Wednesday in the Word

what the Bible means and how we know

Background & History

Sheep & Shepherd Imagery in Scripture

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Sheep & Shepherd Imagery in Scripture - Bible Study Tools | WednesdayintheWord.com

Metaphors about sheep and their shepherd have a rich background in the Old Testament that continues in the New Testament.

This imagery is fairly easy to understand.  Sheep need a shepherd.  The shepherd feeds the sheep by leading them to the pasture.  The shepherd protects them from predators.  The shepherd keeps them from wandering off from the fold, the place of safety.  Without a shepherd, sheep can easily end up hungry, lost and the victim of predators.

Metaphorically speaking, the same thing happens spiritually to people without a shepherd.  Without someone to point us in the right direction and protect us from the things that will destroy us, we are lost.

Sheep imagery

Old Testament

Psa 44:11; Psa 44:22; Psa 49:14; Psa 74:1; Psa 78:52; Psa 79:13; Psa 95:7; Psa 100:3; Psa 119:176; Psa 144:13; Isa 13:14; Isa 53:6; Isa 53:7; Jer 12:3; Jer 23:1; Jer 50:6; Jer 50:17; Eze 34:2; Eze 34:3; Eze 34:5; Eze 34:6; Eze 34:8; Eze 34:10; Eze 34:11; Eze 34:12; Eze 34:15; Eze 34:17; Eze 34:19; Eze 34:20; Eze 34:22; Eze 34:31; Eze 45:15; Hos 12:12; Mic 2:12; Mic 5:8; Zec 10:2; Zec 11:7; Zec 13:7.

New Testament

Mat 7:15; Mat 9:36; Mat 10:6; Mat 10:16; Mat 12:11; Mat 12:12; Mat 15:24; Mat 18:12; Mat 25:32; Mat 25:33; Mat 26:31; Mar 6:34; Mar 14:27; Luk 15:4; Luk 15:6; Luk 17:7; Joh 2:14; Joh 2:15; Joh 5:2; Joh 10:2; Joh 10:3; Joh 10:4; Joh 10:7; Joh 10:8; Joh 10:11; Joh 10:12; Joh 10:13; Joh 10:15; Joh 10:16; Joh 10:26; Joh 10:27; Joh 21:16; Joh 21:17; Act 8:32; Rom 8:36; Heb 11:37; Heb 13:20; 1Pe 2:25; Rev 18:13.

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Shepherd Imagery

Old Testament

Psa 23:1; Psa 28:9; Psa 49:14; Psa 78:71; Psa 80:1; Ecc 12:11; Isa 38:12; Isa 40:11; Isa 44:28; Jer 17:16; Jer 22:22; Jer 31:10; Jer 43:12; Jer 49:19; Jer 50:44; Jer 51:23; Eze 34:5; Eze 34:8; Eze 34:12; Eze 34:15; Eze 34:23; Eze 37:24; Amos 3:12; Mic 5:4; Mic 5:6; Mic 7:14; Zec 10:2; Zec 11:4; Zec 11:7; Zec 11:9; Zec 11:15; Zec 11:16; Zec 11:17; Zec 13:7.

New Testament

Mat 2:6; Mat 9:36; Mat 25:32; Mat 26:31; Mar 6:34; Mar 14:27; Joh 10:2; Joh 10:11; Joh 10:12; Joh 10:14; Joh 10:16; Heb 13:20; 1Pe 2:25; 1Pe 5:2; 1Pe 5:4; Rev 7:17.

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Lexicons & Dictionaries

PreceptsAustin:Jehovah Roi ; Jehovah Roi (Raah, Rohi)

An Exposition of Psalm 23 by Greg Herrick

Torrey’s Topic on Christ, the Shepherd

Torrey’s Topic on “Shepherds“

I Am the Good Shepherd by Elmer Towns

Praying the 23rd Psalm (Pdf) by Elmer Towns

Nave Topical Bible Shepherd

American Tract Society Shepherd

Bridgeway Bible Dictionary Shepherd

Easton’s Bible Dictionary Shepherd

Fausset Bible Dictionary Shepherd

Holman Bible Dictionary Shepherd

Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible Shepherd

Hastings’ Dictionary of the NT Shepherd  Sheep, Shepherd

Smith Bible Dictionary Shepherd

Vines’ Expository Dictionary Shepherd

Wilson’s Bible Types Shepherd

Watson’s Theological Dictionary Shepherds

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia Shepherd

Kitto Biblical Cyclopedia Shepherd

McClintock and Strong’s Bible Encyclopedia Shepherd

The Jewish Encyclopedia Shepherd

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Where to next?

Bible Study 101

Resource Library

Resources Book of the Bible

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Simple overview of biblical history

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A simple overview of biblical history - Bible Study tools | WednesdayintheWord.com

Whenever you study Scripture, it’s important to know where your particular passage fits into biblical history. As Karl Barth said: “The Bible is not a philosophical book, but a history book, the book of God’s mighty acts, in which God becomes knowable to us.” Here’s a simple overview of biblical history.

All dates are approximate (and many are debated), except for 4 dates which are reliably fixed in history:

  1. 772 BC – the northern kingdom conquered by Assyria
  2. 586 BC – the southern kingdom conquered by Babylon
  3. 538 BC – Cyrus ends the exile
  4. 70 AD – Rome conquers Jerusalem

The dating scheme below follows traditional dating.

I made this chart to study for a class. The rise and fall of the top line indicates relative population.

Downloadable PDF: Bible History at a Glance Chart

Primeval History

Books: Genesis 1-11; Job

Main events: Creation, fall, Cain & Abel, Noah and the flood, and the Tower of Babel.

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2000 BC – Patriarchs

Books: Genesis 12-50

The history of the nation of Israel starts with God calling Abram/Abraham. This one man led to one family, which led finally to 12 large tribes. Abraham was promised a land, a people and a blessing in Genesis 12. The rest of the Old Testament shows how God worked out those promises. Main characters: Abraham, Isaac & Joseph.

Abraham’s family tree

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1720-1280 BC – Captivity & Exodus

Books: Exodus

Through the story of Joseph, the descendants of Abraham end up as slaves in Egypt which eventually leads to God bringing them out of slavery through Moses & the Exodus. There is some debate about the exact date of the Exodus.

When did the Exodus happen?

Introduction to Ancient Egypt

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1280-1240 BC – Wilderness

Books: Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy

The Exodus leads to the wilderness period where the children of Israel are wandering in the Sinai desert which culminates with the giving of the law at Mount Sinai.

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1240 – 1050 BC – Conquest & Judges

Books: Joshua, Judges, Ruth

The wilderness period ends with the conquest of the promised land. The conquest begins with crossing the Jordan River (c. 1240). The conquest of the promised land is followed by the period of the Judges.  Israel lives in the land under the theocracy of God. The people turn away from God and God disciplines them by handing them over to their enemies. When they return to God, God raises up a judge to deliver them. But then the cycle repeats in a downward spiral. After the 12th judge, Israel demands a king like all the other nations.

Outline of Joshua

Chart of Israel’s Judges

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1050-930 BC – United Monarchy

Books: 1&2 Samuel; 1&2Chronicles; Psalms of David

In response to the demands of the people, God gives the nation a king: first, Saul, then David and Solomon.  The period of the monarchy or united kingdom also has its ups and downs, but overall it is Israel’s glory days of peace and prosperity.

  • Saul’s reign c. 1038-1010 BC; 1 Samuel 8-31; 1Chronicles 10.
  • David’s lifetime c. 1040 -970 BC; ruler over Judah c. 1010 BC; ruler over Israel c. 1003 BC; 2 Samuel; 1Chronicles 11-29; 1Kings 1:1-2-11.
  • Solomon’s reign 970 -930 BC; 1Kings 1-12; 2Chronicles 1-9.

Saul’s family tree

David’s family tree

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930-586 BC – Divided monarchy

Books: 1Kings12-2Kings 17; 2Chronicles 1-38; Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon, Obadiah, Joel, Jonah, Hosea, Amos, Isaiah, Micah, Nahum, Zephaniah, Jeremiah, Habakkuk.

After the death of Solomon in 930 BC, civil war breaks out over who should inherit the throne. The kingdom splits with 10 tribes forming the northern alliance with a capital in Samaria;  and the two southern tribes of Benjamin and Judah forming a separate alliance with the capital remaining Jerusalem.

  • Northern Kingdom: Israel (930-722 BC)
  • Southern Kingdom: Judah (930-586 BC); 2Kings 18-25; 2Chronicles 28-36.

Kings of Israel & Judah

Introduction to the Northern Kingdom

Introduction to the Southern Kingdom

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586-538 BC – Exile & Captivity

Books: Ezekiel, Daniel, Lamentations

Around 740 BC the Assyrian empire became the superpower of their day. A series of powerful Assyrian kings held the Syria-Palestine region in their grip, exacting yearly tribute on pain of swift revenge for any rebellion. In 722 BC, Israel rebelled (again) and the Assyrians conquered her capital city, ending her existence as a nation and taking the 10 northern tribes into exile.

Eventually the Babylonians defeat Assyria and become the dominant world power. They conquer Jerusalem in 586 BC, destroying the city, burning the temple and deporting the children of Israel.

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538 -400 BC – Return & Restoration

Books: Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi

The prophets predicted that this captivity would end and the people would be return to their land. In three stages, over about a hundred years, they were allowed to migrate back to Jerusalem, rebuild the city and rebuild the temple.

Introduction to the Exile and Return

Chronology of Ezra-Nehemiah

The Old Testament closes with the people back in their land as a vassal state of Persia, awaiting the Messiah. The end of Malachi marks the beginning of 400 years of prophetic silence broken by John the Baptist.

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Further Study

Introduction to the Intertestamental Period

New Testament History from Alexander to Titus

Josiah Blake Tidewell: The Bible by period (1916)

Frank Palmer: A Bird’s Eye View of the Bible (1914)

Ray Stedman’s Adventuring through the Bible (1997)

Ray Stedman’s Panorma of the Scriptures

John MacArthur Bible Introductions

John Edgar McFadyen: Introduction to the Old Testament (1905)

Henry Drummond: Introduction to the New Testament (1915)

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Empires of the Ancient World

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Empires of the Ancient World - Bible Study Tools | WednesdayintheWord.com

Over the course of biblical history, the children of Israel were challenged, threatened and conquered by several other ancient empires. Understanding something about those empires can inform your biblical understanding.

Ancient Egypt

The first third of the book of Exodus takes place in Egypt. The Israelites had lived in Egypt for 400 years and were steeped in Egyptian culture. The cultural and historical setting of Exodus is ancient Egypt.

  • Egypt developed a civilization early around 3000-2800 BC.
  • Old Kingdom 2575-2150 BC
  • First Intermediate Period 2125-1975 BC
  • Middle Kingdom 1975-1640 BC
  • Second Intermediate Period & Hyksos invasion 1630-1520 BC
  • New Kingdom 1539-1075 BC
  • See Introduction to Ancient Egypt
  • When did the Exodus happen?

Maps

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Assyrian Empire 740-612 BC

The Assyrian Empire is important to biblical history for devastation the kingdom of Israel and taking the 10 northern tribes into captivity in 722 BC.

The Assyrian Empire began to arise around 1270 BC, in the area far north on the Tigris River after the fall of Chaldea. The first capital of Assyria was Assur. Nimrod was the capital of ancient Assyria. Then Nineveh became capital, during the reign of king Sennacherib. Nineveh soon became one of the largest cities of the ancient Near East. At the height the Assyrian Empire the kingdom embraced the lands of the northern Tigris, Armenia, Media, Babylonia, Elam, Mesopotamia, Syria, Israel, Judah, and the northern portion of Egypt. The city of Nineveh was finally destroyed by the Medes and Babylonians in 625 BC.

Maps – Holman Bible Atlas

Maps Insight for Living

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Babylonian Empire 612-539 BC

The Babylonian Empire (also called the Chaldean Empire) became a world power in 625 BC after the fall of Assyria. Babylon continued its reign until 536 BC. Nebuchadnezzar, its greatest king, reigned in the days of Daniel and took the southern Kingdom of Judah into captivity after the fall of Jerusalem in 586 BC. Babylon was finally captured by the Medes and Persians under Cyrus as predicted by the prophet Daniel, and the Babylonian Empire came to an end in 536 BC.

Maps – Holman Bible Atlas

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Medo-Persian Empire 539-331 BC

The Persian Empire was founded by Cyrus the Great who conquered Babylon in 536 BC. Cyrus issued the decree for the Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple. Under Darius the second Temple of Zerubbabel was completed; and under Xerxes, or Ahasuerus, the events recorded in the Book of Esther in the Bible happened; under Artaxerxes the Jewish state was reformed by Ezra, and the walls of Jerusalem were rebuilt by Nehemiah. The capital of the Persian Empire was Shushan. The Empire lasted a little more than 200 years, and came to an end in 330 BC.

Maps – Holman Bible Atlas

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Macedonian Empire 330-323 BC

Persian rule was ended by Alexander the Great who “conquered the world” (England to India) at age 25 in 334 BC. Alexander the Great died in 323 BC and left no successor, plunging the empire into a bloody civil war which eventually settled into 4 main kingdoms ruled by: Seleucus (Asia), Ptolemy (Egypt), Lysimachus (Thrace), and Antipater’s son Cassander (Macedonia, including Greece).

See: Introduction to the Intertestamental period

Maps from Holman Bible Atlas

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Roman Empire 246 BC – 476 AD

The Roman army under Pompey conquered the Seleucid empire in 63 BC and took control of Palestine, occupying Jerusalem.The Romans appointed Herod the Great as King over the Jews in 40 BC. His sons are the ones we read about in the New Testament.

More: New Testament History from Alexander to Titus

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How the Apostles died

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How the Apostles died - Bible Study Tools | WednesdayintheWord.com

Scripture records the deaths of only 2 apostles: James (Acts 12:1-2) and Judas Iscariot (Matthew 27:5). Most of what we know about the deaths of the other apostles comes from early christian writers and church tradition. Most scholars think the Apostle John is the only apostle who died of natural causes. The exact dates are unknown, most are estimates.

ApostlesPlace/DateManner of death
PeterRome
64 AD		According to church tradition, Peter was killed by Nero around 64 AD after the great fire of Rome. A 2nd Century text claimed Peter was crucified upside down at his own request.
AndrewGreece
60 AD		According to tradition, Andrew was crucified on an X-shaped cross.
James, son of ZebedeeJerusalem
44 AD		1st apostle to be martyred; executed with a sword; Acts 12:1-2
John, son of ZebedeeEphesus
98 AD		The only apostle to die of natural causes at an old age; Tertullian wrote that the Romans brought John into a coliseum and dunked him in a vat of boiling oil. After he emerged unharmed, the entire coliseum converted to Christianity. John was then banished.
PhilipHieropolis
80? AD		Conflicting traditions state that he was beheaded, stoned, crucified or died of old age. The earliest tradition states he was crucified upside down.
Bartholomew
(Nathaniel)		??The most reliable tradition is that Bartholomew was flayed and beheaded. Other traditions claim he was crucified head down
ThomasIndia
72? AD		The “Acts of Thomas” claims he was stabbed with spears. No other tradition exists.
MatthewEthiopia
60? AD		The early church fathers claimed he was burned, stoned, stabbed or beheaded. Later tradition claims Matthew died of natural causes.
James, son of Alphaeus??One tradition claims he was crucified in Egypt. Another tradition claims he was stoned to death in Jerusalem.
Thaddaeus (aka Judas, Jude)??Conflicting tradition claims he was crucified, clubbed to death or his head was shattered with an axe
Simon the Zealot?? One tradition claims he was martyred in Iberia. Another that he was martyred in Persia around 65 AD. Another that he was crucified in 61 AD in Britain. Others that he died of old age.
Judas IscariotJerusalem
30 AD		suicide by hanging; Matthew 27:5
Matthias??Matthias was chosen by lot to replace Judas (Acts 1:12-26). Little is known about him. Some traditions claim he was stoned, in Ethiopia; others that he was stoned in Jerusalem and then beheaded. Hippolytus claims he died of old age in Jerusalem.
PaulRome
66 AD		Beheaded by Rome
James, brother of the LordJerusalem
66? AD		Tradition claims he was thrown from the temple tower and then beaten with a fuller’s club.

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Israel’s 3 Temples

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Map from Bible-History.com

Israel had 3 temples during its Old & Testament time period. The original temple was built by Solomon. After the exile, a second temple was built under Zerubbabel. Finally, Herod the Great expanded and enlarged the temple during his reign.

Solomon’s Temple

  • The temple was planned by David as a permanent house of the Lord in Jerusalem (1 Chronicles 28:2).
  • David received the plans from God and gathered much of the material needed for construction, but was not allowed to build the temple because of his background as a man of war (1 Chronicles 22:8; 28:3).
  • God gave the task of building the temple to David’s son, Solomon (1 Samuel 7:9-13; 1 Kings 5:3-4; 1 Chronicles 22:7-17).
  • The temple was built on Mt. Moriah.
  • It was begun in 960 BC and completed in seven and one-half years (1 Kings 6:1). Solomon’s temple was completed in about 953 BC
  • The general plan was like that of the tabernacle except its dimensions were double those of the tabernacle.
  • The building was 90’ long, 30’ wide, and 45’ high.
  • The walls were made of stone and lined with cedar.
  • The roof was also of cedar and the floors were of cypress.
  • The interior was lined with gold and covered with carvings.
  • Like the tabernacle, the interior was divided into two rooms.
  • The Holy of Holies was a cube with each dimension being 20 cubits. It housed the Ark of the Covenant which was placed under two large cherubims. It contained the altar of incense, golden candlestick and the Table of Shewbread.
  • The temple area also contained two courts, the inner court of the priests, and the great or outer court which was for Israel. They were separated from each other by a low wall.
  • The court of the priests contained the brazen altar for sacrifice, the brazen sea for the priests to wash themselves, and the brazen layers for the washing of the utensils (1 Kings 6-7).
  • Solomon’s temple was ransacked and burned by Nebuchadnezzar when he besieged Jerusalem in 588 BC (2 Kings 25:8-17).

Zerubbabel’s Temple

  • After the Jews returned from captivity, Cyrus authorized the erection of a temple in Jerusalem (Ezra 6:3).
  • Construction was begun in 537 BC which was the second year after their return.
  • The plan in general followed that of Solomon’s temple but on a far less elaborate scale (Ezra 3:12).
  • Many of the vessels from Solomon’s temple were destroyed.
  • The Holy of Holies was left empty because the Ark of the Covenant had disappeared.
  • The Roman general Pompey conquered Jerusalem in 63 BC, and made it subject to Rome. Tacitus indicates that Pompey entered the Holy of Holies and was surprised to find it empty.
  • Later Zerubbabel’s temple was plundered and used for idolatrous purposes.

Herod’s Temple

  • Herod replaced the temple that existed. Construction began in 20 BC and was not finished until 64 AD, two years before the Jewish revolt and six years before its destruction in A.D. 70.
  • Herod’s temple was the temple of Jesus’ time upon the earth.
  • It was on a grander scale than Zerubbabel’s.
  • It included an outer court which could be frequented by Gentiles and unclean persons, the women’s court, and the inner court, which contained the chambers for storing the utensils and entered onto the priest’s court.
  • The temple proper stood higher than the courts and was approached by a flight of twelve steps. It contained the Holy of Holies and the Holy Place. A veil separated the two. It was this veil that was rent on the occasion of Jesus’ death (Matthew 27:51; Mark 15:38; Luke 23:45).
  • Herod extended the temple platform both to the north and south, making the area some 2,500 feet from north to south and 1,000 feet from east to west.
  • The date of the statement made to Christ in John 2:20 would suggest that the temple had been under construction for forty-six years, thus placing the date of that statement at 27 AD.

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Kings of Persia in Biblical Times

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Kings of Persia in Biblical Times - Bible Study Tools | WednesdayintheWord.com
By ChrisO https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyrus_the_Great

The Persian Empire was founded by Cyrus the Great who conquered Babylon in 536 BC. Cyrus issued the decree for the Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple. Under Darius the second Temple of Zerubbabel was completed; and under Xerxes, or Ahasuerus, the events recorded in the Book of Esther in the Bible happened; under Artaxerxes the Jewish state was reformed by Ezra, and the walls of Jerusalem were rebuilt by Nehemiah. The capital of the Persian Empire was Shushan. The Empire lasted a little more than 200 years, and came to an end in 330 BC.

Kings of Persia

Cyrus II “the Great” (600-529 BC) founded the first Persian Empire. Cyrus the Great respected the customs of the lands he conquered and allowed the Jews to return to Jerusalem.

Cambyses II (530-522 BC) – He conquered Egypt during his reign.

Darius I (aka Darius the Great) (522-486 BC) rule the Persian empire at it peak. The Second temple was completed during his reign.

Xerxes I (Ahasuerus) 486-465 BC – is the King who marries Esther.

Artaxerxes I (465-425 BC) commissions Ezra & Nehemiah to return and rebuild Jerusalem.

Xerxes II (425-424 BC) was assassinated by his half-brother, who was in turn assassinated by Darius II.

Darius II (423-404 BC) – little is know about his reign.

Artaxerxes II (404-359 BC)

Artaxerxes III (359-338 BC)

Artaxerxes IV (Arses) (338-336 BC)

Darius III (336-330 BC) – defeated by Alexander the Great.

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In Scripture

Persia is referenced 29 times in 25 verses in Scripture: 2Ch 36:20; 2Ch 36:22; 2Ch 36:23; Ezr 1:1; Ezr 1:2; Ezr 1:8; Ezr 3:7; Ezr 4:3; Ezr 4:5; Ezr 4:7; Ezr 4:24; Ezr 6:14; Ezr 7:1; Ezr 9:9; Est 1:3; Est 1:14; Est 1:18; Est 10:2; Eze 27:10; Eze 38:5; Dan 8:20; Dan 10:1; Dan 10:13; Dan 10:20; Dan 11:2.

Persian (2x) in Neh 12:22; Dan 6:28.

Cyrus is mentioned 23 times in 19 verses (12X in Ezra): 2Ch 36:22; 2Ch 36:23; Ezr 1:1; Ezr 1:2; Ezr 1:7; Ezr 1:8; Ezr 3:7; Ezr 4:3; Ezr 4:5; Ezr 5:13; Ezr 5:14; Ezr 5:17; Ezr 6:3; Ezr 6:14; Isa 44:28; Isa 45:1; Dan 1:21; Dan 6:28; Dan 10:1.

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References

Chronology of Ezra-Nehemiah

Wikipedia: List of the Kings of Persia

Encyclopedia Britannica: Cyrus the Great

Ancient History Encyclopedia: Cyrus the Great

1906 Jewish Encyclopedia: Cyrus the Great

American Tract Society Dictionary: Cyrus

Bridgeway Bible Dictionary: Cyrus

Easton’s Bible Dictionary: Cyrus

Fausset Bible Dictionary: Cyrus

Holman Bible Dictionary: Cyrus

Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible: Cyrus

Kitto’s Popular Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature: Cyrus

Morrish Bible Dictionary: Cyrus

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia: Cyrus

McClintock and Strong: Cyrus; Cyrus (2)

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Maps – Holman Bible Atlas

World Powers of the 6th century BCE

The Conquests of Cyrus the Great

The Persian Empire

The Return of the Jewish Exiles to Judah

Judah in the 5th century BCE

Palestine after the Exile

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Bible Study 101

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Resources Book of the Bible

Kings of Babylon in Biblical times

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Kings of Babylon in Biblical times - Bible Study Tools | WednesdayintheWord.com
Map of Neo-Babylonian Empire By Empire_neo_babyloien.svg: CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=12098149

The Babylonian Empire (also called the Chaldean Empire) became a world power in 625 BC after the fall of Assyria. Babylon continued its reign until 536 BC. Nebuchadnezzar, its greatest king, reigned in the days of Daniel and took the southern Kingdom of Judah into captivity after the fall of Jerusalem in 586 BC. Babylon was finally captured by the Medes and Persians under Cyrus as predicted by the prophet Daniel, and the Babylonian Empire came to an end in 536 BC.

Kings of Babylon

Nabopolassar (626 BC-605 BC) founder of the Neo-Babylonian empire by rebelling against and destroying Assyria. The Medes and Babylonians sacked Assyria’s capital (Nineveh) in 612 BC. The Neo-Babylonian Empire’s claim to succeed the Neo-Assyrian Empire was immediately challenged by Egypt under Pharaoh Necho II, who fought for several years until he was defeated at the Battle of Carchemish in 605 BC.

Nebuchadnezzar II (605-562 BC) was the longest reigning king of the Neo-Babylonian Empire. He sacked Jerusalem in 586 BC and took the southern kingdom of Judah into captivity.

Amel-Marduk (562-560). Little is know of his reign. He is mentioned in 2 Kings 5:27: Evil-Merodach is remembered for releasing the King Jehoiachin from prison after 37 years in captivity.

Neriglissar (560-556 BC) usurped the throne from Amek-Marduk.

Labashi-Marduk (556 BC) – He ruled less than a year before being overthrown.

Nabonidus (556-539 BC) – He also angered the priests and commoners of Babylon by neglecting the city’s chief god, Marduk, and elevating the moon god, Sin, to the highest status. Meanwhile, King Cyrus of Persia became popular among the residents of Babylon by promising to restore Marduk to his rightful place in the city.

Belshazzar (552-539 BC) – co-reigned while his father was long-absent from Babylon. He plays a significant role in the book of Daniel.

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In Scripture

Babylon is mentioned 288 times in 255 verses in Scripture.

2Ki 17:24; 2Ki 17:30; 2Ki 20:12; 2Ki 20:14; 2Ki 20:17; 2Ki 20:18; 2Ki 24:1; 2Ki 24:7; 2Ki 24:10; 2Ki 24:11; 2Ki 24:12; 2Ki 24:15; 2Ki 24:16; 2Ki 24:17; 2Ki 24:20; 2Ki 25:1; 2Ki 25:6; 2Ki 25:7; 2Ki 25:8; 2Ki 25:11; 2Ki 25:13; 2Ki 25:20; 2Ki 25:21; 2Ki 25:22; 2Ki 25:23; 2Ki 25:24; 2Ki 25:27; 2Ki 25:28; 1Ch 9:1; 2Ch 32:31; 2Ch 33:11; 2Ch 36:6; 2Ch 36:7; 2Ch 36:10; 2Ch 36:18; 2Ch 36:20; Ezr 2:1; Ezr 5:12; Ezr 5:13; Ezr 5:14; Ezr 5:17; Ezr 6:5; Neh 7:6; Neh 13:6; Est 2:6; Psa 87:4; Psa 137:1; Psa 137:8; Isa 13:1; Isa 13:19; Isa 14:4; Isa 14:22; Isa 21:9; Isa 39:1; Isa 39:3; Isa 39:6; Isa 39:7; Isa 43:14; Isa 47:1; Isa 48:14; Isa 48:20; Jer 20:4; Jer 20:5; Jer 20:6; Jer 21:2; Jer 21:4; Jer 21:7; Jer 21:10; Jer 22:25; Jer 24:1; Jer 25:1; Jer 25:9; Jer 25:11; Jer 25:12; Jer 25:26; Jer 27:6; Jer 27:8; Jer 27:9; Jer 27:11; Jer 27:12; Jer 27:13; Jer 27:14; Jer 27:16; Jer 27:17; Jer 27:18; Jer 27:20; Jer 27:22; Jer 28:2; Jer 28:3; Jer 28:4; Jer 28:6; Jer 28:11; Jer 28:14; Jer 29:1; Jer 29:3; Jer 29:4; Jer 29:10; Jer 29:15; Jer 29:20; Jer 29:21; Jer 29:22; Jer 29:28; Jer 32:2; Jer 32:3; Jer 32:4; Jer 32:5; Jer 32:28; Jer 32:36; Jer 34:1; Jer 34:2; Jer 34:3; Jer 34:7; Jer 34:21; Jer 35:11; Jer 36:29; Jer 37:1; Jer 37:17; Jer 37:19; Jer 38:3; Jer 38:17; Jer 38:18; Jer 38:22; Jer 38:23; Jer 39:1; Jer 39:3; Jer 39:5; Jer 39:6; Jer 39:7; Jer 39:9; Jer 39:11; Jer 39:13; Jer 40:1; Jer 40:4; Jer 40:5; Jer 40:7; Jer 40:9; Jer 40:11; Jer 41:2; Jer 41:18; Jer 42:11; Jer 43:3; Jer 43:10; Jer 44:30; Jer 46:2; Jer 46:13; Jer 46:26; Jer 49:28; Jer 49:30; Jer 50:1; Jer 50:2; Jer 50:8; Jer 50:9; Jer 50:13; Jer 50:14; Jer 50:16; Jer 50:17; Jer 50:18; Jer 50:23; Jer 50:24; Jer 50:28; Jer 50:29; Jer 50:34; Jer 50:35; Jer 50:39; Jer 50:42; Jer 50:43; Jer 50:45; Jer 50:46; Jer 51:1; Jer 51:2; Jer 51:6; Jer 51:7; Jer 51:8; Jer 51:9; Jer 51:11; Jer 51:12; Jer 51:24; Jer 51:29; Jer 51:30; Jer 51:31; Jer 51:33; Jer 51:34; Jer 51:35; Jer 51:37; Jer 51:41; Jer 51:42; Jer 51:44; Jer 51:47; Jer 51:48; Jer 51:49; Jer 51:53; Jer 51:54; Jer 51:55; Jer 51:56; Jer 51:58; Jer 51:59; Jer 51:60; Jer 51:61; Jer 51:64; Jer 52:3; Jer 52:4; Jer 52:9; Jer 52:10; Jer 52:11; Jer 52:12; Jer 52:15; Jer 52:17; Jer 52:26; Jer 52:27; Jer 52:31; Jer 52:32; Eze 12:13; Eze 17:12; Eze 17:16; Eze 17:20; Eze 19:9; Eze 21:19; Eze 21:21; Eze 24:2; Eze 26:7; Eze 29:18; Eze 29:19; Eze 30:10; Eze 30:24; Eze 30:25; Eze 32:11; Dan 1:1; Dan 2:12; Dan 2:14; Dan 2:18; Dan 2:24; Dan 2:48; Dan 2:49; Dan 3:1; Dan 3:12; Dan 3:30; Dan 4:6; Dan 4:29; Dan 4:30; Dan 5:7; Dan 7:1; Mic 4:10; Zec 2:7; Zec 6:10; Mat 1:11; Mat 1:12; Mat 1:17; Act 7:43; 1Pe 5:13; Rev 14:8; Rev 16:19; Rev 17:5; Rev 18:2; Rev 18:10; Rev 18:21.

Babylonians (4X): Ezr 4:9; Eze 23:15; Eze 23:17; Eze 23:23.

Chaldeans are mentioned 77 times in Scripture.

Gen 11:28; Gen 11:31; Gen 15:7; 2Ki 24:2; 2Ki 25:4; 2Ki 25:5; 2Ki 25:10; 2Ki 25:13; 2Ki 25:25; 2Ki 25:26; 2Ch 36:17; Neh 9:7; Job 1:17; Isa 13:19; Isa 23:13; Isa 43:14; Isa 47:1; Isa 47:5; Isa 48:14; Jer 21:4; Jer 21:9; Jer 22:25; Jer 24:5; Jer 25:12; Jer 32:4; Jer 32:5; Jer 32:24; Jer 32:25; Jer 32:28; Jer 32:29; Jer 32:43; Jer 33:5; Jer 35:11; Jer 37:5; Jer 37:8; Jer 37:9; Jer 37:10; Jer 37:13; Jer 37:14; Jer 38:2; Jer 38:18; Jer 38:19; Jer 38:23; Jer 39:5; Jer 39:8; Jer 40:9; Jer 40:10; Jer 41:18; Jer 43:3; Jer 50:1; Jer 50:8; Jer 50:25; Jer 50:35; Jer 50:45; Jer 51:4; Jer 51:5; Jer 51:54; Jer 52:7; Jer 52:8; Jer 52:14; Jer 52:17; Eze 1:3; Eze 12:13; Eze 23:14; Eze 23:23; Dan 1:4; Dan 2:2; Dan 2:4; Dan 2:5; Dan 2:10; Dan 3:8; Dan 4:7; Dan 5:7; Dan 5:11; Dan 9:1; Hab 1:6; Act 7:4.

Chaldean 4X: 2Ki 25:24; Ezr 5:12; Jer 37:11; Jer 41:3; Dan 2:10; Dan 5:30.

Nebuchadnezzar is referenced 91 times in 88 verses (32X in Daniel; 37 times in Jeremiah).

2Ki 24:1; 2Ki 24:10; 2Ki 24:11; 2Ki 25:1; 2Ki 25:8; 2Ki 25:22; 1Ch 6:15; 2Ch 36:6; 2Ch 36:7; 2Ch 36:10; 2Ch 36:13; Ezr 1:7; Ezr 2:1; Ezr 5:12; Ezr 5:14; Ezr 6:5; Neh 7:6; Est 2:6; Jer 21:2; Jer 21:7; Jer 22:25; Jer 24:1; Jer 25:1; Jer 25:9; Jer 27:6; Jer 27:8; Jer 27:20; Jer 28:3; Jer 28:11; Jer 28:14; Jer 29:1; Jer 29:3; Jer 29:21; Jer 32:1; Jer 32:28; Jer 34:1; Jer 35:11; Jer 37:1; Jer 39:1; Jer 39:5; Jer 39:11; Jer 43:10; Jer 44:30; Jer 46:2; Jer 46:13; Jer 46:26; Jer 49:28; Jer 49:30; Jer 50:17; Jer 51:34; Jer 52:4; Jer 52:12; Jer 52:28; Jer 52:29; Jer 52:30; Eze 26:7; Eze 29:18; Eze 29:19; Eze 30:10; Dan 1:1; Dan 1:18; Dan 2:1; Dan 2:28; Dan 2:46; Dan 3:1; Dan 3:2; Dan 3:3; Dan 3:5; Dan 3:7; Dan 3:9; Dan 3:13; Dan 3:14; Dan 3:16; Dan 3:19; Dan 3:24; Dan 3:26; Dan 3:28; Dan 4:1; Dan 4:4; Dan 4:18; Dan 4:28; Dan 4:31; Dan 4:33; Dan 4:34; Dan 4:37; Dan 5:2; Dan 5:11; Dan 5:18.

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Maps – Holman Bible Atlas

The Rise of the Neo-Babylonian Empire

Nebuchadnezzar’s Campaigns against Judah

Judah during the Exile

The Kingdom of Judah

Exile; Palestine in the Post-Exilic Period

Jewish Exiles in Babylon

Jewish Refugees in Egypt

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References

Who was Nebuchadnezzar?

BibleStudyTools.com: Nebuchadnezzar

Wikipedia: Nebuchadnezzar II

Wikpedia: List of the Kings of Babylon

Encyclopedia Britannica: Nebuchadnezzar

Ancient History Encyclopedia: Nebuchadnezzar

1906 Jewish Encyclopedia: Nebuchadnezzar

American Tract Society Dictionary: Nebuchadnezzar

Bridgeway Bible Dictionary: Nebuchadnezzar

Easton’s Bible Dictionary: Nebuchadnezzar

Fausset Bible Dictionary: Nebuchadnezzar

Holman Bible Dictionary: Nebuchadnezzar

Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible: Nebuchadnezzar

Kitto’s Popular Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature: Nebuchadnezzar

Morrish Bible Dictionary: Nebuchadnezzar, or Nebuchadrezzar

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia: Nebuchadnezzar; Nebuchadrezzar

McClintock and Strong: Nebuchadnezzar

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Jewish Day (1st Century) explained

by

The Jewish Day Explained -Bible Study Tools | WednesdayintheWord.com

What does the first watch mean? What is the “third hour”? The Jewish day ran from sunset to sunset and was divided in 8 equal parts called watches and hours. Here’s what they mean.

The Watches

  • First watch – sunset to 9pm
  • Second watch – 9pm to midnight; Luke 12:38.
  • Third watch – Midnight to 3am; Luke 12:38.
  • Fourth watch – 3am to sunrise; Matt 14:25; Mark 6:48.

The 1st Century Jewish Day

Jewish TimeRoman TimeEventMentioned in Scripture
1st hourdawn to 8:00 amThe first male lamb of the Tamid
sacrifice was tied to the altar at dawn.
2nd hour8:00 to 9:00 am
3rd hour9:00 to 10:00 amMorning prayer service;
The incense is offered in the Sanctuary.
The first male lamb is sacrificed
as the temple gates open.
Jesus went to the cross at the 3rd hour.		Matt 20:3;
Mark 15:25;
Act 2:15;
Act 23:23.
4th hour10:00 to
11:00 am
5th hour11:00 am to Noon
6th hourNoon to 1:00 pmThe second lamb is tied
to the altar at noon		Matt 20:5;
Matt 27:45;
Mark 15:33;
Luke 23:44;
John 4:6;
John 19:14;
Act 10:9
7th hour1:00 to 2:00 pmJohn 4:52
8th hour2:00 to 3:00 pm
9th hour3:00 to 400 pmThe second Tamid lamb is sacrificed.
The second hour of prayer,
also called the hour of confession.
Jesus gave up his life at the 9th hour.		Matt 20:5;
Matt 27:45-46;
Mark 15:33-34;
Luke 23:44;
Act 3:1;
Act 10:3;
Act 10:30.
10th hour4:00 to 5:00 pm
11th hour5:00 to
6:00 pm		The afternoon service concludes
with the burning of the
incense and priestly benediction. 		John 1:39
12th hour6:00 pm to sunsetMatt 20:9

Days

The Jewish day begins at sunset. With the exception of the Sabbath, the weekdays had no names, only numbers.

  • 1st day – sunset Saturday to sunset Sunday
  • 2nd day – sunset Sunday to sunset Monday
  • 3rd day – sunset Monday to sunset Tuesday
  • 4th day – sunset Tuesday to sunset Wednesday
  • 5th day – sunset Wednesday to sunset Thursday
  • 6th day – sunset Thursday to sunset Friday
  • 7th day – Sabbath; sunset Friday to sunset Saturday

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Photo by Ann Savchenko on Unsplash

Kings of Assyria in Biblical times

by

Kings of Assyria in Biblical times - Bible Study Tools | WednesdayintheWord.com
Map of Deportation of the Jews by Joelholdsworth – https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2131901

The Assyrian Empire is important to biblical history for devastation the kingdom of Israel and taking the 10 northern tribes into captivity in 722 BC.

The Assyrian Empire began to arise around 1270 BC, in the area far north on the Tigris River after the fall of Chaldea. The first capital of Assyria was Assur. Nimrod was the capital of ancient Assyria. Then Nineveh became capital, during the reign of king Sennacherib. Nineveh soon became one of the largest cities of the ancient Near East. At the height the Assyrian Empire the kingdom embraced the lands of the northern Tigris, Armenia, Media, Babylonia, Elam, Mesopotamia, Syria, Israel, Judah, and the northern portion of Egypt. The city of Nineveh was finally destroyed by the Medes and Babylonians in 625 BC.

Assurnasirpal II (883-859 BC) A cruel warrior king, he made Assyria into the most fierce fighting machine of ancient world.

Shalmaneser III (859-824 BC) His reign was marked by almost constant war. He was the first Assyrian king to invade Israel. King Ahab fought against him, and King Jehu paid him tribute in 841 BC. Two of his monuments name rulers from Old Tesatment: The Black Obelisk names Jehu son of Omri. The Kurkh Monolith names King Ahab, in reference to the Battle of Qarqar.

Shamsi-Adad V (824-811 BC) Most of his reign was focused on Babylonia and his own internal conflicts.

Adad-nirari III (811-783 BC) He was quite young when taking the throne. For the first five years of his reign, his mother Shammuramat was highly influential, and acted as regent.

Shalmaneser IV (783-772 BC) Very little information about his reign has survived.

Assur-dan III (772-755 BC) Succeeded his brother Shalmaneser IV. The little information about this ruler reveals Assyria being in a period of decline.

Assur-nirari V (755-745 BC) Succeeded his brother Assur-dan III. There is very little information about his reign. The king of Urartu boasted of a victory over this king of Assyria in an inscription.

Tiglath-Pileser III (Pul) (745-727 BC) Seized the throne from Assur-nirari V. He restored Assyria to a major world power. He is the “Pul” mentioned in the Bible and the one who began to destroy Samaria, the capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. He carried many away into captivity. This captivity is mentioned in his own inscriptions, the Babylonian Chronicle. Biblical records describe how Tiglath-Pileser III exacted 1,000 talents of silver as tribute from King Menahem (2 Kings 15:19) and later defeated his successor Pekah (2 Kings 15:29). Pekah had allied with Rezin, king of the Arameans against Ahaz (King of Judah), who responded by appealing for the Assyrian monarch’s help with the Temple gold and silver. Tiglath-Pileser answered swiftly. He first marched his army down the eastern Mediterranean coast, taking coastal cities all the way to Egypt. This cut off his enemies’ access to the sea. Once this was achieved, he returned to the Northern Kingdom of Israel, destroyed their army, and deported their people (1 Chronicles 5:26). He then installed an Israelite puppet king, Hoshea in the place of Pekah.

Shalmaneser V (727-722 BC) He besieged Samaria, the capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. The city’s fall ended the northern Kingdom of Israel, and nearly thirty thousand Israelites were deported and resettled across the Assyrian Empire. This specific resettlement resulted in the famous loss of the Ten Lost Tribes of Israel.

Sargon II (722-705 BC) He completed the destruction of Samaria and the captivity of Israel. He was also famous for his magnificent palace with his colossal winged guardians.

Sennacherib (705-681 B.C.) He was the most famous of the Assyrian kings. He mentions the name of Hezekiah on his prism during his war campaigns, he claimed to have “Hezekiah captured in his own royal city (Jerusalem) like a caged bird.” His army was defeated at the gates of Jerusalem by the Angel of the Lord. Sennacherib returned to Nineveh and was killed violently by his own son. He also conquered Babylon.

Esar-haddon (681-669 BC) He rebuilt Babylon, invaded and conquered Egypt by crossing over the Sinai Desert with Arab camels carrying water for his army, and was one of Assyria’s greatest kings. He died fighting Egypt.

Ashurbanipal (668-631 BC) He destroyed the Thebes in Egypt and created the first systematically organized library, a collection of over 30,000 clay tablets. He is considered the last great king of Assyria.

Ashur-etil-ilani (631-627 BC) It was under his reign that the Assyrian Empire fell.

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References

Wikipedia: List of Assyrian Kings (scroll down to Neo Assyrian Kings).

Bible Atlas: Nineveh

Bible Atlas: Assyria

Bible Atlas: Samaria

Chronology of Ezra-Nehemiah

1906 Jewish Encyclopedia: Tiglath-Pileser

American Tract Society Dictionary: Tiglath-Pileser

Bridgeway Bible Dictionary: ..

Easton’s Bible Dictionary: Tiglath-Pileser III.

Fausset Bible Dictionary: Tiglath Pileser

Holman Bible Dictionary: Tiglath-Pileser

Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible: Tiglath-Pileser

Kitto’s Popular Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature: Tiglath-Pileser

Morrish Bible Dictionary: Tiglathpileser, Tilgathpilneser

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia: Tiglath-Pileser

McClintock and Strong: Tiglath-Pileser

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Maps – Holman Bible Atlas

The Rise of Assyria

Israel & Judah in the days of Jeroboam II and Uzziah

The Assyrian Empire under Tiglath-Pileser III

The Syro-Ephraimite War

Tiglath-Pileser III’s Campaigns

Fall of Samaria and Deportation of Israelites

The Fall of the Kingdom of Israel

Assyrian Districts after the Fall of Samaria

Assyria in the 7thC BC

Maps Insight for Living

Assyrian and Babylonian Empires 

Deportations and Returns Under Assyria and Babylon 

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In Scripture

Assyria is mentioned 130 times in 119 verses in the Old Testament

Gen 2:14; Gen 10:11; Gen 25:18; 2Ki 15:19; 2Ki 15:20; 2Ki 15:29; 2Ki 16:7; 2Ki 16:8; 2Ki 16:9; 2Ki 16:10; 2Ki 16:18; 2Ki 17:3; 2Ki 17:4; 2Ki 17:5; 2Ki 17:6; 2Ki 17:23; 2Ki 17:24; 2Ki 17:26; 2Ki 17:27; 2Ki 18:7; 2Ki 18:9; 2Ki 18:11; 2Ki 18:13; 2Ki 18:14; 2Ki 18:16; 2Ki 18:17; 2Ki 18:19; 2Ki 18:23; 2Ki 18:28; 2Ki 18:30; 2Ki 18:31; 2Ki 18:33; 2Ki 19:4; 2Ki 19:6; 2Ki 19:8; 2Ki 19:10; 2Ki 19:11; 2Ki 19:17; 2Ki 19:20; 2Ki 19:32; 2Ki 19:36; 2Ki 20:6; 2Ki 23:29; 1Ch 5:6; 1Ch 5:26; 2Ch 28:16; 2Ch 28:20; 2Ch 28:21; 2Ch 30:6; 2Ch 32:1; 2Ch 32:4; 2Ch 32:7; 2Ch 32:9; 2Ch 32:10; 2Ch 32:11; 2Ch 32:21; 2Ch 32:22; 2Ch 33:11; Ezr 4:2; Ezr 6:22; Neh 9:32; Isa 7:17; Isa 7:18; Isa 7:20; Isa 8:4; Isa 8:7; Isa 10:5; Isa 10:12; Isa 11:11; Isa 11:16; Isa 19:23; Isa 19:24; Isa 19:25; Isa 20:1; Isa 20:4; Isa 20:6; Isa 23:13; Isa 27:13; Isa 36:1; Isa 36:2; Isa 36:4; Isa 36:8; Isa 36:13; Isa 36:15; Isa 36:16; Isa 36:18; Isa 37:4; Isa 37:6; Isa 37:8; Isa 37:10; Isa 37:11; Isa 37:18; Isa 37:21; Isa 37:33; Isa 37:37; Isa 38:6; Jer 2:18; Jer 2:36; Jer 50:17; Jer 50:18; Lam 5:6; Eze 23:7; Eze 31:3; Eze 32:22; Hos 5:13; Hos 7:11; Hos 8:9; Hos 9:3; Hos 10:6; Hos 11:5; Hos 11:11; Hos 12:1; Hos 14:3; Mic 5:6; Mic 7:12; Nah 3:18; Zep 2:13; Zec 10:10; Zec 10:11.

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Geography of the New Testament

by

World of the New Testament - Bible Study Maps and Tools | WednesadayintheWord.com
Map from Bible-history.com

A basic understanding of the geography of the New Testament world can be helpful in Bible study. Below is a list of the major cities, provinces, seas and islands at the time of Jesus.

Important Cities

Jerusalem – the religious capital of the Jewish world.

Alexandria – the commercial metropolis of Egypt. The Septuagint was translated in Alexandria.

Antioch – the military and administrative center for that part of Galatia. Paul spent much time in Antioch.

Athens – the literary center of Greece. Paul preached a sermon in the Areopagus in Athens (Acts 17).

Bethlehem – the city of David where Christ was born.

Caesarea – the Roman capital of Judea. Home of Cornelius (Acts 10).

Capernaum – the base of operations for Jesus’ early ministry.

Corinth – the political capital of Greece. Paul spent 1.5 years in Corinth.

Damascus – in the southern part of Syria.

Ephesus – the metropolis of Asia Minor, in the province of Asia. Paul’s base of operation for his third missionary journey.

Nazareth – where Jesus grew up.

Philippi – a city in Macedonia Paul visited on his second missionary journey.

Rome – the imperial city.

Tarsus – the birthplace of Paul, in Cilicia.

Thessalonica – the principal city in Macedonia; Paul visited on his second missionary journey.

Regions in Palestine

Judea – the region where Jerusalem was located.

Samaria – the region north of Judea

Galilee – the region north of Samaria

Decacoplis – the league of 10 cities east of the sea of Galilee.

Idumea – the region south of Judea

Provinces

Macedonia – the land at the northeast corner of the Aegean Sea, in-between Thrace, Illyricum, and Greece.

Greece – the land southwest of Macedonia, bordering 3 seas.

Illyricum – the land north of Greece, northwest of Macedonia, and the eastern portion of the Adriatic Sea.

Italy – the country across the Adriatic Sea from Greece and Illyricum. Rome was the capital of Italy.

Egypt – the land at the southeast of the Mediterranean Sea.

Asia – the land in the western region of Asia Minor (Ancient Turkey).

Pontus and Bithynia were the areas in northern region of Asia Minor.

Galatia – the area in the region of central Asia Minor.

Cappadocia was the land south of Galatia in eastern Asia Minor.

Cilicia – a province in southeast Asia Minor, below Cappadocia.

Syria -the land north of Israel bordering the Mediterranean Sea.

Seas, Lakes & Water

The Great Sea (Mediterranean) – borders the land of Israel on the east as far as Italy on the east.

The Sea of Galilee, also called the Sea of Tiberias, in the Jordan valley.

Jordan River – runs through Palestine.

The Adriatic Sea – located between Greece and Italy.

The Black Sea, it was just north of Asia Minor.

The Aegean Sea, located between Asia Minor and Greece.

Islands

Cyprus – located in the northeast corner of the Mediterranean Sea.

Crete – located south of the Aegean Sea, between Asia Minor and Greece.

Patmos – located in the Aegean Sea, not far from the city of Ephesus.

Malta or Melita in NT times, located south of Sicily.

Sicily located southwest of Italy.

Maps from Holman Bible Atlas

The Division of Herod’s Kingdom

Palestine under the Herods

Palestine in the Time of Jesus (1)

Palestine in the Time of Jesus (2)

Qumran and the Dead Sea Scrolls

The Kingdom of Herod Agrippa I

The Kingdom of Agrippa II

Pentecost and the Jewish Diaspora

Expansion of the Early Church in Palestine

The Roman Empire ca. 117 CE

Palestine from 73-135 CE

Christian Expansion in the 2nd & 3rd Century

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