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History: Scripture | Canon | Covenant
Important Events in Salvation History
Date Historical Events Scriptural Events 1800 BCE
(Before the Common Era)Time of Abraham Beginning of oral tradition of Scriptures. 1290 Exodus form Egypt Oral stories of Israel shaped. 1000 - 961 Monarchy of Israel Court historians begin to write Yahwist material*. 922 Israel splits into a northern kingdom called Israel, capitol Samaria, and a southern kingdom called Judea, capitol Jerusalem. Elohist material* written in Northern kingdom. 783 - 740 Reign of King Uziah in Judea and King Jeroboam II in Israel. Deuteronomic books of Bible begun, including Deuteronomy through 2 Kings.
The prophets become active - Amos, Hosea, First Isaiah.721 Israel destroyed by Assyrians. 720 - 586 Judah has a string of kings, most not following God. Prophets active - Micah, Jeremiah. 586 Temple, Jerusalem destroyed by Babyon - Exile begins. 586 - 537 The Exile of Israelites into Babylon. Priestly writers organize the Jahwist, Elohist, and Deuteronomistic material into the Torah - first 5 books of Bible
Second Isaiah writes.535 - 515 Israel is allowed to re-establish Israel. Second Temple built. Last prophets active. 400 - 200 Chronicles written. 332 Alexander conquers Palestine. 332 - 166 Middle East divided. Area of Israel ruled by Seleucid dynasty, which was very harsh to Israelites. Jews in Alexandria translate Hebrew scriptures to Greek - called Septuagint. 166 Maccabean revolt. 166 - 60 Jewish dynasty restored - corrupt Hasmonean family rules. 1, 2 Maccabees, Wisdom written. 60 BCE - 100 CE
(Common Era)Romans control Israel. Life of Christ.
1 Thessalonians written - First book of New Testament.66 Jewish people revolt - put down by Romans, Temple destroyed, never rebuilt. Formation of the Old Testament
* The Yahwist, Elohist, Deuteronomist, and Priestly groups of writers all wrote parts of the Old Testament, some writing the same material. Yahwist was the earliest, and it was written with the viewpoint of showing how God's promises to Abraham were fulfilled in the monarchy of David. Elohist writers reflected the views of the northern kingdom, after Solomon's kingdom fell apart and the north went its own way. Deuteronomist writers made a reassessment of earlier stories in light of the lessening faithfulness of Israel and its kings. Priestly writers re-organized other materials and added some new to reflect the needs of the exilic community.
Bibliography:
The New Jerome Biblical Commentary
McKenzies Dictionary of the Bible
The Catholic Study Bible, 2nd edition, by Scott Hahn
"Faith Facts", Catholics United for The Faith (CUF)
Office for Catechesis of the Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago, Chicago Catholic Scripture School