deuteronomic History
Joshua

Judges

1-2 Samuel

1-2 Kings

587-312? As range of dates, Obadiah

Exilic — Post-exilic, Ruth (see also 950-700)

**** Consider why the law would have been formulated at this point in time

560 release of Jehoiachin from prison

550 deutero Isaiah (ch 40-55)-(consolation and sorrow—expansive, redundant, solemn and lyrical)

538-537 Edict of Cyrus and return from exile

post exilic, Canticle of Canticles
post exilic, Job

537-? tritero Isaiah (ch 56-66)-(sorrow and visions—unoriginal, melancholic, frustrated)

521-486 reign of Darius I of Persia

520 Haggai (Judah)-(during governorship of Zerubbabel)

520-490's Zechariah (Judah)-(during governorship of Zerubbabel)-(possibly 2 or even 3 joined works)

515 or thereafter, Malachi (presumes the completion of the temple)

515-350? as possible dates, Joel

late sixth-early fifth century, Proverbs

Fifth Century

400's the Chronicler's works?-(see 200's)
1-2 Chronicles? (See 200's)

Ezra?

Nehemiah?

Fourth Century

356-323 Alexander the Great's reign

332 Alexander the Great conquers Tyre (in Phoenicia and extends control over Samaria and Judea ending Persian governance

323 Alexander the Great dies and his generals seize control: Ptolemy in Egypt / Seleucus in Syria

Ptolemies gain upper hand over Judea for the next century

Large numbers of Jews settle in Egypt, especially Alexandria

The Septuagint (LXX) is translated into Greek, the language of the court of the Ptolemies

311 Seleucus occupies Babylon; 306 is made king
300-70 range of dates, Baruch

Third Century

During the third century it is believed that Ecclesiastes (Qoheleth), 1-2 Chronicles (possibly 400's), Ezra and Nehemiah (possibly 500's) may have been composed.

223 the Seleucid, Antiochus III defeats the Ptolemies and gains a contested control over Judea
During this time the Jews recount their suffering at the hands of the Ptolemies in 3 Maccabees

Second Century

During the second century it is believed that Tobit (c. 200-180), Sirach (181 – translated and published by grandson c. 117), Esther (prior to Maccabean period – c. 167), Daniel (164 or shortly thereafter), 2 Maccabees (c. 124), and 1 Maccabees (between 95-63) were composed

190 Antiochus III (a Seleucid) is defeated by the Romans and lays heavy taxes on the Judeans to repay his indemnity

187-175 reign of Seleucus IV; during his reign his general, Heliodorus, plunders the treasury of the temple in Jerusalem

175-164 reign of Antiochus IV (Epiphanes)

167 Antiochus initiates persecution of non-Hellenized Jews (see 2 Macc 6:1 – 7:42; see also the allegorical depiction of this suffering in Daniel)
Antiochus IV sacks Jerusalem in 169 and again in 167; plunders the temple, and erects the abomination of desolation (Dan 11:31; 12:11, cf. Mark 13:14)

167 the Maccabean revolt begins under Mattathias (a priest of Modein – not of the Zadokite family) and continues for the next 30 years under his sons (Judas Maccabeus, Jonathan and Simon, whose son, John Hyrcanus founds the Hasmonean family)

164 the temple is rededicated in 8 day celebration(the foundation of Hanukhah = "dedication" – 1 Macc 4:36-60; 2 Macc 10:1-8) [myth – sufficient undefiled oil was found to light lamps for one day, but it burned for 8]

152 Jonathan (takes position of high priest ─ not a Zadokite, i.e., not a descendent of Zadok, an Aaronid priest who aided Solomon regain his throne, and the traditional high priests)

The Essene community of Qumran is likely founded as a result of this "ursurpation."

134 Rome recognizes Jewish independence and Syrian efforts to retake Judea cease.

134-104 reign of John Hyrcanus

John destroys the Samaritan temple on Mt.Gerizim, inflaming angers initiated during the reconstruction of the post-Exilic temple in Jerusalem (see Ezra 4:1-6)

104-103 Aristobulus gains his father's high priesthood

though not a descendent of Zadonk

and also takes the title of king though not a Davidide

103-76 Alexander Jannaeus extends boundaries of Judea; noted for crucifying his Jewish enemies (note the significance of his Hellenized name for a Maccabean descendent)

**** Consider why Wisdom literature was composed during a time of Hellenistic influence (e.g., Wisdom c. 220-50 BC) // apocalyptic literature during the persecution of Antiochus IV?

First Century BCE

early first century, Judith (range: 5th century BCE to 2nd CE)

last half of first century, Wisdom of Solomon

76-69 Salome Alexandra, the widow of Alexander Jannaeus, rules allegedly with the help of the Pharisees (their only time of any great political power)

63 After years of squabbling by Alexander Jannaeus' sons, Hyrcanus II and Aristobulus II, Pompey takes control of Jerusalem, and begins Roman domination of Judea

63-41 Romans place the weak Hyrcanus II on the throne

37-4 Herod the Great (half Jewish, half Idumean), having married into the Hasmonean family, and carefully played Roman politics, becomes the king of Judea, subject to Rome.
Herod initiates many building projects: Sebaste (Samarian capitol; Caesarea Maritima; Fortress Antonia that dominated Jerusalem; vastly improves fortress of Masada; reconstructs the temple
His madness leads to his murder of his sons (Octavian – better to be Herod's pig than his son)
Puts account in Matt 2:1-18 of slaying of infants of Bethlehem in context

27Octavian Caesar is named “Augustus” by Roman Senate, and gradually adds to his imperium

8-4 Birth of Jesus

First Century CE

4-39 Herod Antipas is King of Galilee

6/7 Qurinius is governor of Syria and holds a census
This census prompted the rebellion of Judas the Galilean (recall David's census and its consequences: 2 Sam 24; 1 Chron 21)

20's

26-36 Pontius Pilate is made prefect (not procurator) of Judea

28 Jesus begins his ministry (at roughly the age of 35)

30's

30 Death of Jesus

33 Conversion of Paul

36 Pontius Pilate is called back to Rome to answer for incompetence

– According to Eusebius, Pilate was forced to commit suicide by Caligula,

– other legends say that he was banished to Vienne in Gaul, where he died.

–The Greek Orthodox and EthiopianCopticChurches, based on a claim by Origen that Pilate became a Christian in later life and was martyred, canonised him; his feasts day is June 25.

39 King Herod Antipas dies and Galilee is given to Herod Agrippa, already the ruler of NE Galilee

40's

41-44 Herod Agrippa gains control of Judea, as well as Galilee (dies in 44)

– was the "Herod" who persecuted the early church in Jerusalem(Acts 12:1-23)

– he killed James, the son of Zebedee,

– imprisoned Peter who was released by an angel.

– Agrippa had the soldiers put to death.

44-66 Agrippa I dies his son, Agrippa II is too young to rule so Judea and Galilee revert to Roman rule, apparently rapacious, leading to revolt

47-48 Paul's first missionary journey

49 Council of Jerusalem

50's

53-97 Agrippa II, son of Agrippa I, is made king by Emperor Claudius

54-68 Nero's reign as Emperor

1 Thessalonians (50-51)

Galatians (54-55)

Philemon (55-63)

Philippians (56-63)

1 Corinthians (56-57)

2 Corinthians (57)

Romans (57-58)

2 Thessalonians (if by Paul, 51-52; considered unlikely; see 90's below)

Colossians (if by Paul, 54-56; considered unlikely; see 80's below)

Jude (impossible to accurately date; a few scholars place it in the 50's; see 90's below)

60's

60 Paul is brought before Agrippa II for judgment (Acts 25:13-26:32) and then sent to Rome

64 Nero persecutes Christians in Rome

66-70 the Sicarii and Zealots rebel against Roman rule
Romans are led by Vespasian (Josephus predicts Vespasian will be Emperor)

68 Nero commits suicide
Vespasian returns to Rome as Emperor (69-79) and leaves his son Titus to lead the Roman army in Judea

Qumran is destroyed during the rebellion

King Agrippa II sides with Romans against Jews

Ephesians (if by Paul, 60's; considered unlikely; see 90's below)

James (possibly after the death of James, c. 62; more likely later, see 80's below)

2 Timothy (if by Paul, 64-67; considered unlikely; see 90's below)

Titus (if by Paul, 65; considered unlikely; see 90's below)

1 Timothy (if by Paul, 65; considered unlikely; see 90's below)

Hebrews (60's, possibly; more likely 80's, see below)

1 Peter (if written by Peter, 60-63; considered unlikely, see 70's below)

70's

70 Jerusalem is conquered on Sept 8, 70 by Titus; Destruction of the temple in Jerusalem

74 Masada finally falls

Mark (70)

1 Peter (70's-90's; most likely range; see 60's above)

79-81 Titus rules as Emperor

80's

81-96 Domitian reigns as Emperor
seems to be hostile to Christianity, viewed it as Atheism

probably not as oppressive as reputation suggests

Matthew (80-90)

Luke and Acts (85, within 5 to 10 years)

John (80-110—bulk most likely in 90's, additions between 100-110)

Colossians (80; most likely date; see 50's above)

Hebrews (80's; most likely range; see 60's above)

James (80's-90's; most likely range, but possibly anywhere between 760-110; see 60's above)

90's

90's Josephus (now Flavius Josephus) composes Antiquities

90-95 Domitian's Persecution of Christians

98-117 Trajan becomes emperor and initiates persecution of Christians in Asia Minor attested in correspondence from Pliny

Revelation (92-96)

2 Thessalonians (most likely late 1st Century; see 50's above)

Ephesians (90's; most likely date; see 50's above)

Titus (90-110; most likely range; see 60's above)

1 Timothy (90-110; most likely range; see 60's above)

2 Timothy (90's; most likely range; see 60's above)

Jude (impossible to accurately date; most scholars place it in the 90's)

100's

110 Ignatius of Antioch is taken to Rome for martyrdom during Trajan's rule

117 Hadrian succeeds Trajan as emperor and insists on a shrine to Jupiter Capitolinus on the Jerusalem temple site and banned circumcision

132-35 revolt of Simon bar Cochba and the complete destruction of Jerusalem

1 John (100)

2 John (100)

3 John (shortly after 100)

2 Peter (130)

Bibliography for New Testament Information

Brown, Raymond, Introduction to the New Testament, (NY: Doubleday, 1997).

Donfried, Karl P., "Chronology," ABD (NY: Doubleday, 1992) 1011-22.

Josephus, Antiquities, and The Jewish War