A Chronological Guide to the Scriptures

I have read the Old and New Testaments roughly five times. During my studies, especially of the Old Testament, I realized how easy it is to become confused by the timeline because the books are not arranged in the order of their historical occurrence. I have put together this rough timeline to assist my next journey through the Scriptures. This time, I look forward to reading them in the order they supposedly took place.

Old Testament

Genesis

• Setting: Creation to ~1700 BCE.

• Authorship: Traditionally attributed to Moses following the Exodus (c. 1440–1400 BCE). However, 20th-century scholars often point to Babylonian influences, dating the final compilation closer to 597 BCE during the Exile.

• Insight: I suspect Moses authored the original, but it may have been poorly preserved and later rewritten by the exiled elite. Regarding the script, early Hebrew—a 22-letter alphabet found in cave "graffiti" dating back to 2040 BCE—suggests a developed writing system existed earlier than once thought.

Exodus

• Setting: ~1279–1213 BCE (under Rameses II) or ~1446 BCE (Biblical/High Chronology).

• Insight: If 1446 BCE is correct, the Pharaoh may have been Amenhotep II, whose sudden halt in military activity aligns with the loss of an army at the Red Sea. Alternatively, under low chronology, Thutmose III would be the Pharaoh.

Leviticus & Numbers

• Setting: ~1440–1400 BCE (Biblical) or ~1250–1200 BCE (Scholarly).

• Authorship: Traditionally Moses; scholars suggest a 6th–5th century BCE compilation.

Deuteronomy

• Setting: ~1400 BCE.

• Authorship: Traditionally Moses. Scholars often categorize it as "Deuteronomistic History," likely compiled around 622 BCE during King Josiah’s reforms.

Historical Books

• Joshua: Setting ~1400–1200 BCE. Traditionally written by Joshua; scholars suggest a later compilation around 622 BCE.

• Judges: Covers the era of tribal leaders (~1400–1050 BCE). Traditionally attributed to Samuel.

• Ruth: Set during the time of the Judges. Traditionally attributed to Samuel; scholars suggest it was an oral tradition recorded around 500–350 BCE.

• 1 & 2 Samuel: Setting ~1000 BCE. Attributed to Samuel, Nathan, and Gad.

• 1 & 2 Kings: Covers 970–586 BCE. A political history likely compiled by multiple authors, possibly including Jeremiah.

• 1 & 2 Chronicles: Covers 1000–586 BCE. Focuses on the religious history of Judah. Traditionally attributed to Ezra (c. 440 BCE), though the linguistic style suggests 400–350 BCE.

• Ezra & Nehemiah: Setting ~445–430 BCE. Nehemiah is generally accepted as the author of his own book, while Ezra's memoirs were likely compiled by 375 BCE.

• Esther: Setting ~470 BCE. Most scholars date its writing to ~300 BCE.

Wisdom Literature & Psalms

• Job: Though set around 1750 BCE, it was likely not recorded in its final form until ~500 BCE.

• Psalms:

  • Moses Era: Psalms 90–92, 94, 100 (~1440 BCE).

  • Davidic Era: Psalms 2–73, 75–88, 93, 95–99, 101, 103–118, 135–145 (~1010–970 BCE).

  • Exilic/Post-Exilic: Psalms 1, 74, 79, 89, 102, 106, 107, 119–134, 146–150 (~586–400 BCE).

• Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, & Song of Songs: Traditionally attributed to Solomon (10th century BCE), though scholars believe they were recorded or finalized between 700 and 300 BCE.

The Prophets

• Isaiah: Chapters 1–39 (740–701 BCE); Chapters 40–66 (c. 538 BCE).

• Jeremiah & Lamentations: Considered highly historically grounded, set around 627–580 BCE.

• Ezekiel & Daniel: Exilic books set between 605 and 530 BCE.

• The Minor Prophets: Range from the early Assyrian period (Amos, Hosea, Jonah, Micah) to the post-exilic return (Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi).

The Apocrypha

• 1 Esdras: Setting 620–444 BCE; often attributed to Ezra.

• 2 Esdras: Historically set around 557 BCE, but scholars agree it was written roughly 70–100 CE.

• Tobit: Set during the Assyrian Exile (721–700 BCE).

• Judith: Historically set between 600 and 500 BCE, during the reign of Nebuchadnezzar and the rebuilding of the Temple. Interestingly, the text refers to Nebuchadnezzar as the King of Assyria ruling from Nineveh, though he was historically the King of Babylon. Scholars believe it was written later, between 150 and 100 BCE, during the Maccabean period.

• Additions to Esther: Greek additions to the text set during the Persian Empire (486–465 BCE).

• Wisdom of Solomon: Wisdom literature traditionally attributed to King Solomon.

• Sirach (Ecclesiasticus): A book of ethical teachings written by Jesus ben Sira around 190 BCE.

• Baruch: Believed to have been written by Baruch, the scribe of Jeremiah, around 586 BCE.

• Letter of Jeremiah: Traditionally attributed to the prophet Jeremiah during the Exile.

• Additions to Daniel: Greek additions to the Book of Daniel, set around 586 BCE.

• Prayer of Manasseh: Set around 660 BCE, reflecting King Manasseh’s prayer of repentance during his reign.

• 1, 2, 3 & 4 Maccabees: Historical accounts of the Jewish revolt against the Seleucid Empire, covering 180–134 BCE.

• Psalm 151: In King David's time around 102-1000 BCE.

• Book of Enoch: The most time encompassing timeline. Please see below.

Section	Narrative Setting
Book of Watchers	Primordial/pre-Flood
Book of Parables	Primordial/pre-Flood
Astronomical Book	Primordial/pre-Flood
Dream Visions	Primordial through Maccabean
Epistle of Enoch	Primordial/pre-Flood
2 Enoch	Primordial/pre-Flood
3 Enoch	1st–2nd century CE frame

• Jubilees: The entire book is presented as a revelation given to Moses around 1280 BCE.

• 1st Meqabyan: 1200-1000BCE

• 2nd Meqabyan: 1000-586 BCE

• 3rd Meqabyan: 538-200 BCE

  
  

The New Testament Era

The Gospels

• Matthew, Mark, Luke, & John: These record the life and ministry of Jesus, occurring between approximately 4 BCE and 30 AD.

The Early Church & Epistles

• Acts of the Apostles: Written by Luke, this book covers the historical period from 30 to 62 AD, documenting the spread of the early Church.

• Pauline Epistles: (Romans, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 & 2 Thessalonians, 1 & 2 Timothy, and Philemon). Written by the Apostle Paul between 45 and 67 AD.

• Hebrews: Believed to have been written in the mid-1st century AD; authorship is traditionally debated between Paul, Barnabas, or other early leaders.

• General Epistles & Revelation: (James, 1 & 2 Peter, 1, 2, & 3 John, Jude, and Revelation). These were written and set during the mid-to-late 1st century AD.