HomeTimelinesTimeline of Old Testament Books

Timeline of Old Testament Books

Our Timeline of Old Testament Books offers a helpful lens for understanding the historical and cultural contexts in which each biblical book was written. Though the books collectively narrate God’s unfolding work among His people, placing them in their probable eras of authorship allows us to see how His message was uniquely shaped by the events and circumstances of the time. From Moses’ foundational writings in the wilderness to the post-exilic prophecies of rebuilding and renewal, each era conveys a fresh glimpse of God’s unchanging character. By considering the approximate dates of composition, we gain deeper insight into the progression of revelation, recognizing how the Holy Spirit spoke consistently through diverse voices and circumstances to ultimately reveal God’s redemptive plan for humanity.

735 BC

Micah

The first verse of the book states that it was written by Micah who was from Moresheth (or Moresheth—Gath because of its nearness to the city of Gath), a town about 20 miles southwest of Jerusalem. Micah’s name means “who is like Yah[weh]” (the LORD). It is a question assuming the answer “no one,” emphasizing the uniqueness and sovereignty of the God of Israel, Yahweh. Micah prophesied mainly to the people of the Southern Kingdom (i.e., Judah). He knew that the morally corrupt and idolatrous Northern Kingdom of Israel (Samaria) would be destroyed by the Assyrians (1:6), which happened in 722 BC (1 Kings 17), years after Micah began his prophetic ministry. He used this predicted event to warn the Southern Kingdom of Judah that they could look forward to a similar fate if they did not turn from their own sinful ways. He voiced this message during the years following the fall of Israel in 722 BC, leading up to the Assyrian siege of Jerusalem in 701 BC. The LORD intervened and destroyed the Assyrian army, preserving Judah (2 Kings 19:32-36). Around a century later, however, Judah was taken into exile by the Babylonians (2 Kings 24-25).

  1. 2000 BC — Job
  2. 1555 BC — Genesis
  3. 1500 BC — Exodus
  4. 1467 BC — Numbers
  5. 1450 BC — Leviticus
  6. 1445 BC — Deuteronomy
  7. 1405 BC — Joshua
  8. 1043 BC — Judges
  9. 1030 BC — Ruth
  10. 1010 BC — Psalms
  11. 971 BC — Proverbs
  12. 971 BC — Song of Solomon
  13. 940 BC — Ecclesiastes
  14. 931 BC — 1 Samuel
  15. 900 BC — 2 Samuel
  16. 850 BC — Obadiah
  17. 835 BC — Joel
  18. 775 BC — Jonah
  19. 750 BC — Hosea
  20. 750 BC — Amos
  21. 735 BC — Micah
  22. 700 BC — Isaiah
  23. 650 BC — Nahum
  24. 635 BC — Zephaniah
  25. 615 BC — Habakkuk
  26. 590 BC — Ezekiel
  27. 587 BC — Lamentations
  28. 586 BC — Jeremiah
  29. 561 BC — 1 Kings
  30. 538 BC — 2 Kings
  31. 536 BC — Daniel
  32. 520 BC — Haggai
  33. 480 BC — Zechariah
  34. 457 BC — Ezra
  35. 450 BC — Esther
  36. 450 BC — 1 Chronicles
  37. 433 BC — Malachi
  38. 430 BC — 2 Chronicles
  39. 424 BC — Nehemiah

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