Timeline of Old Testament Events

Our Old Testament timeline offers believers a valuable roadmap for navigating the vast and storied landscape of Scripture’s earliest narratives. By situating key events and figures in a clear chronological framework, we gain fresh perspective on how God orchestrated His redemptive plan through eras of creation, covenants, conquests, and captivity. This method of studying Scripture shines light on the divine thread tying together everything from Adam’s first breath in Eden to the return of God’s people from Babylonian exile. As we trace these pivotal moments in order, we discover not only a cohesive story of humanity’s struggle and redemption, but also an ongoing revelation of God’s steadfast faithfulness, His eternal wisdom, and His enduring desire to dwell among His people.

697 BC

King Manasseh of Judah

Manasseh of Judah (began to reign around 697 BC) ruled fifty-five years and is portrayed as Judah's most corrupt monarch. He reversed Hezekiah's reforms, rebuilt high places, raised altars to Baal, set up an Asherah, worshiped the host of heaven, practiced divination, and sacrificed his own son in fire (2 Kings 21:3-6). Worst of all, he installed an idol within the temple itself (2 Kings 21:7), and murdered the innocent (2 Kings 21:16). God's prophets announced judgment—The LORD will "wipe Jerusalem as one wipes a dish" (2 Kings 21:13)—a verdict whose consequences echoed into the exile.

Yet 2 Chronicles adds a surprising turn: Assyrian officers took Manasseh with hooks to Babylon; there he "humbled himself greatly" and prayed, and God restored him to Jerusalem (2 Chronicles 33:11-13). Back home he removed foreign gods, repaired the altar, and commanded Judah to serve the LORD (2 Chronicles 33:15-16). Manasseh's life is a sobering warning that entrenched idolatry corrodes a nation, but also a beacon that genuine repentance meets real mercy. Remarkably, the Messiah's genealogy runs through this repentant king, revealing that God's redemptive purpose triumphs through grace, not human pedigree (Matthew 1:10).