Research collection · Early stage
Scripture in its historical world
A research atlas connecting the 66 books of the Protestant Bible with ancient documents, archaeology, scientific study, chronology and geography. Every claim is traced to its source, and every uncertainty stays visible.
Published research
- Amos's prophetic words (dated by Amos 1:1)
Amos 1:1
The book of Amos dates the words Amos "saw" concerning Israel to the overlapping reigns of Uzziah of Judah and Jeroboam II of Israel, two years before the earthquake.
Preliminary research - The earthquake in the days of Uzziah
Amos 1:1 · Zechariah 14:5
An earthquake used as a dating reference in Amos 1:1 ("two years before the earthquake") and recalled in Zechariah 14:5 as an occasion when people fled "in the days of Uzziah king of Judah".
Researched — not human reviewed - Battle of Carchemish (605 BC)
Jeremiah 46:2
Nebuchadnezzar, as Babylonian crown prince, defeated the Egyptian army of Necho II at Carchemish on the Euphrates. Jeremiah 46:2 dates the battle to the fourth year of Jehoiakim.
Researched — not human reviewed - Training of Judean youths at the Babylonian court (Dan 1:3–7, 17–20)
Daniel 1:3–7 · Daniel 1:17–20
Royal and noble Judean youths, including Daniel and three companions, were given Babylonian names and trained for three years in Chaldean learning before serving the king.
Researched — not human reviewed - Nebuchadnezzar's campaign against Jerusalem in Jehoiakim's third year (Dan 1:1–2)
Daniel 1:1–2
Daniel 1:1–2 dates a siege of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar to Jehoiakim's third year, after which Jehoiakim was given into his hand and temple vessels were taken to the house of his god in Shinar.
Researched — not human reviewed - Daniel's refusal of the king's food and the ten-day test (Dan 1:8–16)
Daniel 1:8–16
Daniel declined the king's food and wine; after a ten-day test on vegetables and water the four youths appeared healthier and were allowed to continue the diet.
Researched — not human reviewed - The word to Jeremiah in Jehoiakim's fourth year, Nebuchadnezzar's first (Jer 25:1–14)
Jeremiah 25:1–3 · Jeremiah 25:8–14
Jeremiah dates a word to all Judah in Jehoiakim's fourth year, "the first year of Nebuchadnezzar", after twenty-three years of preaching: Nebuchadnezzar, the LORD's servant, will come against the land; the nations will serve Babylon seventy years; then Babylon itself will be punished.
Researched — not human reviewed - Nebuchadnezzar's dream and Daniel's interpretation (Dan 2:1–45)
Daniel 2:1–45
In Nebuchadnezzar's second year the king demanded that his diviners recount and interpret a troubling dream; after a decree against the wise men, Daniel received the dream in a night vision and interpreted it as a sequence of four kingdoms followed by God's everlasting kingdom.
Researched — not human reviewed - Daniel appointed over the province of Babylon (Dan 2:46–49)
Daniel 2:46–49
After the interpretation, Nebuchadnezzar honoured Daniel, made him ruler of the province of Babylon and chief over its wise men, and at Daniel's request appointed Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego over the province's affairs.
Researched — not human reviewed - Nebuchadnezzar's golden image on the plain of Dura (Dan 3:1–7)
Daniel 3:1–7
Nebuchadnezzar set up a gold image sixty cubits high and six wide on the plain of Dura and summoned the provincial officials to its dedication, commanding worship at the sound of the instruments on pain of death in a furnace.
Researched — not human reviewed - Nebuchadnezzar's decree honouring the God of the three Judeans (Dan 3:28–30)
Daniel 3:28–30
The king blessed the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, forbade speaking against him on pain of death, and promoted the three in the province of Babylon.
Researched — not human reviewed - The refusal of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and the fiery furnace (Dan 3:8–27)
Daniel 3:8–27
Accused of refusing to worship the image, the three Judeans declined the king's ultimatum, were thrown bound into an overheated furnace, and were seen walking unharmed with a fourth figure before emerging untouched.
Researched — not human reviewed - Nebuchadnezzar's dream of the great tree and Daniel's interpretation (Dan 4:4–27)
Daniel 4:4–27
In a first-person royal account, Nebuchadnezzar dreams of a great tree cut down by a heavenly watcher; Daniel interprets it as the king's coming humbling for "seven times" until he acknowledges the Most High.
Researched — not human reviewed - Nebuchadnezzar's boast, madness and restoration (Dan 4:28–37)
Daniel 4:28–37 · Daniel 4:1–3
Twelve months after the dream, the king boasted over the Babylon he had built; he was driven from human society to live like an animal for "seven times", then his reason returned and he praised the Most High and was restored.
Researched — not human reviewed - Belshazzar slain; Darius the Mede receives the kingdom (Dan 5:30–31)
Daniel 5:30–31
That night Belshazzar was killed, and Darius the Mede, about sixty-two years old, received the kingdom.
Researched — not human reviewed - Daniel continues until the first year of King Cyrus (Dan 1:21)
Daniel 1:21
Daniel 1:21 states that Daniel continued until the first year of King Cyrus. The statement marks a point in Cyrus's first year in Babylon; Daniel 10:1 later dates a vision to Cyrus's third year.
Researched — not human reviewed - Belshazzar's feast and the writing on the wall (Dan 5:1–29)
Daniel 5:1–29
At a great feast Belshazzar drinks from the temple vessels taken from Jerusalem; a hand writes on the palace wall; Daniel, summoned on the queen's advice, rebukes the king and reads the writing as the end of his kingdom, and is made "third ruler".
Researched — not human reviewed - Fall of Babylon to Cyrus (October 539 BC)
Daniel 5:28–31
After defeating the Babylonian army at Opis and taking Sippar, Cyrus's forces under Ugbaru, governor of Gutium, entered Babylon without a battle on 16 Tašrītu of Nabonidus's 17th year; Nabonidus was captured, and Cyrus entered the city on 3 Arahsamna.
Researched — not human reviewed - The thirty-day decree and Daniel in the lions' den (Dan 6:4–23)
Daniel 6:4–23
Rival officials obtain an unalterable decree forbidding petitions to anyone but the king for thirty days; Daniel keeps praying toward Jerusalem, is cast into a sealed lions' den, and is found unharmed at dawn.
Researched — not human reviewed - Darius appoints 120 satraps and three chief officials (Dan 6:1–3, 28)
Daniel 6:1–3 · Daniel 6:28
Darius the Mede organises the kingdom under 120 satraps answerable to three chief officials, one of them Daniel, whom the king intends to set over the whole realm. The chapter closes by noting that Daniel prospered under Darius and under Cyrus the Persian.
Researched — not human reviewed - The accusers punished; Darius's decree honouring the God of Daniel (Dan 6:24–27)
Daniel 6:24–27
The accusers, with their wives and children, are thrown to the lions; Darius decrees that all his dominion should fear the living God of Daniel.
Researched — not human reviewed - Daniel's night vision of the four beasts and its interpretation (Dan 7)
Daniel 7:1 · Daniel 7:15–16 · Daniel 7:28
In the first year of Belshazzar Daniel sees a night vision — four beasts from the sea, a heavenly court, and one like a son of man given an everlasting kingdom — and is given its interpretation by an attendant. This record is the narrated experience; the symbols and their interpretations are separate vision and prophecy records.
Researched — not human reviewed - Daniel's vision of the ram and the goat at Susa (Dan 8)
Daniel 8:1–2 · Daniel 8:15–19 · Daniel 8:27
In the third year of Belshazzar Daniel sees, at Susa by the Ulai, a ram and a goat, four horns and a little horn that desolates the sanctuary; Gabriel explains it, and Daniel falls ill. This record is the narrated experience; symbols and interpretations are separate records.
Researched — not human reviewed - Rededication of the Temple by Judas Maccabaeus (25 Chislev 148 SE, 165/164 BC)
John 10:22
After three years of desolation under Antiochus IV, Judas Maccabaeus's party built a new altar and resumed the offerings on 25 Chislev of the Seleucid year 148, instituting the eight-day festival later called Dedication or Lights.
Researched — not human reviewed - Artaxerxes sends Nehemiah to rebuild Jerusalem, Nisan of his twentieth year (Neh 2:1–8)
Nehemiah 2:1–8
In Nisan of Artaxerxes' twentieth year his cupbearer Nehemiah asks to be sent to Judah to build the city of his fathers' tombs; the king grants letters for safe passage and timber for the gates, the wall and a house.
Researched — not human reviewed - Cyrus's proclamation permitting the return and the rebuilding of the Temple (Ezra 1; 6:3–5)
Ezra 1:1–4 · 2 Chronicles 36:22–23 · Ezra 6:3–5
In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia a proclamation allows the exiles of Judah to return and build the house of God at Jerusalem; a memorandum of it was later found at Ecbatana (Ezra 6:2–5).
Researched — not human reviewed - The rebuilt Temple completed on 3 Adar of Darius's sixth year (Ezra 6:15)
Ezra 6:13–18
The house of God at Jerusalem was finished on the third day of Adar in the sixth year of Darius and dedicated with sacrifices.
Researched — not human reviewed - Darius I confirms Cyrus's decree and orders the Temple completed (Ezra 6:1–12)
Ezra 6:1–12
After work resumed in Darius's second year and the governor Tattenai enquired, Darius had the archives searched, found Cyrus's memorandum at Ecbatana, and ordered the work to proceed at royal expense.
Researched — not human reviewed - Gabriel comes at the evening offering with the word of the seventy weeks (Dan 9:20–27)
Daniel 9:20–23
While Daniel is still praying, Gabriel arrives about the time of the evening offering and gives him the word of the seventy weeks. This record is the narrated encounter; the prophecy and its interpretations are a separate record.
Researched — not human reviewed - Daniel reads Jeremiah's seventy years and prays (Dan 9:1–19)
Daniel 9:1–2 · Daniel 9:3–19
In the first year of Darius the Mede, Daniel understands from the books that Jeremiah's seventy years for Jerusalem's desolation are nearing completion, and with fasting confesses Israel's sin and asks God to restore his city and sanctuary.
Researched — not human reviewed - Artaxerxes' decree to Ezra in his seventh year (Ezra 7)
Ezra 7:1–6 · Ezra 7:11–28
Artaxerxes commissions Ezra the scribe to go up to Jerusalem with any Israelites who wish, with gifts for the Temple and authority to appoint judges under the law of God; Ezra leaves Babylon on 1 Nisan and arrives on 1 Ab of the king's seventh year.
Researched — not human reviewed - Daniel's vision by the Tigris in the third year of Cyrus (Dan 10:1–11:1)
Daniel 10:1 · Daniel 10:2–21 · Daniel 11:1 · Daniel 11:2–45 · Daniel 12:1–4
After three weeks of mourning, on the 24th of the first month in Cyrus's third year, Daniel sees by the Tigris a man clothed in linen, collapses, and is strengthened to hear of a conflict with the princes of Persia and Greece before the revelation of chapters 11–12. This record is the narrated experience; symbols and interpretations are separate records.
Researched — not human reviewed - Popillius Laenas orders Antiochus IV out of Egypt at Eleusis (168 BC)
Daniel 11:29–30
On his second invasion of Egypt, Antiochus IV was met near Alexandria by the Roman envoy Popillius Laenas, who drew a circle round him and demanded his answer to the Senate's decree; Antiochus withdrew.
Researched — not human reviewed - Death of Antiochus IV at Tabae in Persia (164 BC)
Daniel 11:45
After failing to plunder a temple in Elymaïs, Antiochus IV fell ill and died at Tabae in Persia; news of his death reached Babylon in Kislimu of Seleucid year 148.
Researched — not human reviewed - Battle of Panium: Antiochus III defeats Scopas (c. 200–198 BC)
Daniel 11:15–16
Antiochus III defeated the Ptolemaic general Scopas near the sources of the Jordan, besieged him in Sidon, and took over Coele-Syria and Judaea; the Jews of Jerusalem submitted to him.
Researched — not human reviewed - Battle of Magnesia: Rome defeats Antiochus III (190 BC)
Daniel 11:18
After his invasion of Greece, Antiochus III was defeated by the Romans under Lucius Scipio at Magnesia near Smyrna and forced to give up Asia Minor west of the Taurus.
Researched — not human reviewed - Battle of Raphia: Ptolemy IV defeats Antiochus III (217 BC)
Daniel 11:11–12
Antiochus III invaded Ptolemaic Coele-Syria and was defeated by Ptolemy IV near Raphia on the Egyptian border; Ptolemy recovered Coele-Syria and granted a truce.
Researched — not human reviewed - Desecration of the Temple: the "abomination of desolation" (15 Chislev 145 SE, 168/167 BC)
Daniel 11:31 · Matthew 24:15
Under Antiochus IV the regular offerings were stopped and on 15 Chislev of Seleucid year 145 an "abomination of desolation" was built on the altar at Jerusalem; pagan sacrifices began ten days later.
Researched — not human reviewed - Assassination of Seleucus IV and accession of Antiochus IV (175 BC)
Daniel 11:20–21
Seleucus IV, son of Antiochus III, was killed in a conspiracy of his minister Heliodorus; Antiochus IV took the throne with the help of Eumenes and Attalus of Pergamum.
Researched — not human reviewed - The closing dialogue by the river: the oath, the numbers and Daniel's dismissal (Dan 12:5–13)
Daniel 12:5–13
At the end of the vision Daniel sees two figures on the river banks; the man in linen swears that the end will come after a time, times and a half; Daniel, not understanding, is told the words are sealed, given the 1,290 and 1,335 days, and dismissed to rest until he rises to his portion at the end of the days. This record is the narrated scene; the numbers and their interpretations are a separate prophecy record.
Researched — not human reviewed - Composition of the book of Daniel (date and authorship debated)
Daniel 7:1 · Daniel 12:4 · Matthew 24:15
The book presents stories about Daniel in the third person (chs. 1–6) and visions in his own first person (chs. 7–12), and says he wrote down his dream (7:1) and was told to seal the book (12:4). When and by whom it was composed is disputed: traditionally in the sixth century BC by Daniel; on the widespread critical view, in its final form in Judaea during Antiochus IV's persecution (c. 167–164 BC), with the stories perhaps earlier.
Researched — not human reviewed - Nebuchadnezzar installs Mattaniah as King Zedekiah (2 Kgs 24:17–20)
2 Kings 24:17–20 · Jeremiah 52:1–3 · 2 Chronicles 36:11–13
The king of Babylon made Jehoiachin's uncle Mattaniah king, renaming him Zedekiah; he reigned eleven years and rebelled.
Researched — not human reviewed - Evil-merodach (Amēl-Marduk) releases Jehoiachin (561 BC)
2 Kings 25:27–30 · Jeremiah 52:31–34
In his accession year Amēl-Marduk released Jehoiachin from prison, gave him precedence over other captive kings and a lifelong daily allowance.
Researched — not human reviewed - Gedaliah governs from Mizpah and is assassinated (2 Kgs 25:22–26)
2 Kings 25:22–26 · Jeremiah 40:5–41:18
Gedaliah son of Ahikam, appointed over those left, urged submission to Babylon; in the seventh month Ishmael son of Nethaniah killed him and the survivors fled to Egypt.
Researched — not human reviewed - Jehoiakim submits to Nebuchadnezzar for three years, then rebels (2 Kgs 24:1–4)
2 Kings 24:1–4 · 2 Chronicles 36:6 · 2 Chronicles 36:5–8
After Nebuchadnezzar came up, Jehoiakim became his vassal for three years and then rebelled; raiding bands from Babylon and Judah's neighbours struck Judah.
Researched — not human reviewed - The breach of Jerusalem and Zedekiah's capture at Riblah (9/IV of Zedekiah's 11th year)
2 Kings 25:3–7 · Jeremiah 52:6–11 · Jeremiah 39:2–7
With famine in the city the wall was breached; Zedekiah fled, was overtaken near Jericho, judged at Riblah, his sons killed and his eyes put out.
Researched — not human reviewed - The final siege of Jerusalem begins (10/X of Zedekiah's ninth year)
2 Kings 25:1–2 · Jeremiah 52:4–5 · Ezekiel 24:1–2
Nebuchadnezzar's army encamped against Jerusalem and built siege works; the siege lasted into Zedekiah's eleventh year.
Researched — not human reviewed - Capture of Jerusalem and deportation of Jehoiachin (March 597 BC)
2 Kings 24:10–16 · 2 Chronicles 36:10 · Jeremiah 52:28 · Ezekiel 1:2 · 2 Chronicles 36:9–10
Nebuchadnezzar's army besieged Jerusalem; Jehoiachin surrendered and was taken to Babylon with the royal family, officials, soldiers, craftsmen and the Temple treasures. The Babylonian Chronicle dates the capture to 2 Adar of Nebuchadnezzar's seventh year.
Researched — not human reviewed - Nebuzaradan burns the Temple and Jerusalem (5th month of Nebuchadnezzar's 19th year)
2 Kings 25:8–21 · Jeremiah 52:12–27 · 2 Chronicles 36:17–20 · 2 Chronicles 36:17–19
A month after the breach, Nebuzaradan burned the Temple, palace and houses, broke down the walls, deported the remaining population, removed the bronze furnishings and had the leaders executed at Riblah.
Researched — not human reviewed - Death of Jehoiakim and the three-month reign of Jehoiachin (2 Kgs 24:5–9)
2 Kings 24:5–9 · 2 Chronicles 36:8–9
Jehoiakim died and his son Jehoiachin reigned three months; Egypt no longer campaigned north of its border.
Researched — not human reviewed - Necho II deposes Jehoahaz and installs Jehoiakim (609 BC)
2 Chronicles 36:1–4 · 2 Kings 23:31–37
After Josiah's death the people made his son Jehoahaz king; three months later Pharaoh Necho deposed him, imposed tribute, made his brother Eliakim king as Jehoiakim and took Jehoahaz to Egypt.
Researched — not human reviewed - The deportation of Nebuchadnezzar's twenty-third year (Jer 52:30)
Jeremiah 52:28–30
Jeremiah 52:28–30 lists three deportations — 3,023 Jews in Nebuchadnezzar's seventh year, 832 from Jerusalem in his eighteenth and 745 by Nebuzaradan in his twenty-third, 4,600 in all. The first two are the deportations of 597 and 587/586 recorded with 2 Kings 24–25; this record covers the third, which Kings does not mention.
Researched — not human reviewed - Cyrus returns the Temple vessels to Sheshbazzar; the first return (Ezra 1:5–11)
Ezra 1:5–11 · Ezra 5:14–16
After Cyrus's decree, leaders of Judah and Benjamin prepared to go up; Cyrus had his treasurer Mithredath count out to Sheshbazzar, prince of Judah, the Temple vessels Nebuchadnezzar had taken, and Sheshbazzar brought them to Jerusalem with the returning exiles.
Researched — not human reviewed - The Passover of Josiah's eighteenth year
2 Kings 23:21–23 · 2 Chronicles 35:1–19
Josiah ordered the Passover kept as written in the book of the covenant; the narrator says none like it had been kept since the judges.
Researched — not human reviewed - Josiah desecrates Jeroboam's altar at Bethel and the high places of Samaria
2 Kings 23:15–20 · 1 Kings 13:2 · 2 Chronicles 34:6–7
Josiah broke down the altar and high place Jeroboam had made at Bethel, burned bones on the altar as the man of God had foretold, left that prophet's tomb untouched, and removed the high places in the cities of Samaria.
Researched — not human reviewed - Temple repairs and the finding of the book of the law (Josiah's 18th year)
2 Kings 22:3–13 · 2 Chronicles 34:8–21
During Temple repairs in Josiah's eighteenth year the high priest Hilkiah found "the book of the law"; Shaphan read it to the king, who tore his clothes and sent to inquire of the LORD.
Researched — not human reviewed - Josiah's covenant and the purge of Jerusalem and Judah
2 Kings 23:1–14 · 2 Kings 23:24–27 · 2 Chronicles 34:3–7 · 2 Chronicles 34:29–33
Josiah read the book of the covenant to the assembled people and made a covenant; the Temple was cleared of objects for Baal, Asherah and the host of heaven; idolatrous priests, high places from Geba to Beersheba, Topheth, the sun-horses and chariots and the royal altars were removed.
Researched — not human reviewed - Josiah killed at Megiddo by Necho II (609 BC)
2 Kings 23:29–30 · 2 Chronicles 35:20–27 · Zechariah 12:11
When Pharaoh Necho marched to the Euphrates in 609, Josiah went to meet him and was killed at Megiddo; his body was brought to Jerusalem for burial and the people of the land made Jehoahaz king.
Researched — not human reviewed - Josiah's delegation consults Huldah the prophetess
2 Kings 22:14–20 · 2 Chronicles 34:22–28
Hilkiah, Ahikam, Achbor, Shaphan and Asaiah went to Huldah in Jerusalem's second quarter; she announced judgment on Jerusalem but a peaceful end for Josiah.
Researched — not human reviewed - Josiah seeks God (8th year) and begins to purge Judah and Israel (12th year) — Chronicles
2 Chronicles 34:3–7 · Jeremiah 1:2
According to Chronicles, Josiah began to seek the God of David in his eighth year and in his twelfth began to purge Jerusalem, Judah and the northern territories of idolatry, before the law book was found. Kings records no reform before the eighteenth year.
Researched — not human reviewed - The altar rebuilt in Jerusalem and the Feast of Booths kept (Ezra 3:1–7)
Ezra 3:1–7
In the seventh month Jeshua and Zerubbabel rebuilt the altar on its base, kept the Feast of Booths and resumed the daily and festival offerings; materials and cedar were procured under Cyrus's grant.
Researched — not human reviewed - The return of the exiles with Zerubbabel and Jeshua; the list of returnees (Ezra 2)
Ezra 2:1–70 · Nehemiah 7:6–73
A list of the families, towns, priests, Levites and temple servants who returned from Babylon with Zerubbabel, Jeshua and other leaders — 42,360 in all with 7,337 servants — and the gifts they made for the house of God.
Researched — not human reviewed - The foundation of the Second Temple laid (Ezra 3:8–13)
Ezra 3:8–13 · Ezra 5:16 · Haggai 2:18
In the second month of the second year after their arrival, Zerubbabel, Jeshua and the Levites began the work; at the laying of the foundation the priests and Levites praised the LORD while the old men who had seen the first Temple wept.
Researched — not human reviewed - Tattenai governor of Beyond the River inquires and writes to Darius (Ezra 5:3–17)
Ezra 5:3–17
Tattenai and Shethar-bozenai asked who had authorised the building; the work continued while they wrote to Darius, reporting the elders' appeal to Cyrus's decree and asking for a search of the royal archives.
Researched — not human reviewed - Haggai and Zechariah stir the people; the Temple work resumes (Darius's second year, 520 BC)
Ezra 5:1–2 · Haggai 1:1–15 · Zechariah 1:1
In Darius I's second year the prophets Haggai and Zechariah urged the rebuilding; Zerubbabel and Jeshua resumed the work on the house of God.
Researched — not human reviewed - Opposition from the people of the land; the Temple work ceases until Darius's second year (Ezra 4:1–5, 24)
Ezra 4:1–5 · Ezra 4:24
The returnees refused the help of the people of the land, who then discouraged them and hired counsellors against them from Cyrus's reign until Darius's; the work on the Temple stopped until Darius's second year.
Researched — not human reviewed - Accusations to Ahasuerus and the Rehum–Shimshai letter to Artaxerxes; the city's rebuilding stopped (Ezra 4:6–23)
Ezra 4:6–23
An accusation was written at the start of Ahasuerus's reign; later Rehum and Shimshai wrote to Artaxerxes that the Jews were rebuilding the rebellious city and its walls, and the king ordered the work stopped until further decree.
Researched — not human reviewed - The returned exiles keep the Passover after the Temple's dedication (Ezra 6:19–22)
Ezra 6:19–22
On the fourteenth of the first month after the Temple's completion, the purified priests and Levites slaughtered the Passover for the returned exiles and for those who had separated themselves from the nations' uncleanness; Unleavened Bread was kept for seven days with joy.
Researched — not human reviewed - Haggai's oracles of 24/IX, Darius year 2: "from this day I will bless you"; Zerubbabel the signet
Haggai 2:10–23
On the twenty-fourth of the ninth month Haggai obtained a priestly ruling on holiness and uncleanness, declared the people's offerings unclean, promised blessing from that day — "since the day that the foundation of the LORD's temple was laid" — and announced that Zerubbabel would be the LORD's chosen signet.
Researched — not human reviewed - Haggai's oracle on the latter glory of the house (21/VII, Darius year 2)
Haggai 2:1–9
On the twenty-first of the seventh month, during the Feast of Booths, Haggai encouraged Zerubbabel, Joshua and the people, who compared the new house unfavourably with Solomon's, promising that the LORD would shake the nations and that the latter glory would exceed the former.
Researched — not human reviewed - Zechariah's first oracle: the call to return (8th month, Darius year 2)
Zechariah 1:1–6
In the eighth month of Darius I's second year Zechariah called the people to return to the LORD, unlike their fathers who had ignored the former prophets.
Researched — not human reviewed - Zechariah's night visions (24 Shebat, Darius year 2; Zech 1:7–6:8)
Zechariah 1:7–6:8
On the twenty-fourth of Shebat in Darius's second year Zechariah received eight night visions with an interpreting angel: the horsemen among the myrtles; four horns and four craftsmen; the man with the measuring line; Joshua the high priest cleansed; the lampstand and two olive trees; the flying scroll; the woman in the ephah carried to Shinar; and the four chariots.
Researched — not human reviewed - Crowns made from the exiles' gifts and set on Joshua; the oracle of the Branch (Zech 6:9–15)
Zechariah 6:9–15
Zechariah was told to take silver and gold from Heldai, Tobijah and Jedaiah, recently come from Babylon, make crowns, set them on Joshua the high priest's head and announce the man whose name is the Branch, who would build the LORD's temple; the crowns were to remain in the temple as a memorial.
Researched — not human reviewed - The Bethel delegation and the question of fasting; Zechariah's answer (4/IX, Darius year 4)
Zechariah 7:1–8:23
In Darius I's fourth year a delegation from Bethel asked whether to keep the fast of the fifth month for the destroyed Temple; Zechariah answered with a call to justice and mercy and with oracles that the four fasts of the destruction would become feasts.
Researched — not human reviewed - Ezra's caravan from the Ahava to Jerusalem (Ezra 7:7–10; 8)
Ezra 7:7–10 · Ezra 8:1–36
Ezra gathered about 1,500 men with their families at the river Ahava, recruited 38 Levites and 220 temple servants from Casiphia, fasted for a safe journey without a royal escort, entrusted the treasure to twelve priests, left on 12/I and reached Jerusalem on 1/V of the king's seventh year.
Researched — not human reviewed - The mixed-marriages crisis: Ezra's confession, the assembly in the rain (20/IX) and the commission (Ezra 9–10)
Ezra 9:1–10:44
Months after Ezra's arrival the leaders reported widespread marriage with the peoples of the land; after Ezra's confession the people covenanted to put away the foreign wives; an assembly met in heavy rain on the twentieth of the ninth month and a commission examined the cases until the first of the first month; 113 offenders are listed.
Researched — not human reviewed - Nehemiah arrives, inspects the walls by night and calls for rebuilding (Neh 2:9–20)
Nehemiah 2:9–20
Escorted by royal officers, Nehemiah reached Jerusalem, inspected the ruined walls and gates by night, then called the leaders to build; Sanballat, Tobiah and Geshem mocked and accused them of rebellion.
Researched — not human reviewed - Hanani's report at Susa and Nehemiah's prayer (Chislev, Artaxerxes's 20th year)
Nehemiah 1:1–11
At Susa in Chislev Nehemiah learned from his brother Hanani that Jerusalem's wall was broken down and its gates burned, and he mourned, fasted and prayed for months before approaching the king.
Researched — not human reviewed - The rebuilding of Jerusalem's wall and gates, section by section (Neh 3)
Nehemiah 3:1–32 · Nehemiah 4:6
Under Nehemiah, priests, Levites, families, guilds and district rulers rebuilt Jerusalem's wall in assigned sections, from the Sheep Gate round by the Fish, Old, Valley, Dung, Fountain, Water, Horse and East Gates back to the Sheep Gate.
Researched — not human reviewed - Mockery, threats and the armed builders (Neh 4)
Nehemiah 4:1–23
Sanballat and Tobiah mocked the builders; when the wall reached half its height, Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, Ammonites and Ashdodites plotted an attack; Nehemiah set guards, divided the men between work and arms, and the builders worked with swords at their sides.
Researched — not human reviewed - The debt crisis and the remission of pledges (Neh 5:1–13)
Nehemiah 5:1–13
During the building, the poor protested that famine, the king's tax and interest had forced them to pledge land and sell children; Nehemiah made the nobles and officials swear to return the pledges and stop exacting interest.
Researched — not human reviewed - Plots against Nehemiah: Ono, the open letter, Shemaiah (Neh 6:1–14)
Nehemiah 6:1–14
Sanballat, Tobiah and Geshem tried to lure Nehemiah to Ono, accused him by open letter of planning rebellion and kingship, and hired Shemaiah to frighten him into hiding in the temple.
Preliminary research - Nehemiah's first governorship: twelve years, 20th–32nd year of Artaxerxes (445–433 BC)
Nehemiah 5:14–19
Nehemiah governed Judah from Artaxerxes's twentieth to his thirty-second year without drawing the governor's allowance, maintaining 150 officials at his table.
Preliminary research - The wall completed on 25 Elul after fifty-two days (Neh 6:15–19)
Nehemiah 6:15–19
The wall of Jerusalem was finished on the twenty-fifth of Elul, in fifty-two days; the surrounding nations were disheartened; Tobiah kept up a correspondence with nobles of Judah related to him by marriage.
Researched — not human reviewed - Jerusalem guarded under Hanani and Hananiah; the registry of the first returnees found (Neh 7:1–5)
Nehemiah 7:1–5
With the doors hung, Nehemiah appointed gatekeepers, singers and Levites, set Hanani and Hananiah over Jerusalem with rules for the gates and watches, and — the city being large and its people few — sought a genealogical register, finding that of the first return.
Preliminary research - Ezra reads the Law on the first day of the seventh month (Neh 7:73b–8:12)
Nehemiah 8:1–12
At the people's request Ezra read the book of the law of Moses from a wooden platform before the Water Gate from dawn to midday on the first of the seventh month while Levites explained it; the people wept and were told to keep the day as a holy feast.
Researched — not human reviewed - The Feast of Booths kept "as it is written" (Neh 8:13–18)
Nehemiah 8:13–18
Finding in the law the command to dwell in booths, the returned community made booths throughout Jerusalem and kept the seven-day feast with an eighth-day assembly, the law being read daily — "since the days of Joshua" Israel had not done so.
Researched — not human reviewed - The sealed covenant to keep the law and support the temple (Neh 9:38–10:39)
Nehemiah 9:38–10:39
Led by Nehemiah the governor, priests, Levites and chiefs sealed a written agreement; the people swore to keep the law and pledged to avoid intermarriage and Sabbath trade, keep the seventh year, pay a third of a shekel yearly, supply wood by lot, and bring firstfruits and tithes.
Preliminary research - The fast of the twenty-fourth day and the Levites' confession (Neh 9)
Nehemiah 9:1–37
Two days after the Feast of Booths the community assembled fasting, separated from foreigners, heard the law and confessed; the Levites' prayer reviewed God's faithfulness and Israel's rebellions from creation to their present servitude under foreign kings.
Researched — not human reviewed - Nehemiah's return and second-term reforms (Neh 13:4–31)
Nehemiah 13:4–31
After going to Artaxerxes in his 32nd year (433/432 BC), Nehemiah returned to find Tobiah lodged in a temple chamber, the Levites unpaid, the Sabbath profaned and marriages with foreign women; he expelled Tobiah, restored the portions, closed the gates on the Sabbath and drove away a grandson of Eliashib who had married Sanballat's daughter.
Researched — not human reviewed - Jerusalem repopulated: one in ten by lot (Neh 11)
Nehemiah 11:1–36
The leaders settled in Jerusalem and the people cast lots to bring one family in ten into the city; the chapter lists the heads of Judah, Benjamin, priests, Levites and gatekeepers in Jerusalem and the settlements of Judah and Benjamin.
Preliminary research - The dedication of the wall of Jerusalem (Neh 12:27–13:3)
Nehemiah 12:27–13:3
Levites and singers gathered; priests and Levites purified people, gates and wall; two thanksgiving companies processed on the wall, one with Ezra and one with Nehemiah, meeting at the temple for great sacrifices; storerooms were organised and the law on Ammonites and Moabites read.
Researched — not human reviewed - The priestly and Levitical registers to the days of Jaddua (Neh 12:1–26)
Nehemiah 12:1–26
Lists of priests and Levites from the first return to the days of Joiakim, Nehemiah and Ezra, with the high-priestly succession Jeshua–Joiakim–Eliashib–Joiada–Jonathan (Johanan)–Jaddua and a record "in the reign of Darius the Persian".
Preliminary research - The first "burden" of Zechariah 9–11 (undated oracle collection)
Zechariah 9:1–11:17
An undated oracle collection headed "a burden of the word of the LORD": judgment on Syria, Phoenicia and Philistia; the lowly king; Zion's sons against Greece; the regathering of Judah and Joseph; and the shepherd allegory with the thirty pieces of silver. Its date and authorship are disputed.
Researched — not human reviewed - The second "burden" of Zechariah 12–14 (undated oracle collection)
Zechariah 12:1–14:21
An undated oracle collection headed "a burden of the word of the LORD concerning Israel": Jerusalem besieged and delivered, the mourning for the pierced one, a fountain for sin, the struck shepherd, and the day of the LORD with the Mount of Olives split and the nations keeping the Feast of Booths. Its date and authorship are disputed.
Researched — not human reviewed - Malachi's disputations with priests and people (Mal 1–4; undated, mid-fifth century BC)
Malachi 1:1–4:6
A series of disputations "to Israel by Malachi": the LORD's love shown against Edom, priests offering blemished sacrifices, marriage to foreign women and divorce, the coming messenger and refining judgment, withheld tithes, and the promise of Elijah before the day of the LORD. The temple stands and a governor rules; the date relative to Nehemiah is disputed.
Researched — not human reviewed - Mordecai uncovers the plot of Bigthan and Teresh (Esth 2:19–23)
Esther 2:19–23
Sitting at the king's gate, Mordecai learned of two doorkeepers' plot against the king; through Esther he warned Ahasuerus, the plotters were hanged, and the deed was recorded in the royal chronicles.
Preliminary research - Ahasuerus's third-year feast at Susa and the deposing of Vashti (Esth 1; 483/482 BC)
Esther 1:1–22
In the third year of Ahasuerus (Xerxes I) the king displayed his wealth to his officials for 180 days and feasted Susa for seven days; Queen Vashti refused his summons and was deposed by decree.
Preliminary research - Esther made queen in Tebeth of Xerxes's seventh year (Esth 2:1–18; winter 479/478 BC)
Esther 2:1–18
After a gathering of young women to the royal harem at Susa, Hadassah (Esther), the ward of the Benjamite Mordecai, was taken to the king in Tebeth of his seventh year and crowned in Vashti's place.
Preliminary research - Mordecai mourns; Esther resolves to go to the king (Esth 4)
Esther 4:1–17
Mordecai and the Jews mourned; Mordecai urged Esther to plead with the king, "for such a time as this"; she called a three-day fast and resolved to go in unsummoned: "if I perish, I perish".
Preliminary research - Esther before the king; the first banquet; Haman's gallows (Esth 5)
Esther 5:1–14
On the third day Esther entered the inner court and was received; she invited the king and Haman to two banquets; Haman, enraged by Mordecai, had a gallows fifty cubits high made on his family's advice.
Preliminary research - Haman casts pur and the decree against the Jews (Esth 3; Nisan 474 BC)
Esther 3:1–15
Angered by Mordecai's refusal to bow, Haman had the lot (pur) cast in Nisan of Xerxes's twelfth year; it fell on Adar, and on 13 Nisan letters went out under the king's seal ordering the Jews destroyed on 13 Adar.
Researched — not human reviewed - The sleepless king; Mordecai honoured by Haman (Esth 6)
Esther 6:1–14
Unable to sleep, the king had the chronicles read, learned that Mordecai had not been rewarded for exposing the plot, and had Haman — who had come to ask for Mordecai's death — lead him through Susa in royal honour.
Preliminary research - The institution of Purim; Mordecai second to the king (Esth 9:20–10:3)
Esther 9:20–10:3
Mordecai, and then Esther with him, wrote to the Jews of the empire to keep the 14th and 15th of Adar every year as Purim, named from the lot; Mordecai became second to King Ahasuerus, his greatness recorded in the chronicles of Media and Persia.
Preliminary research - The Jews defend themselves on 13–14 Adar (Esth 9:1–19; 473 BC)
Esther 9:1–19
On the day appointed for their destruction the Jews, supported by the officials, killed their attackers — 500 and Haman's ten sons in Susa, 300 more there the next day, 75,000 in the provinces — without taking plunder, and rested on the 14th (15th in Susa).
Preliminary research - Mordecai's counter-decree of 23 Sivan (Esth 8; June 474 BC)
Esther 8:1–17
Given Haman's office and the king's ring, Mordecai issued letters on 23 Sivan of the twelfth year allowing the Jews throughout the empire to assemble and defend themselves on 13 Adar.
Preliminary research - The second banquet; Haman hanged (Esth 7)
Esther 7:1–10
At the second banquet Esther revealed Haman's plot against her people; the enraged king had Haman hanged on the gallows he had prepared for Mordecai.
Preliminary research
Where the research stands
1,844 of 31,102 verses reviewed · 107 published event dossiers ·256 registered sources · 218 items awaiting owner review. The project is at an early stage. Seeresearch progress.
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