Timeline of the Jews

Pre-Tribal Period (Patriarchal Era, c. 2000–1300 BC)

  • Patriarchs: Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Israel)

    • Abraham: Called by God to leave Ur and settle in Canaan; receives the covenant promising land, descendants, and blessing (Genesis 12:1–3)
    • Isaac: Son of Abraham; continues the covenant lineage
    • Jacob (Israel): Father of 12 sons, who become the progenitors of the 12 tribes

  • Key Events:

    • Joseph in Egypt: Sold into slavery by his brothers; rises to power in Egypt; saves family from famine
    • Israelites migrate to Egypt: Jacob and his family settle in Goshen, growing in number over generations

  • Social Structure: Clan- and family-based; tribal leadership not yet formalized

  • Religion: Early worship of Yahweh develops through covenants; foundational promises of land, nationhood, and blessing are established

  • Transition to Tribal Period:

    • Over generations, Israelites become enslaved in Egypt.
    • Exodus (traditionally 13th–15th century BC) marks the beginning of the tribal organization under Moses and leads into the conquest of Canaan under Joshua.

Tribal Period (c. 1200–1020 BC)

  • Era of the Judges: Loose confederation of tribes after the Exodus and conquest of Canaan under Joshua.
  • Key events:
    • Exodus from Egypt (traditional date varies, possibly 13th–15th century BC)
    • Conquest of Canaan led by Joshua
    • Judges rule: Tribal leaders like Deborah, Gideon, and Samson arise
  • Society: Tribal, decentralized, led by elders and judges; worship centered at local high places before the Temple

Unified Monarchy (c. 1020–922 BC)

  • Kings:
    • Saul: First king; unites tribes but struggles with internal dissent
    • David: Expands kingdom; establishes Jerusalem as political and religious center
    • Solomon: Builds the First Temple; famed for wisdom; kingdom at peak power
  • Culture: Centralized worship; alliances and trade flourish

Division of the Kingdom (c. 922 BC)

  • Northern Kingdom – Israel
    • Ten tribes (Asher, Dan, Gad, Issachar, Naphtali, Reuben, Simeon, Zebulun, Ephraim, Manasseh)
    • Capital: Samaria
    • Conquered by Assyria in 722/721 BC; population deported, leading to the “Ten Lost Tribes”
  • Southern Kingdom – Judah
    • Tribes of Judah and Benjamin
    • Capital: Jerusalem
    • Conquered by Babylon in 586 BC; Temple destroyed, population exiled
  • Levi: No assigned territory; served religious duties as priests and Levites

Exilic Period (586–539 BC)

  • Jews live in Babylon; maintain identity through synagogue worship, Torah study, and ritual purity
  • Prophets: Ezekiel, Daniel emphasize hope and restoration

Persian Period (539–332 BC)

  • Cyrus the Great allows Jews to return to Judah
  • Second Temple rebuilt (516 BC)
  • Torah codified; Ezra and Nehemiah lead religious and civic reform
  • Society: Rebuilding Jerusalem; emphasis on law, purity, and community cohesion

Hellenistic Period (332–167 BC)

  • Alexander the Great conquers region (332 BC); spreads Greek culture and language
  • After Alexander’s death:
    • Ptolemies rule Egypt and Judah (322–198 BC)
    • Seleucids rule Syria (198–167 BC)
  • Greek influence spreads, causing cultural and religious tensions

Hasmonean Dynasty (167–63 BC)

  • Maccabean Revolt (165–160 BC) against Seleucid king Antiochus IV; restoration of Jewish independence
  • Traditionalists reassert Jewish law and practices
  • Expansion of Jewish territory; mixture of religious zealotry and political consolidation

Roman Period (63 BC–AD 70)

  • Pompey conquers Jerusalem (63 BC); Roman rule established
  • Herod the Great (37–4 BC) modernizes Jerusalem and the Temple
  • Ministry of Jesus of Nazareth (~AD 27–30)
  • Jewish revolts (66–73 AD) crushed; Second Temple destroyed by Romans in 70 AD
  • Aftermath: Jews dispersed; rise of Rabbinic Judaism

Jewish Sects

Pharisees

  • Origins: Second century BC, linked to Hasidim
  • Beliefs:
    • Torah + Oral Law authoritative
    • Free will and divine sovereignty compatible
    • Belief in angels, demons, resurrection, and reward/punishment
  • Social role: Popular among common people; ethical teaching emphasized; helped shape Rabbinic Judaism after AD 70

Essenes

  • Ascetic, communal sect; strict observance of Torah purity laws
  • Beliefs:
    • Fate governs events
    • Celibacy common, but not required
    • Daily prayer, study, and ritual purification
  • Social role: Separated from mainstream society; associated with Dead Sea Scrolls

Sadducees

  • Aristocratic, priestly class; influential in Temple administration
  • Beliefs:
    • Deny Oral Law, resurrection, and afterlife
    • Only Torah (Pentateuch) canonical
    • Emphasize ritual and Levitical purity
  • Social role: Cooperated with Romans; power base in Jerusalem Temple

Zealots

  • Radical nationalist sect opposing Roman occupation
  • Beliefs:
    • Only God as sovereign; no tribute to Rome
    • Fierce adherence to Jewish law and traditions
  • Social role: Engaged in violent uprisings (e.g., Masada, 66–73 AD)

Additional Notes

  • Prophets: Key role in maintaining Jewish identity, moral accountability, and hope for restoration
  • Temple Significance: Center of worship, sacrifice, and political life; its destruction profoundly reshaped Jewish religion
  • Diaspora: Exile and later dispersions create communities throughout Babylon, Persia, and the Mediterranean
  • Language & Culture: Hebrew (religious), Aramaic (daily life), Greek (Hellenistic period)