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Israel History Timeline

1,000BCE - House of David rules a United Israel

980BCE - Solomon builds the Temple

927BCE - Solomon dies.

In the history of Israel, one significant event is when Solomon's son Rehoboam splits the kingdom, leading to disastrous ramifications that would shape the course of ancient Israel events.

926BCE - Egypt's Shoshenq I (22nd Dynasty) plunders the Temple within one year of Solomon's death

In the history of Israel, temple contents remained unplundered for less than 55 years from their creation. During this time, Egypt seized gold shields, silver vessels, ornaments, and precious metals, including the king's own wealth and treasures. Shoshenq I left inscriptions at Karnak that reference 150 cities in Canaan, but notably, Jerusalem is absent from these surviving inscriptions. This suggests that Jerusalem may have paid a ransom to remain intact. The ancient Israel events surrounding Rehoboam's decision to split the kingdom made it immediately more vulnerable to outside attacks, which came swiftly.

800BCE - Assyria Rises in Power.

Asserts influence over Syria and the northern kingdom of Israel, significant events in the history of Israel that are well documented in the Jewish history timeline.

745BCE - Assyria directly runs Syrian - Northern Kingdom politics.

In the context of ancient Israel events, Prophets Amos and Hosea strongly condemn the corruption and pagan idolatry prevalent in the Northern Kingdom of Israel, highlighting significant moments in the history of Israel that shape our understanding of the Jewish history timeline.

738BCE - Northern Kingdom pays heavy tribute to Tiglath-Pileser III to remain a vassal province.

2 Kings 15:19-20. In 732 BCE, during significant ancient Israel events, King Ahaz sought protection from Tiglath-Pileser III. As a result, Tiglath-Pileser III invaded and captured Gilead, Galilee, and Naphtali (2 Kings 15:29), leading to the exile of a massive number of Israelites to Assyria. Subsequently, Hoshea was installed as a puppet king over the devastated Northern Kingdom of Israel. In 727 BCE, Hoshea appealed to Egypt for assistance and ceased payments to Assyria. This led to Assyrians laying siege to Samaria, Israel's capital, for three years. By 722 BCE, Samaria fell, marking the end of the Kingdom of Israel, and resulting in the massive deportation of 27,290 Israelites. These events are pivotal in the history of Israel, as prophets Isaiah and Micah warned Judah in light of Israel's fate, which is crucial in understanding the Jewish history timeline.

586BCE - Kingdom of Judah conquered by Babylon. Jerusalem in waste.

Following the ancient Israel events that led to Jewish leadership into exile, a small population remains in Judea, marking a significant point in the history of Israel and contributing to the broader Jewish history timeline.

539BCE - Cyrus the Great conquers Babylon.

Allows the Jews to return and rebuild Jerusalem, marking a significant event in the ancient Israel events, and begin the process of rebuilding the Temple as noted in the history of Israel. (Ezra 1) This moment is a key point in the Jewish history timeline.

516BCE -Jerusalem Temple Rebuilt.

Jerusalem, a small district capital under Persian rule, plays a significant role in the history of Israel, particularly in the context of ancient Israel events and the broader Jewish history timeline.

330BCE - Alexander the Great conquers Judea. Jewish religious practice is allowed to continue.

319BCE - 302BCE - Jerusalem changes rulers 7 times.

260BCE - Beit She'an re-founded as Scythopolis by Ptolemy II of Egypt.

200BCE - The Seleucid emperor, Antiochus III, defeats the Egyptian Ptolemaic army at Banias.

174BCE - The Seleucid's exert strict control over the land of Israel and appoint Jason high priest.

The office of the Jewish High Priest has often been regarded as a charade, particularly when we consider the ancient Israel events that shaped the history of Israel. This perspective is crucial for understanding the broader Jewish history timeline.

172-169BCE - Menelaus offers a higher bribe to Antiochus and is appointed high priest in Jerusalem.

167-164BCE - Antiochus IV outlaws Judaism in Judea. Desecrates Temple. Sacrifices a pig.

In the context of ancient Israel events, Mattathias Hasmoneus, a priest from Modi'in, takes up arms alongside his five sons to oppose the pagan actions of Antiochus IV. This pivotal moment marks a significant point in the history of Israel. In 166 BCE, Judas Maccabeus assumes leadership of the revolt, further shaping the Jewish history timeline.

164BCE - Maccabees Recapture Temple. New Pharisee sect claims Mosaic authority for their positions.

In the history of Israel, the Maccabees recaptured the Temple and rededicated it, marking a significant event in ancient Israel events. However, a faction of Pharisees took a stand against the Maccabee position of holding both the King and High Priest roles, leading them to leave Jerusalem for Qumran, a site connected to the legacy of the Dead Sea Scrolls. This period is also recognized as the origin of Hanukkah within the broader Jewish history timeline.

160BCE - Maccabees defeated by Seleucids of Damascus.

In the history of Israel, one significant event was the death of Judas Maccabeus, who was killed by the Seleucids in the Mt. Arbel area. This incident marks an important moment in the Jewish history timeline. Additionally, during this period, the first scrolls were being written by the Essenes in Qumran, leading to the creation of the Dead Sea Scrolls, which further illuminate ancient Israel events.

142BCE - Maccabee heir, Simon Thassi becomes first prince of Hasmonean rulers.

141BCE - Simon Thassi establishes Pharisee dynasty. For almost 600 years Galilee has been vacant.

141BCE - Pharisees agree the line of Simon should lead as high priest until a faithful prophet arise

The next faithful prophet to emerge in the history of Israel will be in 28 CE, in the Judean desert near Jericho and Aenon. His name is Johanan the Immerser, the forerunner to the Messiah. All of Jerusalem is coming out to him. This pivotal moment in ancient Israel events marks the announcement of Yeshua of Nazareth as the Messiah, yet the Jewish leadership pays no heed and opposes these significant words, which are essential to understanding the Jewish history timeline.

134BCE - Maccabee J. Hyrcanus has to loot tomb of David to pay Antiochus VII 3000 talents of silver.

Referring to Maccabee leadership in the context of ancient Israel events, the Jewish sage Nittai of Arbel writes, 'distance yourself from a bad neighbor, consort not with an evil man,' highlighting moral lessons that are significant within the broader history of Israel and the Jewish history timeline.

Scenic view of a lake surrounded by green hills and distant mountains.

112BCE - Jewish Hasmoneans destroy Samaritan temple at Mt. Gerizim and Shechem.

108 BCE - Jewish Hasmoneans destroy Beit Shean.

In 104 BCE, during significant ancient Israel events, Hyrcanus's son, Aristobulus I, ascends to the throne as king of Judea. His reign lasts for 2 years and is marked by despotic actions. He forces his position to simultaneously serve as both king and high priest, leading to the imprisonment of his mother, who tragically starves to death, as well as his three brothers. These disastrous leadership decisions are pivotal in the history of Israel. Following him, Alexander Jannaeus is chosen as the next king, reigning for 27 years. His cruelty knows no bounds as he persecutes the rabbis and effectively eliminates the Sanhedrin, reflecting a dark chapter in the Jewish history timeline.

75 BCE - Salome Alexander appointed defacto Queen of Judea. She reestablished the Sanhedrin. .

In the context of ancient Israel events, the Pharisees emerged as the ruling class, determined to maintain their authority. Salome took decisive action by removing the Sadducees from Jerusalem. According to the Talmud, her piety was rewarded when rain fell only on Shabbat night, leading to a significant increase in soil fertility. Notably, she was the sister of Shimon ben Shetach, a Mishnaic sage and Nasi of the Sanhedrin, marking an important moment in the history of Israel within the broader Jewish history timeline.

63BCE - But a Nabataean intervenes - Antipater, father of Herod the Great turns the tables.

Antipater convinces the king of the Nabataeans, Aretas, to side with Hyrcanus and fight for the Jewish crown, a significant moment in the history of Israel. The civil war is only resolved when one side asks Roman general Pompey to intervene. This conflict among quarrelling Jewish brothers opens the door to total Roman rule, marking a pivotal point in the ancient Israel events. Pompey ultimately decides to settle the war by keeping Israel for himself and Rome, which signifies the beginning of the Roman Period in the Jewish history timeline.

44BCE - Julius Caesar killed.

During the history of Israel, there were periods of temporally relaxed Roman rule on ancient Israel events that significantly influenced the Jewish history timeline.

40BCE - Herod visits Rome - Appointed King by Roman Senate.

In 40 BCE, significant ancient Israel events unfolded as the Parthian Empire invaded the eastern Roman provinces, including Judea. Antigonus II Mattathias, a member of the Hasmonean dynasty seeking to reclaim the Judean throne, allied himself with the Parthians. With their support, Antigonus successfully overthrew the Roman client ruler Hyrcanus II and declared himself king of Judea. He garnered the allegiance of both the Jerusalem aristocracy and the Pharisees' leaders, who were discontent with Roman rule, indicating a level of Jewish support for the pro-Parthian Hasmonean claimant. Following Antigonus's rise, Herod, a staunch supporter of Rome, fled Judea. He traveled to Rome, where the Roman Senate appointed him King of the Jews in 40 or 39 BCE. Subsequently, Herod returned to Israel with Mark Antony, conquered Antigonus II, and executed him, marking the end of Hasmonean rule in 37 BCE. Herod then divorced his first wife, married Mariamne, a Hasmonean princess, and plotted to eliminate the last male Hasmonean heir at his Jericho palace. This series of events is a crucial part of the history of Israel and contributes to the broader Jewish history timeline.

36BCE - Jewish Zealots in Galilee rebel against Herod. Herod kills this group at Mt. Arbel cliff.

The Roman legion siege camp, significant in the context of ancient Israel events, was built atop Mt. Nitai, a noteworthy location in the history of Israel and its Jewish history timeline.

31BCE - Powerful earthquake in Judea. Herod becomes the greatest master builder Israel has seen.

Throughout the history of Israel, several significant ancient Israel events were marked by earthquakes, some of which were notably followed by tsunamis. Key instances occurred in 92 BCE, 115 CE, 306 CE, 502 CE, 552 CE, 881 CE, and 1202 CE, contributing to the broader Jewish history timeline.

27BCE - close friend of Herod's, Augustus, appointed Roman Emperor. Reign for 41 years till 17CE.

Augustus is recognized as the first Roman emperor, playing a pivotal role in ancient Israel events, particularly in Herod's appointment as the ruler of Judea. At this point in the history of Israel, Herod receives control over the territories of Jericho, Gadara, Hippos, Samaria, Gaza, Anthedon, Jaffa, and Strato's Tower, which would later be known as Caesarea Maritima. In a significant moment in the Jewish history timeline, Herod undertakes the rebuilding of Samaria, renaming it Sebastia.

People gathered at the Western Wall, a historic religious site.

23BCE - Herod builds the Herodium 7.5 miles south of Jerusalem.

22BCE - Herod begins construction of Caesarea Maritima on old settlement known as Strato's Tower.

Maritima will become the largest port in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, marking an incredible engineering accomplishment in the history of Israel. This port will soon serve as the home of the Roman procurators sent to rule Judea, following the dismissal of Archelaus in 6 CE. By 26 CE, it will also become the residence of Pontius Pilate, a significant figure in Jewish history timelines and ancient Israel events.

20BCE - Herod's son, Antipas is born. He is raised with a close friend, Menachem.

Menachem will hold an extremely important position as the intermediary of the Sanhedrin and Antipas during significant ancient Israel events. Shockingly, Menachem will become a follower of Yeshua, leaving the Sanhedrin to move to Antioch. There, he will be found praying for his former associate, Saul of Tarsus, at Antioch. He is considered a prophet and teacher in the Antioch church and was present when Barnabas and Saul (Paul) were sent out on their first missionary journey around 47/48 CE, marking a notable point in the history of Israel and its Jewish history timeline.

19BCE - Herod begins rebuilding the Temple in Jerusalem in the eighteenth year of his reign.

The history of Israel is rich and complex, featuring numerous ancient Israel events that have shaped the cultural and religious landscape of the region. A comprehensive Jewish history timeline can help us understand the significant milestones and transformations that have occurred throughout the centuries.

10BCE - Caesarea Maritima is completed after 12 years of work.

In the context of ancient Israel events, 7 BCE marks a significant moment in the history of Israel when Herod, driven by mistrust, has two of his sons, Alexander and Aristobulus, executed, which is a notable entry in the Jewish history timeline.

6BCE - Likely year of birth of Jesus of Nazareth in Bethlehem.

Due to a death threat against the child, Yeshua is taken to Egypt, likely to Alexandria, where a significant Jewish community already thrives. This community is led by the esteemed Jewish philosopher Philo and his family, who maintain direct connections with Herod and the priesthood of Jerusalem. Philo's writings serve as a substantial secondary historical source for understanding ancient Israel events during this time period. Notably, Philo's brother is recognized as the wealthiest man in Egypt.


The 'Gabriel Stone' has an unknown provenance, but it may originate from the Jordanian side of the Dead Sea. This ink-on-stone artifact contains a collection of short prophecies penned in the first person by someone identifying as Gabriel, dating back to the 1st century BCE or the early 1st century CE based on its script and language. These prophecies outline Messianic points, and David Hamidovic's analysis suggests a date post-50 CE, approximately 20 years after the death and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth. This artifact may be particularly interesting within the context of the history of Israel as it potentially describes a 3-day resurrection occurrence.

5BCE - Herod's son, Antipater, sees his father in very poor health and attempts to poison him.

In the timeline of Jewish history, around 5-4 BCE, a significant event in ancient Israel occurs when Herod has his son Antipater killed. Following this, Herod faces a very painful death, marking a notable moment in the history of Israel.

In the history of Israel, during the year 4 BCE to 6 CE, Herod's son Archelaus reigns over Judea, which is marked by significant ancient Israel events. During this time, the young Jesus, around 10 years old, and his family return to Israel, seeking to settle in Judea. However, upon finding Archelaus in power, they decide to move north to the small village of Nazareth in Galilee. Notably, Archelaus was later declared unfit to reign in 6 CE, a crucial point in the Jewish history timeline.

Around 4 BCE to 6 BCE, during significant ancient Israel events, Herod's son Antipas is approximately 17 years old when his father passes away. Following this, he is appointed tetrarch of Galilee and commences the rebuilding of Sephoris, located just 4 miles from Nazareth. This important development in the history of Israel likely provides much-needed employment for Jesus' family until around 18 CE, highlighting a key moment in the Jewish history timeline.

9CE - Pharisee leader, Hillel the Elder dies. The house of Rabbi Shammai rises.

In 14 CE, Emperor Augustus died at the age of 75, marking a significant moment in the history of Israel. He was succeeded by his adopted son Tiberius, who would reign for 23 years until 37 CE. This period is notable in the Jewish history timeline and is part of the broader ancient Israel events.

In the context of ancient Israel events, 18CE marks a significant moment when Caiaphas offers the highest amount of money to Roman Prefect Valerius Gratus and ascends to the position of high priest. During this time, Antipas begins work on his new capital of Galilee in Tiberias. It is possible that Yeshua, as part of the unfolding history of Israel, follows this development and works as a stone mason in Tiberias for a period.

23CE - Valerius Gratus is appointed prefect of Judea.

26CE - In the history of Israel, the emperor appoints Sejanus as his executive officer to manage affairs of the empire. The antisemite, Sejanus, has a desire to exterminate the uncontrollable Jewish race. He appoints Pontius Pilate to replace Gratus as the ruler of Judea. Pilate retains the high priest Joseph ben Caiaphas throughout his tenure. Caiaphas and the Sadducee priests are seen as completely reliable allies to both Pilate and Rome. Pilate's first unwise act is to install the embossed figures of the emperor at the Temple site, leading to a massive confrontation at Caesarea Maritima. 


A solitary prophetic voice emerges in the Judean desert with Yohanan the Immerser, as all of Jerusalem comes out to hear him and be baptized by him. He is recognized as the next acknowledged prophet in the Jewish history timeline of Israel. 


28/29CE - Antipas departs for Rome and divorces his wife, Phasaelis, the daughter of Nabbatean king, Aretas. During this time, Yohanan the Immerser begins his ministry in the Jordan Valley, as noted in Luke 3:1-2. 


It is at this pivotal moment in ancient Israel events that the brief three-year ministry of Yeshua of Nazareth begins.

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