CHRONOLOGY

3200 B.C.

Writing is invented in Sumer.

1850

Epic of Gilgamesh is set down. Avram/Avraham journeys to Canaan.

1750

The Code of Hammurabi is proclaimed.

1720–1552

The Semitic Hyksos rule Egypt.

1700

The Children of Israel arrive in Egypt.

1377–1358

Akhnaton rules Egypt and enforces exclusive worship of Aton, the sun god.

1347–1338

Tutankhamon rules Egypt.

1304–1290

Seti I, the likely pharaoh who “knew not Joseph” and enslaved the Children of Israel, rules Egypt.

1290–1224

Rameses II, the likely pharaoh of the Exodus, rules Egypt.

1250

The escape of the Israelites under Moshe and the encounter at Sinai.

1220–1200

Joshua and the Israelites invade Canaan.

1200–1025

The period of the Judges and the confederation of the tribes of Israel in Canaan.

1030–1010

Saul rules the Israelite confederation.

1010–970

David rules the United Kingdom of Israel.

1000

David takes Jerusalem and makes it his capital.

970–931

Solomon rules Israel. The stories of what will become the Torah begin to be collected.

966

Solomon builds the Temple in Jerusalem.

931

The United Kingdom of Israel is divided into Israel and Judah.

874–853

Ahab rules Israel with Jezebel. Elijah prophesies.

750

Amos begins to prophesy, followed, a little later, by Hosea.

740

Isaiah receives his vocation in the Temple. He begins to prophesy, followed, a little later, by Micah.

722 or 721

Israel is overrun by the forces of the Assyrian king Sargon II and its inhabitants are deported: the ten northern tribes are lost.

716–687

Hezekiah, one of Judah’s last good kings, rules.

687–642

Manasseh rules Judah, establishes pagan cults in the Temple, and (according to later tradition) executes Isaiah.

640–609

Josiah, Judah’s last good king, rules, attempts religious reform, and sponsors new editions of principal historical documents, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Samuel, and Kings.

605

Jeremiah prophesies Judah’s seventy years of exile.

16 March 597

Nebuchadnezzar captures Jerusalem and begins deporting Jews to Babylon.

July-August 587 or 586

Nebuchadnezzar levels the Temple and the city of Jerusalem; fresh deportations continue for five years more.

539

Cyrus, king of the Persians, enters Babylon and gives back to the original cities sacred objects carried off to Babylon.

538

The Edict of Cyrus is proclaimed, allowing the exiles to return to the Promised Land.

Spring 537

The foundation of the Second Temple is laid.

520–515

The Second Temple is completed.

450

This is possibly the period in which Job, the Song of Songs, Ruth, and many Psalms are written.