430-332 BC
Jews live under relative peace and religious freedom
The Temple functions under high priestly leadership
Scribes and Torah teachers gain influence as prophecy ceases
Jerusalem remains the center of worship
The Temple functions under high priestly leadership
Scribes and Torah teachers gain influence as prophecy ceases
Jerusalem remains the center of worship
332 BC
Alexander the Great conquers the Persian Empire, Judah comes under Greek control.
Beginning of Hellenistic influence: Greek language and culture spread.
Jews begin speaking Greek, and Diaspora communities grow (especially in Egypt).
Beginning of Hellenistic influence: Greek language and culture spread.
Jews begin speaking Greek, and Diaspora communities grow (especially in Egypt).
323 BC
Death of Alexander, empire splits
Judah caught between two Greek empires: Ptolemies (Egypt) and Seleucids (Syria)
Mostly under Ptolemaic control initially; religious life continues.
Judah caught between two Greek empires: Ptolemies (Egypt) and Seleucids (Syria)
Mostly under Ptolemaic control initially; religious life continues.
205-200 BC
Septuagint (LXX) Translation: Jewish scholars in Alexandria translate the Hebrew Scriptures into Greek
Becomes the primary Scriptures of Hellenistic Jews and later the early Church
Becomes the primary Scriptures of Hellenistic Jews and later the early Church
198 BC
Judea shifts from Egyptian (Ptolemaic) to Syrian (Seleucid) rule: Seleucid King Antiochus III takes control of Judea
At first, Jews are treated favorably.
At first, Jews are treated favorably.
175-164 BC
Reign of Antiochus IV Epiphanes (Seleucid king)
Begins aggressive Hellenization.
Begins aggressive Hellenization.
168 BC
"Abomination of Desolation": Antiochus defiles the Temple, forbids Jewish practices.
Torah banned; Sabbath, circumcision outlawed.
Torah banned; Sabbath, circumcision outlawed.
167 BC
Jewish revolt begins under Mattathias and his sons (Maccabees)
164 BC
Judah Maccabee retakes Jerusalem.
Temple cleansed and rededicated (origin of Hanukkah)
Beginning of partial Jewish independence under the Hasmonean dynasty.
Temple cleansed and rededicated (origin of Hanukkah)
Beginning of partial Jewish independence under the Hasmonean dynasty.
142-63 BC
Hasmonean Rule (Priest-Kings): Jewish state ruled by descendants of Mattathias (Hasmoneans)
High priests and kings are now political and religious leaders
Expansion of Jewish territory.
Growing internal conflict:
Rise of Pharisees (law-focused reformers)
Sadducees (elite priestly class)
Essenes (separatists)
Zealots (revolutionaries)
High priests and kings are now political and religious leaders
Expansion of Jewish territory.
Growing internal conflict:
Rise of Pharisees (law-focused reformers)
Sadducees (elite priestly class)
Essenes (separatists)
Zealots (revolutionaries)
135-63 BC
John Hyrcanus I (Hasmonean ruler), expands Jewish territory by force
Destroys Samaritan Temple at Mount Gerizim
Enforces conversion to Judaism in some areas (e.g., Idumeans)
Destroys Samaritan Temple at Mount Gerizim
Enforces conversion to Judaism in some areas (e.g., Idumeans)
63 BC
Roman General Pompey conquers Jerusalem, end of Hasmonean independence
Judea becomes a Roman client state
Temple desecrated again (Pompey enters Holy of Holies)
Judea becomes a Roman client state
Temple desecrated again (Pompey enters Holy of Holies)
37 BC
Herod (Idumean) the Great made King of Judea by Rome, marries Hasmonean princess to gain legitimacy
Ruthless ruler but master builder - massive expansion of Second Temple begins (~20 BC)
Known for cruelty and paranoia: orders deaths of rivals (including his own sons), later associated with massacre of Bethlehem's infants (Matthew 2).
Ruthless ruler but master builder - massive expansion of Second Temple begins (~20 BC)
Known for cruelty and paranoia: orders deaths of rivals (including his own sons), later associated with massacre of Bethlehem's infants (Matthew 2).
6-1 BC
Birth of John the Baptist - son of Zechariah (a priest) and Elizabeth (from Aaron's line)
Miraculous birth foretold by an angel (Luke 1), John Destined to fulfill Malachi's prophecy of "Elijah who is to come"
Miraculous birth foretold by an angel (Luke 1), John Destined to fulfill Malachi's prophecy of "Elijah who is to come"
6-4 BC
Birth of Jesus Christ: conservative dating places Jesus' birth around 5 or 6 BC (before Herod's death).
Wise men seek the "King of the Jews", alarming Herod.
Joseph, Mary, and Jesus flee to Egypt, fulfilling prophecy (Hosea 11:1).
Wise men seek the "King of the Jews", alarming Herod.
Joseph, Mary, and Jesus flee to Egypt, fulfilling prophecy (Hosea 11:1).
4 BC
Death of Herod the Great
Kingdom divided among his sons:
Herod Archelaus (Judea, Samaria, removed in AD 6)
Herod Antipas (Galilee and Perea, rules until 39 AD)
Herod Philip (northeast regions)
Judea later ruled directly by Roman governors (e.g., Pontius Pilate).
Kingdom divided among his sons:
Herod Archelaus (Judea, Samaria, removed in AD 6)
Herod Antipas (Galilee and Perea, rules until 39 AD)
Herod Philip (northeast regions)
Judea later ruled directly by Roman governors (e.g., Pontius Pilate).
6 AD
Judea becomes Roman province
After Archelaus is removed, Judea is ruled by Roman prefects
Roman census of Quirinius causes unrest (see Acts 5:37)
Pharisees and Zealots become more vocal against Roman rule
After Archelaus is removed, Judea is ruled by Roman prefects
Roman census of Quirinius causes unrest (see Acts 5:37)
Pharisees and Zealots become more vocal against Roman rule
25-27 AD
Public ministry of John the Baptist begins - last prophet under the Old Testament
He preaches repentance and baptism in the wilderness, declares the coming of the Messiah and the Kingdom of God (Matthew 3)
Recognizes Jesus as the Lamb of God (John 1:29)
Baptizes Jesus (Mark 1:9-11)
Later imprisoned and executed by Herod Antipas
He preaches repentance and baptism in the wilderness, declares the coming of the Messiah and the Kingdom of God (Matthew 3)
Recognizes Jesus as the Lamb of God (John 1:29)
Baptizes Jesus (Mark 1:9-11)
Later imprisoned and executed by Herod Antipas
