Outline of Ancient Biblical and Jewish History

Outline of Biblical History

Dates (BCE)

1700-1500: Current Biblical Books:Genesis 12-50 Date of Composition: Oral tradition
Patriarchal period

ca. 1250: Current Biblical Books: Exodus/Deuteronomy
Moses
The Exodus

1150 - 1050: Current Biblical Books: Joshua/Judges
Conquest of Canaan
Period of Judges

1050 - 950: Current Biblical Books: I, II Samuel, I Kings 1-11; Date of Composition: J source of Torah
United Monarchy
David, Solomon

950 - 721: Current Biblical Books: I Kings 12-22, II Kings, Amos, Hosea, Micah; Date of Composition: E source of Torah
Divided Monarchy
Israel/Judah

721 - 587: Current Biblical Books: Isaiah 1-39, Jeremiah, Zephaniah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Ezekiel, Obadiah
Date of Composition: 7th century prophets
Kingdom of Judah
First temple destroyed

586 - 539: Current Biblical Books: Isaiah 40-55, Job? Ezekiel? 2nd Isaiah? Date of Composition: Deuteronomist Historian, P Source of Torah, Psalms
Babylonian Exile

539 - 333: Current Biblical Books: 3 Isaiah, Haggai, Zechariah, Proverbs? Esther? Malachi, Joel
Date of Composition: 6th century prophets
Restoration, Persian Period
Second Temple

333 - 64: Current Biblical Books: Daniel, Esther? Ecclesiastes; Date of Composition: Wisdom literature
Greek Period

64 70 CE: Roman period
Second Temple Destroyed

200 CE: Compilation of Mishnah complete
Rabbinic Judaism (to present day)

400 - 600 CE: Compilation of Babylonian and Palestinian Talmuds