In the present stage of investigation of Old Testament Chronology, absolute accuracy cannot be claimed for such a table as the following. Hardly any, if any, of these dates are supported by a general consensus of opinion. On the other hand, the range of variation is, for the most part, not more than three or four years, and the table will furnish an approximately accurate idea of sequences and synchronisms. In other respects also the data admit of alternative interpretations, and the course of events is partly a matter of theory—hence the occasional insertion of (?). | CLASSICAL SYNCHRONISMS | JUDAH AND JEREMIAH | ASSYRIA | EGYPT | | Traditional date of the foundation of Rome, 753 | MANASSEH (?) | | | | | Esarhaddon, 681
Assurbanipal, 668 | | | | | XXVIth Dynasty Psammetichus I., 666 | | Jeremiah born, probably between 655 and 645
AMON, 640
JOSIAH, 638 | | | | | | | | Jeremiah's call in the 13th year of Josiah, 626
Scythian inroad into Western Asia | Last kings of Assyria, number and names uncertain, 626-607-6 | Psammetichus besieges Ashdod for twenty-nine years | | | | | | Habakkuk
Zephaniah
Publication of Deuteronomy, 621 | BABYLON.
Nabopolassar, 626 | | | | | | | Josiah slain at Megiddo, 608
JEHOAHAZ, 608
(xxii. 10-12, Ch. I.)
Deposed by Necho, who appoints
JEHOIAKIM, 608
(xxii. 13-19, xxxvi. 30, 31, VI.)
Jeremiah predicts ruin of Judah and is tried for blasphemy (xxvi., II.) | FALL OF NINEVEH, 607-6 | Necho, 612 | | | | | | FOURTH YEAR OF JEHOIAKIM, 605-4 | BATTLE OF CARCHEMISH
(xlvi., XVII.) | | | | | | Nebuchadnezzar[1] advances into Syria, is suddenly recalled to Babylon—before subduing Judah (?) | Nebuchadnezzar, 604 | | | | | | | Baruch writes Jeremiah's prophecies in a roll, which is read successively to the people, the nobles, and Jehoiakim, and destroyed by the king (xxxvi., III.; xlv., V.) | | | | | | | | Nebuchadnezzar invades Judah (?), the Rechabites take refuge in Jerusalem (?), the Jews rebuked by their example (xxxv., IV.) | | | | | | | | Jehoiakim submits to Nebuchadnezzar, revolts after three years, is attacked by various "bands," but dies before Nebuchadnezzar arrives | | | | | | | | JEHOIACHIN, 597
(xxii. 20-30, VII.)
Continues revolt, but surrenders to Nebuchadnezzar on hisarrival; is deposed and carried to Babylon with many of his subjects. Nebuchadnezzar appoints | | | | | | | | ZEDEKIAH, 596 | | Psammetichus II., 596 | | | | | | Jeremiah attempts to keep Zedekiah loyal to Nebuchadnezzar, and contends with priests and prophets who support Egyptian party (xxiii., xxiv., VIII.) | Ezekial | | | | | | | Solon's legislation, 594 | Proposed confederation against Nebuchadnezzar denounced by Jeremiah, but supported by Hananiah; proposal abandoned; Hananiah dies (xxvii., xxviii., IX.), 593-2 | | | | | | | | Controversy by letter with hostile prophets at Babylon (xxix., X.) | | | | | | | | Judah revolts, encouraged by Hophra. Jerusalem is beseiged by Chaldeans. There bing no prospect of relief by Egypt, Jeremiah regains his influence and pledges the people by covenant to release their slaves. | | | | | | | | On the news of Hophra's advance, the Chaldeans raise the siege; the Egyptian party again become supreme and annul the covenant (xxi. 1-10, xxxiv., xxxvii. 1-10, XI.) | | | | | | | | Jeremiah attempts to leave the city, is arrested and imprisoned | | | | | | | | Hophra retreats into Egypt and the Chaldeans renew the siege (xxxvii. 11-21, xxxviii., xxxix. 15-18, XII.) | | | | | | | | While imprisoned Jeremiah buys his kinsman's inheritance (xxxii., XXX.) | | | | | | | | DESTRUCTION OF JERUSALEM, 586 | Siege of Tyre | | | | | | | Jeremiah remains for a month a prisoner amongst the other captives. Nebuzaradan arrives; arranges for deportation of bulk of population; appoints Gedaliah governor of residue; releases Jeremiah, who elects to join Gedaliah at Mizpah. Gedaliah murdered. Jeremioah carried off, but rescued by Johanan (xxxix.-xli., lii., XIII.) | | | | | | | | Johanan, in spite of Jeremiah's protest, goes down to Egypt and takes Jeremiah with him (xlii., xliii., XIV.) | | | | | | | | Jews in Egypt hold festival in honour of Queen of Heaven. Ineffectual protest of Jeremiah (xliv., XV.) | | Amasis, 570 | | | | | | | Nebuchadnezzar invades Egypt, (?) 568 | | | | | | | Evil-Merodach, 561 | | | | | | | Pistratus, 560-527 | Release of Jehoiachin | | | | | | | | CYRUS CONQUERS BABYLON AND GIVES THE JEWS PERMISSION TO RETURN, 538 | |
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