Summary of the Bible

The Bible...

• The Bible is God’s Word written over a period of about 1,600 years by more than 40 different human authors writing under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. (2 Peter 1:20-21)
• The word Bible comes from the Greek βιβλια—biblia, meaning "books”. Two parts - Old Testament (39 books) and New Testament (27 books). Testament means covenant or arrangement between two parties. God gave the Old Covenant to Moses for the people of Israel (Exodus 24).  Later, God announced through the prophet Jeremiah that God would make a New Covenant with His people. (Jeremiah 31:31-34)
• Jesus announced this New Covenant with His disciples at the Last Supper.(1 Corinthians 11:23-25)
• Today, all people are required by God to live under the New Covenant or New Testament.“So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith. Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law.”Galatians 3:24, 25

In a nutshell...

• The Bible is all about JESUS!

• The Old Testament is an account of one nation. The New Testament is an account of a Man. The nation was founded and nurtured by God to bring the Man into the world. His appearance on the earth is the central event of all history. The Old Testament sets the stage for it, the New Testament describes it.

• Since the Old Testament tells why God needed a plan to restore a relationship with the human race, and since the New Testament explains that Jesus was the plan, the point of the Bible can be summed up in one verse:

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.”

John 3:16

Biblical Timeline

2100 BC (about 4,100 years ago) God establishes a covenant with Abraham

Abraham lived around 2100 BC in what is now Iraq. God told him to move to Canaan, which later became Israel. Unlike many people, Abraham believed in the one true God. God rewarded Abraham's faith, making him the father of a great nation (Israel), and an ancestor to the Messiah (Jesus Christ). ”The Lord said to Abraham, “Leave your country, your people, and your father’s household and go the land I will show you. I will make you a great nation and I will bless you. I will make your name great and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you and whoever curses you, I will curse; and all the prophets on earth will be blessed through you.” Genesis 12:1-3

2000 BC (about 4,000 years ago) Jacob (Israel) is born

Jacob, the son of Isaac, who was the son of Abraham, is born in Canaan. Jacob's name is changed to Israel. (Canaan is later renamed Israel, after Jacob). He has 12 sons, for whom the 12 Tribes of Israel are named. Their names are: Gad, Asher, Reuban, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulan, Joseph, Benjamin, Dan, and Naphtali.

1900 BC (about 3,900 years ago) Joseph sold into slavery

Joseph, one of the 12 sons of Jacob (Israel), is sold into slavery by his brothers, who are jealous of him. Joseph ends up in Egypt, where he rises to power as a trusted assistant of a pharaoh. His father and his brothers later leave Canaan because of a famine, and move to Egypt. They are later saved from harm by Joseph. “But Joseph said to them, Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of lives.” Genesis 50:19

1446 BC (about 3,400 years ago) Exodus begins

The Hebrews, or Israelites (descendants of Jacob), are enslaved for 400 years in Egypt until Moses leads them out of Egypt. Because of their lack of faith, they wandered the desert for 40 years. Moses then brings them to the border of Canaan, the land that God had previously promised to their forefather Abraham. Exodus 12:40

1406 BC (about 3,400 years ago) Israel begins establishing itself as a sovereign country

After Moses dies, Joshua leads the Israelites into Canaan and begins conquering the land, establishing the sovereign country of Israel for the first time in history. Joshua 1:1-5

1400 BC (about 3,400 years ago) Israel is ruled by judges, not kings

From about 1400 BC to about 1050 BC, Israel was not ruled by kings. The people think of God as their King. Instead of an earthly king, Israel is led by judges who settled disputes.

1050 BC (about 3,000 years ago) Saul becomes Israel's first king

After 350 years of being ruled by judges, the people of Israel demand to have a king like neighboring countries. By demanding a king, the people are turning away from their faith in God as their King. Saul becomes king and reigns about 40 years.

1010 BC (about 3,000 years ago) David becomes King of Israel

David becomes king of Israel in about 1010 BC and reigns for 40 years. David, unlike Saul, follows the commands of God. He makes mistakes, but he repents of them. He seeks to please God. He expands the size of Israel and rules over surrounding territories. David is known for being a man after God’s own heart.

970 BC (about 3,000 years ago) Solomon becomes king, builds Temple

Solomon, son of David, becomes king in about 970 BC. He too reigns for about 40 years. Solomon builds the Temple in honor of God. The work is completed in about 960 BC. But, Solomon eventually turns away from God and worships false gods.

926 BC (about 2,900 years ago) Israel becomes a divided kingdom

Shortly after the reign of Solomon, Israel becomes a divided kingdom. The Southern Kingdom, called Judah, includes the city of Jerusalem and the Temple. The Northern Kingdom continued to be called Israel. The two are often at war with each other.

721 BC (about 2,700 years ago) Assyrians conquer northern kingdom of Israel

The Assyrian Empire conquers the northern kingdom of Israel in about 721 BC. The Assyrians torture and decapitate many. They force many Israelites (10 of the 12 Tribes of Israel) out of Israel and bring in foreigners. This is the start of what is known as the Exile.

612 BC (about 2,600 years ago) Babylon conquers Nineveh (Assyrian Empire)

The Assyrian Empire's capital city - Nineveh - is attacked by a coalition of Babylonians and others. As explained by the prophet Nahum in the Bible, Nineveh was to be destroyed because of the Assyrian Empire's treatment of Israelites and other people.

605 BC (about 2,600 years ago) Babylon exerts influence over Judah

The neo-Babylonian Empire, under the reign of King Nebuchadnezzar, begins forcing Judah into submission. Nebuchadnezzar takes many Jews as captives to Babylon to ensure Judah's obedience.

597 BC (about 2,600 years ago) Babylon attacks Judah

Babylonian army attacks Judah and takes more Jews captive. Ezekiel, one of the captives, becomes a prophet of God. Ezekiel explains that God is allowing Babylon to punish Judah because the people have been unfaithful to God.

586 BC (about 2,600 years ago) Babylon destroys Jerusalem and the Temple

Babylon attacks Judah again. This time, the Babylonians destroy Jerusalem and the Temple that Solomon had built. More Jews are taken as captives to Babylon.

539 BC (about 2,500 years ago) Cyrus the Great conquers Babylon

After the death of Nebuchadnezzar, the Neo-Babylonian Empire begins to lose power. Cyrus the Great conquers Babylon in 539 BC, establishing the Medo-Persian Empire.

538 BC (about 2,500 years ago) Cyrus releases Jews from Babylonian Captivity

After conquering Babylon, Cyrus offers the Jews their freedom to leave Babylon and to return to Judah. Cyrus' kingdom rules over Judah and many other parts of the Middle East, but Cyrus allows people more cultural and religious freedom than did the neo-Babylonian Empire.

536 BC (about 2,500 years ago) Work begins to rebuild Temple

Some of the Jews in Babylon return to Judah and begin work in about 536 BC to rebuild the Temple, which had been destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 BC.

516 BC (about 2,500 years ago) Second Temple is dedicated

The Temple is consecrated for worship 70 years after it was destroyed.

333 BC (about 2,300 years ago) Greeks begin rule over land of Israel

The Greeks, under the leadership of Alexander the Great, defeat Persian armies in Macedonia in 333 BC. This marks the fall of the Medo-Persian Empire and the rise of the Grecian Empire.

332 BC (about 2,300 years ago) Alexander conquers Tyre (Phoenician Empire)

Alexander wages wars against the Phoenician city of Tyre bringing an end to the Phoenician Empire.

250 BC (about 2,300 years ago) The Old Testament is translated into Greek

A Greek ruler asks the Jews to translate all or part of the Old Testament into the Greek language. The translation is called the Septuagint.

175 BC (about 2,200 years ago) Greek ruler Antiochus Epiphanes torments the Jews

Greek ruler Antiochus Epiphanes tries to destroy the Jewish religion and defiles the Temple.

333 BC (about 2,300 years ago) Greeks begin rule over land of Israel

The Greeks, under the leadership of Alexander the Great, defeat Persian armies in Macedonia in 333 BC. This marks the fall of the Medo-Persian Empire and the rise of the Grecian Empire.

332 BC (about 2,300 years ago) Alexander conquers Tyre (Phoenician Empire)

Alexander wages wars against the Phoenician city of Tyre bringing an end to the Phoenician Empire.

250 BC (about 2,300 years ago) The Old Testament is translated into Greek

A Greek ruler asks the Jews to translate all or part of the Old Testament into the Greek language. The translation is called the Septuagint.

175 BC (about 2,200 years ago) Greek ruler Antiochus Epiphanes torments the Jews

Greek ruler Antiochus Epiphanes tries to destroy the Jewish religion and defiles the Temple.

About 5 BC (about 2,000 years ago) Jesus is born in Bethlehem

Jesus is born in Bethlehem. The Apostle Matthew later points out that Jesus' birth in Bethlehem fulfilled a prophecy delivered by the prophet Micah, 700 years beforehand. (Micah 5:2)

About 25 AD (about 2,000 years ago) Jesus begins His ministry

Jesus is about 30 years old when He begins His ministry. He preaches salvation, delivers prophecies and performs miracles. He announces that He is the Messiah (the Christ) who was promised by the prophets of the Old Testament. Jesus promises salvation and eternal life to those who believe in Him (John 3:16).

About 28 AD (about 2,000 years ago) Jesus is crucified and resurrected

Jesus is falsely accused and is sent to Pontius Pilate, the Roman ruler of the land of the Jews, to be crucified. Jesus is later resurrected, meaning He is brought back to life, and His followers began evangelizing Him to others, allowing Christianity to spread very quickly throughout the Roman world and to eventually become the first religion to spread throughout the world.

70 AD (about 1,900 years ago) Romans destroy Jerusalem and Temple

In 70 AD, the Roman Army, under Titus, destroys Jerusalem and the Temple, to suppress an uprising of the Jews. According to the historian Josephus, about 1.1 million Jews were killed. Others were taken as slaves.

First century AD (about 1,900 years ago) The Bible is completed

During the first century of this era, the New Testament, which describes the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, is completed. The writing of the Bible (the Old Testament and the New Testament) comes to an end. It began about 3,400 years ago during the time of Moses.