Biblical Timeline 5

[Ezra - 1 Maccabees | 587 - 134 BC]

THE BABYLONIAN PERIOD

586-580

The ministry of Obadiah is to be dated shortly after the fall of Jerusalem (Obad).

574

The rabbis interpreted Ezekiel 40:1 to mean that a Jubilee year began on the Day of Atonement, 574 BC (b. Arak. 12a).

562

Death of Nebuchadnezzar.

2 Apr 561

Jehoakim is released from exile (2 Ki 25:27). He rules the exiled community with the title Resh Galuta’ or Exilarch ("Ruler of the Exiled Community").

551

Daniel's vision of the ram and the goat (Dan 8) is dated to the third year of Belshazzar. Belshazzar was established in a coregency with his father Nabonidus in the latter's third year, which was 553.

539

Persian conquest of Babylon.

THE PERSIAN PERIOD

539

Persian conquest of Babylon. Ancient records date the fall of Babylon to 12 October. Cyrus had defeated Nabonidus, who was leading his troops in the field, two days previously. Then his forces launched a surprise attack against the city of Babylon itself under the governorship of Belshazzar. Biblical and extrabiblical sources agree that the city was taken without a fight. (Dan 5)

Darius the Mede. According to the book of Daniel, Babylon fell to “Darius the Mede” (Dan 5:31; 9:1; 11:1), but who was he? He seems to be a figure lost to history and is often said to be fictitious.

The easiest explanation is perhaps to identify this “Darius” directly with Cyrus, king of the Persians. The basis of the hypothesis is that Daniel 6:28 can be translated "Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius, even (namely, or i.e.) the reign of Cyrus the Persian." The construction is thus made to be parallel with 1 Chronicles 5:26: "So the God of Israel stirred up the spirit of King Pul of Assyria, the spirit of King Tiglath-pileser of Assyria." It is beyond question that Pul and Tiglath-pileser are two names for the same king. Similarly, "Darius" may have been an alternative name for Cyrus or perhaps even a royal title. "Ahasuerus" (i.e., Xerxes) may also have been a royal title, and thus no contradiction with the fact that Cyrus' father was named Cambyses.

The identification of Cyrus with Darius the Mede accords well with the prophecies of Isaiah (13:17) and Jeremiah (51:11, 28) that saw in the Medes the conquerors of Babylon.

Another possibility is that "Darius" was Gubaru (Gaubaruva), the Median governor of Babylonia appointed by Cyrus at this time. There are, in fact, certain parallels between their two careers:

According to the Nabonidus Chronicle, Gubaru led the Medo-Persian troops that conquered Babylon (cf. Dan 5:28).
Gubaru installed governors in Babylon according to this same Chronicle (cf. Dan 6:1-2).
His death about a year after the conquest fits well with Daniel 9:1,11:1, "the first year of Darius." Since he died a year after the fall of Babylon, he might have been an old man (cf. Dan 5:31)
The reference of Cyrus (Dan 10:1) as "king of Persia" fits the title "king of lands" of the tablets. Darius is said to have ruled over the "realm of the Chaldeans" which fits the title "king of Babel"
His position as vassal harmonizes with the statement that Darius was "made king."

Gubaru was ruler over a region that extended the full length of the Fertile Crescent, basically the same area as that of the Babylonian Empire. Darius the Mede, it will be remembered, is spoken of as being "made king over the kingdom of the Chaldeans", but not as "the king of Persia," the regular form for referring to King Cyrus (Dan 10:1; Ezr 1:1, 2; 3:7; 4:3). So the region ruled by Gubaru would at least appear to be the same as that ruled by Darius the Mede.

538

In the first year of his rule over Babylon, Cyrus issues an edict permitting Jews to return to their homeland (Ezr 1:1).

536

First return to Judea under Zerubbabel, 70 years after the Battle of Carchemish and Judah’s initial submission to Babylon (cf. Jer 29:10).

Daniel’s vision of the angelic messenger (Dan 10:1) is dated to the third year of the reign of Cyrus (Dan 10:1), on the 24th day of the first month (Dan 10:4). This works out to 23 April on the Julian calendar.

535

Work on the Second Temple is begun, but the project is quickly abandoned (Hag 1:1-6).

521-486

Darius I is the fourth king of Persians (counting from Cyrus II) in Daniel 11:2, far richer than his predecessors. Or, if one disallows the reign of the usurper Bardiya, it would be Xerxes I, who reigned 486-465.

520

Haggai begins his prophetic ministry in the summer of this year (Hag 1:1), calling for the rebuilding of the temple (cf. Ezr 5:1). The temple cultus resumes on the first day of Tishrei.

520-518

The ministry of Zechariah (Zec).

516

Work on Second Temple is completed in February (Ezr 6:15). First Passover is celebrated in the Second Temple about a month later (Ezr 6:19).

500-450

Probable date of the ministry of Malachi (Mal).

486-465

Reign of Xerxes (Khayashar), probably to be identified with “king Ahasuerus” of the book of Esther (Est).

The Chronology of Ezra-Nehemiah. Here I am following Leslie McFall, “Was Nehemiah Contemporary with Ezra in 458 BC?” (Westminster Theological Journal 53 [1991] 263-293), who outlines a way to harmonize the chronological data in Ezra-Nehemiah without appeal to textual emendation by making the following presuppositions:

The Artaxerxes mentioned in Ezra-Nehemiah is Artaxerxes I (r. 465-424). Ezra came in his 7th year (Ezr 7:7) and the second of Nehemiah’s visits to Jerusalem is to be dated to his 20th year (Neh 2:1).
The critical consensus that Ezra 9-10 and Nehemiah 8-10 relate events that occurred in Ezra’s first year is accepted as established.
The contemporary notices of Neh 8:9; 10:1; and 12:36 are assumed to be correct.

One additional hypothesis, unique to McFall, is that of a “dynastic” form of date reckoning is sometimes used in Nehemiah. This reckoning counts years the first year of Xerxes, comparable to what the Chronicler did in 2 Chronicles 16:1.

465

Nehemiah is appointed governor of Judah in the last five months of the reign of Xerxes. Xerxes was assassinated in the fifth month of his 21st regnal year, or July/August 465.

Nehemiah serves in this capacity for twelve years, from 465-454. This is dated “from the twentieth year of Artaxerxes…until his thirty-second year—twelve years” (Neh 5:14). According to McFall's model, this date is based on the dynastic reckoning counting from the 20th year of Xerxes (or, more precisely, the 21st, as the years are clearly to be counted inclusively) .

Early Work on the Wall. During Nehemiah's governorship, it may be surmised that Nehemiah did extensive work on Jerusalem’s walls, which would explain his deep emotional distress many years later (Neh 1) that all his hard work had come to naught. All of Nehemiah 5:14-18 can be taken as reference back to this early period. Evidence for prior work on the walls includes the following:

Josephus (Ant. 11:5:7-8) states that Nehemiah “came to Jerusalem in the twenty-fifth year of the reign of Xerxes.” If this is dynastic reckoning of the type McFall proposes for the book of Nehemiah, it would work out to 461. Next, Josephus says that Nehemiah took 2 years and 4 months to build the walls. By coincidence, this means that Ezra arrived with his large contingent of returning exiles just as the walls were completed in 458.
In Neh 5:16 stress is laid on the fact that Neh. and his men “did not acquire any land” to rebuild the walls. Apparently, he simply restored what was destroyed in 587.
The letter to Artaxerxes (Ezr 4; written in 446) suggests two stages of building: one past, the other continuing. Might this suggest further expansion on the project begun by Nehemiah?
Nehemiah 7:4 remarks that the city “was large and spacious” but virtually deserted when Nehemiah returned in 445. This might suggest an extension created by Ezra’s returnees. “The houses had not yet been built” because the walls had not yet been finished when they were destroyed.
Ezra gave thanks for “a wall” (Ezr 9:9) in 458.

458

Ezra arrives in Jerusalem with a second wave of returning exiles “in the seventh year of the King Artaxerxes” (Ezr 7:7), based on Artaxerxes’ sole-reign reckoning. They set out in early March and arrive in Jerusalem in early August. This means that Ezra and Nehemiah were contemporaries for about four and a half years at most, but more probably only for one year—the year of Ezra’s visit to Jerusalem (see Neh 8:9; 10:1). The reforms of this period are reported in Neh 8-10 and Ezr 9-10.

It may be surmised that Ezra did not stay in Jerusalem between 458-445. His first visit lasted only as long as it took to put in place the reforms mentioned in Neh 10:28-39, all accomplished in his first year according to the record itself.

454

Nehemiah’s twelve-year term as governor comes to an end. He returns to Susa and eventually becomes Artaxerxes’ cupbearer.

453-447

In Jeremiah’s absence, Tobiah is given permission by Eliashib to occupy some of the temple store-rooms. Nehemiah 13 describes the degenerate state of the community just prior to the destruction of the walls in 446.

446

The walls of Jerusalem are broken down in an attack on Jerusalem, after which the city is virtually deserted. Hanani brings news of this to Nehemiah in Susa (1:1).

Hanani arrives with news of Jerusalem’s devastation in the month of Chislev “in the twentieth year” (Neh 1:1). This refers to Nehemiah’s “private or journal reckoning” from the year of his first appointment as governor of Judah. The news would have come in the 9th month of Artaxerxes’ 19th year (Persian reigns were counted from Nisan to Nisan). Thus, when he left in the month of Nisan in “the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes” (Neh 2:1), this was approximately three months later.

Another possibility is that Nehemiah continued to count years in Judahite fashion beginning with the month of Tishrei (September-October). This would put both Hanani's arrival and Nehemiah's departure within the same (Jewish) calendar year, and has the advantage of not requiring a third method of date-counting for the book of Nehemiah.

445

Nehemiah’s second visit to Jerusalem, probably lasting only a number of months, to accomplish the repair of the walls of Jerusalem. This would have been a short-term leave to oversee the rebuilding project (which only took 52 days to complete!).

It is highly unlikely that Nehemiah became governor of Judah at this time. Nowhere in the account of this visit is Nehemiah referred to as “governor” (cf. Neh 12:26, of the previous twelve-year term of service). In any event, it would have been a demotion for Nehemiah to stop being cupbearer to the king in order to become governor of Judah at this time.

“The Queen” was present at this time (Neh 2:6). Might this have been Esther, the queen-mother (although not the mother of Artaxerxes)?

Ezra also returned to Jerusalem at this time to re-implement the reforms of 458.

400-350

Probable date for the ministry of Joel, although this is highly conjectural (Joel).

335

Alexander of Macedonia succeeds his father, Philip (Dan 11:3).

THE HELLENISTIC PERIOD

334

Alexander the Great sets out from Macedonia on his campaign to conquer the Persian empire.

333

The battle of Issus takes place in November. Alexander’s forces effectively overthrow the Persian empire.

331

The battle of Gaugamela (1 October) marks Alexander's final defeat of Persian emperor Darius III. Darius fled to Ecbatana, where he was deposed and eventually assassinated by his satrap, Bessus.

323

Death of Alexander the Great on 10 June. His empire is divided among his generals, with Palestine originally coming under the jurisdiction of Ptolemy I of Egypt. According to Daniel 11:4: "And while still rising in power, his kingdom shall be broken and divided toward the four winds of heaven, but not to his posterity, nor according to the dominion with which he ruled; for his kingdom shall be uprooted and go to others besides these."

305

Ptolemy I proclaims himself king in Egypt; Seleucus I does the same in Syria (Dan 11:5).

248-247

Ptolemy II’s (282-246) daughter Berenice married Antiochus II (261-247), but the alliance fails after Berenice, her child, and Antiochus II were murdered (Dan 11:6).

246

Berenice’s brother, Ptolemy III (246-222) invades Syria to avenge her death, but he is repulsed by Seleucus II (246-225) (Dan 11:8).

225-217

Seleucus III (225-223) and Antiochus III (223-187), the sons of Seleucus II, campaign against Egypt (Dan 11:10). On 17 June, 217, Ptolemy IV (222-204) defeats Antiochus III at Raphia but failed to capitalize on his victory.

200

Antiochus III defeats Ptolemy V (204-180), taking control of the Sinai (and Judea) (Dan 11:13-19)

198

Palestine passes from the Ptolemies of Egypt to the Seleucids of Syria (Dan 11:13-19).

194

Antiochus III gives his daughter Cleopatra I to Ptolemy V in marriage (Dan 11:17).

175

Antiochus IV Epiphanes comes to the throne “in the one hundred thirty-seventh year of the kingdom of the Greeks” (1 Macc 1:10) by usurping the throne following the assassination of his brother Seleucus V (187-175) (cf. Dan 11:20).

169

Antiochus’ first campaign into Egypt (1 Macc 1:16-19; Dan 11:20). On his way back, he sacks Jerusalem and plunders the temple (1 Macc 1:20-28)

168

Antiochus’ second campaign into Egypt ends in humiliation when a Roman ultimatum forces him to withdraw. This event is omitted from the account in 1 Maccabees. See, however Daniel 11:29-30a.

167

Following his forced withdrawal from Egypt, Antiochus sacks and occupies Jerusalem, profanes the temple, and attempts the forced assimilation of Jewish within his kingdom (1 Macc 1:41-53; Dan 11:29-39).

On 15 Chislev, the Seleucids erect “a desolating sacrilege” on the altar at the Jerusalem temple (1 Macc 1:54).

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THE HASMONEAN PERIOD
166	The incident at Modein sparks the Maccabean revolt (1 Macc 2). Mattathias dies later that year (1 Macc 2:70).
166-165	Judas Maccabeus wins several early victories (1 Macc 3). Nicanor and Gorgias are defeated at Emmaus.
164	Judas’ forces re-capture the temple and re-dedicate the altar: the first Hannukkah. On 25 Chislev, they once again offer sacrifices on the altar (1 Macc 4). Lysias makes a settlement with the Jews, ending the persecution.
163	Judas’ campaigns against the Idumeans, Ammonites, and other Gentile nations (1 Macc 5). The death of Antiochus IV (1 Macc 6; 2 Macc 1, 9) following his unsuccessful attempt to raid the temple treasury in Elymais, Persia. First Maccabees 6 agrees with 2 Maccabees 1 that Epiphanes was trying to rob a temple, but differs in attributing his death to remorse over what he had done in Jerusalem. Second Maccabees 9 goes further, claiming that Epiphanes repented on his deathbed and wanted to become a Jew. First Maccabees assumes that the death of the king is divine punishment for what he did in Jerusalem. He is succeeded by his son, Antiochus V Eupator. Syrian forces launch a counter-offensive. Judas marches away from Jerusalem and encamps at Beth-zechariah, where he suffers his first defeat (1 Macc 6)
162	Demetrius son of Seleucus IV arrives from Rome and stages a coup against Antiochus (1 Macc 7:1-4). Demetrius’ arrival was an advantage to the Jews, since henceforth Syrian power was divided between rival claimants to the throne.
161	Judas defeats the Syrians under the command of Nicanor at Adasa (1 Macc 7:26-50). Embassy of the Jews to Rome (1 Macc 8).
160	Judas is defeated and killed by Bacchides at Elasa (1 Macc 9). First Maccabees 9:24 records a great famine occurring after the death of Judas. Jonathan is chosen to lead Israel in place of his brother Judas. [Many interpreters suppose that this Jonathan was the “Wicked Priest” of the Dead Sea Scrolls.]
152	Alexandar Balas, son of Antiochus IV, claims to be king. He appoints Jonathan Maccabee high priest.
150	Demetrius I is killed in battle against Alexander Balas (1 Macc 10).
147	Demetrius II returns from Crete to claim the throne (1 Macc 10:67).
145	Ptolemy launches a campaign into Syrian territory. Alexander flees to Arabia, where he is murdered, but Ptolemy dies three days later (1 Macc 11). Antiochus VI, son of Alexander Balas, is proclaimed king by Trypho (1 Macc 11:54).
143	Jonathan sends envoys to Rome and Sparta (1 Macc 12). Jonathan is captured by Trypho and subsequently murdered (1 Macc 12:39-48).
142	Simon’s rise to power after the death of his brother Jonathan (1 Macc 13). Death of Antiochus VI. Simon’s accession to the high priesthood “in the one hundred seventieth year” (1 Macc 13:41)is reckoned to be the time when the “yoke of the Gentiles” is finally lifted.
141	The Akra garrison is disbanded (1 Macc 13:50).
140	Demetrius II is captured by the Parthians (1 Macc 14). By an edict of the people, Simon is proclaimed high priest, ethnarch, and commander for life “until a trustworthy prophet should arise” (1 Macc 14:41) in the third year of his rule (14:27). This was the first time since the Babylonian exile that Judea was free from a Gentile military presence.
138	Antiochus VII Sidetes, the younger brother of Demetrius II, becomes king (1 Macc 15): a renewed Syrian threat. Simon’s sons, John and Judas, defeat the king’s general in battle.
134	Simon and two of his sons are murdered at Jericho by his son-in-law, Ptolemy (1 Macc 16). John Hyrcanus, son of Simon, becomes leader of the Jews (1 Macc 16:23-24).

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