A BIBLE TIME LINE

RESEARCHED AND COMPILED BY

F. A. HECKMAN
REVISED 2-14-09 AND 6-15-12
O.T. DATES B.C., MOST N.T. DATES A.D.

About F.A. Heckman

F.A. Heckman was born in Schuylkill Haven, PA on April 17, 1924, attending the public
schools and was awarded a BS in Chemistry from Lebanon Valley College in Annville, PA in
1950. He also earned an MS in Biology at The George Washington University in 1953.
He was employed by the National Bureau of Standards 1951 1954, the US Department of
Agriculture 1954 1957, and W. R Grace and Co., Clarksville, MD 1957-1961. In 1961he
was employed by Cabot Corporation, Cambridge and Billerica, MA from which he retired in
1987. In retirement years, he has pursued a number of interests such as making
photomicrographs, and recording over 60 hours of active organisms and other subjects
through his optical microscope.
Mr. Heckman has been a lifelong church goer. He has taught a number of Bible study groups
including youth, young adults and seniors. In recent years, his teaching activities have been
substantially restricted by failing eye sight. His studies are aided by a video magnifier
supplied by the Massachusetts Association for the Blind.
It is his hope that this compilation of pertinent scriptures will be of value to many people.

An Introduction by F.A. Heckman

The authorities who have done the research on biblical timelines all agree on one point,
biblical chronology is, at best, an inexact science. They also agree that the farther back one
goes, the more uncertain dating becomes. This is so because Moses did not date the arrival
of the patriarchs and because Abraham did not participate in datable events. Thus, all dates
given are subject to uncertainty of a greater or lesser extent. All these difficulties granted, i
thought it very useful to have a generally accepted timeline on which to base the flow of
events in this study.
In composing the following timeline, I have relied most heavily on the Ryrie Study Bible ( )
and various Bible timeline references found on the internet. Also, I have (frequently)
consulted the Zondervan Bible dictionary ( ). It was found that there was substantial
agreement among these sources, while other sources taken from the internet did not agree
as well with the sources I have relied upon. This is not to say that these were right to the
exclusion of all others.
All dates are approximate, and I have included supporting scripture references. Some dates
have been inserted by deduction. I began this timeline with Abraham and Sarah because the
Jewish identity seems to begin with them. Judahs Kings are in red, Israels Kings in blue
and the Old Testament prophets are in green. Some important dates and events are in
italics. A second timeline, giving the reigns of the Kings is in parentheses.
2167
2157
2100

ABRAHAM BORN
SARAH BORN
1

2092
2067
2030
2027
2008
2007
2000
1992
1947
1915
1900
1877
1860
1805
1800-1600
1792-1750
1527
1500
1453-1435
1447
1407
1407
1400-1043
1375
1319
1318
1300
1290
1241?
1240
1200
1194
1167
1152
1131
1109
1100
1089
1083
1071
1076
1066
1065?
1065
1059
1041
1043
1031-1019

ABRAM CALLED, LEAVES HARAN @ 75

ISAAC BORN: ABRAHAM 100, SARAH 90
SARAH DIES @ 127
ISAAC, @40, MARRIES REBEKAH
ISAAC PRAYS FOR CHILDREN
JACOB AND ESAU BORN

GEN. 12:4
GEN. 21:1-3
GEN. 23:1
GEN. 25:20
GEN. 25:21
GEN. 25:24

ABRAHAM DIES @ 175

ISAAC DIES @ 180
JOSEPH BORN

GEN. 25:7
GEN. 35:27-28
GEN. 30:24

430 YR. SOJOURN IN EGYPT BEGINS

JACOB DIES @ 167 IN EGYPT
JOSEPH DIES @110 IN EGYPT

GEN. 46:1-7
GEN. 49:33
GEN. 50:22-26

HAMMURABI BABYLON KING (FIRST DYNASTY)

MOSES BORN IN EGYPT

EX. 2:1-10

ASHUR-RABI 1 ASSYRIA KING

THE EXODUS BEGINS
MOSES DIES @ 120
CONQUEST OF CANAAN BEGINS
PERIOD OF THE JUDGES
OTHNIEL BECOMES JUDGE
EHUD BECOMES JUDGE
RAMSES I EGYPT PHARAOH
SHALMANESER I ASSYRIAN KING DIES
SHAMGAR SAVES ISRAEL
DEBORAH & BARAK JUDGE ISRAEL

EX. 12:33-50
DEUT. 34:4-8
JOSH. 1:1-9
JU. 1:1-21:25
JU. 3:9
JU. 3:12

JU. 3:31
JU. 4:4-6

GIDEON BECOMES JUDGE

ELI THE PRIEST BORN
TOLA BECOMES JUDGE
JAIR BECOMES JUDGE
ELI BECOMES PRIEST

JU. 6:11

JEPHTHAH BECOMES JUDGE

IBZAN BECOMES JUIDGE
ELON BECOMES JUDGE
HANNAH BARREN, PRAYS FOR A SON
ABDON BECOMES JUDGE
SAMSON THE NAZIRITE BECOMES JUDGE
SAMUEL BORN AND DEDICATED
SAMUEL BEGINS TO MINISTER
DAVID BORN
SAUL ANOINTED FIRST KING OF ISRAEL
SHALMANESER ASSYRIA KING

JU. 11:1
JU. 12:8
JU. 12:11
1 SAM. 1:9-17
JU. 12:13
JU. 13:24
1 SAM. 1:20-27
1 SAM 2:11

JU. 10:1
JU. 10#

1 SAM. 10:1

1011
1011
1011-09
1004
1000
972
971
967-938
956
931
931
(928-807)
926

DAVID KING OF JUDAH IN HEBRON

SAUL DIES IN BATTLE
ISH-BOSHETH KING IN ISRAEL
DAVID KING OF ALL ISRAEL

2 SAM. 2:3-7, 11
1 SAM. 31:46
2 SAM. 2:8-10
2 SAM. 5:1-5

SOLOMON BECOMES KING

KING DAVID DIES @ 70
TIGLATH-PILESER II ASSYRIA KING
SHISHAK , PHARAOH IN EGYPT
REHOBOAM (928-911) JUDAH KING
JEROBOAM, KING OF ISRAEL

1 KINGS 1:38-40
1 KINGS 2:10

SHISHAK TAKES JUDAH TREASURE

916?
913
(911-908)
911
910
909
900
890

BEN-HADAD I, ARAM KING

ABIJAM JUDAH KING

1 KI. 14:25; 2
CHR. 12:2
1 KI. 15:18
1 KINGS 14:31

ASA (908-867) JUDAH KING

(907-896) NADAB, KING OF ISRAEL
(906-883) BAASHA, KING OF ISRAEL

1 KINGS 15:8-9
1 KINGS 15:25
1 KINGS 15:27, 31

BEN-HADAD I, STILL ARAM KING?

886
885

ELAH (883-882)
ZIMRI, (882) KING OF ISRAEL

885
884
880-842
873
870

OMRI (882-871) KING OF ISRAEL

ASHURBANIPAL III, KING OF ASSYRIA
HADADEZER ARAM/DAMASCUS KING
AHAB (871-8851) KING OF ISRAEL
JEHOSHAPHAT (867-851) JUDAH KING

1 KINGS 20:12885
1 KINGS 16:
1 KINGS 16:8, 911
1 KINGS 16:16

859 824
858
853
853
852
852
841
841
841
841-805
840
835
814
801
800
798
795

SHALMANESER III, KING OF ASSYRIA

ELIJAH BEGINS PROPHESY
AHAZIAH (851-850) ISRAEL KING
JEHORAM (851-843) JUDAH KING
JORAM (850-842) ISRAEL KING
ELISHA BEGINS PROPHESY
JEHU (842-814) ISRAEL KING
AHAZIAH (843-842) JUDAH KING
ATHALIAH (842-836) SIEZES J. THRONE
HAZAEL KING OF ARAM
JOEL PROPHESIES
JOASH (836-799) JUDAH KING
JEHOAHAZ (814-800) ISRAEL KING
BEN-HADAD II, ARAM KING
JEHOASH (800-785) ISRAEL KING
AMAZIAH (799-786) JUDAH KING
3

1 KINGS 11:40
1 KINGS 11:43
1 KINGS 12:20

1 KINGS 11:23
1 KINGS 16:29
1 KI. 15:24, 2
CHR. 17:1
1 KI. 17:1
1 KI. 22:40, 51
1 KI. 22:50
2 KI. 1:17
1 KI. 19:16
1 KI. 19:16
2 KI. 8:25
2 KI. 11:1-3
1 KI. 19:15
JOEL 1:1
2 CHR. 24:1
2 KI: 10:35
2 KI. 13:10
2 KI. 14:1

783-773
783

SHALMANESER IV, ASSYRIA KING

JONAH MINISTRY (PROPHESY) BEGINS

782
767

JEROBOAM II (785-749) ISRAEL KING

UZZIAH (AZARIAH) (786-758) JUDAH KING

764
755
753
752-3
752
745-727
742
740
(735-731)
739
739
(758-42)
736

AMOS PROPHESY BEGINS

HOSEA PROPHESY BEGINS
ZECHARIAH 749 ISRAEL KING
SHALLUM 748 ISRAEL KING
MENAHEM (748-737) ISRAEL KING
TIGLATH-PILESER III, ASSYRIA KING
PEKAHIAH (737-735) ISRAEL KING
PEKAH ISRAEL KING

2 LI. 14:25,
JONAH 1:13
2 KI. 15:16
2 KI. 14:21, 2
CHR. 26:1
AMOS 1:1
HOSEA 1:1
2 KI. 15:8
2 KI. 15:10
2 KI. 15:14
2 KI. 15:29
2 KI. 15:22
2 KI. 15:25

UZZIAH DIES, ISAIAH BEGINS PROPHESY

JOTHAM JUDAH KING

ISAIAH 1:1; 6:1

2 KI. 15:7

MICAH BEGINS PROPHESY

735
(742-726)
731-722
732
727-722
722-705
722-710
722
720?
715
705-681
701
700
685
(697-642)
681-669

AHAZ JUDAH KING

JER.26:18, MIC.
1:1
2 KI. 15:39

HOSHEA ISRAEL KING

REZIN, ARAM KING SLAIN BY TIGLATH-PILESER III
SHALMANESER V, ASSYRIA KING
SARGON II, ASSYRIAN KING
MERODACH-BALADAN BABYLON,ASSYRIAN KING
ISRAEL FALLS, DEPORTED TO ASSYRIA
TIRHAKAH EGYPT PHARAOH
HEZEKIAH (726-697) JUDAH KING
SENNACHERIB, ASSYRIA KING
JUDAH INVADED BY ASSYRIA

2 KI. 15:30
2 KINGS 16:9
2 KI. 17:3
ISAIAH 20:1
ISAIAH 39:1
2 KI. 17:56
IS. 37:9
2 KI; 16:20
2 KI. 18:13
2 KI. 18:13

MANASSEH JUDAH KING

2 KI. 20:21-21:1

ESRAHADDON, ASSYRIA KING

2 KI. 19:37; EZRA

4:1-2

669
660
648
642
(642-640)
640
(640-609)
634
627

ASHURBANIPAL, ASSYRIAN KING

ZOROASTER BORN
NAHUM PROPHESIES FALL OF NINEVEH
AMON JUDAH KING

NAHUM 3:7
2 KI. 21:18-19

JOSIAH JUDAH KING

2 KI. 21:24

ZEPHANIAH PROPHESY BEGINS

JEREMIAH PROPHESY BEGINS

ZEPH. 1:1
JER. 1:1, 2 CHR.
35:25

626
622

NABOPOLASER, BABYLON KING

REVIVAL IN JUDAH
4

2 KI. 22:11 FF

619
612
609-595

HABAKKUK PROPHESY BEGINS

NINEVEH OF ASSYRIA FALLS TO BABYLON
NECO II, EGYPT PHARAOH

609
(609-608)
609
(608-597)
600
605
605
605
605

JEHOAHAZ JUDAH KING

2 KI. 23:29, 2
CHR. 35:20
2 KI. 23:31

JEHOIAKIM JUDAH KING

2 KI. 23:34

NEBUCHADNEZZAR, BABYLON KING

NECO DEFEATED BY NEBUCHADNEZZAR
BABYLON INVADES JUDAH
DANIEL BEGINS PROPHESY

597
597
593
589-570
586
586
586
561-560
563
553
550-530

JEHOIACHINJUDAH KING
ZEDEKIAH (597-587) JUDAH KING
EZEKIEL PROPHESY BEGINS
HOPHRA EGYPT PHARAOH
JERUSALEM FALLS, TEMPLE BURNED
JEWS DEPORTED TO BABYLON
GEDALIAH, JERUSALEM GOVERNOR
EVIL-MERODACH BABYLON KING, FREES JEHOIACHIN
BUDDHISM FOUNDED
BELSHAZZAR, BABYLON REGENT
CYRUS, PERSIAN KING

JER. 21:1-2
2 KI. 24:7
2 KI. 24:1
EZ. 14:14, DAN.
1:6
2 KI. 24:8
2 KI. 24:17.
EZ. 1:3
JER. 44:30
2 KI. 25:8-10
2 KI. 25:11,21
2 KI. 25:22
JER. 52:31-34

550
550
539
539
538
536
530-521
521
521-486
520
520
521
520
516
509
500
486-465
484
480
479
478
478
473

ARTEMIS TEMPLE @ EPHESUS

CONFUCIUS BEGINS TO TEACH
BABYLON FALLS TO MEDES & PERSIANS
DARIUS THE MEDE, KING IN PERSIA
ZERUBBABEL PARTY TO PALESTINE
JERUSALEM TEMPLE STARTED
CAMBYSES PERSIAN KING
SMERDIS PERSIAN KING
DARIUS THE GREAT I HYSTAPSES PERSIAN KING
ZECHARIAH BEGINS PROPHESY
HAGGAI BEGINS PROPHESY
TEMPLE CONSTRUCTION HALTED
TEMPLE CONSTRUCTION RESUMES
JERUSALEM TEMPLE COMPLETED
ROMAN REPUBLIC FOUNDED
XERXES (AHASUREUS), PERSIAN KING
HERODOTUS, THE HISTORIAN BORN
GREEKS DEFEAT XERXES @ SALAMIS
GREEKS DEFEAT XERXES AT THERMOPALYE
ESTHER QUEEN IN PERSIA
ESTHER SAVES PERSIAN EMPIRE JEWS
FEAST OF PURIM STARTED
5

HAB. 1:1

DAN. 5:1
2 CHR. 36:22-23;
EZ. 4:
2 CHR. 36:20
EZR. 4:5, 24
EZR. 2:1-2, 3:2
EZR. 3:7-10

ZECH. 1:1
HAG. 1:1-12
EZR 4:18-24
EZR. 6:1-12
EZR. 6:13-19
ESTER 1:1-10

EST. 2:15-18
EST. 8:7-9:10
EST. 9:18-28

469
464-429
458
444

SOCRATES BORN
ARTAXERXES LONGIMANUS PERSIAN KING
EZRA TAKES SMALL PARTY TO PALESTINE
ARTAXERXES; DECREE TO REBUILD WALLS

444
443
443
435
432
430?
400
356-323
323-281

NEHEMIAH PARTY TO JERUSALEM, JUDAH

EZRA & NEHEMIAH READ WORD TO JEWS
BEGINNING OF MIDRASH
MALACHI BEGINS PROPHESY
NEHEMIAH GOES BACK TO PERSIA
NEHEMIAH RETURNS TO JERUSALEM

311-281

SELEUCUS I NICATOR SYRIA KING

285-246

PTOLEMY II PHILODELPHUS EGYPT KING

281-261
261-246

ANTIOCHUS I SIOTER SYRIA KING

ANTIOCHUS II THEOS SYRIA KING

246-225
246-221

SELEUCUS II CALLINICUS SYRIA KING

PTOLEMY III EUERGETES EGYPT KING

ALEXANDER III (THE GREAT)

PTOLEMY I SOTER EGYPT KING

225-222
SELEUCUS III KARAUNOS SYRIA KING
222-187
ANTIOCHUS III THE GREAT SYRIA KING
221-205
PTOLEM,Y IV PHILOPATOR EGYPT KING
205-181
PTOLEMY V EPIPHANES EGYPT KING
196
ROSETTA STONE CREATED
187-175
SELEUCUS IV PHILOPATOR SYRIA KING
181-146
PTOLEMY VI PHILOMETOR EGYPT KING
175-164
ANTIOCHUS IV EPIPHANES SYRIA KING
2300 DAYS=6 YR, 4 MO & 20 DAYS (171- 12-25-165)
164-162
ANTIOCHUS V EUPATOR SYRIA KING
161-150
DEMERITUS I SOTER SYRIA KING
152-146PTOLEMY VI EUERGETES EGYPT KING
116
150-145
ALEXANDER I BALAS SYRIA KING
146-116
PT0LEMY VII EUERGETES EGYPT KING
145-138
DEMERITUS II NICATOR SYRIA KING
145-140
ANTIOCHUS VI DIONYSIUS SYRIA KING
140-138
DIODOTUS TRYPHON SYRIA KING
138-129
ANTIOCHUS VII SIDETES SYRIA KING
129-125
DEMERITUS II NICATOR SYRIA KING
129-123
ALEXANDER II ZAHINAS SYRIA KING
125
CLEOPATRA THEA SYRIA QUEEN
125
SELEUCUS V SYRIA K8NG
125125CLEOPATRA THEA & ANTIOCHUS VIII GRAPUS SYRIA
6

EZ. 7:1; NEH. 1:1

NEH. 2:1-8; DAN.
9:24-25
NEH. 2:9
NEH. 8:1-6
MAL. 1:1
NEH. 13:6
NEH. 13:6
DAN 8:5. 8;11:3-5
DAN 11:5
(GATES P 8690)
DAN 11:5
(GATES P 869)
DAN 11:6
(GATES P 869)
DAN 11:6
(GATES P869)
DAN 11:7-8
(GATES P 869)

DAN 8:9-14
RYRIE P 1324

121
121-96
113-95
107-88
100
96-95
95-83
95-92

ANTIOCHUS GRAPUS SYRIA KING

ANTIOCHUS IX CYZICENUS SYRIA KING
PTOLEMY X EGYPT KING

SELEUCUS VI EPIPHENE=AS NICATOR SYRIA KING

ANTIOCHUS X EUSEBES PHILOPATOR SYRIA KING
ANTIOCHUS XI EPIPHANES PHILADELPHUS SYRIA
KING
95-87
DEMERITUS III EUCAERUS PHILOPATOR SYRIA KING
95-83
PHILLIP I PHILADELPHUS
87-84
ANTIOCHUS XII DIONICUS SYRIA KING
83-69
TIGRAN68-64 ANTIOCHUS ES II THE GREAT OF
ARMENIA S KING
69 64
ANTIOCHUS XIII ASIATICUS SYRIA KING
65-54
PHILLIP II PHILOROMAEUS SYRIA KING
INTERTESTAMENTAL PERIOD 400 B.C.-6 B.C.
37-4
HEROD, THE GREAT, KING OF JUDEA+
6-4
THE BIRTH OF JESUS
6-4
THE FLIGHT TO EGYPT
6-4
SLAUGHTER OF THE INNOCENTS
4
HEROD, THE GREAT DIES
4 B.C-6
ARCHELAUS TETRARCH IN JUDEA+
A.D.
3
JOSEPH, MARY & JESUS TO NAZARETH
A.D. DATES COMMENCE
6
JESUS @ 12 IN THE TEMPLE IN JERUSALEM
17?-37
HEROD ANTIPAS TETRARCH
26-36
PONTIUS PILATE, PROCURATOR OF JUDEA
29
JOHN THE BAPTIST BEGINS MINISTRY
29
JESUS TEACHES (FALL 29- SPRING 33)
30
FIRST PASSOVER OF MINISTRY
31?
JOHN THE BAPTIST BEHEADED
31
SECOND PASSOVER OF MINISTRY
31
FEAST OF PENTECOST?
32
THIRD PASSOVER
32
FEAST OF BOOTHS (OCTOBER)
32
FEAST OF DEDICATION (DECEMBER)
33
FINAL PASSOVER
33
JESUS CRUCIFIXION & RESURRECTION
33
FEAST OF FULL PENTECOST, CHURCH BORN
35
FIRST BOARD OF DEACONS FORMED
36
STEPHEN BECOMES FIRST MARTYR
37
SAUL (PAUL) CONVERTED NEAR DAMASCUS
37-44
HEROD AGRIPPA I KING IN JUDEA+
40
CORNELIUS CONVERTED, GENTILES ADDED
42
ANTIOCH, NEW CHURCH ACTIVITY CENTER
44
JAMES BEHEADED, PETER IMPRISONED
7

LU. 2:4-7
MA. 2:13-15
MA. 2 :16-18
MA. 2:1
MA. 2:22
MA. 2:1-23
LU. 2:41-51
LU 2: 2 FF
JN. 2:13-35
MK 6:19-29
JN. 4:45
JN/ 5:1
JN/ 6:4
JN. 7:2
JN. 10:22
JN. 11:55
LU. 23:33-24:8
ACTS 2:1-39
ACTS 6:1-6
ACTS 6:8-8:1
ACTS 9:1-22
ACTS 10:23-48
ACTS 11:19-30
ACTS 12:1-3

44
44-60?
45-48
44-47
47-48
40-50
49
49
50-60
50-54
52
52-60
54-58
59
60-62
60
60-61
61
62-63
63
64-67
65-66
67-69
68
90-95

HEROD AGRIPPA 1 DIES

HEROD AGRIPPA II KING IN JUDEA+
PAULS FIRST MISSIONARY JOURNEY
SERGIUS PAULIS PROCONSUL OF CYPRUS
JAMES LETTER == WRITTEN
MATTHEWS GOSPEL WRITTEN
GALATIAN LETTER WRITTEN
THE JERUSALEM COUNCIL
CHRISTIAN WRITINGS GATHERED
PAULS SECOND MISSIONARY JOURNEY
GALLIO PROCONSUL OF ACHAIA
FELIX ANTONIUS PROCURATOR OF JUDEA+
PAULS THIRD MISSIONARY JOURNEY
PAUL IMPRISONED AT CAESAREA
PORCIUS FESTUS PROCURATOR OF JUDEA+
PAUL BEFORE FESTUS & AGRIPPA II
PAUL SAILS FOR ROME VIA MALTA
PAUL IMPRISONED AT ROME
LUKES GOSPEL & ACTS WRITTEN
MARKS GOSPEL WRITTEN
1 & 2PETER LETTERS WRITTEN
PAUL UNDER HOUSE ARREST IN ROME WRITES
COLOSSIANS, PHILEMON, EPHESIANS & PHILIPPIANS
PETER CRUCIFIED UPSIDE DOWN (TRADITION)
PAUL MARTYRED AT ROME (TRADITION)
1,2 &3 JN. & REVELATION WRITTEN

95
95

JOHN MARTYRED (TRADITION)

APOSTOLIC AGE ENDS, CHURCH AGE CONTINUES

ACTS 12:18-24
ACTS 13:3-14:26
ACTS 13:6-12
JA. 1:1 FF
MAT. 1:1 FF
GAL. 1:1 FF
ACTS 15:1-35
ACTS 15:40-18:22
ACTS 18:12-17
ACTS 23:24-24:27
ACTS 18:23-21:16
ACTS 24:23-34
ACTS 24:27-26:32
ACTS 25:13-26:32
ACTS
LU. 1: & ACTS 1:1
MA. 1:1 FF
1 PET. & 2 PET.
ACTS 28:30-31

1, 2 & 3 JN. &

REV.