Bible references to censuses and time table on segment of Hebrew history

Censuses referred to in the Old Testament

In these books of the Old and New Testaments references identify censuses or head counts administered by Hebrew patriarchs or Gentile rulers to assess military strength, sources of conscript labor, and who shall be taxed or killed.

Under Moses-Numbers.
Under David-II Samuels 24: 1-9.
Under Solomon-II Chronicles: 17-18.
Under Rehoboam-I Kings: 12: 21.
Under Jehosophat-II Chronicles 17: 14-19.
Under Amaziah- II Chronicles 25: 5- 6.
Under Uzziah- II Chronicles 26: 12-13.
Under Zerubbabel and Ezra-Ezra 2: 64, 8: 1-14.

Censuses referred to in the New Testament

Luke 2: 1 - 5.
Acts: 5: 37.(Herod-Quirinius).

The following material is adapted from Roy B. Chamberlain and Herman Feldman. The Dartmouth Bible. Houghton Mifflin Co. Boston, 1950.Pp. xxv-xxviii.

BC
2000-1700 Age of the patriarchs. The middle of this age is now favored as the time of Abraham, Isaac, and Joseph.

1700-1550 Prosperous period of the Hebrews in Egypt. The descendants of Jacob (traditionally regarded as the ancestor of the 12 tribes) are thought to have migrated to NE Egypt (Goshen) and have thrived under the then-reigning dynasty, the Hyksos. These were the foreign rulers long hated by the Egyptians.

1500-1290 Period of Egyptian oppression. A new dynasty, pure blooded of Egyptians and ardent nationalists, expelling the Hyksos, are believed to have enslaved alien groups, such as the Hebrews. In 1400-1360, certain communications, the Tell Al-Amarna letters, from local authorities of Palestine to the Egyptian court, report in roads by the Habiru.

1290-1225 Exodus of Hebrews and their conquest of Palestine. Moses has been dated as early as 1445 and as late as 1225, but opinion favors 1292. Other Hebrew tribes from the East, may have entered Palestine circa 1400 and merged later with descendants of Abraham to become the Israelites of historic times.

1225-1025 Judges. This period is extremely vague. Much of Palestine was apparently in Hebrew hands by 1200, though some settlements may have been established two centuries earlier. The last of the judges, Samuel is the year, belongs to the 11^th century BC.

1025-930 United Hebrew monarchy. 1025-1005 Saul who ruled chiefly in the North. His accession has been dated as early as 1050.

1050-970 David who ruled for 7 years in the south (Judah) and then took over the entire Hebrew domain.

970-930 Solomon. His death and the subsequent division of the nation into two kingdoms have been dated variously from 945-925. The temple was built circa 960.

930-721 Kingdoms of Judah and Israel.

732 The independence of Judah, the Southern Kingdom was limited by the payment of tribute to Assyria continuing until Assyria’s collapse.

721 The conquest of Israel, the Northern Kingdom, by the Assyrians. The chief people were deported (10 lost tribes) and those who were permitted to remain assimilated with alien colonists and were later known as some Samarians.

721-586 Surviving kingdom of Judah.

621 Josiah renounced Assyrian control.

612 Fall of Nineveh, capital of Assyrian empire.

608-605 Subjection of Judah to Egypt.

605 Subjection to Babylonia which had defeated Egypt.

598 This first capture of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar and first deportation of Jews to Babylonia.

587 The destruction of Jerusalem and second deportation.

586-538 Period of Jewish exile from Judah.

581 Third deportation to Babylonia.

539 Fall of Babylonian to Cyrus of Persia.

538 Edict of Cyrus permitting Jews to return to Jerusalem.

538-333 Reestablishment of Jewish community, as Persian province.

537 Return of first expatriates from Babylonia.

516 Dedication of second Temple.

444-432 Administration of Nehemiah as Royal governor.

397 Estimated date of arrival of Ezra, described. On the political history of the rest of the period of Persian rule which ended with victories and Alexander the Great in 333, little information is found in the Bible.

Between Testaments.

333-142 Greek rule of Palestine.

333-323 Alexander. On his death his empire was divided among four of his generals.

323-198 Ptolemy Lagi whose dynasty (Ptolemies) ruled Egypt and Palestine until 198.

198-167 Seleucus (Seleucids) took possession in 312 of Mesopotamia and Syria and in 198 control over Palestine.

167 Revolt by the Maccabeans.

142 Winning of independence from Seleucids.

142-66 Jewish state under Maccabean priests-kings.

134-129 Seleucid came extracted tribute, but except for these five years, the Jewish state remain independent.

63-64 Roman rule of Palestine before birth of Jesus.

63 Occupation of Palestine by Pompey.

40-44 Herod’s rule over Palestine, half Jewish puppet king under Roman.

New Testament.

4BC or before Birth of Jesus.

6 AD Beginning of administration of Palestine by Roman procurators. Pontius Pilate held office from 26-36.

30 Crucifixion.

35-65 Work of Paul.

35 Probable date of Paul’s conversion. His activity is unrecorded until 47, when joined by Barnabas in missionary campaign.

50-64 Epistles.

64 or 65 Nero’s prosecution of Christians in Rome, execution of Paul.

66-70 Jewish rebellion against Rome.

70 Destruction of Jerusalem and Temple by Titus and deportation of Jews.