The eras of the Bible

The Bible’s history in 13 eras, from Creation to the apostolic church, dated by Ussher’s chronology. See every event in order or open the interactive timeline.

• Creation to the Flood 4004–2348 BC
  From the six days of creation through the Fall and the long lives of Adam’s descendants, to the Flood. 10 events.
• The Flood to Abram's call 2348–1921 BC
  Noah’s family repopulates the earth; Babel scatters the nations; Abram is born in Ur. 9 events.
• The patriarchs 1921–1706 BC
  Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph, until Jacob’s family moves to Egypt. 30 events.
• Israel in Egypt 1706–1491 BC
  Jacob’s descendants grow into a nation and are enslaved, until the Exodus. 16 events.
• Exodus and wilderness 1491–1451 BC
  The Law at Sinai and forty years in the wilderness. 22 events.
• Conquest and judges 1451–1095 BC
  Joshua takes Canaan; judges lead Israel through cycles of sin and rescue. 36 events.
• The united kingdom 1095–975 BC
  Saul, David, and Solomon; the Temple is built in Jerusalem. 27 events.
• The divided kingdom 975–588 BC
  Israel and Judah under separate kings; the prophets warn; Samaria and then Jerusalem fall. 51 events.
• Exile in Babylon 588–536 BC
  Judah in captivity in Babylon until Cyrus’s decree. 16 events.
• Return and rebuilding 536–410 BC
  The exiles return, rebuild the Temple and Jerusalem’s walls; the Old Testament closes. 13 events.
• Between the Testaments 410–5 BC
  Persian, Greek, and Roman rule over Judea; no new Scripture is written. 21 events.
• The life of Christ 5 BC – AD 33
  The birth, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus. 57 events.
• The apostolic church AD 33–100
  Pentecost, the spread of the gospel, the letters, and Revelation (written about AD 95). 54 events.