Before we can fully understand the leaders Jesus and His disciples encountered in first-century Israel, we need to step back—way back—into the story that shaped their world. The New Testament didn’t spring up overnight; it grew from the rich soil of the Old Testament. To grasp the bigger picture of God’s unfolding plan, we must first walk through the major periods of the Old Testament. Here’s a concise overview to help you see how these ancient chapters set the stage for everything that followed.
- The Days in the Garden (ca. 4175 BC)
This period extends from the first day of creation through the Fall of humanity. The Bible does not state its exact length, but it appears to have lasted only a few days. It ends with Adam and Eve being evicted from the Garden of Eden.
Covered in: Genesis 1-3. - The Days of the Primeval Flood (ca. 4175–2519 BC)
This era includes the murder of Abel by Cain (ca. 4145 BC), the growing corruption of humanity, and God’s judgment through the worldwide Flood.
Covered in: Genesis 4-8:14. - The Days of the Post-Flood (ca. 2518–2166 BC)
Beginning with Noah’s exit from the ark, this period includes the repopulation of the earth, the rebellion at the Tower of Babel (ca. 2417 BC), and ends with the birth of Abram.
Covered in: Genesis 8:15-11. - The Days of the Patriarchs (ca. 2166–1876 BC)
Starting with the birth of Abram (later Abraham), this period follows the lives of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Jacob’s twelve sons. The story of Joseph receives special attention, and the period concludes when Jacob’s descendants settle in Egypt. Job may also have lived during Abraham’s time.
Covered in: Genesis 12-50. Possibly Job. - The Days of the Exodus and Wilderness Wonderings (ca. 1876-1406 BC)
After entering Egypt, the Israelites become enslaved. God raises up Moses to lead them out in the Exodus (1446 BC). This period includes the giving of the Law, the construction of the Tabernacle, and forty years of wilderness wandering.
Covered in: Exodus-Deuteronomy. - The Days of Conquest and Settlement of Canaan (ca. 1406–1350 BC)
Under Joshua’s leadership, the Israelites conquer and distribute the Promised Land among the Israelite tribes.
Covered in: Joshua. - The Days of the Judges (ca. 1350–1050 BC)
Israel experiences a recurring cycle of rebellion, oppression, repentance, and deliverance. The era is summed up by the refrain: “In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.”
Covered in: Judges, Ruth, 1 Samuel 1–8.
Prophets: Deborah, Samuel. - The Days of the United Monarchy (ca. 1050-930 BC)
Israel demands a human king instead of recognizing Yahweh as their ruler. Only three kings reign during this period:
Saul (ca. 1050–1010 BC)
David (ca. 1010–970 BC)
Solomon (ca. 970–930 BC)
The era ended when the ten tribes of the northern part of Israel revolted against Solomon’s son, Rehoboam, dividing the nation into two nations. Israel in the north and Judah in the south.
Covered in: 1 Samuel 9 – 1 Kings 11, 1 Chronicles – 2 Chronicles 9.
During this period Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon were composed.
Prophets: Samuel, Gad, and Nathan. - The Days of the Divided Kingdom (ca. 930–722 BC)
The two kingdoms—Israel in the north and Judah in the south—often stand in tension, both politically and spiritually. The northern kingdom falls to Assyria in 722 BC.
Covered in: 1 Kings 12–2 Kings 17, 2 Chronicles 10–28
Prophets: Elijah, Elisha, Jonah, Amos, Isaiah, Hosea, Micah. - The Days of Judah Alone (ca. 722–586 BC).
After the northern kingdom of Israel fell to Assyria in 722 BC, the southern kingdom of Judah remained independent for over a century and a half. During this period, Judah experienced both revival and decline. Kings like Hezekiah and Josiah led religious reforms to restore proper worship and covenant faithfulness. However, persistent idolatry and injustice led to judgment. Ultimately, Judah was conquered by Babylon in 586 BC, resulting in the destruction of Jerusalem and Solomon’s Temple and the beginning of the Babylonian Exile.
Covered in: 2 Kings 18–25, 2 Chronicles 29–36.
Prophets:
Started in the Divided Kingdom: Isaiah, Micah, Hosea.
Served just in this period: Nahum, Habakkuk.
Serves past this period: Zephaniah, Jeremiah, Daniel. - The Days of the Exile (ca. 586–538 BC).
This period begins with the fall of Jerusalem and the destruction of Solomon’s Temple by the Babylonians in 586 BC. A large portion of the Judean population was deported to Babylon, marking the start of the exile. During this time, the Jewish people lived away from their homeland, grappling with questions of identity, faith, and hope. The exile profoundly shaped Jewish theology and literature, as prophets like Ezekiel and Daniel ministered among the exiles, offering messages of judgment, comfort, and the promise of eventual restoration.
Covered in: Jeremiah, Daniel, Ezekiel, Lamentations, Esther, Joel, Obadiah.
Prophets: Jeremiah, Daniel, , Ezekiel, Joel, Obadiah. - The Days of the Return and Restoration (538–400 BC)
After Persia conquers Babylon, King Cyrus issues a decree allowing the Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple (completed in 516 BC). This era involves rebuilding the city walls, restoring worship, and reforming the community under leaders like Ezra and Nehemiah. This period closes with the prophet Malachi.
Cobered in 2 Chron 36:22-23, Ezra, Nehemiah.
Prophets of the period: Zechariah, Haggai, Malachi. - Intertestamental Period (ca 400 – 6 BC).
This roughly 400-year period between the Old and New Testaments includes foreign dominations by Persia, Greece, and Rome. It is characterized by growing Jewish sectarianism, the rise of groups like the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Essenes, and an increasing anticipation of the Messiah. Although not recorded in the Bible, this period provides essential background for understanding the world Jesus entered.
I know this overview is very brief, but I hope it gives you a helpful framework for placing the people and events of the Old Testament in historical context. The plan is to revisit each period in more detail in future articles, including the vital but often overlooked Intertestamental Period.
Until the next time we see you here at CultivatingFaith.org, God Bless! #CultivatingFaithOrg