References

All scripture quotations used in summaries and notes are from the ESV unless otherwise indicated. The ESV is an essentially literal translation aiming for word-for-word accuracy while maintaining readability.

All scripture reference badges in this app link to BibleGateway using the ESV. You can change the version on BibleGateway after following the link.

The most comprehensive synchronization of Hebrew and Assyrian king lists. The standard reference for dating the divided monarchy period.

Landmark archaeological defense of Old Testament historicity. Primary reference for Bronze Age and Iron Age dating, Egyptian synchronisms, and the Exodus/Conquest chronology.

Comprehensive Old Testament history with detailed chronological discussions. Uses the early Exodus date (1446 BC) from 1 Kings 6:1.

The standard evangelical reference for New Testament chronology, including the birth of Christ, the beginning of His ministry, and the crucifixion date.

Detailed chronological study of Paul's life from conversion through the early missionary journeys, anchored by the Gallio inscription from Delphi.

The standard scholarly commentary on Genesis. Primary reference for patriarchal narratives, dating, and ancient Near Eastern background.

Thorough exegetical commentary on Genesis, particularly strong on textual and theological analysis of the patriarchal period.

Rich commentary on Genesis and Exodus with particular attention to ancient Near Eastern parallels and the literary artistry of the text.

Comprehensive commentary on Judges and Ruth. Primary reference for the Judges period, the Judges cycle pattern, and individual judge accounts.

Classic history of Israel covering the entire biblical period. Used for general historical context and the late Exodus date alternative.

Detailed archaeological and historical defense of the Exodus and wilderness accounts from an Egyptologist's perspective.

Accessible yet scholarly commentaries on Daniel and Jeremiah. Primary references for the exile period events and Jeremiah's life.

Concise and insightful commentaries on Ezra-Nehemiah and the Psalms. Used for the return period and David's life.

Leading evangelical New Testament scholar. Primary reference for gospel chronology, the Triumphal Entry, the Last Supper, and Passion Week events.

Definitive scholarly commentary on Mark. Used for Jesus' ministry chronology and passion narrative.

The most comprehensive study of Paul's missionary journeys available, covering every city, date, and route in detail.

Detailed commentary on Luke. Primary reference for Luke's historical notices, the birth narratives, and the baptism/temptation of Jesus.

Foundational works in biblical theology tracing the kingdom-of-God theme from creation to new creation. Foundational for understanding the typological structure of redemptive history.

Leading scholar in New Testament use of the Old Testament. Primary reference for typology, temple theology, and the fulfillment structure throughout this app.

Accessible introduction to Christocentric reading of the Old Testament. The typology notes in this app draw on Clowney's approach to seeing Christ in every period.

Comprehensive biblical theology integrating both Testaments. Used for theological framing of the Davidic covenant, the New Covenant, and eschatology.

Survey of the major archaeological finds relevant to Old Testament history. Used for world context notes throughout the patriarchal, Exodus, and conquest sections.

Wood's work on the archaeology of Jericho and the proposed identification of Tall el-Hammam with Sodom is referenced in the Sodom event.

Detailed Greco-Roman background for New Testament passages. Used for world context notes in the New Testament period events.

A comprehensive one-volume commentary on the entire Bible from a dispensational, Brethren perspective. Valued for its accessibility, devotional depth, and consistent Christ-centered reading of both Testaments. A primary influence on the theological tone and summary language throughout this app.

A single-volume commentary distilled from MacArthur's decades of expositional preaching through the entire Bible. Reflects a Reformed dispensationalist hermeneutic with strong emphasis on grammatical-historical interpretation. Used particularly for event summaries, key theological notes, and cross-testament connections.

A thorough evangelical one-volume commentary produced by faculty of Moody Bible Institute. Combines technical scholarship with pastoral application. Particularly strong on Messianic prophecy, Old Testament backgrounds, and the Jewish context of the New Testament. Used as a cross-reference for event summaries and typological notes.

The standard evangelical systematic theology text. While not a biblical commentary, Grudem's theological categories — particularly his treatment of Scripture, covenant, eschatology, and the nature of Christ — inform the theological framing used throughout this app. His positions represent the Reformed evangelical consensus this timeline is built to reflect.

Biblical chronology involves genuine scholarly debate. Where multiple credible positions exist (e.g., early vs. late Exodus date), the app presents both and explains the reasoning for each. Dates marked with ~ indicate approximations.

This app uses BC (Before Christ) and AD (Anno Domini) rather than BCE/CE for consistency with most of the referenced sources.

The goal is to eventually include every biblical story and character. If you notice an error, a missing event, or a questionable date, the scholarly sources listed here are the best place to investigate further.

The interpretive framework underlying this timeline reflects a conservative evangelical theology consistent with the tradition of Wayne Grudem, John MacArthur, and William MacDonald. This tradition is characterized by a high view of Scripture as the inerrant and infallible Word of God, the grammatical-historical method of interpretation, a Christ-centered reading of the Old Testament, and a commitment to the unity of both Testaments in revealing one redemptive story. Where interpretive choices were made — in typology, theological summary, and event framing — these commitments have guided those decisions.

The summaries, typological connections, world context notes, and event descriptions in this application were generated with the assistance of Claude, an AI model by Anthropic. The AI was explicitly instructed to operate within the theological framework described above — reflecting the positions of Grudem, MacArthur, MacDonald, and scholars of similar conviction — rather than presenting a theologically neutral or pluralist perspective. All generated content should be verified against the primary sources listed in these references. Scripture remains the final authority; these notes are study aids, not substitutes for reading the text itself.