An interactive timeline
The Bible in History
Explore the Bible's story alongside the wider history of the ancient world, empires, manuscripts, translation, printing and modern publishing.
Follow the timeline from the world of the patriarchs and prophets through the writing of the biblical books, the rise of early Christianity, the preservation of manuscripts, the invention of printing, English Bible translation and the global Bible story today.
Dates for some ancient events and biblical writings are approximate and sometimes debated. This timeline is designed as a helpful overview, placing the Bible's story alongside wider historical context — not as a definitive academic chronology.
Era
Ancient Near Eastern World
c. 2000–1200 BC
Patriarchal traditions, ancient Egypt, early Israelite setting and the wider ancient Near East.
Pyramids of Giza · Wikimedia Commons
Era
Israel, Monarchy and Prophets
c. 1200–586 BC
Israelite settlement traditions, monarchy, prophets, and the rise of Assyria and Babylon.
Lachish reliefs, British Museum · Wikimedia Commons
Era
Exile, Return and Second Temple Judaism
586 BC – AD 1st century
Exile, return, Persian and Greek influence, the Septuagint and the Second Temple world.
Cyrus Cylinder, British Museum · Wikimedia Commons 
Great Isaiah Scroll, Qumran · Wikimedia Commons 
Roman Colosseum · Wikimedia Commons
Era
Jesus and the Early Church
AD 1st century
Roman world, the life of Jesus, New Testament writings and the first Christian communities.
Arch of Titus, menorah relief · Wikimedia Commons
Era
Manuscripts, Canon and Early Translation
AD 2nd–5th centuries
Manuscript copying, codex culture, canon recognition, the Latin Vulgate and early translations.
Colossus of Constantine, Rome · Wikimedia Commons 
Codex Sinaiticus, Matthew 6 · Wikimedia Commons 
Vulgate, Sixtine edition · Wikimedia Commons
Era
The Medieval Bible
AD 500–1400
Monastic copying, illuminated manuscripts and the first attempts at vernacular translation.
A scribe in a scriptorium · Wikimedia Commons 
Book of Kells, Chi-Rho page · Wikimedia Commons 
Wycliffe Bible, Gospel of John · Wikimedia Commons
Era
Reformation and the Printed Bible
1400–1700
The printing press, Erasmus's Greek New Testament, Tyndale, the Geneva Bible and the KJV.
Gutenberg Bible, NYPL Lenox copy · Wikimedia Commons 
Erasmus Greek New Testament, 1516 · Wikimedia Commons 
Martin Luther, Lucas Cranach the Elder · Wikimedia Commons 
Tyndale Bible, Genesis 1 · Wikimedia Commons 
Geneva Bible, 1560 title page · Wikimedia Commons 
King James Version, 1611 title page · Wikimedia Commons
Era
Modern Translation and Publishing
1700 – present
Textual criticism, revised translations, Bible societies, modern English versions and digital access.
Qumran caves · Wikimedia Commons
Continue exploring
The Bible's story is still being told today — in print, in translation and in the hands of new readers.
Bible Translations Explained →The Craft — how a Bible is made →Find the right Bible for you →Browse all Bibles →Bible Guides →The Scroll — a conversation about Bibles →
Historical imagery courtesy of Wikimedia Commons contributors. Images are shown for educational context; rights and licensing belong to their original sources.