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Old Testament Overview
The Christian Bible is divided into two parts: the Old Testament and the New Testament. The word “testament”
can also be translated as “covenant” or “relationship.” The Old Testament describes God’s covenant of law
with the people of Israel. The New Testament describes God’s covenant of grace through Jesus Christ. When
we accept Jesus as our Savior and Lord, we enter into a new relationship with God.
Christians believe that ALL Scripture is “God-breathed.” God’s Word speaks to our lives, revealing God’s
nature. The Lord desires to be in relationship with His people. By studying the Bible, we discover how to enter
into right relationship with God. We also learn how Christians are called to live in God’s kingdom.
The Old Testament is also called the Hebrew Bible. Jewish theologians use the Hebrew word “Tanakh.” The
term describes the three divisions of the Old Testament: the Law (Torah), the Prophets (Nevi’im), and the
Writings (Ketuvim). “Tanakh” is composed of the first letters of each section.
The Law in Hebrew is “Torah” which literally means “teaching.” In the Greek language, it is known as
the Pentateuch. It comprises the first five books of the Old Testament: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus,
Numbers, and Deuteronomy. This section contains the stories of Creation, the patriarchs and matriarchs,
the exodus from Egypt, and the giving of God’s Law, including the Ten Commandments.
The Prophets cover Israel’s history from the time the Jews entered the Promised Land of Israel until the
Babylonian captivity of Judah. The books are sometimes divided into the Major and Minor Prophets.
They can also be divided chronologically into the Earlier Prophets (historical in nature) and the Later
Prophets (more prophetic in nature.). In general, the prophets were not concerned with predicting the
future. Instead, they called Israel to repentance and holiness in the present. The Prophets include:
Joshua, Judges, Samuel, Kings, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Johan, Micah,
Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi.
The Writings or “Scriptures” include all the other books of the Old Testament. They contain history,
poetry, proverbs, and more. The Writings are: Psalms, Proverbs, Job, Song of Songs, Ruth,
Lamentations, Ecclesiastes, Esther, Daniel, Ezra, Nehemiah, and Chronicles.
Bible Chronology of the Old Testament
The following chronological list is adapted from The Chronological Bible. Its purpose is to help develop an
overall understanding of the order of the major people and events of the Bible. The dates are somewhat
disputed; but overall, they can give an overview of time and order.
The Pre-existent Christ
Creation
Satan cast out of heaven
Six days of creation
Garden of Eden
Fall of Adam and Eve
Expulsion from Eden
Cain kills Abel
Noah is born
The Flood
John 1
Gen. 1:1
Isaiah 14:12-17
Gen. 1:3-26
Gen. 2:8-17
Gen. 3:1-7
Gen. 3:21-24
Gen. 4
Gen. 5:28-29
Gen. 7:10-24
From the Creation
to the Flood
2
The Tower of Babel
Abram (Abraham) is born
Job
Abram becomes Abraham
Birth of Isaac, then Jacob, then
Joseph
Gen. 11
Gen. 11:27
Job 1
Genesis 17
Genesis 21-30
The Flood
to the Patriarchs
The 10 plagues against Egypt
The Hebrews are freed
Crossing the Red Sea
Receiving the 10 Commandments
Israel wanders in the desert for 40
years
Exodus 7 - 11
Exodus 12
Exodus 13 - 15
Exodus 20
Numbers 14
The Exodus to
Entering Canaan
1462 - 1422 B.C.
The conquest of Canaan
Israel becomes a world power
Samson is born
Saul becomes first King
Joshua 6 - 12
1200 - 750 B. C.
Judges 13
1 Samuel 9
Canaan to the Reign of King
Saul
1422 - 1065 B. C.
David and Goliath
David becomes King
David with Bathsheba
Absalom's rebellion
David prepares temple materials
1 Samuel 17
2 Samuel 5
2 Samuel 11
2 Samuel 15-18
1 Chronicles 22
The Reign of
King David
1025 - 985 B. C.
Solomon becomes King
Solomon asks God for wisdom
The building of the Temple
Solomon's downfall
1 Kings 1
1 Kings 3
1 Kings 6
1 Kings 11
The Reign of
King Solomon
985 - 945 B. C.
The nation of Israel divided into two: Israel to the north and Judah to
the south. This period was full of kings, who ruled each realm. Many
of the kings were evil. Other gods were worshiped occasionally.
During this time Elijah has his ministry. Hosea preached. Jonah
dealt with Nineveh. Rome was founded. The temple was restored.
The Divided Kingdom
(Israel and Judah)
From Solomon
to the Fall of Israel
945 - 586 B. C.
Both Israel and Judah fall to foreign powers. Micah prophesies.
Isaiah is martyred. Jeremiah is born. Daniel is born. Zephaniah
prophesies. Ezekiel is born. Jeremiah preaches.
The Fall of Israel
to the Fall of Judah
721 - 586 B. C.
Ezekiel: Jerusalem falls
Nebuchadnezzar's image
Daniel's vision of the four beasts
Daniel's vision of the 70 weeks
Fall of Babylon to Persians
Ezekiel 33
Daniel 3
Daniel 7
Daniel 9
Isaiah 13, Jer. 25
Israel is taken
into Captivity
586 - 516 B.C.
Dedication of the Temple
Deliverance of the Jews
Ezra returns to Jerusalem
Building of the wall of Jerusalem
Malachi's Prophecies
Ezra 6
Esther 8
Ezra 7
Nehemiah 2
Malachi
The Restoration
from Captivity
516 -400 B. C.
Greece is the world power from
Rome is the world power from
God does not speak for about 400
years
331 - 168 B. C.
168 B. C. - 476 A.D.
Time Between
the Testaments
400 B. C. - 5. A.D.
Chart from: http://www.carm.org/christianity/bible/bible-chronology-old-testament
