← History of the Bible

Biblical Chronology

  • CHR003 The Jewish Calendar

    This article examines the Jewish calendar, which is essential for understanding the chronology of biblical events. It is part of a series exploring the prophecy of Daniel.

    Daniel 9.24-27 (King James Version) :
    Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

  • CHR004 The exact date of the decree

    The study explores the chronology of the life of Jesus through Daniel’s prophecy. It identifies the decree of Artaxerxes as a key starting point and examines the difficulties related to the precision of ancient dates, highlighting the year 458 BC. The article argues that this research is rooted in a divine will, orchestrated by God.

    Ezra 7.9 (King James Version) :
    For upon the first day of the first month began he to go up from Babylon, and on the first day of the fifth month came he to Jerusalem, according to the good hand of his God upon him.
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

  • CHR007 The date of birth of Jesus the Messiah

    The study explores the date of Jesus’ birth, linking prophecies, Gospel testimonies and historical data to propose a birth around October 12, -2 BC, during the Feast of Tabernacles.

    Luke 3.1-3 (King James Version) :
    Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Cæsar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judæa, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituraea and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene,Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness.And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins;
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

  • CHR008 The death of King Herod the Great

    The study explores the chronology of the death of Herod the Great, which affects the dating of the birth and ministry of Jesus. Based on the work of Schürer, who proposes the year 4 BC, it stresses the importance of reconsidering historical interpretations in light of the texts of Flavius Josephus.

    Daniel 9.24-27 (King James Version) :
    Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
    Read more

    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

Further reading
  • ANN004 The date of birth of Jesus the Messiah

    The article proposes a birth date for Jesus based on an analysis of Daniel's prophecies and history. The crucifixion is thought to have taken place…

  • ANN011 The death of King Herod the Great

    The article analyses the dating of Herod the Great's death, traditionally placed around -1 BC, and its modern reassessment to -4 BC…

  • ANN042 Travel times

    This appendix examines means of travel and journey times in the first century. In Jesus' time, people travelled mainly on foot, in caravans or…