Before we move on past the subject of Bible reading, I wanted to give you one more tool for helping you understand Scripture as a whole.  The following information is great to have at your fingertips when you are reading the Bible through (or if you are following the chronological reading plan that I shared in the previous article).  What you have here is a basic outline of the nine eras of Old Testament Biblical history, a brief description of the Intertestamental period, and the two eras of New Testament history.  Each era includes estimated dates and a list of Biblical books which provide accounts of that period.  Please note that the books are listed next to the era they describe rather than the era in which they were written (this is not always the same, for example 1 & 2 Chronicles describes the United and Divided Kingdoms but were probably written during the Restoration period).

IntertestamentalHistory– 500 B.C. till the birth of Christ (Apocryphal books include – 1-2 Maccabees,etc.).  Major developments within Judaismthat occurred during this time include:

1. The development of synagogue-based worship & rabbinical leadership
2. The creation of the Septuagint – a Greek-language version of the Hebrew Bible
3. The expansion of Greek empire and fall of the Persian empire (323 B.C.)
4. The persecution of Jews under Antiochus IV (167 B.C.)
5. Increasing conflict and animosity between cultural and religious rivals the Jews and Samaritans
6. The Maccabean Revolt & restoration of Yaweh-oriented temple worship (1^st Hanukah; 165 B.C.)
7. The Pharisees (from the scribes) and Sadducees (from priests and rulers) developed as distinct parties within Judaism.
8. The Roman empire came to dominate the Mediterranean world by 63 B.C. when they defeated the Greeks.
9. The Roman taxation system developed, including the selling of tax collection rights to the highest bidder.  Sadducees were this among the Jews.  They, in turn hired individual tax collectors – so you paid Zaccheaus, who paid the Sadducees, who paid Rome (each adding their own profit margin).

Basic Periods of Intertestamental history:

1. Persian Imperial Rule – until 323 BC
2. Greek Rule – 323-167 BC
3. Jewish Independence 167-63 BC
4. Roman Empire – beginning 63 BC

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