Prof. Societies

Ark of the Covenant Quick Summary Video

Brief introduction to the study of the Ark of the Covenant in the Old Testament. (10 Minute Video)

Link: https://youtu.be/4pGL12138Q4

Ark of the Covenant Slideshow with Audio

Basic overview of the Ark of the Covenant in slideshow format with audio narration.

Link: https://bible-history.com/biblestudy/arkofthecovenant

Ark of the Covenant Slideshow with Audio

Basic overview of the Ark of the Covenant in slideshow format with audio narration.

Link: https://bible-history.com/biblestudy/arkofthecovenant

Lifespans in Genesis

This chart shows a graph of the lifespans of the characters mentioned in the Old Testament for the first 2,000 years...from Adam to Jacob. All dates are approximate.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/lifespans.html

The 7 Feasts and Gods Prophetic Calendar

Leviticus 23 reveals the seven feasts of the LORD and not only do they teach that God is in control of the times and seasons, but according to the New Testament they also present a prophetic picture of the calendar of events from the cross of Jesus to his millennial kingdom which will never pass away.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/7-feasts-and-gods-calendar.html

Divisions of the Hebrew Scriptures

The Hebrew Scriptures were divided into 3 sections: -The Law (Torah), or Pentateuch, 5 books: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy. -The Prophets (Nebhim), 8 books: Former Prophets - Joshua, Judges, Samuel, Kings Latter Prophets - Isaiah , Jeremiah , Ezekiel , The Book of the 12 -The Writings (Kethubim), 11 books: Poetical Books - Psalms, Proverbs, Job Megilloth, 5 Rolls- Song of Songs, Ruth, Lamentations, Esther, Ecclesiastes Historical Books - Daniel , Ezra-Nehemiah, Chronicles. Note: In the Hebrew Bible Genesis (Bershiyt) is the first book and Chronicles (Dibre Hayamim) is the last book.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/divisions.html

Timeline of the Pentateuch

Timeline of Events from Creation to Joshua. According to Usshers chronology there were 1656 years from creation to the flood, 427 years from the flood to the call of Abraham, 430 years from the call of Abraham to the Exodus from Egypt, and 40 years from the Exodus from Egypt to the entering of the land of Canaan by Joshua and the new generation of Israelites. It would be another 487 years until the Temple of Solomon would be dedicated to the LORD in Jerusalem.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/timeline-pentateuch.html

Comparison of Adam and Eve with Christ and the Church

Adam and Eve, a Type of Christ and the Church. Adam made a choice that he would rather love his bride and be with her and therefore he chose to die to be with his bride. This is clearly a type of Christ who "for the joy set before him he endured the cross and despised the shame." Jesus willfully laid down his life because of his love for his bride

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/types-adam-eve.html

Table of Nations Mentioned in the Old Testament

List of Nations Descended from Noahs 3 Sons. Shem (Semitic Race). Ham (Turanian Race). Japheth (Aryan Race). This chart contains a list of the nations descending from the three sons of Noah. They formed after the Tower of Babel and are mentioned in Genesis 10 of the Old Testament. Scroll down to see maps, references, and Bible verses for more background information.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/table-of-nations-genesis-10.html

Lineage of Jesus in Genesis

The Bible reveals throughout all of its pages that a Messiah was going to come and save mankind. The Old Testament traces the family lineage of the Messiah. This chart reveals that Abrahams father Terah was in the limits of Christ, then out of his three sons Abraham was in the line Messiah, then his son Isaac, and then his son Jacob, and then out of Jacobs 12 sons Judah was in the family line of Jesus Christ.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/lineage-of-christ.html

Descendants of Esau

According to the Bible Esau was Isaac and Rebekkas firstborn son, and he had a twin brother named Jacob. His name means hairy because he was that way when he was born and throughout his life. Esau married Canaanite women and his family is listed above. Their territory was the land of Edom and they were always contending against Israel through their history.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/descendants-of-esau.html

12 Tribes of Israel and each Blessing of Jacob

Genesis 49:1-2 - And Jacob called unto his sons, and said, Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you that which shall befall you in the last days. Gather yourselves together, and hear, ye sons of Jacob; and hearken unto Israel your father.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/12-tribes.html

Joseph a Type of Jesus

It is nearly impossible to examine the life of Joseph in the Old Testament and not see the similarities of the events in the life of Christ. There are many types and shadows in the Old Testament that prefigure Jesus Christ, and many have believed at the life of Joseph is perhaps the clearest picture of Christ in so many ways.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/types-joseph.html

The Hebrew Encampment Around the Tabernacle

Diagram of The Encampment of the Tribes of Israel. According to the Bible there were about 600,000 men and also women and children who left Egypt at the exodus. They came out of Egypt in rank and in file and as they journeyed into the wilderness, and the tribes would camp around the Tabernacle in God-specified locations.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/encampment-of-israel.html

Hebrew Calendar of Months

In ancient Israel there was the "sacred" or religious year, and also the civil year, and these formed the Hebrew calendar. The religious or sacred year began toward the end of March, which was the Hebrew month of Nisan. The civil year began in October, on the first day of the Hebrew month of Tishri. Therefore the seventh month on the religious calendar was the first month on the civil calendar. The Hebrew year was divided into 12 lunar months, with an Intercalary month (a 13th month 7 times every 19 years).

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/hebrew-months.html

Feasts and Festivals of Israel with Dates

The Bible reveals that God appointed certain days of the year to be remembered and celebrated by the congregation of Israel. The word "feast" comes from two Hebrew words that mean (Heb. Moaid) "divinely appointed times" and the other (Heb. Khag ) means "festival" from the verb which means "to dance". There were seven feasts that were observed annually in ancient Israel, and they were celebrated in this order: Passover, Unleavened Bread, First Fruits, Pentecost, Trumpets, Atonement, and Tabernacles

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/feasts-and-festivals.html

Feasts and Festivals with Scriptures and Procedures

Leviticus 23:2 - Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, Concerning the feasts of the LORD, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations, even these are my feasts. This chart reveals the Scriptures and procedures of the Feast of ancient Israel during the Old Testament era. The word "feast" comes from two Hebrew words that mean (Heb. Moaid) "divinely appointed times" and the other (Heb. Khag ) means "festival" from the verb which means "to dance". There were seven feasts that were observed annually in ancient Israel, and they were celebrated in this order: Passover, Unleavened Bread, First Fruits, Pentecost, Trumpets, Atonement, and Tabernacles.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/feasts-and-festivals-procedures.html

Chapters, Verses, and Words in the Old Testament

List of Total Chapter, Verse, and Word Statistics of every Old Testament book.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/chapters-verses.html

Miracles in the Old Testament

The miracles and the Bible verses. God did many miracles throughout the Bible, and in the Old Testament there were many miracles surrounding the nation of Israel that the entire world heard about. Below is a list of several Old Testament miracles. A Miracle is when God intervenes in a situation or event that cannot be explained in scientific terms or by human reasoning.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/miracles.html

Parables in the Old Testament

There were many parables spoken in ancient times and especially in the Bible. The Hebrew word "mashal" referred to a comparison of a familiar earthly thing with a heavenly or spiritual truth that was to be understood. Parables pointed to the fact that man is made in the image of God, he is of the earth but also of the divine. The power of a parable lies in its ability to use a simple every day experience to help the hearer to understand a truth set forth about the kingdom of God. Parables help man to perceive the difference between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of man. The parable leads the listener to a choice, to choose this day whom to serve.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/parables.html

Gentile Nations in the Old Testament

List of Gentile Nations Named in the Old Testament. This chart contains a long list of the gentile "heathen" nations that are mentioned in Old Testament times. Click on the Bible verse to read the background information.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/nations.html

The Servant of the LORD, Israel and the Messiah

Differences and similarities betwe Isaiah 42:1 - "Behold My Servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles."

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/types-servant.html

Distinction Between Kings and Chronicles

Comparison List of the books of Kings and Chronicles in the Old Testament.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/kings-chronicles.html

Judges of Israel and Foreign Oppressors

The Judges were not necessarily actual judges or elders or rulers in accordance with the traditionally accepted title in ancient Israel. They were actually more like local deliverers who were raised up by God to bring relief to the oppression that was brought about by their enemies. The oppression came because of their lack of faith, although there were some who were faithful, as in the case of Boaz (Ruth 2-4). Samuel was considered the last judge of Israel.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/judges.html

The House and Dynasty of King David

This chart reveals the royal lineage of King David through to the Fall of Jerusalem in 586 BC.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/house-of-david.html

List of all the Kings of Israel

The kings of the northern kingdom of Israel were all evil. They followed in the ways of the first king Jeroboam I who was an idol worshiper. God finally cast them out of His sight, the Assyrians deported them away in 722 BC.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/kings-israel.html

List of all the Kings of Judah

The Southern Kingdom consisted of 2 tribes (Judah and Benjamin). The kingdom extended in the north as far as Bethel, while in the south it ended in the dry area known as the Negev. Its eastern and western boundaries were the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea. Jerusalem was its capital and it lasted from about 922-586 B.C. There were 8 good kings ruling the southern kingdom of Judah, the rest were all evil. After Josiah reigned there was no hope for Judah, the last 3 kings were evil. The Babylonians came and captured Jerusalem in 597 BC. A second attack led to Jerusalems second defeat in 586 BC. Captives from both campaigns were taken to Babylonia to mark the captivity of the Southern Kingdom.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/kings-judah.html

Kings, Prophets, and Nations in the Old Testament

Illustrative list of the kings and prophets of Israel and Judah and also the kings of the surrounding nations, Assyria, Babylon, and Persia.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/kings-prophets-nations.html

Prophets in the Old Testament with Dates and Chronology

Chronological list of the prophets with dates, kings and historical events regarding Israel and her prophets.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/prophets-chronology.html

Messages of the Old Testament Prophets

The prophets of ancient Israel were the divine messengers sent by God to communicate to man a message from God. They spoke about the events mentioned in the Old Testament long before they actually happened. Israel was confronted with the choice of blessings or curses. Blessings if they followed the LORD and curses if they forsook him. Moses their great leader warned the people of Israel not to disobey the LORD or else:

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/prophets-message.html

Kings of the Assyrian Empire

This chart reveals the Kings of the Assyrian Empire from 883 BC to 610 BC. 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 greatest Assyrian Kings were Shalmaneser, Sargon, Sennacherib, and Esarhaddon. The city of Nineveh was finally destroyed by the Medes and Babylonians who came against them at once, and the Kingdom of Assyria was defeated and came to an end in 625 BC.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/assyrian-kings.html

Kings of the Babylonian Empire

This chart reveals the Kings of the Neo Babylonian Empire (Chaldean) from 625 BC to 542 BC. The Babylonian Empire began to be a world power in 625 BC after the fall of Assyria. Babylon continued its reign until 536 BC. During this period Babylon, located along the Euphrates River, was the metropolis of the East and called in the Bible the "city of Gold". It was made great and world renown by Nebuchadnezzar, its greatest king, who reigned in the days of Daniel and the Captivity of the Jews who were taken to Babylon after the fall of Jerusalem. 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.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/babylonian-kings.html

Kings of the Persian Empire

This chart reveals the Kings of the Persian Empire (Achaemenid) from 550 BC to 330 BC. The Persian Empire was founded by Cyrus the Great who conquered Babylon in 536 BC. The Persian Empire succeeded the Babylonian Empire and it was Cyrus, who issued the famous decree for the Jews to return to their homeland to rebuild their 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.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/persian-kings.html

Cuneiform Inscriptions Naming Old Testament Foreign Kings

Kings of ancient lands that are mentioned in the Scriptures have been written in cuneiform and deciphered. The Bible reveals the names of kings in the ancient world, and many of these kings have been discovered through the efforts of archaeologists. The lands of the Bible have been excavated and among the ruins have been thousands of cuneiform tablets. Monuments with inscriptions of names and events dealing with ancient kingdoms that have vanished in history. Among these ruins are some inscriptions of the names of kings from ancient Assyria, Babylon, and Persia all mentioned in the Bible.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/cuneiform-names-kings.html

God Revealed the Design of the Ark to Moses

The Arks Design was Revealed to Moses on Mount Sinai. The Ark of the Covenant (Heb. Ahrohn HaBreet) was a small wooden box or chest (approx. 3.9 feet by 2.3 feet) that contained the covenant made by the LORD to the people of Israel. God revealed to Moses on Mount Sinai the exact specifications for constructing the Ark. It was crafted in acacia wood and overlaid with gold, and inside was placed the unbroken stone tablets of the Law, a golden pot of manna, and Aarons rod that miraculously budded or blossomed. The lid was called the Mercy Seat and it was made from one piece of solid gold, beaten into a shape that revealed two angelic creatures (Cherubim) on each side with wings outstretched. God appeared between the Cherubim where the blood was sprinkled by the high priest on the Day of Atonement. The LORD also appeared and spoke between the Cherubim. There were poles inserted in the rings in each of the 4 corners of the ARK for carrying. When the Israelites journeyed through the wilderness the Ark was carried first by the priests to lead the way. The mysterious Shekinah Glory "Cloud of the LORD" would lead them by day and it became a Pillar of Fire by night. When the people encamped in the wilderness the Tabernacle was set up and the Ark of the Covenant was placed in the Holy of Holies behind the Veil. When they departed the Tabernacle was packed up in an orderly manner.

Link: https://bible-history.com/biblestudy/arkofthecovenant.html

The Ark led the Way

Numbers 10:33-36 - And they departed from the mount of the LORD three days journey: and the ark of the covenant of the LORD went before them in the three days journey, to search out a resting place for them. And the cloud of the LORD [was] upon them by day, when they went out of the camp. And it came to pass, when the ark set forward, that Moses said, Rise up, LORD, and let thine enemies be scattered; and let them that hate thee flee before thee. And when it rested, he said, Return, O LORD, unto the many thousands of Israel.

Link: https://bible-history.com/biblestudy/arkofthecovenant.html

Brief History of the Ark of the Covenant

The Ark of the Covenant led the way to the Promised Land. After Moses died the children of Israel were led by Joshua into the Land of Canaan. When they came to the Jordan River the waters parted before the Ark of the Covenant. The children of Israel crossed the Jordan and conquered the Promised Land with the Ark of the Covenant leading the way. Later the Tabernacle was erected at a city called Gilgal and the Ark of the Covenant was kept there for a season. Later the Ark was removed and taken to Shiloh where it remained for nearly 400 years. Israel had become so corrupt that they forsook the Lord and worshiped the queen of heaven. The Ark of the Covenant fell into the hands of the Philistines, who were forced to return it after many plagues broke out in their land. Later the Ark of the Covenant was kept at a place called Kiriath jearim until David was anointed king of Israel and brought the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem until the Temple was erected. Davids son Solomon completed the Temple in Jerusalem and placed the Ark of the Covenant in the Holy of Holies. Later there was a civil was and Israel was divided, 10 tribes went to the north and the remaining 2 stayed in the south. The Ark of the Covenant remained in the Temple in Jerusalem. The northern kingdom continually forsook the Lord until God gave them into the hands of the Assyrians and they were deported away in 722 BC. Later the remaining 2 tribes forsook the Lord also and Jerusalem and the Temple was destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 BC. The Bible does not mention what happened to the Ark of the Covenant.

Link: https://bible-history.com/biblestudy/arkofthecovenant.html

Overview of the Ark of the Covenant

Quick Overview of the Ark of the Covenant. The Ark of the Covenant was a physical sign that the God of all the earth was in Israel "and let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell in them" (Ex. 25:8). God made a covenant with Israel and with all mankind that only by the shedding of the blood of Christ would there be forgiveness of sins. Abraham, the first Hebrew knew this when God told him to bring his only son Isaac whom he loves to the altar, and rejoiced to see the day of Christ (John 8:56).

Link: https://bible-history.com/biblestudy/arkofthecovenant.html

Background of The Ark of the Covenant

The Hebrew Name and Meaning of the Ark of the Covenant. The Hebrew noun "Ahrohn" (Ark) is used nearly 200 times in the Old Testament to depict the Ark of the Covenant. The word Ahrohn means chest or container and was used in various contexts. For example it was used for a money box (2 Ki 12:9), and also for a coffin (Gen. 50:26), both signifying its use as a container of something. The Bible goes further and calls it the Ark of God numerous times, and also the Ark of his might (Ps 132:8), signifying power and glory. Over 30 times the Ark is called The Ark of the Covenant of Yahweh (Num 10:33). The Covenant represented Gods redemptive covenant with Israel and his promise to save his people if they would not forsake him. Yet ultimately the Bible seizes upon the ancient imagery of the blood covenant that was cut not only for the Jews but for all mankind, signifying the death of the One who makes the covenant. Hebrews 9:16-18 - "For where a covenant is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth. Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood." The Ark of the Covenant was a picture of Jesus Christ

Link: https://bible-history.com/biblestudy/arkofthecovenant.html

Biblical Description of the Ark of the Covenant

The description of the Ark of the Covenant was revealed to Moses while he was on Mount Sinai (Ex. 25:10-22). The Box was to be made of Acacia wood, it was to be 2.5 cubits (3.9 feet) long and 1.5 cubits (2.3 feet) wide and tall. It was overlaid completely with gold and it had a gold crown around the top of the box. The were gold rings with long poles of wood overlaid with gold for transporting the Ark.

Link: https://bible-history.com/biblestudy/arkofthecovenant.html

The Lid (Mercy Seat)

The Lid which was referred to as the Mercy Seat was crafted from one block of solid gold that was beaten into its shape. It was made of the same dimensions as the Ark 2.5 cubits by 1.5 cubits. On top were two angelic beings (Cherubim) which were standing on two feet and facing each other and looking down at the top of the lid where the blood was sprinkled. The Cherubim were also gold and were hammered from the same block of gold. They were 4-faced creatures as described in Ezekiels vision (Ezek. 1:5), the face of a lion, an eagle, an ox, and a man. The Cherubim were also the same fierce creatures who were chosen to guard the entrance to the Garden of Eden and the Tree of Life after Adam and Eve had sinned. They wielded a flaming sword that turned in four directions (Gen. 3:24).

Link: https://bible-history.com/biblestudy/arkofthecovenant.html

Messianic Prophecy: Will Be Meek And Humble

Is 42:2-3 He will not cry out, nor raise His voice, nor cause His voice to be heard in the street. A bruised reed He will not break, and smoking flax He will not quench; he will bring forth justice for truth. Is 53:7 He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth; he was led as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so He opened not His mouth. Matt 26:62-63 And the high priest arose and said to Him, "Do You answer nothing? What is it these men testify against You?" But Jesus kept silent....

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/the-messiah.html

Messianic Prophecy: Bring Salvation To The Gentiles

Is 11:10 "And in that day there shall be a Root of Jesse, who shall stand as a banner to the people; for the Gentiles shall seek Him, and His resting place shall be glorious." Is 42:1 "Behold! My Servant whom I uphold, my Elect One in whom My soul delights! I have put My Spirit upon Him; he will bring forth justice to the Gentiles. Is 49:6 Indeed He says, `It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved ones of Israel; I will also give You as a light to the Gentiles, that You should be My salvation to the ends of the earth.`" Matt 15:21 Then Jesus went out from there and departed to the region of Tyre and Sidon.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/the-messiah.html

Messianic Prophecy: Will Be Beaten

Is 50:6 I gave My back to those who struck Me, and My cheeks to those who plucked out the beard; I did not hide My face from shame and spitting. Matt 26:67 Then they spat in His face and beat Him; and others struck Him with the palms of their hands,

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/the-messiah.html

Messianic Prophecy: Will Establish A New Covenant

Jer 31:31-33 "Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah-- "not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, though I was a husband to them, says the LORD. But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. Matt 26:28 "For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/the-messiah.html

Messianic Prophecy: Will Have Two Missions

Is 61:1-2 "The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, because the LORD has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor; he has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God;

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/the-messiah.html

Messianic Prophecy: Will Perform Miracles

Is 35:5-6 Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then the lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the dumb sing. For waters shall burst forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert. Jn 11:47 Then the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered a council and said, "What shall we do? For this Man works many signs.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/the-messiah.html

Messianic Prophecy: Called Jehovah God

Jer 23:5-6 "Behold, the days are coming," says the LORD, "That I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness; a King shall reign and prosper, and execute judgment and righteousness in the earth. In His days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell safely; now this is His name by which He will be called: THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. Is 9:6 For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Jn 8:24 "Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I Am, you will die in your sins." Jn 8:58 Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM."

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/the-messiah.html

Messianic Prophecy: Born In Bethlehem

Mic 5:2 "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to Me the One to be Ruler in Israel, whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting." Lk 2:4-6 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/the-messiah.html

Messianic Prophecy: Will Enter The Temple With Authority

Mal 3:1 "Behold, I send My messenger, and he will prepare the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple, even the Messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight. Behold, He is coming," says the LORD of hosts. Matt 21:12 Then Jesus went into the temple of God and drove out all those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/the-messiah.html

Messianic Prophecy: Will Enter Jerusalem On A Donkey

Zech 9:9 "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; he is just and having salvation, lowly and riding on a donkey, a colt, the foal of a donkey. Matt 21:2-3 2 saying to them, "Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Loose them and bring them to Me. 3 "And if anyone says anything to you, you shall say, `The Lord has need of them,` and immediately he will send them."

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/the-messiah.html

Messianic Prophecy: Will Be Pierced

Ps 22:16 For dogs have surrounded Me; the congregation of the wicked has enclosed Me. They pierced My hands and My feet; Zech 12:10 "And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they have pierced; they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn. Is 53:5 But He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. Jn 19:34 one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/the-messiah.html

Messianic Prophecy: Forsaken By His Disciples

Zech 13:7 "Awake, O sword, against My Shepherd, against the Man who is My Companion," says the LORD of hosts. "Strike the Shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered; then I will turn My hand against the little ones. Matt 26:31 Then Jesus said to them, "All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written: `I will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.`

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/the-messiah.html

Messianic Prophecy: Victory Over Death

Is 25:8 He will swallow up death forever, and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from all faces; the rebuke of His people he will take away from all the earth; for the LORD has spoken. Heb 2:14 Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, Jn 19:30 So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, "It is finished!" And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/the-messiah.html

Messianic Prophecy: Exact Time Of His Death Predicted

Dan 9:26 "And after the sixty-two weeks Messiah shall be cut off...

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/the-messiah.html

Persian Period Prophets

Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi were the prophets of the Persian Period.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/the-prophets.html

The Prophet Jonah

Jonah (790-770 B.C.) "yonah" (dove). Sent to warn the inhabitants of Nineveh (Capital of Assyria) of God`s Judgement. Jonah fled his call because it was the Assyrians who were destroying the Jews. As he was escaping on a ship bound for Tarshish a great storm arose. The sailors discovered that this tempest came on account of Jonah so they threw him overboard. He was immediately swallowed by a great sea monster prepared by God. Jonah repented in the bowels of the creature and was released the third morning. He came to Nineveh and said, "Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!" As a result of his preaching the people changed their ways and God spared the city. Jonah was very upset at Gods mercy toward gentiles (non-Jews) and by the lesson of a plant, God taught Jonah about His love for all mankind and not just Israel.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/jonah.html

The Prophet Joel

Joel (790-770 B.C.) "yo el" (Yaweh is God). Joel prophesied during a devastating plague of locusts that was unparalleled in history. He warned all of the inhabitants of the land of Israel of devastation which would sweep across the land in the days soon to come. He called for a season of fasting, mourning, and repentance. Joel seized upon the imagery of the locusts as a type of the greater judgement that would come on "the Day of the Lord" in the last days. He also gave a message of hope and prophesied of great blessings that would follow and the glories of the Messiah`s kingdom.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/joel.html

The Prophet Amos

Amos (780-740 B.C.) "amos" (burden). Amos was born in Judah but prophesied in Israel during the reign of Jeroboam II. He condemned Israel`s neighboring countries for their cruelty, but mostly Israel for breaking God`s laws. He prophesied at Bethel which became the center of idol worship and the residence of king Jeroboam II. He warned that the Israelites would be taken captive by the Assyrians. Amos` message was that God could no more dwell with His people any more than a man could maintain a normal relationship with his wife who commits adultery.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/amos.html

The Prophet Hosea

Hosea (760-720 B.C.) "hoshea" (deliverer) Israel`s continued unfaithfulness is dramatically illustrated in brokenhearted Hosea`s relationship with his unfaithful wife. God`s love is also illustrated in Hosea`s willingness to buy back his wife after her harlotry had led her to be sold at the slave block. In the years leading up to the fall of Samaria, Hosea warned that the people would become slaves in Assyria because they had forgotten God. They had even turned to Assyria and Egypt for help. God would later restore them but after some measure of discipline.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/hosea.html

The Prophet Isaiah

Isaiah (745-695 B.C.) "yesha yahu" (Yaweh is salvation). Isaiah lived in Jerusalem at the time Judah was threatened by the Assyrians. He warned Jerusalem about idolatry and foreign alliances, although he was usually scoffed at. He spoke about the miraculous deliverance of Jerusalem from the Assyrians. He also spoke of the destruction and captivity of Jerusalem by the Babylonians as well as the release of the Jews by Cyrus the Persian. Jewish tradition records that the leaders in Jerusalem sawed the prophet Isaiah in half between two planks. The book of Isaiah says more about the ministry of the Messiah than any other Book in the Old Testament.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/isaiah.html

The Prophet Micah

Micah (740-700 B.C.) "mika yahu" (who is like Yaweh). Warned of the Assyrian and Babylonian invasions and predicted the fall of both Samaria and Jerusalem, the capital cities of both the northern and southern kingdoms. It is set forth in the form of a lawsuit by God with Micah as the prosecuting attorney and the mountains and hills (places of idolatry) as the silent judges. He says, "her wounds are incurable," because the people are corrupt and also the leaders were described as "butchering the people." Micah also proclaimed the birthplace of the Messiah and the glories of the future kingdom.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/micah.html

The Prophet Zephaniah

Zephaniah (639-608 B.C.) "tzephani yah" (Yaweh is my treasure). Watched Judah revert back to their evil ways under Manasseh and Amon. He prophesied during the revival under good king Josiah`s reign. Condemned the worship of Canaanite and Assyrian gods and predicted disaster for the pagan nations around such as Philistia, Moab, Ammon, Ethiopia, and Assyria. He also foretold the destruction and restoration of Jerusalem, and also prophesied of blessings in the future for both the gentiles and the Jews.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/zephaniah.html

The Prophet Nahum

Nahum (630-610 B.C.) "nahum" (compassionate). Nahum`s main message was the destruction of Nineveh as a judgement on the Assyrians for their cruel treatment of other nations. He revealed much about the majesty and goodness of God as well as God`s anger and wrath. Nah 1:7 The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knows those who trust in Him. God is jealous, and the LORD avenges; the LORD avenges and is furious. The LORD will take vengeance on His adversaries, and He reserves wrath for His enemies;

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/nahum.html

The Prophet Jeremiah

Jeremiah (626-586 B.C.) "yeremi yauw" (Yaweh will lift up). Prophesied to Judah and against the surrounding nations. He emphasized the folly of idolatry as God pleaded with His people. He continually warned that Jerusalem would be captured and the inhabitants would be exiled to Babylon. He also prophesied against the pagan nations around (Jer 46- 51) and foretold that after 70 years the Jews would return from Babylon. Jeremiah`s words were vehemently rejected and he was heavily persecuted. Jeremiah was forced to live in Egypt after the destruction of Israel in 586 BC.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/jeremiah.html

The Prophet Habbakkuk

Habakkuk (606-586 B.C.) "haba kuk" (embrace). Habakkuk asked two questions to God, first: Why He allowed such evil to continue in Judah for so long and go unpunished? And second: How could a holy God allow the cruel Babylonians to defeat His own people. In response to the first question God revealed to Habakkuk: "Look among the nations and watch-- be utterly astounded! For I will work a work in your days which you would not believe, though it were told you. For indeed I am raising up the Chaldeans (Babylonians), a bitter and hasty nation which marches through the breadth of the earth, to possess dwelling places that are not theirs. They are terrible and dreadful; their judgment and their dignity proceed from themselves. . . they fly as the eagle that hastens to eat. "They all come for violence; their faces are set like the east wind. They gather captives like sand. They scoff at kings, and princes are scorned by them. They deride every stronghold, for they heap up earthen mounds and seize it." And to the second He replied that Babylon has a big appetite so He`s gonna use them as an instrument of judgement but their time is gonna come: Hab 2:12-13 "Woe to him who builds a town with bloodshed, who establishes a city by iniquity! Behold, is it not of the LORD of hosts that the peoples labor to feed the fire, and nations weary themselves in vain?"

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/habbakkuk.html

The Prophet Ezekiel

Ezekiel (592-570 B.C.) "yehetzk`el" (God will strengthen). Nebuchadnezzar invaded Judah 3 times and took captives each time. In 607 one of the captives was Daniel, in 597 Ezekiel was taken, and in 586 Jerusalem was destroyed and all the people taken. Ezekiel prophesied to the captives in Babylon. The captives thought Jerusalem would be delivered by the Lord and they would be rescued. God spoke through Ezekiel using Words, Parables, Visions, and many Similitudes (doing strange things as a sign of something greater). Ezekiel was married to a woman who was "the desire of his eyes". God told him that his wife was going to die on the very day the armies of Babylon laid siege against the holy city of Jerusalem and he was not to mourn, as a sign to the people. Ezekiel was commanded not to grieve her death; he was to brace himself for this tragedy even as God had prepared Himself for the death of His beloved city (24:15-22).

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/ezekiel.html

The Prophet Obadiah

Obadiah (586-583 B.C.) "obadi yah" (servant of Yaweh). Obadiah prophesied judgement against Edom for attacking Judah at the time of the Babylonian invasion and for rejoicing over the misfortunes that befell Jerusalem. Obad 1:13-15 You should not have entered the gate of My people in the day of their calamity. Indeed, you should not have gazed on their affliction in the day of their calamity, nor laid hands on their substance in the day of their calamity. You should not have stood at the crossroads to cut off those among them who escaped; nor should you have delivered up those among them who remained in the day of distress. "For the day of the LORD upon all the nations is near; as you have done, it shall be done to you; your reprisal shall return upon your own head. The Edomites were the descendants of Esau, the twin brother of Jacob. The Edomites were always in conflict with Israel. They thought they were impregnable in their mountain strongholds high up in the rocky gorges (Petra). Obadiah predicted their doom. Within 4 years after Jerusalem was burned, Edom was raided and desolated (582 B.C.), by the same Babylonians whom they had helped against Jerusalem.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/obadiah.html

The Prophet Daniel

Daniel (606-534 B.C.) "Dani El" (My Judge is God). Daniel was taken captive during Nebuchadnezzar`s first attack on Jerusalem in 607 B.C., he became a chief minister at the royal court in Babylon. God used him mightily through dreams and interpretation of visions. Some of the famous miracles of the Bible are found in Daniel such as The Fiery Furnace, The Handwriting on the Wall, and Daniel in the Lion`s Den. Daniel was a man of incredible character and his book is considered one of the most important prophetic books of the Old Testament. Some of the topics mentioned are: the antichrist, the great tribulation, the second coming of Christ, the resurrection and the judgements. Probably the most important passages in Daniel are in chapter 9 which deal with the exact time of the death of the Messiah. After 7 + 62 (69) weeks (seven year periods) the Messiah would be "cut off" which is a clear prediction of His death.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/daniel.html

The Prophet Haggai

Haggai (520-516 B.C.) "haggay" (festal). In 520 B.C. eighteen years after the Jews had returned from exile in Babylon, Haggai urged them to forget their own interests and finish rebuilding the temple. The Jews, under the leadership of Zerubbabel, started to rebuild the Temple but somehow they became discouraged and quit. They were more concerned with their paneled houses than the Temple which laid desolate. The Lord said through Haggai that they were not being blessed and the recent drought and misfortunes were directly related to their laziness in the things of God. Haggai, along with the prophet Zechariah, urged them on. Within 4 years it was completed. They became courageous in the work and the Lord told them to mark this day and to watch from now on because they were obeying and His blessings were going to come.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/haggai.html

The Prophet Zechariah

Zechariah (520-516 B.C.) "zekari yah" (Yahweh is my remembrance). Zechariah, along with Haggai prophesied to the returned Jewish exiles between 520 and 518 B.C. The message begins with a reminder that the captivity had been a result of disobedience. He then has a series of visions revealing that God is in control of history and will bring a glorious blessing to the faithful remnant of His people. Jerusalem is pictured as so prosperous that it must be enlarged to contain all the people (ch. 2). The vision of Joshua, the high priest, clothed in filthy rags (ch. 3) apparently is a vision of the future cleansing of the nation at the return of Christ. Other visions in the book point to the coming judgement of God, His ultimate victory over sin, and culminates in the coming of the Messiah.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/zechariah.html

The Prophet Malachi

Malachi (450-400 B.C.) "malachi" (My messenger). A prophet who lived in the fifth century B.C. By this time the Jews had become disillusioned and apathetic. Things were not as good as they had hoped. Drought and crop failures along with opposition from various enemies had made life difficult. They were neglecting the things of God and offering imperfect sacrifices as well as failing to give their tithes. The priests were lax and did not encourage them. Mixed marriages and divorce had become common. The heart of Malachi`s message was to point to the fact that as long as they neglected the things of God, they could never expect to prosper. If they would repent, then God would bless them. Then he speaks of the approaching day of the Lord which will be ushered in by Elijah, who will be a forerunner of the Messiah, and then Messiah would come. The New Testament identifies Elijah as John the Baptizer and Jesus as the Messiah (Matt. 3:1-12; 11:14). The book of Malachi closes the Old Testament and a prophet is not revealed in the Scriptures for approximately 400 years until the beginning of the New Testament.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/malachi.html

The Importance Of Prophesy

Beginning in Old Testament times there were men known as prophets who declared or spoke forth God`s word. These prophets were "mouthpieces" of God with personalities similar to ours, and they would get a Word from the Lord and speak it out using their own personalities, and the message spoken out or written was the very word of God. 2 Pet 1:20 knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. These prophecies declared blessings or curses, dealing with the present or future. They were given ideally to strengthen the people and give them hope in the Lord. The Jewish faith was preserved through the prophets and the Lord was brought near to Israel. Jehovah was seen as the ruler of the world, in whose hands are the destinies of the future. Through these prophecies the Jews recognized their God and realized His presence and divine providence. As a nation they experienced oppression and sorrow, and so also as a nation they were often cheered up by the prophets with messages of future deliverance and victory over their enemies.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/the-messiah.html

The Messianic Prophesies

The most important prophecies to the Jewish church and nation were the "Messianic Prophecies". Words about a Messiah King who would reign in righteousness. This was the Jewish faith and hope. In His days Judah would be saved, and Israel would dwell in safety. This more than anything else, preserved the faith of the nation to Jehovah their God. Though beaten down by their enemies, though carried captive into foreign lands, yet their spirits rose with the hopes of final deliverance and future greatness. They looked forward to a time when Messiah their anointed King, to whom the heathen would be given for an inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for a possession, would rule over them. It may be that they misunderstood the nature and meaning of their prophecies; it may be that they overlooked the predictions relating to the sufferings of the Messiah, thinking only of His glorious reign, but still these Messianic hopes were the life of the nation, and the source of all that was beautiful in it. Were it not for the hope in a Messiah, the Jewish religion would have degenerated into a dry performance of ceremony and ritual, without any insight into their meaning, without any understanding of the nothingness of mere form and outward religion and of the necessity of spiritual worship.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/the-messiah.html

Messianic Prophecy: The Seed Of The Woman

Gen 3:15 And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel." Gal 4:4 But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law,

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/the-messiah.html

Messianic Prophecy: The Seed Of Abraham

Gen 12:3 I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed." Gal 3:16 Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, "And to seeds," as of many, but as of one, "And to your Seed," who is Christ.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/the-messiah.html

Messianic Prophecy: The Tribe Of Judah

Gen 49:10 The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh comes; and to Him shall be the obedience of the people. Matt 1:2 Abraham begot Isaac, Isaac begot Jacob, and Jacob begot Judah and his brothers.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/the-messiah.html

Messianic Prophecy: The Seed Of Jacob

Num 24:17-19 "I see Him, but not now; I behold Him, but not near; a Star shall come out of Jacob; a Scepter shall rise out of Israel... Out of Jacob One shall have dominion, and destroy the remains of the city." Lk 3:34 the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham, the son of Terah, the son of Nahor,

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/the-messiah.html

Messianic Prophecy: The Seed Of David

Ps 132:11 The LORD has sworn in truth to David; he will not turn from it: "I will set upon your throne the fruit of your body. Jer 23:5-6 "Behold, the days are coming," says the LORD, "That I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness; a King shall reign and prosper, and execute judgment and righteousness in the earth. In His days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell safely; now this is His name by which He will be called: THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. Rom 1:3 concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh,

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/the-messiah.html

Messianic Prophecy: A Prophet Like Moses

Deut 18:15-19 "The LORD your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your midst, from your brethren. Him you shall hear... `I will raise up for them a Prophet like you from among their brethren, and will put My words in His mouth, and He shall speak to them all that I command Him. `And it shall be that whoever will not hear My words, which He speaks in My name, I will require it of him. Jn 6:14 Then those men, when they had seen the sign that Jesus did, said, "This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world."

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/the-messiah.html

Messianic Prophecy: The Son Of God

Ps 2:7 "I will declare the decree: the LORD has said to Me, `You are My Son, today I have begotten You. Prov 30:4 Who has ascended into heaven, or descended? Who has gathered the wind in His fists? Who has bound the waters in a garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His name, and what is His Son`s name, if you know? Matt 3:17 And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/the-messiah.html

Messianic Prophecy: Resurrected From The Dead

Ps 16:10 For You will not leave my soul in Sheol, nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption. Acts 13:35-37 "Therefore He also says in another Psalm: `You will not allow Your Holy One to see corruption.` "For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell asleep, was buried with his fathers, and saw corruption; "but He whom God raised up saw no corruption.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/the-messiah.html

Messianic Prophecy: Betrayed By A Friend

Ps 41:9 Even my own familiar friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted up his heel against me. Matt 26:48-49 Now His betrayer had given them a sign, saying, "Whomever I kiss, He is the One; seize Him." Immediately he went up to Jesus and said, "Greetings, Rabbi!" and kissed Him.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/the-messiah.html

Messianic Prophecy: Ascend Into Heaven

Ps 68:18 You have ascended on high, you have led captivity captive; you have received gifts among men, even from the rebellious, that the LORD God might dwell there. Acts 1:9 Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/the-messiah.html

Messianic Prophecy: A Priest Like Melchizedek

Ps 110:4 The LORD has sworn and will not relent, "You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek." Heb 5:5-6 So also Christ did not glorify Himself to become High Priest, but it was He who said to Him: "You are My Son, today I have begotten You." As He also says in another place: "You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek"

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/the-messiah.html

Messianic Prophecy: Seated At The Right Hand Of God

Ps 110:1 The LORD said to my Lord, "Sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool." Matt 26:64 Jesus said to him, "It is as you said. Nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven."

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/the-messiah.html

Messianic Prophecy: The Rejected Stone To Become The Chief Cornerstone

Ps 118:22-23 The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This was the LORD`S doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. Is 28:16 Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: "Behold, I lay in Zion a stone for a foundation, a tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; whoever believes will not act hastily. Matt 21:42-43 Jesus said to them, "Have you never read in the Scriptures: `The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This was the Lord`s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes`? "Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/the-messiah.html

Messianic Prophecy: Born Of A Virgin

Is 7:14 "Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel. Lk 1:34-35 Then Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I do not know a man?" And the angel answered and said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/the-messiah.html

Messianic Prophecy: Minister In Galilee

Is 9:1-2 Nevertheless the gloom will not be upon her who is distressed, as when at first He lightly esteemed the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, and afterward more heavily oppressed her, by the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, in Galilee of the Gentiles. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them a light has shined. Matt 4:13 And leaving Nazareth, He came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the regions of Zebulun and Naphtali,

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/the-messiah.html

Rehoboam Refused To Lighten Burdens

Judah was left suddenly independent when Rehoboam flatly refused to lighten the heavy load of forced labor and high taxation imposed on the Israelites by his father Solomon (1 Kin. 12:1-24). Upon Rehoboam`s refusal, the ten tribes living north of Bethel promptly declared their independence.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/judah.html

Shishak Invades Judah

Something else occurred along with this Division--an entirely unexpected blow that devastated Judah. Shishak, Pharaoh of Egypt, invaded the country, plundered the treasures of the Temple and the royal palace, and destroyed a number of newly built fortresses (2 Chr. 12:1-12). Judah never recovered from the sudden loss of her national wealth. Because her land was not as fertile as that of the northern kingdom of Israel, Judah never enjoyed the same degree of prosperity.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/judah.html

Shemaiah Warned Against Attacking Israel

Rehoboam wanted to attack Israel and reunite the kingdom by force, but a Word from the Lord came to Shemaiah the prophet saying, I Kings 12:24 "Thus says the LORD: "You shall not go up nor fight against your brethren the children of Israel."

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/judah.html

Eight Kings Of Judah Served The Lord

Judah had somewhat of a better record. Only 8 of Judah`s kings served God. These were: Asa, Jehoshaphat, Joash, Amaziah, Uzziah, Jotham, Hezekiah, and Josiah. The rest of the 20 kings were wicked. In the southern kingdom there was only one dynasty, that of king David, except usurper Athaliah from the northern kingdom, who by marriage, broke into David`s line, and interrupted the succession for 6 years, 20 kings in all. An average of about 16 years to a reign.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/judah.html

Jehoram Married Athaliah

Jehoshaphat`s son Jehoram (about 848-841 B.C.) married Athaliah, daughter of king Ahab and the wicked Queen Jezebel; and their marriage led to Baal worship also being established in Jerusalem (2 Kin. 8:18).

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/judah.html

Ahaziah Reigned For One Year

Jehoram`s son Ahaziah reigned only for one year (841 B.C.) before he was killed. The pagan queen-mother Athaliah then seized the throne and nearly brought the Davidic line to extinction.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/judah.html

Joash Proclaimed Lawful King

The pagan queen-mother Athaliah seized the throne and nearly brought the Davidic line to extinction by killing most of Ahaziah`s sons. Only the infant Joash escaped; he was rescued by his aunt Jehoshabeath and her husband Jehoiada, the godly high priest (2 Chr. 22:10-12). After six years Joash was proclaimed the lawful king, and Athaliah was executed.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/judah.html

Queen Athaliah Executed

The pagan queen-mother Athaliah seized the throne and nearly brought the Davidic line to extinction by killing most of Ahaziah`s sons. Only the infant Joash escaped; he was rescued by his aunt Jehoshabeath and her husband Jehoiada, the godly high priest (2 Chr. 22:10-12). After six years Joash was proclaimed the lawful king, and Athaliah was executed.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/judah.html

Ahaz Sought Help From Assyria

Baal worship climaxed in Judah during the reign of Ahaz (2 Ki 16). Ahaz (about 732-715 B.C.), was faced with Assyria`s rise to power under TiglathPileser III; but Ahaz resisted the urgings of Rezin of Syria and Pekah of Israel to join an alliance against Assyria. Instead, Ahaz sought help from Assyria, against the prophet Isaiah`s advice, and received assistance in return for heavy tribute.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/judah.html

Syria And Israel Destroyed

Syria and the kingdom of Israel were destroyed in 722 B.C., leaving Judah at the mercy of the Assyrians.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/judah.html

Sennacherib Withdrew Miraculously From Israel

Assyria, now ruled by Sennacherib, moved against Jerusalem in 701 B. C. It was at this time that Hezekiah constructed the Siloam Tunnel to bring water from the Spring of Gihon into the city of Jerusalem (2 Chr. 32:30). But then something very strange happened. Somehow, miraculously the Assyrians withdrew from attacking Jerusalem after suffering heavy losses, perhaps from a plague. History leaves a big question mark at this point. Why didn`t Sennacherib build a seige mound against Jerusalem and completely conquer it? The Bible reveals something very interesting: Isa 37:33-38 "Therefore thus says the LORD concerning the king of Assyria: `He shall not come into this city, nor shoot an arrow there, nor come before it with shield, nor build a siege mound against it. By the way that he came, by the same shall he return; and he shall not come into this city,` says the LORD. `For I will defend this city, to save it for My own sake and for My servant David`s sake.` "Then the angel of the LORD went out, and killed in the camp of the Assyrians one hundred and eighty-five thousand; and when people arose early in the morning, there were the corpses-- all dead. So Sennacherib king of Assyria departed and went away, returned home, and remained at Nineveh. Now it came to pass, as he was worshiping in the house of Nisroch his god, that his sons Adrammelech and Sharezer struck him down with the sword; and they escaped into the land of Ararat. Then Esarhaddon his son reigned in his place.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/judah.html

Manasseh Judah`s Most Wicked King

Revival came during the reign of Hezekiah but it was immediately swept aside by Manasseh, who was Judah`s most wicked and longest ruling king. The nation never fully recovered from the effects of this evil king. Manasseh`s son Amon continued in his father`s depravity, but he soon was murdered. His successor was Josiah (about 640-609 B.C.).

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/judah.html

Josiah Killed At Megiddo

Josiah reigned about 640-609 B.C. and he restored traditional covenant religion, which was based on the Book of the Law newly discovered in a Temple storeroom (2 Chr. 34:14). Many did not follow Josiah`s example, however, and the prophet Zephaniah foretold disaster for the nation. By 610 B.C. the Assyrian Empire had collapsed under Babylonian attacks, and Babylon prepared to march against Egypt, which had been helping the Assyrians. Against Jeremiah`s advice, Josiah intervened and was killed at Megiddo.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/judah.html

Babylonians Capture Jerusalem

After Josiah there was no hope for Judah, the last 3 kings were all evil. The Babylonians swept down upon Jerusalem in 597 B. C. and captured it. A second attack led to Jerusalem`s second defeat in 586 B. C. Captives from both campaigns were taken to Babylonia to mark the captivity of the Southern Kingdom.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/judah.html

A Brief Overview Of The Assyrians

Assyria was a kingdom located between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers that dominated the ancient world from the ninth century to the seventh century B. C. Its capital was Nineveh. In stature the Assyrians were of average modern European height, and were powerfully built. Their complexion was dark, the nose prominent, the hair, eyebrows, and beard thick and bushy. They rarely intermarried with neighboring peoples. The early inhabitants of Assyria were ancient tribesmen (Gen. 10:22) who probably migrated from Babylonia. They grew powerful enough around 1300 B. C. to conquer Babylonia. For the next 700 years they were the leading power in the ancient world, with their leading rival nation, Babylon, constantly challenging them for this position.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/the_assyrians.html

Assyrians Destroyed The Northern Kingdom Of Israel

It was the Assyrians that destroyed the northern kingdom Israel under Shalmaneser IV who besieged Samaria and then died during the siege leaving Sargon II to finish the task and drag Israel into captivity. After defeating the northern kingdom of Israel in 722 B. C., the Assyrians carried away thousands of Israelites and resettled them in other parts of the Assyrian Empire. This was a blow from which the nation of Israel never recovered. The ten tribes that were taken to Assyria became the ten lost tribes, for they have never again emerged in world history.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/the_assyrians.html

Assyrians Deported Conquered People

Assyrian policy was to deport conquered peoples to other lands within the empire, to destroy their sense of nationalism, and break any pride or hope of rebellion and replace them with strangers from far away.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/the_assyrians.html

The Assyrians Were Gruesome Warriors

Assyrians were great warriors. Most nations at that time period were looters, building their state by robbing other nations. Assyria was the most ferocious of them all. Their very name became a byword for cruelty and atrocity. They skinned their prisoners alive, and cut off various body parts to inspire terror in their enemies. There are records of Assyrian officials pulling out tongues and displaying mounds of human skulls all to bring about stark horror and wealthy tribute from surrounding nations. Nowhere are the pages of history more bloody than in the records of their wars.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/the_assyrians.html

Assyria Fell In 607 BC

Assyria was a world empire for about 300 years under several warrior kings some of which wielded Assyria into the best fighting machine of the ancient world. Finally the brutal empire fell in 607 B.C. giving way to the Babylonians.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/the_assyrians.html

The Religion Of The Assyrians

The religion of the Assyrians, much like that of the Babylonians, emphasized worship of nature. They believed every object of nature was possessed by a spirit. The chief god was Asshur. All other primary gods whom they worshiped were related to the objects of nature. These included Anu, god of the heavens; Bel, god of the region inhabited by man, beasts, and birds; Ea, god of the waters; Sin, the moon-god; Shamash, the sun-god; and Ramman, god of the storms. These gods were followed by five gods of the planets. In addition to these primary gods, lesser gods also were worshiped. In some cases, various cities had their own patron gods. The pagan worship of the Assyrians was vehemently condemned by several prophets of the Old Testament (Is. 10:5; Ezek. 16:28; Hos. 8.9)

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/the_assyrians.html

The Kings Of Assyria (885-607 BC)

Assur-nasipal II (885-860 B.C.) Shalmaneser II (860-825 B.C.) Shansi-adad (825-808 B.C.) Adad-nirari (808-783 B.C.) Shalmaneser III (783-771 B.C.) Assur-dayan (771-753 B.C.) Assur-lush (753-747 B.C.) Tiglath-pileser III (Pul) (747-727 B.C.) Shalmaneser IV (727-722 B.C.) Sargon II (722-705 B.C.) Sennacherib (705-681 B.C.) Esar-haddon (681-668 B.C.) Assur-banipal (668-626 B.C.) Assur-etil-ilani (626-607 B.C.)

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/the_assyrians.html

Nebuchadezzar And The Babylonian Captivity

Around 605 BC. Nineveh and Assyria had fallen. It was just Egypt and Babylon who were seeking world supremacy. The young brilliant new king of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar, went out and defeated the Egyptians at Carchemish. He marched on to Judah, during Jehoiakim`s reign, and took thousands of Hebrews back to Babylon (including Daniel, who became one of the greatest prophets). Nebuchadnezzar made two more attacks when he heard of rebellion in Judah. Each time he took captives (including Ezekiel the prophet). Only a remnant of the weakest, poorest, and least threatening Jews remained. King Nebuchadnezzar set up a puppet king (Zedekiah) of David`s line to sit on the throne of Judah and made him swear an oath of allegiance (2 Chr 36:10-12)

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/babylonian-captivity.html

Babylonians Take Daniel Captive

The young brilliant king of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar, marched on Judah during Jehoiakim`s reign, and took thousands of Hebrews back to Babylon including Daniel, who became one of the greatest prophets.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/babylonian-captivity.html

Zedekiah The Puppet King Of Judah

King Nebuchadnezzar set up a puppet king, Zedekiah of David`s line, to sit on the throne of Judah and made him swear an oath of allegiance (2 Chr 36:10-12).

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/babylonian-captivity.html

Zedekiah Rebelled Against Nebuchadnezzar

Zedekiah was as faithless as the rest of the evil kings of Judah. He then rebelled and allied with other enemies. When Nebuchadnezzar heard he came back for the last time, in 586 BC, to reduce Jerusalem to rubble and send the Temple up in flames. Zedekiah was forced to witness the slaughter of his sons, then his eyes were put out, and he himself was carried off to Babylon. The Kingdom was over and the "times of the gentiles" had begun.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/babylonian-captivity.html

Jerusalem Destroyed By Babylonians

When Nebuchadnezzar heard of Zedekiah`s rebellion he came back to Jerusalem for the last time, in 586 BC, reduced Jerusalem to rubble and sent the Temple up in flames. Zedekiah was forced to witness the slaughter of his sons, then his eyes were put out, and he himself was carried off to Babylon. The Kingdom was over and the "times of the gentiles" had begun.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/babylonian-captivity.html

A Brief Overview Of The Return From Babylon

The people of Judah were horribly distressed. They lost their home, their city, their pride, their Temple, the ark of the covenant, and they were taken as prisoners to Babylon, the homeland of idolatry. But God raised up great men to remind them of Jeremiah`s prophesies, that they would only be there for 70 years. Babylon would not be their home; they would return, the temple would be rebuilt, and the Messiah would still come. Daniel and Ezekiel sought to keep the true faith alive.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/return-from-babylon.html

The Decree Of Cyrus

By 538 BC. Babylon had passed into history and the Medo- Persian Empire took its place. Cyrus the Persian issued a decree to allow the Jews to go back to their land, and with the blessing of The Persian Empire. But the Jews hardly moved because Babylon had become their home.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/return-from-babylon.html

Many Jews Stayed In Babylon

Cyrus the Persian issued a decree to allow the Jews to go back to their land, but few of the Jews moved because Babylon had become their home. Only a portion returned (Neh 7) and only 74 of the Levites, who were supposed to be known for their dedication to the things of God.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/return-from-babylon.html

Zerubbabel And The Temple

The first move back to Palestine was led by Zerubbabel, of the house of David. He was the only one of royal blood to pay any attention to the decree of Cyrus (Ezra 2). When he returned, he found just rubble. No temple, torn down walls, and a mixed breed of corrupt Jews (Samaritans) living there. In 536 BC he laid the foundations for a new temple, built an altar and worshiped the Lord. The prophets Haggai and Zechariah helped urge the Jews on. They finished the work on the Temple in 516 BC (exactly 70 years).

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/return-from-babylon.html

Ezra And Nehemiah

In 458 BC more Jews returned (Ezra 7) under the leadership of Ezra. 12 years later, Nehemiah, received permission to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem and to govern Judea. He arrived in 444 BC. Despite much opposition, Nehemiah completed this seemingly hopeless task in 52 days. Then a revival followed. Ezra and Nehemiah canonized the books of the Old Testament. They read aloud to the people and gave interpretation. About 40 years later, the prophet Malachi condemned the people for slipping back into their sinful ways.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/return-from-babylon.html

A Brief Overview Of The Old Testament Prophets

The history of the rise and fall of the Hebrew nation are found in the history books (Genesis-Esther). The prophets appeared during the days of the fall of the Hebrew nation. At the moment of the apostasy of the 10 tribes at the close of Solomon`s reign and Israel`s golden age the ministry of the prophets began. The prophets gave a wake up call as soon as people began to forget God.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/the-prophets.html

Assyrian Period Prophets

Jonah, Joel, Amos, Hosea, Isaiah, Micah, Zephaniah, and Nahum

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/the-prophets.html

Babylonian Period Prophets

Jeremiah, Habakkuk, Ezekiel, Obadiah, and Daniel were the prophets of the Babylonian Period.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/the-prophets.html

Man Is Inherently Sinful

They turned quickly from the way in which their fathers walked, in obeying the commandments of the LORD; they did not do so. And when the LORD raised up judges for them, the LORD was with the judge and delivered them out of the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge; for the LORD was moved to pity by their groaning because of those who oppressed them and harassed them. And it came to pass, when the judge was dead, that they reverted and behaved more corruptly than their fathers, by following other gods, to serve them and bow down to them. They did not cease from their own doings nor from their stubborn way. The message that seems to become evident during the dark period of the judges is that man is inherently sinful and will always revert back to his evil ways, and the Lord will always be there for those who cry out to Him, but forgetting God can only result in bondage and defeat.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/the-judges.html

A Brief Overview Of Samuel

Samuel who was the first of Israel`s great prophets, and the last of the judges. Samuel`s mother Hannah (who was barren) had prayed for a son. 1 Sam 1:10-11 And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed to the LORD and wept in anguish. Then she made a vow and said, "O LORD of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, and not forget Your maidservant, but will give Your maidservant a male child, then I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life. . ." She praised God when He answered her prayer and gave her a child. Hannah gave Samuel to the priest, Eli, so he could be taught to serve the Lord.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/samuel.html

Samuel Heard From God

As a child, Samuel, heard from God that he was going to be a prophet and judge in Israel. Before Samuel`s time, a prophet was called a "seer." But Samuel was not just a forecaster of the future but became a "mouthpiece" for God. He was used by God to inform Eli that his house would be punished for the abuses and the perversions of his sons who were the priests of the people. The priest was a mediator for God to the people and for the people to God. But they were completely corrupt. Samuel also rebuked the nation about their evil ways.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/samuel.html

The Israelites Want A King

The Philistines and other enemies oppressed Israel so severely that they became disheartened. They complained that the nation had no hope of survival as long as it remained a collection of tribes. They were tired of being a Theocracy under God. They wanted something more tangible. They wanted a Monarchy. They cried for a king. They longed for a strong nation headed by a warrior king. The more Samuel tried to wed them closer to Jehovah and His direct rule over them, the more discontent they became. They wanted what the other nations had, an earthly king. At last, a brokenhearted Samuel let them have their way. (1 Sam 1-8).

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/samuel.html

Samuel Forewarns The Behavior Of A King

So Samuel told all the words of the LORD to the people who asked him for a king. And he said, "This will be the behavior of the king who will reign over you: He will take your sons and appoint them for his own chariots and to be his horsemen, and some will run before his chariots. "He will appoint captains over his thousands and captains over his fifties, will set some to plow his ground and reap his harvest, and some to make his weapons of war and equipment for his chariots. "He will take your daughters to be perfumers, cooks, and bakers. "And he will take the best of your fields, your vineyards, and your olive groves, and give them to his servants. "He will take a tenth of your grain and your vintage, and give it to his officers and servants. "And he will take your male servants, your female servants, your finest young men, and your donkeys, and put them to his work. "He will take a tenth of your sheep. And you will be his servants. "And you will cry out in that day because of your king whom you have chosen for yourselves, and the LORD will not hear you in that day."

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/samuel.html

Saul, The First King Of Israel

The Lord had always intended to give Israel a king (Deut 17), but Israel`s sin was in demanding a king with the wrong motives, before God`s time, and in looking for that king in the wrong tribe. A man named Saul, from the tribe of Benjamin was chosen, a man of impressive stature, who embodied the basic ideals Israel had at the time, being much more concerned with his appearance than his heart. It`s sad how Saul`s character turned out to be a reflection of Israel as a whole.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/saul.html

Sauls Weaknesses

Saul was a weak and ineffective king who didn`t do much with his life except try to murder David, his son-in-law, despite David`s repeated expression of loyalty, because he knew David was destined to take his place one day on the throne. Saul`s hatred and insane jealousy for David made him fail as a king and Samuel regretted anointing him. Saul`s reign ended in disaster. He received no answer for his prayers, and even sought the help of a witch.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/saul.html

The Battle At Gilboa

The battle that took place the next day at Gilboa was a bitter defeat for Israel, Saul himself was wounded, and he committed suicide by throwing himself on his own sword. Three of his sons, including Jonathan also died.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/saul.html

Disobeying God At Gilgal

The greatest failure for Saul, the first king of Israel, was when he disobeyed God at Gilgal. The Philistines were encamped against Israel and Saul`s troops were deserting daily. The prophet Samuel had promised him that all would be well, only he must wait for God`s time. Samuel would come at the end of a week and would offer a sacrifice. Then Saul`s armies would have the victory. Saul impatiently went ahead and offered the sacrifice himself. No sooner had he finished than the prophet appeared. Saul had greatly sinned in officiating as a priest.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/saul.html

David The Rightful King

Like Jesus, David was from Bethlehem. He grew up as a shepherd and was skillful in music and courageous. Samuel secretly anointed him as king and God openly showed Israel His chosen one by his single-handed slaying of the giant: Goliath.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/david.html

David Slays Goliath Of Gath

1 Sam 17:43-50 So the Philistine said to David, "Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?" And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. And the Philistine said to David, "Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field!" Then David said to the Philistine, "You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. "This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you and take your head from you. And this day I will give the carcasses of the camp of the Philistines to the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. "Then all this assembly shall know that the LORD does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the LORD`S, and He will give you into our hands." So it was, when the Philistine arose and came and drew near to meet David, that David hastened and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine. Then David put his hand in his bag and took out a stone; and he slung it and struck the Philistine in his forehead, so that the stone sank into his forehead, and he fell on his face to the earth. So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone, and struck the Philistine and killed him.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/david.html

Saul Began To Hate David

But Saul began to hate David more and more. David had served at Saul`s court, had been married to his younger daughter, and had gone to battle numerous times at Saul`s command, and Saul began to hope that David would die in battle. When Saul openly tried to murder him was when David took to the hills.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/david.html

David Hid In The Wilderness

For some 20 years David hid in the wilderness from Saul where he gathered an army from the outcasts of Israel. David wrote most of the Psalms at this time and God called him, "a man after My own heart."

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/david.html

David Crowned King

Finally, 7 years after Saul died, the tribes crowned David king at Hebron (about 1000 BC). He brought the Ark of the covenant (gold box containing the 10 commandments and symbolizing the throne of God) to Jerusalem, which he established as the capital (2 Sam 1-5).

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/david.html

Peace And Prosperity

David was Israel`s greatest and truly ideal king. He was a great warrior and a man who loved God. He brought great peace and prosperity to the land. But David also had his weaknesses..

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/david.html

Davids Weaknesses

David also had his weaknesses. He took many wives, like other kings, and this was forbidden by God. He even arranged the murder of one of his soldiers so that he could marry the man`s wife who he had already seduced. David was a great sinner, but he was also very remorseful and repentant. David also took a census (headcount) of his army, showing a lack of trust in God. God punished David and Israel for his sins.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/david.html

A Picture Of Christ

The good qualities found in David are a picture of Christ who would be a descendant of David.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/david.html

Solomon Ordained The Third King

David ordained that his son Solomon become the next king. He then gave Solomon the plans for the Temple and said: 1 Chr 28:9-11 "As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a loyal heart and with a willing mind; for the LORD searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever. "Consider now, for the LORD has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary; be strong, and do it."

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/solomon.html

Solomon Asks For Wisdom

The Lord appeared to Solomon and offered him anything he wished for: I Kings 3:5-14 At Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, "Ask! What shall I give you?" And Solomon said: "You have shown great mercy to Your servant David my father, because he walked before You in truth, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with You; You have continued this great kindness for him, and You have given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day. "Now, O LORD my God, You have made Your servant king instead of my father David, but I am a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. "And Your servant is in the midst of Your people whom You have chosen, a great people, too numerous to be numbered or counted. "Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?"

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/solomon.html

Solomon Built The Temple

Solomon became Israel`s most magnificent king. He built the marvelous Temple and God`s favor was with him. When he had finished the Temple he made sacrifices and said a public prayer: I Kings 8:27-30 "But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain You. How much less this temple which I have built! "Yet regard the prayer of Your servant and his supplication, O LORD my God, and listen to the cry and the prayer which Your servant is praying before You today: "that Your eyes may be open toward this temple night and day, toward the place of which You said, `My name shall be there,` that You may hear the prayer which Your servant makes toward this place. "And may You hear the supplication of Your servant and of Your people Israel, when they pray toward this place. Hear in heaven Your dwelling place; and when You hear, forgive. . ."

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/solomon.html

The Glory Of God Filled The Temple

2 Chr 7:1-3 "When Solomon had finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the LORD filled the temple. And the priests could not enter the house of the LORD, because the glory of the LORD had filled the LORD`S house. When all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the LORD on the temple, they bowed their faces to the ground on the pavement, and worshiped and praised the LORD, saying: "For He is good, for His mercy endures forever."

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/solomon.html

Great Wisdom

During his reign he made Israel a world power and great wealth flowed into the kingdom. He had such great wisdom from God that people came from distant lands to here him. He taught many proverbs and wrote Ecclesiastes and Songs.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/solomon.html

Solomons Wives And Concubines

Solomon did more than any other king to break down the kingdom and to destroy its true foundations. His biggest mistake was in disobeying God by taking many wives, and marrying the daughters of foreign kings. He had 700 wives and 300 concubines. He allowed them to build altars to "Astarte" (Ishtar in Babylonia and Astoreth in Phoenicia) the fertility goddess and other pagan gods.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/solomon.html

Israel Split In Two

Though Solomon was gifted with incredible wisdom, his heart led him astray. Toward the end of his life troubles began to appear through powerful factions, and enemies raised up both within and without the nation. Though Solomon made Jerusalem one of the wonders of the world, the kingdom was ready for a collapse. When Solomon died (about 922 BC) the kingdom split in two.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/solomon.html

A Brief Overview Of The Divided Kingdom

After Solomon, the fame and fortunes of Israel went downhill. The nation rebelled against God and his laws. God might have destroyed Israel had He not promised to Abraham a redeemer and He still planned to use the house of David for this. When Solomon died a civil war broke out as Solomon`s sons and generals fought over the throne. Rehoboam had his fathers blessing to be the new king, but Jeroboam had more military influence. In the end, Rehoboam took the southern half of the country and called it "Judah". Jeroboam took the northern half and kept the name Israel. Each claimed to be God`s chosen king.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/divided-kingdom.html

Ten Tribes Of The Northern Kingdom

The Northern Kingdom consisted of 10 of the tribes (excluding Judah and Benjamin). It lasted for about 210 years until it was destroyed by Assyria in 722 BC. Its capital was Samaria. Every king of Israel was evil. In the northern kingdom there were 9 dynasties (family lines of kings) and 19 kings in all. An average of 11 years to a reign. 8 of these kings met death by violence.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/israel.html

The Epitaph Written Over The Kings

The epitaph written over every one of its kings was: 1 Kings 15:34 and he did evil in the sight of the LORD, and walked in the way of Jeroboam, and in his sin by which he had made Israel to sin.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/israel.html

Ahab Introduced Baal Worship To Israel

It was king Ahab who introduced Baal worship to them. 1 Kings 16:30-33 Now Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the LORD, more than all who were before him. And it came to pass, as though it had been a trivial thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he took as wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal, king of the Sidonians; and he went and served Baal and worshiped him. Then he set up an altar for Baal in the temple of Baal, which he had built in Samaria. And Ahab made a wooden image. Ahab did more to provoke the LORD God of Israel to anger than all the kings of Israel who were before him.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/israel.html

Israel Taken Into Captivity By The Assyrians

A world empire was being gathered into the ruthless hands of the Assyrians. The ruthless and cruel Assyrians (under Sargon II) besieged Samaria for 3 years and finally it fell, Israel was doomed. The Assyrians hauled them away into captivity (722 BC).

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/israel.html

Judgement Came Upon Israel

Therefore the LORD was very angry with Israel, and removed them from His sight; there was none left but the tribe of Judah alone. . And the LORD rejected all the descendants of Israel, afflicted them, and delivered them into the hand of plunderers, until He had cast them from His sight. For He tore Israel from the house of David, and they made Jeroboam the son of Nebat king. Then Jeroboam drove Israel from following the LORD, and made them commit a great sin. For the children of Israel walked in all the sins of Jeroboam which he did; they did not depart from them, until the LORD removed Israel out of His sight, as He had said by all His servants the prophets. So Israel was carried away from their own land to Assyria.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/israel.html

Two Tribes Of The Southern Kingdom

The Southern Kingdom consisted of 2 tribes (Judah and Benjamin). The kingdom extended in the north as far as Bethel, while in the south it ended in the dry area known as the Negev. Its eastern and western boundaries were the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea. Jerusalem was its capital and it lasted from about 922-586 B.C.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/judah.html

A Brief Overview Of Joseph

The story of Joseph is among those that are most favored in the Bible. As Jacob grew older, ten of his sons got jealous of their younger brother, Joseph, because Jacob adored Joseph. Joseph was receiving revelations and dreams at a very young age and dreamed they would all bow down to him someday.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/joseph.html

Joseph Sold To A Caravan

His 10 brothers got so mad that they sold him to a caravan going to Egypt and then told their father that he was dead.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/joseph.html

Pharaohs Dream Interpreted

Joseph interpreted Pharaoh`s dreams by the Holy Spirit: Gen 41:15-16 And Pharaoh said to Joseph, "I have dreamed a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that you can understand a dream, to interpret it." So Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, "It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh an answer of peace."

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/joseph.html

Joseph Named A Ruler In Egypt

Joseph was faithful to God and became a main ruler in Egypt: Gen 41:39-44 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Inasmuch as God has shown you all this, there is no one as discerning and wise as you. "You shall be over my house, and all my people shall be ruled according to your word; only in regard to the throne will I be greater than you." And Pharaoh said to Joseph, "See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt." Then Pharaoh took his signet ring off his hand and put it on Joseph`s hand . . ."

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/joseph.html

Josephs 10 Brothers Come To Egypt

Just as the dream had foretold, a famine came throughout the world and in the land of Canaan it was very severe so Joseph`s 10 brothers came to Egypt in search of food. They all bowed down to him, and after testing them, Joseph revealed to them his true identity, and forgave them. God saved the whole family from the famine and they came down to live in Egypt.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/joseph.html

A Brief Overview Of Moses

Moses, who was born about 1500 BC. He was chosen to lead Israel out of slavery and give them God`s laws. When the Book of Exodus begins, the Hebrews were living in Egypt and after time they grew in number and the new Pharaoh didn`t remember Joseph and put them into slavery. The Hebrew slaves had been reproducing so fast that the king felt threatened by a potential revolt against his authority. He gave orders that no more male Hebrew children should be allowed to live. To save the infant Moses, his mother made a little vessel of papyrus waterproofed with asphalt and pitch. She placed Moses in the vessel, floating among the reeds on the bank of the Nile River.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/moses.html

Egyptian Princess Found Moses

By God`s providence, Moses-- the child of a Hebrew slave-- was found and adopted by an Egyptian princess, the daughter of the Pharaoh himself. He was reared in the royal court as a prince of the Egyptians: "And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and deeds" (Acts 7:22). At the same time the Lord determined that Moses should be taught in his earliest years by his own mother. This meant that he was grounded in the faith of his fathers, although he was reared as an Egyptian (Ex. 2:1-10).

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/moses.html

Egyptian Training And Education

Moses was educated in a civilization unsurpassed by any people at that time. His training was designed to prepare him for a high office, or even the throne of Egypt. He became familiar with life at Pharaoh`s courts and the pomp and grandeur of Egyptian religious worship. He was schooled in the writing and literary ideas of the time. He witnessed the administration of justice.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/moses.html

Moses Killed The Egyptian

When he was 40 years old, Moses became angry at an Egyptian taskmaster who was beating a Hebrew slave; he killed the Egyptian and buried him in the sand (Ex. 2:12). When this became known, however, he feared for his own life and fled from Egypt to the desert land of Midian where he married a daughter of Jethro in agreement to tend Jethro`s flocks.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/moses.html

God Spoke From The Burning Bush

After about 40 more years, God spoke to Moses from a bush that was on fire but didn`t burn. God sent Moses back to Egypt to lead the Hebrews out of slavery, and into the land promised to Abraham. God demonstrated His power to Moses and revealed to Him His holy Name "YHVH" or "Yaweh" (Jehovah became a popular pronunciation in the 16th century through German translators although there is no "J" sound in the Hebrew).

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/moses.html

The Ten Plagues Of Egypt

God anointed Aaron to go with Moses to be the spokesman and they persuaded the people of Israel to follow them but Pharaoh would not let them go. Then God sent 10 devastating plagues on the Egyptians, the last plague being the death of the firstborn in every home whose doors were not marked with blood. First Plague: Blood Second Plague: Frogs Third Plague: Lice Fourth Plague: Flies Fifth Plague: Disease on Livestock Sixth Plague: Boils Seventh Plague: Hail Eighth Plague: Locusts Ninth Plague: Darkness Tenth Plague: Death of the First-Born

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/moses.html

Pharaoh Let Israel Go

After the tenth plague, Pharaoh finally gave in and agreed to let Israel go (and with all the wealth of Egypt), but as soon as they left, Pharaoh changed his mind. He sent his army after them where Israel was cornered against the Red Sea.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/moses.html

Moses And The Red Sea

God parted the waters and led them through on dry ground. Exod 14:21-22 Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea into dry land, and the waters were divided. So the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea on the dry ground, and the waters were a wall to them on their right hand and on their left. Then the waters closed in on Pharaoh`s armies: Exod 14:28-29 Then the waters returned and covered the chariots, the horsemen, and all the army of Pharaoh that came into the sea after them. Not so much as one of them remained. But the children of Israel had walked on dry land in the midst of the sea, and the waters were a wall to them on their right hand and on their left.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/moses.html

Israelites Led In The Wilderness

The Israelites were guided by the mysterious Shekinah glory cloud that led them to Mount Sinai. On the way their faith was tested as they experienced intense heat, hunger, thirst, and war. God did many miracles including "manna", bread that fell from heaven.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/moses.html

A Brief Overview Of The Giving Of The Law

When the Israelites arrived at Mount Sinai, Moses went up into the mountain for 40 days. God revealed Himself and they were terrified. Exodus 19:16-18 Then it came to pass on the third day, in the morning, that there were thunderings and lightnings, and a thick cloud on the mountain; and the sound of the trumpet was very loud, so that all the people who were in the camp trembled. And Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain. Now Mount Sinai was completely in smoke, because the LORD descended upon it in fire. Its smoke ascended like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked greatly.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/the-law-of-moses.html

The Ten Commandments

Out of this momentous encounter came the covenant between the Lord and Israel, including the Ten Commandments (Ex. 20:1-17).

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/the-law-of-moses.html

The Golden Calf

When Moses delayed in coming down from Mount Sinai, the faithless people became restless. They persuaded Aaron to take their golden earrings and other articles of jewelry and to fashion a golden calf for worship. When he came down from the mountain, Moses was horrified at the idolatry and rebellion of his people. The sons of Levi were loyal to Moses, however; and he ordered them to punish the rebels (Ex. 32:28). Because of his anger at the golden calf, Moses cast down the two tablets of stone with the Ten Commandments and broke them at the foot of the mountain (Ex. 32:19).

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/the-law-of-moses.html

Different Types Of Laws

Moral Laws (10 Commandments written by the finger of God), Civil Laws (Dietary and Judicial also), and Ceremonial Laws (Sacrifices, Feast Days, etc.). In giving the Law to the Hebrew people, Moses taught the Israelites what the Lord expected of them-- that they were to be a holy people separated from the pagan immorality and idolatry of their surroundings. Here the foundation of Judaism was laid. A God given religious system all centering around the Tabernacle (the place where the blood was sprinkled on the ark), the Sacrifices, and the Priesthood. The Levites were the priestly tribe, and Aaron (Moses` brother) was the first High Priest.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/the-law-of-moses.html

A Brief Overview Of The Tabernacle

The Tabernacle was the portable sanctuary which contained the holy vessels of furniture including the "ark of the Covenant" (the box that contained the two tables of the Law) serving as a place of worship for the Israelites from the time of Moses and the wilderness wanderings until the Temple of Solomon was built. It represented God`s throne on the earth and typified God dwelling in His people just as the New Testament reveals the fulfillment that our bodies are the Temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6:19).

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/tabernacle.html

Dimensions Of The Tabernacle

The Tabernacle was 150 feet long and 75 feet wide. The curtain around the outer court was of fine white linen, which were fastened to 60 supporting pillars of bronze.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/tabernacle.html

The Outer Court

The curtain around the outer court was of fine white linen, which were fastened to 60 supporting pillars of bronze. Within the outer court there were the great "bronze altar of burnt offering" (Ex 27) used for sacrifices and offerings, and the "bronze laver" (Ex 30) used for the cleansing and purifications of the priests. The Tabernacle itself stood at the West end of the court and was a wooden structure overlaid with gold 45 x 15 feet divided into two parts by a heavy curtain called the "Veil."

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/tabernacle.html

The Holy Place

The bigger part (30 x 15) was called "the holy place" and contained three golden articles of furniture. "The table of showbread," "the golden candlestick," and "the golden altar" of incense, each fulfilling certain functions.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/tabernacle.html

The Holy Of Holies

The smaller part (15 x 15) was called "the holy of holies" and contained only "the ark of the covenant." This is where the blood was sprinkled on the lid "mercy seat" on the day of atonement once per year by the high priest. The glory of the Lord would be the only light in the room.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/tabernacle.html

Disassembling The Tabernacle

As the Israelites marched in the wilderness, the Levites (priestly tribe) would disassemble the Tabernacle, and, the ark carried by the priests on two poles, would lead them as they went with the glory cloud hovering over them. Num 10:33-36 So they departed from the mountain of the LORD on a journey of three days; and the ark of the covenant of the LORD went before them for the three days` journey, to search out a resting place for them. And the cloud of the LORD was above them by day when they went out from the camp. So it was, whenever the ark set out, that Moses said:

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/tabernacle.html

A Brief Overview Of The Wilderness Wanderings

During these years of wandering in the wilderness, Moses` patience was continually tested by the murmurings, grumblings, and complaints of the people. At one point, Moses` patience reached its breaking point and he sinned against the Lord, in anger against the people. When the people again grumbled against Moses, saying they had no water, the Lord told Moses to speak to the rock and water would flow forth. Instead, Moses lifted his hand and struck the rock twice with his rod. Apparently because he disobeyed the Lord in this act, Moses was not permitted to enter the Promised Land (Num. 20:1-13). That privilege would belong to his successor, Joshua.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/wandering-in-wilderness.html

Moses Sends Twelve Spies To Canaan

Moses sent 12 spies, one from each of the 12 tribes of Israel, into Canaan to explore the land. The spies returned with glowing reports of the fruitfulness of the land. They brought back samples of its figs and pomegranates and a cluster of grapes so large that it had to be carried between two men on a pole (Num. 13:1-25). The majority of the spies, however, voted against the invasion of the land because of the huge inhabitants of Canaan, and fortified cities "walled to heaven". It was a report of doom. Yet two of the spies, Joshua and Caleb, brought back a report full of faith and encouragement.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/wandering-in-wilderness.html

Israelites Refuse To Enter Canaan

But the people lost heart and rebelled, refusing to enter Canaan and crying for a new leader who would take them back to Egypt. To punish them for their lack of faith, God condemned all of that generation, except Caleb and Joshua, to perish in the wilderness for 40 years (Num. 14:26-38). All those 20 years old and up would indeed perish in the wilderness with the exception of Joshua and Caleb.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/wandering-in-wilderness.html

Joshua Succeeds Moses

After 40 years the sandglass ran out and Moses brought the tribes back to Kadesh. They camped on the plains of Moab where Moses spoke to them for the last time. Moses then turned his leadership over to Joshua. God led him to the top of Mount Nebo to see the land and there Moses died.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/wandering-in-wilderness.html

A Brief Overview Of Joshua

When Israel finally crossed over the Jordan River (on dry land) and entered Canaan and celebrated their first Passover in the promised land. God spoke to Joshua and made him a strong leader. Josh 1:5-6 ". . . as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you. "Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them."

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/joshua-promised-land.html

The Evil Ways Of The Canaanites

The sins of the Canaanites were at the boiling point and Joshua was to completely destroy them lest Israel inherit their evil ways. Some of the abominations happening in the land were temple prostitution, father and son committing sexual acts with the same prostitute, child sacrifice, homosexuality, idolatry, and on and on. God spoke about their evil ways throughout the entire Old Testament. Lev 18:25-30 `For the land is defiled; therefore I visit the punishment of its iniquity upon it, and the land vomits out its inhabitants. `You shall therefore keep My statutes and My judgments, and shall not commit any of these abominations, either any of your own nation or any stranger who dwells among you `for all these abominations the men of the land have done, who were before you, and thus the land is defiled), `lest the land vomit you out also when you defile it, as it vomited out the nations that were before you. `For whoever commits any of these abominations, the persons who commit them shall be cut off from among their people. `Therefore you shall keep My ordinance, so that you do not commit any of these abominable customs which were committed before you, and that you do not defile yourselves by them: I am the LORD your God."

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/joshua-promised-land.html

Jericho Conquered By The Israelites

The inhabitants of Canaan were terrified. The first city they conquered was Jericho. It was a miracle, when the trumpets were blown, the walls fell. Josh 6:20 "So the people shouted when the priests blew the trumpets. And it happened when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat. Then the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city."

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/joshua-promised-land.html

Successes Of Joshua

Under Joshua, the Israelites conquered the entire country (Josh 21). The only defeat was at Ai, where an Israelite named Achan disobeyed God`s orders. In 7 years they defeated 31 kings in the land. Joshua divided the land among the 12 tribes of Israel as God directed.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/joshua-promised-land.html

Mistakes Of Joshua

Joshua was a great leader but he made 2 fatal mistakes. First, he failed to completely defeat the Canaanites (especially the Philistines, Amalekites, and Midianites), and second, he failed to wipe out completely the filthy and idolatrous fertility cults of the land. Joshua`s failure to cut this cancer completely out of society resulted in disastrous times for about the next 400 years of Hebrew history.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/joshua-promised-land.html

A Brief Overview Of The Judges

Before he died, Joshua urged Israel to keep trusting God and obeying His commands, but they didn`t. After Joshua died, "every man did what was right in his own eyes". They would forget God, the enemy would severely oppress them, they would cry out to God for help, and God would raise up a deliverer (Judge) to free them of their misery. This was the sad pattern for the Israelites for almost 400 years. The main deliverer-judges were: Othniel, Deborah, Gideon, Jephthah, Samson, Eli, and Samuel. (Ruth also lived during this period). Probably the most important person in this era was Samuel.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/the-judges.html

Worshiping Other Gods

udges 2:10-19 When all that generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation arose after them who did not know the LORD nor the work which He had done for Israel. Then the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and served the Baals; and they forsook the LORD God of their fathers, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt; and they followed other gods from among the gods of the people who were all around them, and they bowed down to them; and they provoked the LORD to anger. They forsook the LORD and served Baal and the Ashtoreths. And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel. So He delivered them into the hands of plunderers who despoiled them; and He sold them into the hands of their enemies all around, so that they could no longer stand before their enemies. Wherever they went out, the hand of the LORD was against them for calamity, as the LORD had said, and as the LORD had sworn to them. And they were greatly distressed. Nevertheless, the LORD raised up judges who delivered them out of the hand of those who plundered them. Yet they would not listen to their judges, but they played the harlot with other gods, and bowed down to them.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/the-judges.html

The Garden of Eden

The exact location of the Garden of Eden is impossible to know for certainty. The Bible does reveal that a river flowed out of the garden and was divided into four branches. The four branches are: the Tigris, Euphrates, Pishon, and Gihon. In the world today the Tigris and Euphrates rivers flow from the Persian Gulf up and through the countries of Iraq, Syria, and Turkey. The other two branches, the Pishon, and Gihon are a mystery. Most scholars believe that the Garden of Eden was located somewhere near the Persian Gulf. No trace has ever been found, some believe that it died when man was expelled, others believe that it was swept away in the great flood of Noah. Jesus believed in the Garden of Eden, and taught that Adam and Eve were two literal people that existed in history. Paul the Apostle also believed in the Garden of Eden and taught that the serpent deceived the woman and not the man.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/adam-and-eve.html

The Lamb Of God A Covering For Sin

But all was not lost. As God was revealing the consequences of their actions He also gave a glorious promise. God promised Adam and Eve that He would send a Redeemer (Messiah), who would destroy Satan and restore them to a right relationship with Him (Gen 3). In the meantime they could only approach God with a blood sacrifice. This animal acted as a substitute for the penalty of sin until "the lamb of God" who is Jesus Christ would come and pay the full debt. Genesis 3:21 "Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them."

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/adam-and-eve.html

The Fall of Man

Adam loved Eve, but she was later seduced by the serpent, who was actually Satan, the one who rebelled against the Most High God and the one who leads the evil spirits in their rebellion against the Kingdom of Heaven and God`s purposes. Eve was deceived and she ate of the forbidden fruit (the Bible doesn`t say what kind of fruit it was). Then Adam, who was with her, chose to eat of the fruit also and they sinned. When they sinned, spiritual and physical death came into the world and fellowship with God was broken. Like a rose being plucked off the vine, they were immediately disconnected from their source of life. You can almost see the shame and guilt and fear of their new nature taking over: Gen 3:7-10 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings. And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden. Then the LORD God called to Adam and said to him, "Where are you?" So he said, "I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself."

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/adam-and-eve.html

Cast Out Of The Garden

The Bible reveals that because Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit sin and death entered the world. The Lord cast Adam and Eve from the garden, and from the tree of life. He placed Cherubim and a flaming sword, turning in every direction, to guard the entrance to the tree of life. Genesis 3:22-24 - "And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever: Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken. So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubim, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life."

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/adam-and-eve.html

Cherubim

The Bible talks a lot about the spiritual realm, and about angels and demons. Angels are servants of God and demons are in servants of Satan and in rebellion against God`s Kingdom. Cherubim are only mentioned a few times in the Bible. The prophet Ezekiel described Cherubim based on a vision, they have four faces: a man, an ox, a lion, and an eagle. Gold Cherubim were carved upon the lid (Mercy seat) of the Ark of the Covenant, and blood was sprinkled between them by the high priest on Yom Kippur. Ezekiel also mentioned that Satan was a Cherub before he fell. There have been numerous archaeological discoveries of carved Cherubim used to guard entrances in pagan temples. The great winged bulls of ancient Assyria can be seen today in the British Museum in London.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/adam-and-eve.html

Cain And Abel

The Bible mentions a lot between the time of Adam and the Flood. For example there was the first murder. Adam and Eve had many sons and daughters but there are only two mentioned because they are important to the history of redemption. Eve thought that her firstborn, Cain, was the one who would destroy Satan and deliver them from the curse of sin and death. But Cain jealously killed his brother Abel. Cain was upset at God because He would not accept his sacrifice (the best of his good works), though He accepted Abel`s blood offering (God`s prescribed way). Cain rose up and slew his brother. God punished him by driving him out of the midst of the people who served God. Then God gave Adam and Eve another son, Seth, who replaced Abel. The redeemer of the world would come from Seth`s family. But what about Cain`s family? The Bible reveals that Cain`s son, Lamech, inherited Cain`s evil ways (Gen 4:19- 24). Sin added unto sin and Lamech boasted that he didn`t need God`s protection because he had his sword. He rejected God`s holy standards for marriage and took many wives. He also killed a man for striking him showing his contempt for God and his disregard for human life. Evil spread very rapidly to all mankind through the ungodly line of Cain.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/adam-and-eve.html

Genesis The First Book Of Moses

Moses under the Inspiration of the Holy Spirit wrote Genesis, the first book in the Bible and the book of beginnings. The beginning of the world, the beginning of man, and the beginning of the Hebrew people.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/creation.html

The Seven Days Of Creation

The Bible reveals that God made the world, and all that is in the world, and the entire universe out of nothing. He spoke His Word, and everything came into existence. This is creation. According to Genesis 1, God created the world in 6 days

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/creation.html

The 1st Day God Creates Light

God created light on the first day, and He separated the light from the darkness. The lights he called day, and the darkness he called night. Gen 1:3-5 Then God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night. So the evening and the morning were the first day.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/creation.html

The 2nd Day God Creates The Firmament

God created the firmament on the second day, which he called heaven. There were upper waters and lower waters, above the firmament and below the firmament. Gen 1:6-8 Then God said, "Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters." Thus God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament; and it was so. And God called the firmament Heaven. So the evening and the morning were the second day. The "firmament" here refers to the atmospheric heaven where the clouds are as well as the celestial heaven where the stars are.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/creation.html

The 3rd Day God Creates Land And Vegetation

On the third day God created dry land in the midst of the lower waters, He called the dry land "Earth" and he called the gathering of the waters "Seas" or oceans. He separated the oceans from the dry land. He also created every plant and tree according to its own kind, and each bearing its own seed. third-day-vegetation.gifGen 1:9-13 Then God said, "Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear"; and it was so. And God called the dry land Earth, and the gathering together of the waters He called Seas. And God saw that it was good. Then God said, "Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb that yields seed, and the fruit tree that yields fruit according to its kind, whose seed is in itself, on the earth"; and it was so. And the earth brought forth grass, the herb that yields seed according to its kind, and the tree that yields fruit, whose seed is in itself according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. So the evening and the morning were the third day.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/creation.html

The 4th Day God Creates The Sun, Moon And Stars

God created the sun, moon, and the stars on the fourth day. He placed them in the firmament (heavens) to provide light for the earth, and to provide seasons for each year. The two great lights, the sun and the moon, would provide light for every day and every night. The greater light, the sun, would provide light for the day, and the lesser light, the moon, would provide light in the night. He created the stars to govern and rule the earth, and to give it light. Gen 1:14-19 Then God said, "Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs and seasons, and for days and years; "and let them be for lights in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth"; and it was so. Then God made two great lights: the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night. He made the stars also. God set them in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth, and to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good. So the evening and the morning were the fourth day.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/creation.html

The 5th Day God Creates Sea Animals And Birds

God created the fish and all other living creatures in the oceans and the lakes. He also created the birds to fly above the earth, and He commanded all living things to be fruitful and multiply. Gen 1:20-23 Then God said, "Let the waters abound with an abundance of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the face of the firmament of the heavens." So God created great sea creatures and every living thing that moves, with which the waters abounded, according to their kind, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. And God blessed them, saying, "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth." So the evening and the morning were the fifth day.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/creation.html

The 6th Day God Creates Land Animals And Man

It was on the sixth day that God created man, and He created man in his own image. He also created the animals on the sixth day, and he placed man in charge of all the animals. He told man to be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth. Gen 1:24-31 Then God said, "Let the earth bring forth the living creature according to its kind: cattle and creeping thing and beast of the earth, each according to its kind"; and it was so. And God made the beast of the earth according to its kind, cattle according to its kind, and everything that creeps on the earth according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth." So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Then God blessed them, and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth." And God said, "See, I have given you every herb that yields seed which is on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit yields seed; to you it shall be for food. "Also, to every beast of the earth, to every bird of the air, and to everything that creeps on the earth, in which there is life, I have given every green herb for food"; and it was so. Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good. So the evening and the morning were the sixth day.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/creation.html

The 7th Day God Rested

On the seventh day, He ceased from His labor and established the Sabbath. Scholars disagree as to how long these "days" might have been. The Bible seems to indicate a literal 24 hour day. Scholars also differ on the date of creation. It would be impossible to know exactly the number of years back to the creation since the Bible`s lists of generations sometimes skips names, and any other historical records are limited. According to the Bible and archaeology man has been here for about 6,000 - 10,000 years approximately. No one can be certain. The purpose of the Bible is not to scientifically sketch every detail of creation but to reveal to man that God is prior to and distinct from His creation, that He is directly responsible for its having come into being, through His Word, that its continued existence is dependent upon Him, and that man has been given the highest position of honor and responsibility in that creation.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/creation.html

A Brief Overview Of The Flood

Gen 6:5 Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. Gen 6:11-15 The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. So God looked upon the earth, and indeed it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth. And God said to Noah, "The end of all flesh has come before Me, for the earth is filled with violence through them; and behold, I will destroy them with the earth. "Make yourself an ark of gopherwood; make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and outside with pitch. "And this is how you shall make it . . ." The earth had become completely corrupt so God sent a great flood to punish sinful mankind but He would not break His promise to redeem man so He preserved the lives of Noah and His family as well as two of every kind of living creature in an ark (a large wooden ship).

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/the-flood.html

Dimensions Of Noahs Ark

The Ark was about 450 feet long, 75 feet wide, and 45 feet high. It had three decks and was divided into compartments. Calculations have been made estimating that there was room in the Ark for 7000 species of animals.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/the-flood.html

Duration And Coverage Of The Flood

Gen 7:11-12 . . . on that day all the fountains of the great deep were broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened. And the rain was on the earth forty days and forty nights. The flood covered the entire world. After a period of 150 days the Ark rested on Mt. Ararat (17,000 ft.) 200 miles North of the ancient city of Nineveh.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/the-flood.html

The Reminder Of The Rainbow

God also put a rainbow in the sky to be a constant reminder that He would never destroy the world again by water. Yet right after the flood, Noah`s son, Ham, sinned against God by showing disrespect to his father, Noah (Gen 9) and Noah cursed Ham`s son, Canaan, why we are not told. Then God spoke through Noah again and prophesied about his three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth and also that the Messiah would come through Shem`s family, and Japheth`s family would share in that salvation.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/the-flood.html

A Brief Overview Of The Tower Of Babel

According to the Bible, the families of the sons of Noah represent all of the racial groups upon the earth. Chapter 10 of Genesis lists a total of 70 individual founders of nations or racial groups, and divides them into three primary classifications: Shem, Ham, and Japheth. It is interesting to note that Ethnologists generally agree that mankind divides into three basic groups: the central nations, southern nations, and northern nations.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/the-tower-at-babel.html

The Central Nations And Descendants Of Shem

Shemites included Jews, Assyrians, Syrians, Elamites, in the north Euphrates Valley and its borders.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/the-tower-at-babel.html

The Southern Nations And Descendants Of Ham

Hamites went Southward. The names given seem to be South and Central Arabia, Egypt (Heb. Mitzraim or Lands of Ham), East Mediterranean, and East Africa. There was at one point a great migration to Egypt, but Canaan (son of Ham) settled in the land later called Israel.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/the-tower-at-babel.html

The Northern Nations And Descendants Of Japheth

Japhethites went Northward, and settled in the areas around the Black and Caspian Seas. They became the great Caucasian races of Europe and Asia.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/the-tower-at-babel.html

God Confused The Languages

An interesting event happened in Genesis 11. Proud and rebellious men desired to build a city and make a name for themselves under the leadership of Nimrod, so they built a tower, in the land of Shinar (Babel), that would reach to heaven. This was the first organized system of idolatry recorded after the flood. They also disobeyed God`s command to be fruitful and fill the earth. God condemned their arrogant ways by coming down and confusing their languages (probably racial distinctions also) which forced them to scatter throughout the whole earth. Before this they all spoke one language.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/the-tower-at-babel.html

A Brief Overview Of Abraham

God chose Abraham`s family to weave His scarlet thread through the linen of humanity. It was through Abraham`s descendants that the Jewish nation would arise, a people who would receive the covenant of the Lord, and that one of those descendants would be the Savior, not only for the Jews but for the whole world. Abraham lived in the city of Ur (capital of the ancient kingdom of Sumer). Sometime around 2,000 BC. God called Abraham to leave his home and go to a new land that God would show Him. The Bible traces Abraham`s steps from Ur to Haran (north of Canaan), through the land of Canaan, into Egypt, and back into Canaan (which later became Israel).

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/abraham.html

God Promised Abraham And Sarah A Son

God promised to give Abraham a son through his wife Sarah who was barren (unable to bear children). Through this son, a mighty nation would arise and also an uncountable amount of descendants, and one of those descendants would be a blessing to all the nations in the world. This promise seemed impossible because they were so old but Abraham believed what God said, though later he doubted and tried to force God`s hand by having a son through Sarah`s servant girl, Hagar. In ancient times this was accepted, but not in God`s sight. It violated His law for marriage (Gen 2), and Abraham suffered greatly for his sin.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/abraham.html

God Established His Covenant With Abraham

It was with Abraham that God established His covenant. This was God`s promise: Gen 12:1-3 Now the LORD had said to Abram: "Get out of your country, from your family and from your father`s house, to a land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed."

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/abraham.html

Circumcision The Reminder Of The Covenant

Circumcision was the seal and reminder of the covenant, and so all of Abraham`s male descendants would be circumcised to remind them that God would someday fulfill all the promises that He made to Abraham. Notice that Abraham believed before he was circumcised. Faith came before works. This is an important point that Paul makes in the book of Romans that salvation is by grace through faith alone (Rom 4).

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/abraham.html

Destruction Of Sodom And Gomorrah

There was a very beautiful yet wicked place in Canaan called Sodom and Gomorrah and the Lord told Abraham that He was going to destroy it but Abraham pleaded with God to spare the sinful cities for that is where his nephew Lot lived. God sent an angel to rescue Lot and his family but destroyed the cities because of their homosexuality and other abominations.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/abraham.html

Abrahams Faith Tested With Sacrifice

As Abraham grew stronger in faith, God told him to offer his son Isaac as a burnt offering to prove his faith (Gen 22), Abraham obeyed and brought Isaac to Mount Moriah, laid him on the altar and at the last minute the Lord told him not to kill Isaac and gave him a ram for the sacrifice. Here we see Abraham`s faith (Heb 11:17-19) and a beautiful picture of Christ. The Bible calls Abraham a friend of God: Isa 41:8 "But you, Israel, are My servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the descendants of Abraham My friend.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/abraham.html

Abrams People Would Be Oppressed 400 Years

Gen 15:13-14 Then He said to Abram: "Know certainly that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not theirs, and will serve them, and they will afflict them four hundred years. "And also the nation whom they serve I will judge; afterward they shall come out with great possessions."

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/abraham.html

A Brief Overview Of Jacob

The Bible follows the messianic line to Abraham`s son, Isaac, and then to Isaac`s son, Jacob who lived around 1900 BC. Jacob was a shrewed and deceitful con man who tricked his brother Esau and lied to his father so he could steal his older brothers birthright. Afraid, Jacob fled to Haran, in Mesopotamia, where his uncle Laban lived, but on the way he met the Lord and saw a vision of a ladder reaching from earth to heaven with angels on it. Jacob had his first encounter with God and the Lord revealed to him the promises He had made to Abraham and how he would be part of those promises, so Jacob began to trust in God and named that place, Bethel, which means, "house of God".

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/jacob.html

Jacobs Ladder

Gen 28:10-19 Now Jacob went out from Beersheba and went toward Haran. So he came to a certain place and stayed there all night, because the sun had set. And he took one of the stones of that place and put it at his head, and he lay down in that place to sleep. Then he dreamed, and behold, a ladder was set up on the earth, and its top reached to heaven; and there the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. And behold, the LORD stood above it and said: "I am the LORD God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac; the land on which you lie I will give to you and your descendants.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/jacob.html

Jacob Works To Marry Rachel

When he arrived in Haran, his uncle was more shrewed than he was, con-man meets super con-man. Laban tricked him into working for him for 14 years in exchange for a wife. He wanted Rachel, but he got Leah first and then Rachel.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/jacob.html

God Changed Jacobs Name To Israel

God protected Jacob all the way and also prepared his brother Esau`s heart so that he was no longer angry. God changed Jacob`s name to "Israel." Jacob was next in the Messianic line. His 12 sons became the fathers of the 12 tribes of Israel.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/jacob.html

The Land of Israel in Genesis

Map of the Land of Israel around 1800 BC. The Land of Israel in the Book of Genesis in the Bible The Promised Land. During the time that the events within the book of Genesis the land of Israel was actually called the land of Canaan. It was inhabited by the Canaanites, seven mighty nations who were very corrupt. Eventually the God of all the earth took the land away from the Canaanites and gave it to Abrahams descendants. It was a beautiful land from north to south, from east to west, and from the coastal plains, to the hill country and the wilderness. It was truly the promised land, and the history of the world hinges upon the events that took place in the book of Genesis.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/map-land-of-israel-genesis.html

Quick Summary of the Old Testament

The Old Testament is the period from creation (4000 BC) to the period of the Persian Empire and Cyrus who allowed the Jews to return from captivity and rebuild their temple. The Old Testament ended around 400 BC. Follow along on the right-hand side and learn about the main events that took place in Old Testament times. The Old Testament Main Historical Periods. The Old Testament can be summarized by nine main historical periods which are: The Creation, Abraham and the Hebrew Patriarchs, Moses and the Exodus, Joshua and the Conquest of Canaan, Samson and the Judges, David and Solomon, The Divided Kingdom, The Destruction of Israel and Judah, and Ezra and the Return from Captivity. It would be good to memorize these main sections to create a summary of what took place. Here are the brief sections. (Dates are Approximate)

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/quicksummary.html

The Tigris and Euphrates Rivers

Map of The Tigris and Euphrates Rivers (in Ancient Times) The Tigris and Euphrates Rivers During the Time of Genesis in the Bible. The Tigris. The Tigris River was known by the Hebrews as "Hiddekel" and is one of the two large rivers of Mesopotamia, which the Bible says, flowed from the Garden of Eden (Gen 2:14). It is formed by the confluence of two rivers that flow from the mountains of Armenia. In ancient times the courses of the Tigris and Euphrates were separate. Their confluence before they flow into the Persian Gulf is very recent. The Tigris has a greater volume of water than the Euphrates and flows faster, making upstream navigating impossible. The powerful and prosperous cities of Nineveh, Calah and Ashur flourished along its shores. The Euphrates. The Euphrates River is one of the largest rivers of western Asia, about 1700 miles long. In the Bible it is referred to by several names such as the "great river" or just "the river" and is among the four rivers, which flowed from the Garden of Eden (Gen 2:14). It formed the northeastern limit of the Promised Land (Gen 15:18). The river, which receives its waters from the mountains of Armenia, flows through a deep and narrow gorge, but as it descends toward Babylon, the Euphrates and the Tigris take different routes, which form the great broad plain of Mesopotamia. The Euphrates has a very strong current and therefore is navigable only in its lower parts. Along its shores flourished some of the important cities of Mesopotamia. The greatest was Babylon. Between the Rivers. The word Mesopotamia means the land "between the rivers" which were the Tigris and Euphrates. Although the courses have changed dramatically since ancient times we know the area was nearly 700 - 1000 miles long and nearly 300 miles across. The rivers were so large that the land was considered an "island" that was between them. But the heart of ancient Mesopotamia was in the northwest where the Euphrates made a huge bend at the northern portion of the Tigris as shown in the map above. The Bible records Mesopotamia as the city of Nahor, Abrahams brother (Genesis 24:10).

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/tigris-euphrates-rivers.html

Ancient Mesopotamia

Map of Ancient Mesopotamia (3rd Millenium BC) Ancient Mesopotamia at the Time of Genesis in the Bible Mesopotamia. The word Mesopotamia means the land "between the rivers" which were the Tigris and Euphrates. Although the courses have changed dramatically since ancient times we know the area was nearly 700 - 1000 miles long and nearly 300 miles across. The rivers were so large that the land was considered an "island" that was between them. But the heart of ancient Mesopotamia was in the northwest where the Euphrates made a huge bend at the northern portion of the Tigris as shown in the map above. The Bible records Mesopotamia as the city of Nahor, Abrahams brother (Genesis 24:10).

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/ancient-mesopotamia.html

The Garden of Eden

Map of the Traditional Location of the Garden of Eden Map of the Garden of Eden (Supposed Location) in the Book of Genesis in the Bible. The Garden of Eden. There is no way to know exactly where the Garden of Eden was located, but the Bible reveals a few clues. It mentions that out of the garden flowed a river and it was the source of four rivers. Two of the rivers were the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. These two rivers are still in existence today flowing from the Persian Gulf up into Iraq and through Syria and Turkey. The other two rivers are called Pishon and Gihon, and these two rivers are a complete mystery. It is traditionally accepted that the Garden of Eden was located somewhere north of the Persian Gulf as seen in the above map. Notice the Tigris and Euphrates rivers on the map.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/map-garden-of-eden.html

The Ancient World in Genesis

Map of the World after the Tower of Babel. The Ancient World in the Book of Genesis in the Bible The Dividing of the Nations. The Bible says that after the great flood the descendants of Noah migrated to an area called "Babel" and a leader named Nimrod built a tower to reach to heaven. It was here that they rebelled against God, and the Lord became angry and through a miracle He scattered them by changing their languages (confusion of tongues) and races in order to forcibly distribute them over the face of the earth (Genesis 11:1-9). The 3 sons of Noah were Shem, Ham, and Japheth... these three sons of Noah represented the three great races of mankind. The above map shows a table of the dispersion of the nations after they migrated from the Tower at Babel.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/map-ancient-world-genesis.html

Israel in Old Testament Times

Map of Israel around 1000 BC Israel in Old Testament Times in the Bible. Israel During the Old Testament. During the time of the Old Testament the land of Israel extended from Dan in the north to Beersheba in the south. There were three main roads that extended through the land: The Way of the Land of the Philistines, The Way to Shur, and the Kings Highway.The main cities can all be seen on this map as well as the rivers and the mountains. The Old Testament reveals how God chose a people.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/map-israel-old-testament-times.html

Brief Overview of Adam and Eve

After God created Adam, He gave to him dominion over all His creation and the garden of Eden as a home to tend it and keep it. But He gave one restriction: Gen 2:16-17 And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, "Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; "but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die." Adam would know what it meant to participate in evil, and the result would be banishment and death. Death is separation from God. Then God created the woman: Gen 2:18-24 And the LORD God said, "It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him." Out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to Adam to see what he would call them. And whatever Adam called each living creature, that was its name. So Adam gave names to all cattle, to the birds of the air, and to every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper comparable to him. And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place. Then the rib which the LORD God had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man. And Adam said: "This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man." Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.

Link: https://bible-history.com/old-testament/adam-and-eve.html