The term “biblical times” refers to the period during which the events described in the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament took place. This covers a wide span of time, from the origins of the world through the establishment of ancient Israel and its fortunes up until about the 5th century BCE. Understanding when biblical times occurred helps provide context for interpreting and studying these influential ancient scriptures.
Origins of the World
According to the first book of the Bible, Genesis, God created the heavens and the earth and all life within six days, resting on the seventh day. The Bible does not provide exact dates for when this creation occurred. Extra-biblical writings and traditions suggest various dates for the creation, ranging anywhere from 5700 BCE to 4000 BCE. So the very earliest biblical times start at some point during this broad window thousands of years ago.
However, events described later in Genesis more firmly point to a 2nd millennium BCE setting for biblical patriarchs like Abraham. Genesis describes Abraham interacting with famous Middle Bronze Age cities like Ur and Haran and refers to the Philistines, who archeology confirms didn’t arrive in Canaan until around 1200 BCE.
The Patriarchs
The Bible’s primordial history leads up to the stories of the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in Genesis 12-50. This is followed by the descent of Jacob’s family to Egypt in Exodus 1-15. Scholars generally date Abraham around 2000-1700 BCE and the migration to Egypt around the 16th century BCE. This places the patriarchal narratives squarely in the Middle Bronze Age.
Key details in Genesis support these datings. Abraham’s interaction with Philistines and mentions of camels point to a 2nd millennium BCE setting. The names of Jacob’s sons and Egyptian places described in Exodus better fit an ethnic and geographic context around 1500 BCE rather than 1000 years earlier. So the biblical times of the patriarchs fall somewhere around 2000 BCE to 1500 BCE.
The Exodus and Wilderness Wanderings
After Joseph brings his brothers to Egypt, the Israelites become slaves until God calls Moses to lead them out of bondage, as described in the book of Exodus. This climactic Exodus event is difficult to definitively date but is crucial for placing biblical times.
Possible datings range between the early 1400s BCE to the 1200s BCE. A Late Bronze Age setting better fits details like the Israelites leaving from the city of Rameses, which wasn’t established until around 1300 BCE. Most scholars thus favor a 13th century BCE Exodus during the reign of Rameses II.
| Event | Estimated Date Range |
|---|---|
| Exodus and Wilderness Wanderings | 1300 BCE – 1200 BCE |
After fleeing Egypt, the Israelites then wander in the wilderness for 40 years according to the biblical account, before arriving to conquer Canaan. So the biblical times of the Exodus through wilderness wanderings span approximately from 1300 BCE to 1200 BCE.
Conquering Canaan
The book of Joshua describes the Israelites fighting battles at sites like Jericho and Ai to conquer the Promised Land of Canaan. Archeology again provides clues to when this occurred. Destruction layers at some Canaanite cities like Hazor and Bethel point to ruin around 1250 BCE-1200 BCE, consistent with the biblical account.
The conquest thus seems to have happened in the late 13th century BCE, as the Israelites transitioned out of the Exodus wilderness period and migrated into Canaan. Key biblical figures like Moses, Joshua, and the Judges are placed in the generations proceeding out of Egypt, continuing through the 12th and 11th centuries BCE.
| Event | Estimated Date Range |
|---|---|
| Conquest of Canaan | 1250 BCE – 1200 BCE |
The United Monarchy
The books of 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Kings 1-11 cover the united monarchy spanning the reigns of Saul, David, and Solomon over all Israel. The dates for the united monarchy are quite debated among scholars. There are two main positions:
– A Late Date around 1020 BCE – 970 BCE
– An Early Date around 1080 BCE – 970 BCE
Archeological evidence better supports the late date range. There are no outside records of the extensive kingdom described for David and Solomon until the 10th century Omride inscriptions. David’s name also only appears carved at two sites from later centuries. An early 11th century BCE setting seems too early compared to extra-biblical information. Most experts thus opt for the late date range for the biblical united monarchy.
| Event | Estimated Date Range |
|---|---|
| Reign of Saul | 1020 BCE – 1000 BCE |
| Reign of David | 1000 BCE – 970 BCE |
| Reign of Solomon | 970 BCE – 930 BCE |
So the biblical times of Israel’s united kingdom spans approximately from 1020 BCE to 930 BCE.
The Divided Monarchy
After Solomon’s reign, Israel splits into the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah, as described in 1 Kings 12-2 Kings 17. This divided monarchy period lasted from around 930 BCE when the kingdom split until the fall of Samaria and the northern kingdom of Israel in 722 BCE to the Assyrians.
The southern kingdom of Judah continued almost 130 years after this until falling to the Babylonians in 586 BCE. This period of the divided monarchy includes key biblical figures like Elijah, Elisha, Isaiah, and Jeremiah. Dated extra-biblical sources confirm events like the invasion of Judah by Pharaoh Shishak around 925 BCE during these centuries.
| Event | Estimated Date Range |
|---|---|
| Divided Monarchy | 930 BCE – 722 BCE |
| Fall of Northern Kingdom of Israel | 722 BCE |
| Fall of Southern Kingdom of Judah | 586 BCE |
So the period of the divided monarchy constitutes the majority of biblical times in the historical Old Testament narrative, spanning from around 930 BCE to 586 BCE.
Exile and Post-Exile
After the fall of Judah and destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians, many Jews were deported to Babylon, beginning the exile period described in 2 Kings 24-25 and books like Daniel and Esther. This lasted from 586 BCE, when the first exiles were taken, until 539 BCE, when the Persian King Cyrus allowed the Jewish exiles to return to Judah.
The return from exile and efforts to rebuild Jerusalem and the Temple are covered in books like Ezra and Nehemiah in the 5th century BCE, the last period of biblical history. This Second Temple period bridges the gap between the Old Testament and the 400 silent years before the coming of Christ in the New Testament.
| Event | Estimated Date Range |
|---|---|
| Jewish Exile in Babylon | 586 BCE – 539 BCE |
| Return from Exile | 539 BCE – 515 BCE |
| Second Temple Period | 515 BCE – 400 BCE |
So the biblical times of ancient Israel’s exile, return, and post-exile stretch from 586 BCE to about 400 BCE.
Conclusion
In summary, biblical times cover a vast sweep of ancient Near Eastern history from around 2000 BCE during the patriarchal period to the close of the Old Testament narrative around 400 BCE. The key periods of biblical history include:
– The Patriarchs (2000 BCE – 1500 BCE)
– The Exodus and Wilderness Wanderings (1300 BCE – 1200 BCE)
– The Conquest of Canaan (1250 BCE – 1200 BCE)
– The United Monarchy (1020 BCE – 930 BCE)
– The Divided Monarchy (930 BCE – 586 BCE)
– The Exile and Post-Exile (586 BCE – 400 BCE)
Understanding this historical timeline provides crucial context for studying and interpreting the people, events, and messages of ancient scripture. Placing biblical figures and books against the backdrop of archaeology and world history illuminates the richness of the biblical narrative. Delving into when biblical times occurred opens up deeper appreciation for the Bible’s foundational influence on later faith, culture, and civilization.
