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The Bible in Chronological Order

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The Bible has been a source of faith and hope for a lot of people, inspiring millions around the globe for centuries. But did you know that must of the books/chapters of the Bible are not in historical order? That’s what we’re trying to examine, the chronological order of the chapters in the Bible.

Be sure to also check out the Abrahamic Mythology hub for more information on related topics.

HOW IS THE BIBLE IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER?

This timeline puts all of the chapters in the Bible in chronological order. The Bible only loosely arranges its books in chronological order. It comes mostly arranged thematically. For example, the Old Testament lists the 5 books of Moses first, then the history of the Israelites, then the teachings of Israelite prophets. This is one of the few timelines that isn’t based on a sci-fi/fantasy franchise. Instead, this is made up entirely of ancient text. Therefore, you will see a few difference.

If you liked this timeline, don’t forget to view some of our others, especially the Bible and Book of Mormon Scripture timeline that adds the Book of Mormon and other scripture to this timeline, such as the Book of Mormon. You can find free text of the Bible here. Additionally, you can listen to a daily podcast with one new chapter of the narrated bible in our Chronological Bible Daily podcast.

Reading Plan for the Chronological Bible

The below list will guide you through the ideal bible reading plan, one by one, and you can take it at whatever pace you want. If that’s only a chapter a day, that’s fine.

Personally, I recommend more like three chapters a day, because anything less than that will take a very long time. And I do recommend you do this every day, as a daily Bible habit is a great thing to cultivate if you are a Christian. If you can read three chapters a day, you will get through the entire bible in under a year.

Side Note: Please note that Bible timeline is a labor of love and not academic research material. All dates are extremely approximate and don’t necessarily represent the dates that scholars suggest these events may have occurred. But this timeline should help provide a new option for people who want to experience the Bible in chronological order. Regardless, we hope you enjoy!

Where to Learn More About the Bible

When it comes to learning about religious texts and history, I cannot recommend Wondrium enough, especially for Bible studies.

Wondrium (see my full review) provides a HUGE library of Bible-related courses, from overviews of the Old and New Testaments, to the history of Christianity.

PLUS! If you use my link, you can get 20% off the annual plan, including a 14-day free trial. The below link is an affiliate link, but this is one of the few resources that I personally use daily, and would recommend regardless.

THE OLD TESTAMENT ERA

  • Before Time, John 1: 1-5: In the Beginning was the Word
  • Before 4000 BC, Genesis 1: The Creation
  • Before 4000 BC, Genesis 2: The Garden of Eden
  • Before 4000 BC, Genesis 3: The Fall of Man
  • Before 3000 BC, Genesis 4: Cain kills Abel
  • Before 3000 BC, Genesis 5: From Adam to Noah
  • Before 2500 BC, Genesis 6 – 10: The Great Flood
  • Before 2100 BC, Job 1 – 42: Job’s Suffering and Faith
  • Before 2100 BC, Genesis 11: The Tower of Babel
  • 2091 BC, Genesis 12: God Sends Abram to Egypt
  • 2085 BC, Genesis 13: Abram and Lot Part Ways
  • 2084 – 1806 BC, Genesis 14 – 50: The Decendants of Abraham.
  • 1800 – 1446 BC, Exodus 1 – 3: Israel in Egypt
  • 1446 – 1445 BC, Exodus 4 – 40: The Ten Plagues on Egypt
  • 1445 BC, Leviticus 1 – 23: Laws for Sacrifices and Offerings
  • 1445 – 1407 BC, Numbers 1 – 36: Census, Tribes, Duties
  • 1407 BC, Psalm 90: Psalm of Moses
  • 1406 BC, Deuteronomy 1 – 34: Moses’ Summary of Israel’s History
  • 1406 – 1375 BC, Joshua 1 – 24: Joshua Leads Israel Into Canaan.
  • 1375 – 1140 BC, Judges 1 – 21: Israel’s relationship with the Gentiles in Canaan.
  • 1140 BC, Ruth 1 – 4: Naomi, Ruth and Boaz
  • 1100 – 1013 BC, 1 Samuel 1 – 20: Samuel, Saul, and David
  • 1013 BC, Psalm 59: David’s Psalm of Deliverance
  • 1012 BC, 1 Samuel 21: David at Nob and Gath
  • 1012 BC, Psalm 52: David’s Psalm Fleeing Saul
  • 1012 BC, Psalm 34: David’s Psalm Before Ahimelech
  • 1011 BC, Psalm 56: David’s Psalm at Gath
  • 1011 BC, 1 Samuel 22: Saul Slays the Priests of Nob
  • 1011 BC, Psalms 57: David’s Psalms in the Cave
  • 1011 BC, Psalms 142: David’s Psalms in the Cave
  • 1011 BC, 1 Samuel 23: David Flees Saul
  • 1011 BC, Psalm 54: David’s Psalm at Keilah
  • 1011 BC, 1 Samuel 24 – 31: David vs. Saul
  • 1010 – 1004 BC, 2 Samuel 1 – 4: David’s Children
  • 1003 BC, 1 Chronicles 1 – 10: Genealogies of the Israelites
  • 1003 BC, 2 Samuel 5: David Reigns over All Israel
  • 1003 – 1000 BC, 1 Chronicles 11 – 15: David Reigns over All Israel
  • 1000 BC, 2 Samuel 6 – 8: The Ark is Brought to Jerusalem
  • 998 BC, Psalm 60: David’s Psalm of Victory
  • 998 BC, Psalm 15: David’s Psalm of Zion
  • 998 BC, Psalm 24: David’s Psalm of Glory to God
  • 998 BC, 1 Chronicles 16: David’s festival sacrifice
  • 998 BC, Psalms 96, 105, 106: Psalms of Praise
  • 997 BC, 1 Chronicles 17 – 18: David Purposes to build a Temple
  • 995 BC, 2 Samuel 9 – 10: David and Mephibosheth
  • 995 BC, 1 Chronicles 19 – 20: David Defeats Ammon and Aram
  • 993 BC, 2 Samuel 11 – 12: David and Bathsheba
  • 991 BC, Psalm 51: David’s Psalm of Repentance
  • 990 BC, 2 Samuel 13 – 14: Amnon and Tamar
  • 979 BC, 1 Chronicles 21 – 27: David Forces a Census, prepares government
  • 976 BC, 2 Samuel 15 – 16: Absalom’s Conspiracy
  • 972 BC, Psalm 63: David’s Psalm of Thirst for God
  • 972 BC, 2 Samuel 17: Hushai’s Warning Saves David
  • 972 BC, Psalms 41, 55: David Psalms of Deliverance
  • 972 BC, 2 Samuel 18 – 23: Absalom Slain by Joab
  • 970 BC, Psalm 108: David’s Psalm of Steadfastness
  • 970 BC, 2 Samuel 24: David Counts the Fighting Men
  • 970 BC, 1 Chronicles 28 – 29: David’s last days
  • 970 BC, 1 Kings 1 – 2: David’s last days
  • 970 BC, Psalm 37: David’s Psalm of Salvation
  • 967 BC, Psalm 72: Psalm for Solomon
  • 967 BC, 2 Chronicles 1: Solomon Asks for Wisdom
  • 967 BC, 1 Kings 3: Solomon Asks for Wisdom
  • 967 BC, Psalm 45: Psalm of Korah
  • 967 BC, 1 Kings 4 – 9: Solomon’s Wisdom
  • 966 BC, 2 Chronicles 2 – 7: Solomon Prepares for a Temple and Palace
  • 959 BC, Psalms 135 – 136: Psalms of Solomon
  • 959 BC, 2 Chronicles 8: Solomon’s buildings
  • 950 BC, Psalm 127: Solomon Psalm of Blessing
  • 950 BC, Proverbs 1 – 31: The Proverbs of Solomon
  • 950 BC, Songs 1 – 8: Solomon’s Song of Songs
  • 979 BC, Psalms 1 – 150 (Assorted): Psalms of Unknown Authors
  • 946 BC, 1 Kings 10: The Queen of Sheba Visits Solomon
  • 946 BC, 2 Chronicles 9: The Queen of Sheba Visits Solomon
  • 939 BC, 1 Kings 11: Solomon’s Wives and Idolatry
  • 937 BC, Ecclesiastes 1 – 12: Ecclesiastes Words of the Preacher
  • 931 BC, 1 Kings 12 – 13: The Kingdom is Divided
  • 930 BC, 2 Chronicles 10 – 12: Israelites Rebel against Rehoboam
  • 925 BC, 1 Kings 14 – 15: Ahijah’s Prophecies against Jeroboam
  • 913 BC, 2 Chronicles 13 – 14: Civil War against Jeroboam
  • 909 BC, 1 Kings 16: Jehu’s prophecy against Baasha
  • 895 BC, 2 Chronicles 15 – 17: Asa’s Reforms
  • 863 BC, 1 Kings 17 – 22: Elijah Prays for Drought
  • 853 BC, Obadiah 1: The Vision of Obadiah
  • 853 BC, 2 Chronicles 18 – 21: Jehoshaphat Allies with Ahab
  • 852 BC, 2 Kings 1 – 11: Elisha
  • 841 BC, 2 Chronicles 22 – 24: Ahaziah Succeeds Jehoram in Judah
  • 841 BC, 2 Chronicles 23: Jehoiada Makes Joash King
  • 835 BC, 2 Kings 12: Joash Reigns Well
  • 835 BC, Joel 1 – 3: The Word of the LORD to Joel
  • 812 BC, 2 Kings 13 – 14: Jehoahaz’s wicked reign
  • 796 BC, 2 Chronicles 25: Amaziah’s good reign
  • 790 BC, 2 Kings 15: Azariah’s good reign
  • 790 BC, 2 Chronicles 26: Uzziah Reigns in Judah
  • 766 BC, Amos 1 – 9: The Words of Amos
  • 760 BC, Jonah 1 – 4: Jonah Sent to Nineveh
  • 753 BC, Hosea 1 – 14: Hosea’s Prophecies
  • 750 BC, 2 Chronicles 27 – 28: Jotham Succeeds Uzziah
  • 742 BC, 2 Kings 16: Wicked Reign of Ahaz
  • 739 BC, Isaiah 1 – 7: Isaiah Complains of Zion’s Corruption
  • 735 BC, Micah 1 – 7: The Word of the LORD to Micah
  • 734 BC, Isaiah 8 – 25: Uriah and Zechariah
  • 725 BC, 2 Kings 17: Hoshea the Last King of Israel
  • 716 BC, 2 Chronicles 29 – 31: Hezekiah’s Good Reign
  • 712 BC, 2 Kings 20: Hezekiah’s Illness and Healing
  • 711 BC, Isaiah 38 – 66: Hezekiah Shows Treasures
  • 701 BC, 2 Kings 18: Sennacherib Threatens Jerusalem
  • 701 BC, Isaiah 26 – 36: Sennacherib Threatens Jerusalem
  • 701 BC, 2 Chronicles 32: Sennacherib Threatens Jerusalem
  • 701 BC, Psalms 46 – 48: Korah’s Psalms of Refuge (2Ch 32)
  • 701 BC, 2 Kings 19: Hezekiah’s Prayer
  • 701 BC, Isaiah 37: Hezekiah’s Prayer
  • 697 BC, Nahum 1 – 3: The Vision of Nahum
  • 687 BC, 2 Kings 21: Manasseh’s Wicked Reign
  • 687 BC, 2 Chronicles 33: Manasseh’s Wicked Reign
  • 640 BC, 2 Kings 22: Josiah’s good reign
  • 640 BC, 2 Chronicles 34: Josiah’s good reign
  • 638 BC, Zephaniah 1 – 3: The Word of the LORD to Zephaniah
  • 627 BC, Jeremiah 1 – 10: The Call of Jeremiah
  • 625 BC, Habakkuk 1 – 3: The Oracle to Habakkuk
  • 622 BC, Jeremiah 11 – 12: Jeremiah Proclaims God’s Covenant
  • 621 BC, 2 Kings 22 – 23: Josiah Prepares for Temple Repair
  • 621 BC, 2 Chronicles 35 – 36: Josiah Celebrates the Passover
  • 609 BC, Jeremiah 13 – 47: Jeremiah Proclaims Covenant Is Broken
  • 605 BC, Daniel 1 – 2: Daniel Refuses the King’s Portion
  • 601 BC, 2 Kings 24: Rebellion of Jehoiakim
  • 593 BC, Ezekiel 1 – 19: Ezekiel’s Prophecy at Chebar
  • 591 BC, Ezekiel 20 – 23: Ezekiel Sees God Refuse the Elders
  • 588 BC, 2 Kings 25: Siege of Jerusalem Begins
  • 588 BC, Jeremiah 48 – 49: Jeremiah Prophesies against Moab
  • 588 BC, Ezekiel 24 – 25: Siege of Jerusalem Begins
  • 586 BC, 2 Kings 25: The Fall of Jerusalem
  • 586 BC, Psalms 74, 79, Jer. 52: Psalms of Desolation (Jer. 52)
  • 586 BC, Jeremiah 50, 51: Jeremiah Prophesies against Babylon
  • 586 BC, Lamentations 1 – 5: Jeremiah’s Lamentations
  • 586 BC, Ezekiel 26 – 39: Ezekiel Pronounces Judgment on Tyre
  • 585 BC, Daniel 3 – 4: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego
  • 573 BC, Ezekiel 40 – 48: Ezekiel’s Second Temple Vision
  • 539 BC, Daniel 5 – 12: Daniel Interprets Handwriting on the Wall
  • 537 BC, Ezra 1 – 5: The Proclamation of Cyrus
  • 520 BC, Haggai 1 – 2: The Word of the LORD by Haggai
  • 520 BC, Zechariah 1 – 14: The Word of the LORD to Zechariah
  • 520 BC, Ezra 6: Temple Work Resumed by Darius’ Decree
  • 483 BC, Esther 1 – 10: Queen Vashti Deposed
  • 458 BC, Ezra 7 – 10: Ezra Journeys to Jerusalem
  • 445 BC, Nehemiah 1 – 13: Nehemiah’s Prayer for the Exiles
  • 430 BC, Malachi 1 – 4: The Word of the LORD by Malachi

THE NEW TESTAMENT ERA

  • 1 BC, Luke 1 – 2: Birth of John the Baptist
  • 1 BC, Mathew 1: Augustus Taxes the Roman Empire
  • 1 AD, Matthew 2: Visit of the Magi
  • 1 AD, John 1: Early Life of Jesus
  • 30 AD, Matthew 3: John the Baptist Prepares the Way
  • 30 AD, Mark 1: John the Baptist Prepares the Way
  • 30 AD, Luke 3: John the Baptist Prepares the Way
  • 30 AD, Matthew 4: Temptation of Jesus
  • 30 AD, Luke 4: Temptation of Jesus
  • 30 AD, Luke 5: Jesus Calls his First Disciples
  • 30 AD, John 2 – 4: Wedding at Cana
  • 30 AD, Matthew 5 – 7: Sermon on the Mount
  • 31 AD, Matthew 8: Jesus Ministers in Galilee
  • 31 AD, Mark 2: Jesus Ministers in Galilee
  • 31 AD, John 5: The Pool of Bethesda
  • 31 AD, Matthew 12: Jesus Lord of the Sabbath
  • 31 AD, Mark 3: Jesus Lord of the Sabbath
  • 31 AD, Luke 6: Jesus Lord of the Sabbath
  • 31 AD, Matthew 11: Jesus Answers John’s Disciples
  • 31 AD, Luke 7: Jesus Answers John’s Disciples
  • 31 AD, Matthew 13: Jesus Speaks Many Parables
  • 31 AD, Mark 4: Jesus Speaks Many Parables
  • 31 AD, Luke 8: Jesus Speaks Many Parables
  • 31 AD, Mark 5: Jesus Heals a Demoniac
  • 31 AD, Matthew 9: Jesus Heals a Paralytic
  • 32 AD, Matthew 10: Jesus Sends out His Twelve Apostles
  • 32 AD, Mark 6: John the Baptist Beheaded
  • 32 AD, Matthew 14: John the Baptist Beheaded
  • 32 AD, Luke 9: Jesus Feeds the 5,000
  • 32 AD, John 6: Jesus Feeds the 5,000
  • 32 AD, Matthew 15: Teachings on Clean and Unclean
  • 32 AD, Mark 7: Teachings on Clean and Unclean
  • 32 AD, Matthew 16: Peter’s Confession of Christ
  • 32 AD, Mark 8: Peter’s Confession of Christ
  • 32 AD, Matthew 17: The Transfiguration
  • 32 AD, Mark 9: The Transfiguration
  • 32 AD, Matthew 18: Greatest and Least in the Kingdom
  • 32 AD, Luke 10 – 11: Jesus Sends out the Seventy-two
  • 32 AD, John 7 – 10: Jesus Teaches at the Feast of Tabernacles
  • 33 AD, Luke 12 – 17: Jesus Speaks More Parables
  • 33 AD, John 11: Jesus Raises Lazarus
  • 33 AD, Matthew 19 – 20: Final Journey to Jerusalem
  • 33 AD, Mark 10: Final Journey to Jerusalem
  • 33 AD, Luke 18: Final Journey to Jerusalem
  • 33 AD, Matthew 21: The Triumphal Entry
  • 33 AD, Mark 11: The Triumphal Entry
  • 33 AD, Luke 19: The Triumphal Entry
  • 33 AD, John 12 – 13: The Triumphal Entry
  • 33 AD, Matthew 22 – 24: Closing Ministry in Jerusalem
  • 33 AD, Matthew 25 – 26: Closing Ministry in Jerusalem
  • 33 AD, Mark 12 – 13: Closing Ministry in Jerusalem
  • 33 AD, Luke 20 – 21: Thursday Before Passover
  • 33 AD, John 14 – 17: Jesus Comforts His Disciples
  • 33 AD, Matthew 27: Jesus’ Betrayal, Trial, Crucifixion
  • 33 AD, Mark 14 – 15: Jesus’ Betrayal, Trial, Crucifixion
  • 33 AD, Luke 22 – 23: Jesus’ Betrayal, Trial, Crucifixion
  • 33 AD, John 18 – 19: Jesus’ Betrayal, Trial, Crucifixion
  • 33 AD, Matthew 28: Jesus’ Resurrection
  • 33 AD, Mark 16: Jesus’ Resurrection
  • 33 AD, Luke 24: Jesus’ Resurrection
  • 33 AD, John 20 – 21: Jesus’ Resurrection
  • 33 AD, Acts 1: The Ascension
  • 33 AD, Acts 2 – 12: The Holy Spirit Comes at Pentecost
  • 45 AD, James 1 – 5: James Writes his Letter
  • 48 AD, Acts 13 – 18: Paul’s First Missionary Journey
  • 51 AD, 1 Thess. 1 – 5: Paul Writes to the Thessalonians
  • 52 AD, 2 Thess. 1 – 3: Paul Writes again to the Thessalonians
  • 54 AD, Acts 19: Paul in Ephesus
  • 54 AD, 1 Corinthians 1 – 16: Paul Writes to the Corinthians
  • 54 AD, Galatians 1 – 6: Paul Writes to the Galatians
  • 57 AD, Acts 20: Paul in Macedonia and Greece
  • 57 AD, Romans 1 – 16: Paul Writes to the Romans
  • 57 AD, 2 Corinthians 1 – 13: Paul Writes again to the Corinthians
  • 59 AD, Acts 21 – 28: Paul Returns to Jerusalem
  • 62 AD, Ephesians 1 – 6: Paul Writes to the Ephesians
  • 62 AD, Philippians 1 – 4: Paul Writes to the Philippians
  • 62 AD, Colossians 1 – 4: Paul Writes to the Colossians
  • 62 AD, Philemon 1: Paul Writes to Philemon
  • 63 AD, 1 Timothy 1 – 6: Paul Writes to Timothy
  • 64 AD, 1 Peter 1 – 5: Peter Writes his First Letter
  • 66 AD, Titus 1 – 3: Paul Writes to Titus
  • 67 AD, 2 Timothy 1 – 4: Paul Writes Again to Timothy
  • 67 AD, 2 Peter 1 – 3: Peter Writes his Second Letter
  • 68 AD, Hebrews 1 – 13: Letter to the Hebrews
  • 68 AD, Jude 1: Jude Writes his Letter
  • 90 AD, 1 John 1 – 5: John Writes his First Letter
  • 92 AD, 2 John 1: John Writes his Second Letter
  • 94 AD, 3 John 1: John Writes his Third Letter
  • 95 AD, Revelation 1 – 22: John’s Revelation on Patmos
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Jason is a Mythic Fantasy Author and creator of MythBank. He loves mythology, history, and geek culture. When he's not writing, his favorite hobbies include hiking, chilling with his wife, spouting nonsense words at his baby daughter, and developing this (and other) websites.

17 thoughts on “The Bible in Chronological Order”

  1. How can job be after genesis 10 and not genesis 36 cause the temanites and Eliphaz doesn’t come into being until after Edom (Esau) email me please

    Reply
  2. Thank you so much for creating this easy-to follow list. This will help me to better understand context when I jump into the Bible. Now when I’m confused I can easily find some background scriptures to know what the writers are talking about. Next time I read c2c, I will follow this chronology. Well done!!

    Reply

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