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STU:The Biblical Calendar of History  by Harold Camping

   A Chronological Record of Events According to the Holy Bible

   TABLE OF CONTENTS

<0> Introduction
<1> The Clue Phrase "Called His Name'
<2> An Ancient Calendar
<3> Calendar Confirmation from Egypt
<4> Aaron's was the Fourth Generation
<5> The First Civilization
<6> The Confusion of Tongues
<7> Egypt Becomes a Great Civilization
<8> Writing and the Tower of Babel
<9> Conclusion
<10> A Calendar of Events in Biblical History Events The Chronological
Sequence During the Egyptian Sojourn Historical Timetable of Pharaohs
and Dynasties Chronology of the Judges Israel Chronology Note on
Oppression by Heathen Power Chronological Table of the Kings of the
Divided Kingdom
<11> References

   Introduction

   Chapters 5 and 11 of the book of Genesis have long been a seemingly
insurmountable obstacle to students of the Bible. Inasmuch as they
begin with Adam and end with Abraham, they have their roots in creation
and their outreach into the era of the great civilizations of Babylon
and Egypt, which flourished during Abraham's day. They therefore
tantalize the scholar who is trying to reconstruct past history.
Unfortunately, because a solution to an understanding of these chapters
has not been forthcoming, the events embraced within their scope --
creation, the fall of man, the Noachian flood -- are likewise often
looked upon as accounts impervious to clear understanding.

   Bishop Ussher's attempt to understand these chronological notices
has only worsened matters. His conclusions that Adam's date was 4004
B.C., the flood date was 2349 B.C. and that the Israelites spent 215
years in Egypt, agree neither with the Biblical nor the secular
evidence.

   But these chapters of Genesis are a part of the Word of God, and
therefore they must be true and dependable. The question is, can they
be rightly understood? I would be so presumptuous as to suggest a
solution to these chronologies. This solution will be compared with
some of the pertinent archaeological evidence.

   The Clue Phrase "Called His Name"

   In Genesis 4 and 5 we read of the birth of Enoch to Seth. Why did
God use different language in describing this event in Genesis 4 than
in Genesis 5? In Genesis 4 "Seth called his name Enoch" (Gen. 4:26).
But in Chapter 5 the Bible says," Seth begat Enoch" (Gen.5:6). Why did
God use the phrase "called his name" (ASV) in connection with Enoch's
birth in Genesis 4 when He did not in Genesis 5? It is obvious that the
phrase "Seth begat Enoch, " or "Methuselah begat Lamech," did not
insure that Enoch was the immediate son of Seth or Lamech or
Methuselah. Many instances can be found where a father-son relationship
appears to be indicated and yet other Scriptural evidence points to
more distant ancestry. Matthew 1:1,, where Jesus is referred to as the
son David, and David, the son Abraham, is illustrative.

   A more careful examination of the Scriptures reveals why the phrase
"called his name" which is the Hebrew qara', was used. In every place
where this phrase is employed, there can be no doubt of the existing
relationship: invariably it is indicative of parent and child. Thus the
Bible says, for example, "Abraham called the name of his son...Isaac"
(Gen. 21:3), "...so they called his name Esau" (Gen. 25:25), "a virgin
shall conceive and shall call his name Immanuel" (Isa. 7:14). In every
instance where this "clue" phrase appears one may be certain that an
immediate son is being described and not a more remote descendant.

   God's use of this "clue" phrase thus assures one that Seth was the
immediate son of Adam (Gen. 4:24), Enoch of Seth (Gen. 4:26), and Noah
of his father, Lamech (Gen. 5:29).

   But what about the rest of the names appearing in these genealogies
under discussion? Two are decipherable. Other Biblical evidence shows
clearly that Shem was the immediate son of Noah, even though the phrase
"called his name" is not used.(1) The Bible shows, too, by other
information that when Terah was 130 he became the father of Abram.(2)
But in the case of all of the other names listed in these chapters
there is no Biblical evidence of any kind that points to an immediate
father-son relationship. In fact, there is internal evidence within
these accounts that points to other than immediate father-son
relationships.(3)

   An Ancient Calendar

   In further reflection upon this situation, two Biblical notices
should be examined. The first is that of Genesis 7 and 8, where the
dates of the flood events are referenced to the age of Noah. Thus Gen.
8:13 records, "in the six hundred and first year, in the first month,
the first day of the month, the waters....," etc. Gen. 7:6 indicates to
us that the six hundred years was the age of Noah when the flood came.
Could the calendars of ancient peoples have been tied to the life spans
of certain individuals?

   The second notice is that of the New Testament where Christ declared
"this generation will not pass away until all these things take place"
(Matt. 24:34). In this reference Christ is speaking of events that
would take place just before His return. He is therefore insisting
"this generation" would continue at least for almost two thousand
years, for this much time has now elapsed, and all of the events of
which he was prophesying in Matthew 24 have not yet happened. As a
matter of fact, this is the generation of Jesus Christ. This is 1981
A.D. -- the year of our Lord. The events of today are dated exactly as
they were in Noah's day, by reference to the birth day of a person.

   Since this method of dating events was practiced in Noah's day, was
suggested by Jesus Himself, and is actually the practice use today,
could not this have been the method described in Genesis 5 and 11?
Isn't it possible that these accounts are a calendar giving the name of
the patriarch whose life span was the reference point at his period or
generation in history? This would make abundant sense, for this would
provide for continuity and clarity in historical reckoning.

   Calendar Confirmation from Egypt

   God gives additional evidence to support this reasoning. In Exodus 6
God gives genealogical information concerning some of the descendants
of Jacob. The information given does not appear very meaningful to our
present day and age. But hidden amongst these verses are three numbers.
The first is found in verse 16 where it is stated that Levi's three
sons were Gershon, Kohath and Merari, and the years of Levi's life were
137. The second is in the next verse, where it says Kohath's four sons
were Amram, Ighar, Hebron and Uzziel, and the years of Kohath's life
were 133. The third is in verse 20, where it says Amram was married to
Jochebed and she bore him Moses and Aaron, and the years of Amram's
life were 137. At first reading, it appears that Levi was the great
grandfather, Kohath the grandfather, Amram the father, and Moses and
Aaron the sons. But is this so? There is no other Biblical evidence
that indicates this is the case, and there is no use anywhere in the
Bible of the phrase "called his name" in reference to these men which
would point to a immediate father-son relationship. But why would God
give the life spans of only three individuals amongst so many?

   To solve this puzzle, let us assume God is giving us the calendar
for the Israelitish sojourn in Egypt. One might recall that Jacob came
to Egypt with his sons including Levi, and that the Israelites went out
of Egypt under the leadership of Moses and Aaron. Both Levi and Aaron
are mentioned in Exodus 6 and the age of Aaron at the time of Israel's
departure from Egypt is given as 83 (Exodus 7:7). It can be shown from
the Biblical references that when Levi entered Egypt he was 60+3 years
of age, with the burden of the evidence pointing to 60 years. Since he
died at the age of 137, he lived 77 years in Egypt. If this is a
calendar giving the names of the reference patriarchs or generations,
we would expect that Kohath was a descendant of Levi and was born the
year of Levi's death: that Amram was a descendant of Kohath, and that
he was born the year of Kohath's death. Aaron in turn was born the year
of Amram's death, and was descended from Amram. Let us add these time
spans together:

   Levi 77 years in Egypt Kohath 137 years in Egypt Amram 133 years in
Egypt Aaron 83 years in Egypt 430 years -- Total Time

   Turning now to the Biblical record, we discover the following
interesting information. "Now the time that the children of Israel
dwelt in Egypt was four hundred and thirty years. And it came to pass
at the end of four hundred and thirty years, even the selfsame day it
came to pass, that all the hosts of Jehovah went out from the land of
Egypt" (Ex. 12:40,41).

   God thus shows us clearly that the calendar used to record the
passage of time during the Egyptian sojourn was based on the lives of
Levi and his descendants, Kohath, Amram and Aaron. This explains too
the prophecy given to Abraham in Gen. 15:13-16, where he is told his
descendants would be oppressed 400 years in a land that was not theirs,
and that they would return to their own land in the fourth generation.

   The Confusion of Tongues

   The next bit of history that should be interesting to investigate is
the event of the tower of Babel. Is there any secular evidence that
relates to the account of this confusion of tongues as set forth in
Genesis 11? There is, indeed.

   It might first of all be noted that the account of Genesis 11
indicates that prior to this time in history all men spoke one
language. Moreover, the leading civilization was that of these people
who dwelt in the plains of Shinar or Sumer. Their desire to be the one
great civilization of the world prompted the building of this great
tower, which in turn brought on God's interference with their plans so
that they were forced to separate into various nations.

   As has already been shown, the first great civilization of the world
as revealed by secular evidence was that which sprang forth in the
Mesopotamia Valley. The time of the beginning of the second important
civilization of antiquity could be of real significance. Presumably, it
would have begun very shortly after the tower of Babel. The event of
the tower of Babel can be known to have occurred during the generation
of Peleg, for in his days the earth was divided (Gen.10:25). Peleg's
generation was dated 3153 B.C. to 2914 B.C. Therefore one would expect
no important civilizations other than Babylonia to have an antiquity
greater than about 3150 B.C.

   Egypt Becomes A Great Civilization

   All archaeological evidence points to Egypt as the second great
civilization to appear. While there was a primitive culture in Egypt
prior to the First Dynasty, the uniting of all of Egypt under Pharaoh
Menes to form the First Dynasty was the signal for a major burst in the
arts of civilization. Albright writes:(13)

   It is now certain that the level of Egyptian culture remained
considerably below that of Mesopotamia until the First Dynasty, when
under strong indirect influence from the Euphrates Valley, it forged
ahead of the latter in a breathtaking spurt.

   Interestingly, the new civilization of Egypt beginning with the
First Dynasty was patterned after the Babylonia (Mesopotamia) culture.
Albright continues:(14)

   The close of the predynastic Age and the beginning of the Thinite
(period of first two centuries) period witnessed a sudden burst in the
arts of civilization. This seems to have been connected in some way
with an increase of cultural influence from Asia, since there are
numerous exact parallels between Mesopotamia and Egyptian culture at
this time, the former being demonstrably older and more original in
nearly every instance.

   The date of the beginning of the First Dynasty under Menes is
calculated to be somewhere between 2800 B.C. and 3100 B.C. The early
archaeologists such as Breasted dated his reign at about 3400 B.C. As
new archaeological evidence was uncovered this date was moved forward
to about 3000 B.C. Albright believes 2850 B.C. is a good estimate.(15)
William C. Hayes suggest 3100 B.C. is the best date presently
available.(16)

   Considering the above information, one is struck by the fact that
prior to about 3100 B.C. to 2850 B.C. only one civilization of
consequence existed in the world. That was the nation of Babylonia on
the plains of Shinar. Then at that time, in a sudden burst of progress,
Egypt grew to become a second great civilization, a civilization
patterned after the first. And these dates are in almost exact
agreement with the Biblical date for the Tower of Babel. Surely the
confusion of tongues as recorded in Genesis 11 sent thousands of people
skilled in all the arts and crafts of Mesopotamia to Egypt and
elsewhere. Thus accord can be seen between the sacred and the secular
records by this indirect evidence of the timetable of the civilizations
of antiquity.

   Writing and the Tower of Babel

   It might be noted too that writing had its beginning in Mesopotamia
and may be related to the confusion of tongues. Sir Leonard Wooley
writes:(17) "All the archaeological evidence seems to prove that true
writing was first developed in southern Mesopotamia." The timing for
this event is given as 3500 to 3000 B.C. Gelb concludes:(18) "the date
of the earliest Sumerian writing should be set tentatively at about
3100 B.C."

   The confusion of tongues in Sumer some time in the period between
3150-2900 B.C. could well have been the catalyst that produced writing.
Before this dramatic civilization-splitting event all was secure. Only
one language was spoken in all the world. Verbal communication was
adequate and dependable. But then came this fearful event that shook
the very foundations of this great civilization. Men could no longer
understand each other. There must be a better way. The application of
the spoken word to clay tablets would provide insurance that this kind
of a happening would never totally destroy a culture again. The clay
tablets would always prove to be the reference point. One surely can
see the possibility if not the probability of this connection between
writing and the Tower of Babel.

   Conclusion

   We thus see that the chronology of history established by Biblical
reckoning agrees rather satisfactorily with the archaeological evidence
of the earliest civilizations. The Biblical timetable is of course the
most reliable, for it is God's Word. If we have properly interpreted
it, it should make possible a far more definitive analysis of the
secular evidence than ever before. It should also provide a dependable
framework in which to understand dating evidence such as that offered
by radiometric isotopes like carbon 14.

   Hopefully, a perspective of history has been set forth that shows
that answers are potentially forthcoming when we begin with the
Biblical framework. The concept of a 13,000 year old world, which began
to be repopulated again after the flood some 7,000 years ago, and which
1,500 years later had grown to a point which allowed the spawning of
the first great cities, surely makes much more sense than that of
mankind being around for hundreds or even thousands of millenniums, and
then becoming a cohesive city civilization only in the last 5,500
years. Furthermore, the apparent possibility of the end of the age
occurring in our time also accords far better with the shorter
timetable.

   Admittedly, the first purpose of the Bible is not to be a textbook
of science or history. It is fundamentally a presentation of God's
grace revealed through Jesus Christ. But when the Bible does speak in
any field of learning, it does so with great care, accuracy and
authority. Three reasons might be advanced for this: l. These subjects
are often an integral part of the plan of salvation; 2. they are part
of God's message to man; and 3. by reason of His very nature God is
accurate when He speaks. Therefore, it possibly has much more to offer
than many have supposed. I hope that others will be encouraged to build
upon the suggestions offered in this presentation.

   A CALENDAR OF EVENTS IN BIBLICAL HISTORY

   Events B.C.

CREATION. (about 13,000 years ago)...........................11013
CREATION OF ADAM.............................................11013
BIRTH OF SETH.
Adam was 130 when Seth was born (Gen. 5:6)...................10883
BIRTH OF ENOCH.
Seth was 105 when Enoch was born (Gen.5:6)...................10778
END OF ENOCH'S PERIOD
905 years after his birth (Gen. 5:11) which is the year Kenan was
born and which began his period...............................9873
END OF KENAN'S PERIOD
910 years after his birth (Gen. 5:14). This is the year Mahalaleel
was born and beginning of his period..........................8963
END OF MAHALALEEL'S PERIOD
895 years after his birth (Gen.5:17). This is the year Jared was born
and beginning of his period...................................8068
END OF JARED'S PERIOD
962 years after his birth (Gen.5:20). This is the year Enoch was born
and beginning of his period...................................7106
END OF ENOCH'S PERIOD
365 years after his birth (Gen. 5:23). This is the year Methuselah
was born and beginning of his period..........................6741
END OF METHUSELAH'S PERIOD
969 years after his birth (Gen. 5:27). This is the year Lamech was
born and beginning of his period..............................5772
BIRTH OF NOAH. Lamech was 182 when Noah was born
(Gen. 5:28,29)................................................5590
THE FLOOD (about 7,000 years ago).
Noah was 600 when the flood came (Gen. 7:6)...................4990
DEATH OF SHEM
502 years after the flood (Gen. 11:10,11). This is the year Arpachshad
was born and beginning of his period..........................4488
END OF ARPACHSHAD'S PERIOD
438 years after his birth (Gen. 11:12,13). This is the year Shelah
was born and beginning of his period..........................4050
END OF SHELAH'S PERIOD
433 years after his birth (Gen. 11:14,15). This is the year Eber was
born and beginning of his period..............................3617
END OF EBER'S PERIOD
464 years after his birth (Gen. 11:16,17). This is the year Peleg was
born and beginning of his period..............................3153
TOWER OF BABEL
During Peleg's patriarchal period the division of the continents
occurred. The Tower of Babel must have occurred between these dates
(Gen. 10:25).............................................3153-2914
END OF PELEG'S PERIOD
239 years after his birth (Gen. 11:18,19). This is the year Reu was
born and beginning of his period..............................2914
END OF REU'S PERIOD
239 years after his birth (Gen. 11:20,21). This is the year Serug was
born and beginning of his period..............................2675
END OF SERUG'S PERIOD
230 years after his birth (Gen. 11:22,23). This is the year Nahor was
born and beginning of his period..............................2445
END OF NAHOR'S PERIOD
148 years after his birth (Gen. 11:24,25). This is the year Terah was
born and beginning of his period..............................2297
BIRTH OF ABRAM TO TERAH.
Terah was 130 years old at birth of Abram.....................2167
ABRAM ENTERED CANAAN..........................................2092
CIRCUMCISION OF ABRAHAM when he was 99 years of age...........2068
BIRTH OF ISAAC.
Abraham was 100 years old at birth of Isaac (Gen. 21:5).......2067
BIRTH OF JACOB.
Isaac was 60 years old at birth of Jacob (Gen. 25:26).........2007

1. Jacob arrives in Haran at the age of...............................60
2. He works seven years for Rachel and is then married to Rachel and Leah.
   He is then.........................................................67
3. Reuben is born to Leah the following year when Jacob is............68
4. Simeon is born next to Leah when Jacob is..........................69
5. Levi is born next to Leah when Jacob is............................70
6. Jacob finishes his second seven year contract for Rachel when he is74
7. He works for wages for 20 years. In the 17th year of this period Joseph
   is born. Jacob is..................................................91
8. At end of the 20 year period Joseph is weaned and Jacob wishes to
   leave Haran. He is.................................................94
9. He works six years longer for his flocks and leaves Haran at age..100

   JACOB'S FAMILY ARRIVES IN EGYPT when Jacob is 130 (Gen. 47:9) 1877

   The Chronological Sequence During the Egyptian Sojourn

   Remembering that the death year of one patriarch coincides with the
birth year of the next, the result must look like this:

Levi's Time in Egypt (137 minus 60)................77 Years
Kohath's Period of Patriarchal Leadership.........133 Years
Amram's Period of Patriarchal Leadership..........137 Years
Aaron's Age at the Time of the Exodus (Exod. 7:7)..83 Years
Total.............................................430 Years

   Historical Timetable of Pharaohs and Dynasties

1888 B.C. - Sesostris III became Pharaoh. He was part of the Middle
Kingdom or 12th Dynasty of Egypt. His father, Sesostris II, probably
had reigned during the previous 19 years and possibly came to an
untimely death.
1886 B.C. - Joseph became Prime Minister or Grand Vizier of Egypt under
Sesostris III.
1877 B.C. - The family of Joseph came to Egypt and took up residence in
the land of Goshen. The city of Avaris (Zoan in the Bible), which later
was called Tanis or Qantir, was their capital.
1850 B.C. - Sesostris III died after an exceedingly successful reign of
38 years. He was succeeded by another great 12th Dynasty Pharaoh named
Amenemhet III. Under his reign Joseph continued as Prime Minister. A
canal bearing Joseph's name was constructed at this time.
1806 B.C. - Joseph died.
1802 B.C. - Amenemhet III died after a 48 year reign. During his reign
Egypt was prosperous, tranquil and productive. He was succeeded by
Amenemhet IV who reigned for the brief period of 9 years. During his
reign there was much internal strife for royal supremacy.
1791 B.C. - Amenemhet IV died and was succeeded by the last Pharaoh of
the 12th Dynasty, Sebeknefrure.
1787 B.C. - Sebeknefrure's brief reign of 4 years ended and with it ended
the 12th Dynasty. The 13th Dynasty began. The reigns of succeeding
Pharaohs were short and the empire began to dissolve. The Israelites,
who no doubt are the "Hyksos" of Archaeological fame, took advantage of
the internal struggles to acquire a strong hand in the Egyptian
government and indeed some of them may have reigned as Pharaohs during
this period.
1580 B.C. (approx.) - Several dynasties have ruled over Egypt since 1787 B.C.
At this time Ahmose I began to reign as the first king of the 18th Dynasty.
He forcibly began to remove the Israelites (Hyksos) from political power.
The most war-like Israelites were driven from the land and the Israelitish
nation began to be severely oppressed. Either this Pharaoh or a closely
succeeding Pharaoh such as Thutmose I could well have been the king who
"did not know Joseph" (Exod. 1:8).
1560 B.C. (approx.) - Ahmose I was followed by his son Amenhotep I who
consolidated the gains of his father.
1540-1535 B.C. (approx.) - Thutmose I began to reign as king. He too was a
continuation of the 18th Dynasty. He continued and probably intensified
the oppressive measures against the Israelites, for he was ruling when
Moses was born. His animosity toward the Israelites was probably
heightened by his troubles with Palestine and Syria. His reign was
followed by that of his son Thutmose II.
1527 B.C. - Moses was born at a time when a royal edict condemned all the
boy babies to be destroyed. Princess Hatshepsut, a daughter of the king,
found him in the bulrushes and raised him as her son.
1501 B.C. - Thutmose III began to reign as the greatest king of the 18th
Dynasty. For approximately the first 25 years of his reign he was co-regent
with Princess Hatshepsut. She regarded herself as a king and was the
dominant ruler during this co-regency.
1487 B.C. - Moses fled from Egypt. King Hatshepsut, who had raised him to
be her son, sought to kill him because of his evident loyalty for the
Israelites.
1481 B.C. (approx.) - King Hatshepsut died and Thutmose III continued to
reign until the time of the exodus.

Israel went out of Egypt (Thutmose III)........1447 B.C.
Israel entered into Canaan.....................1407 B.C.

EXODUS FROM EGYPT
430 years later (Exod. 12:40)..................1447 B.C.
ENTRANCE INTO CANAAN 40 years later............1407 B.C.

   Chronology of the Judges B.C. Israel Chronology Years The Exodus
1447 Entrance into Canaan 1407 Initial 40 year Period in 1407-1367 Land
had rest 40 Canaan. During this period the conquest of Land had rest 80
Canaan occurred under Joshua and Othniel de- livered Israel. Next 80
Year Period in 1367-1287 Canaan. During this Period Ehud and Shamgar
deliver Israel Land had rest 40 Next 40 year Period in 1287-1247
Canaan. Deborah and Land had rest 40 Barak were deliverers Abimelech
rules 3 during this period Gideon judged 1247-1207 Tola judged 23
Abimelech rules 1207-1204 Jair judged 22 Tola judged 1204-1181 Jair
judged 1181-1159 Jephthah judged 1159-1153 Jephthah judged 6 Ibzan
judged 1153-1146 Ibzan judged 7 Elon judged 1146-1136 Elon judged 10
Abon judged 1136-1128 Abon judged 8 Samson judged 1128-1108 Samson
judged 20 Eli judged 1108-1068 Eli judged 40 Ark in Philistines' Hands
1068-1067 Ark captured 1 Samuel judged 1067-1047 Final period of Saul
reigned as king 1047-1007 Samuel 20 David reigned 1007- 967 360 Solomon
reigned 971- 931 Foundation of temple laid in fourth year of Solomon's
reign 967

   Note on Oppression By Heathen Power

   Israel served Cushanrishathaim  8 years Judges 3:8 3:11
Israel served Eglon               18 years 3:14 3:30
Israel oppressed by Jabin         20 years 4:3 5:31
Israel in hand of Midian           7 years 6:1 8:28 9:22 10:2 10:3
Philistines oppressed Israel      18 years 10:8 12:7 12:9 12:11 12:14
Israel in hand of Philistines     40 years 13:1 15:20 I Samuel 4:18 6:1
                                 111 years

   Events Date
Saul king              1047 B.C. (about 3,000 years ago)
David                  1007 B.C.
Solomon                 971 B.C.
Temple Foundation laid  967 B.C.
Solomon's temple con-   967 B.C. struction began 480 years after exodus
(I Ki. 6:1)
Division of kingdom at  931 B.C. death of Solomon 36 years later

   Chronological Table of the Kings of the Divided Kingdom

   JUDAH (2 Tribes) King    Reign Character

1. Rehoboam 931-913 B.C.    (17yrs ) Bad
2. Abijah 913-911          ( 3 yrs.) Bad
3. Asa 911-870             (41 yrs.) Good
4. Jehoshaphat 873-848*    (25 yrs.) Good
5. Jehoram 853-841*        ( 8 yrs.) Bad
6. Ahaziah 841             ( 1 yr. ) Bad
7. Athaliah 841-835        ( 6 yrs.) Bad
8. Joash 835-796           (40 yrs.) Good
9. Amaziah 796-767         (29 yrs.) Good
10.Azariah 792-740*        (52 yrs.) Good (or Uzziah)
11.Jotham 750-732*         (16 yrs.) Good
12.Ahaz 735-716            (16 yrs.) Bad
13.Hezekiah 716-687        (29 yrs.) Good
14.Manasseh 697-643                  Bad
15.Amon 643-641            ( 2 yrs.) Bad
16.Josiah 641-609          (31 yrs.) Good
17.Jehoahaz 609            ( 3 mo. ) Bad
18.Jehoiakim 609-598       (11 yrs.) Bad (or Eliakim)
19.Jehoiachin 608-597*               Bad (or Coniah, Jeconiah)
20.Zedekiah 597-587                  Bad (or Mattaniah)

   (Destruction of Jerusalem and captivity of Judah) * Co-regency

 ISRAEL (10 Tribes) King     Reign Character

1. Jeroboam I 931-910 B.C. (22 yrs.) Bad
2. Nadab 910-909           (2 yrs.)  Bad
3. Baasha 909-886          (24 yrs.) Bad
4. Elah 886-885            ( 2 yrs.) Bad
5. Zimri 885               ( 7 days) Bad
6. Tibni 885-880
7. Omri 885-874*           (12 yrs.) Bad
8. Ahab 874-853            (22 yrs.) Bad
9. Ahaziah 853-852         ( 2 yrs.) Bad
10.Joram 852-841           (12 yrs.) Bad
11.Jehu 841-814            (28 yrs.) Bad
12.Jehoahaz 814-798        (17 yrs.) Bad
13.Jehoash 798-782         (16 yrs.) Bad
14.Jeroboam II 793-753*    (41 yrs.) Bad
15.Zechariah 753-752       ( 6 mo. ) Bad
16.Shallum 752             ( l mo. ) Bad
17.Menahem 752-742         (10 yrs.) Bad
18.Pekahiah 742-740        ( 2 yrs,) Bad
19.Pekah 752-732*          (20 yrs.) Bad
20.Hoshea 732-722          ( 9 yrs.) Bad
(Capture of Samaria and captivity of Israel)

   Remnants of these 10 tribes joined with nation of Judah, which is
then called Israel. * Co-regency

   Israel (10 tribes) destroyed                                      722 B.C.
Israel (Judah augmented by remnants from 10 tribes) subdued by Egypt 609 B.C.
Israel taken in to Babylonian captivity and temple destroyed         587 B.C.
Babylonia conquered by Cyrus, king of Medes and Persians (under Cyrus
first contingent of Jews returns to Jerusalem)                       539 B.C.
Temple partially rebuilt and rededicated                             515 B.C.
Ezra returned to Jerusalem to reestablish law                        458 B.C.
Rebuilding of wall by Nehemiah                                       445 B.C.

   SILENCE

   Christ was born 7 B.C. Christ was baptized 29 A.D. Christ died on
cross 33 A.D. Jerusalem destroyed by Romans 70 A.D.

   REFERENCES

(1) Compare Genesis 7:13, 9:18 and I Peter 3:20
(2) Compare Genesis 11:27 ff, Genesis 12:4 and Acts 7:4
(3) For example, Genesis 10:21 describes Shem as "the father of all
children of Eber," though Eber is removed from Shem by several generations
(cf. Genesis 11:10-16)
(4) The fact that Jesus was born a few years earlier (probably 7 B.C.)
does not diminish the force of this argument, for 1981 A.D. is in principle
related only to Christ's birth date and not to any other.
(5) Camping, Harold. Adam When? Ch. 3
(6) Ibid., ch. 6
(7) Thiele, Edwin R., The Mysterious Numbers of the Hebrew Kings, Eerdmans,
Rev. edition 1965, pg. 53,54. Much additional support can be given to the
accuracy of this date from the reigns of three of the greatest of the
Egyptian Pharaohs - Sesostris III, Tuthmosis III and Rameses II. A
discussion of this is of course beyond the scope of this article.
(8) Camping, Harold; ch. 5
(9) Albright, William Foxwell; From the Stone Age to Christianity,
Doubleday & Co., Inc. 1957, pg. 32
(10) Rowton, M. B., in The Cambridge Ancient History, Cambridge University
Press, 1964, pg. 57,58
(11) Camping, Harold, ch. 7
(12) Rawlinson, George, Egypt and Babylon, John W. Lovell Co., pg. 9
(13) Albright, pg. 142
(14) Ibid., pg. 157
(15) Ibid.
(16) Hayes, William C., The Cambridge Ancient History, 1964, pg. 4
(17) Wooley, Sir Leonard, The Beginnings of Civilization, The New York
American Library, 1965, pg. 364
(18) Gelb, A Study of Writing, pg. 63