The Bible is a collection of 66 books written by over 40 authors over a period of approximately 1,500 years. It contains many different literary styles and covers a wide range of topics. However, the overarching narrative of the Bible tells the story of God’s plan to redeem humanity and all of creation. Here is a basic timeline overview of the major events covered in the Bible:
Creation (Genesis 1-2)
The Bible opens by describing how God created the heavens, the earth, and everything in them in six days. On the sixth day, God creates humans, Adam and Eve, in His own image. God places Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden and gives them dominion over the earth.
The Fall (Genesis 3)
Adam and Eve are tempted by the serpent and eat the forbidden fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. This is the first sin, resulting in the fall of humanity. God curses the serpent, promises that the seed of woman will crush the serpent’s head, and banishes Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden.
Cain and Abel (Genesis 4)
Adam and Eve’s sons Cain and Abel both bring offerings to God. God accepts Abel’s offering but rejects Cain’s. In jealousy, Cain murders his brother Abel.
The Flood (Genesis 6-9)
Humanity has become completely wicked and corrupt. God decides to send a global flood to wipe out humanity, save Noah and his family, and start over. God commands Noah to build an ark. Once the flood waters recede, God makes a covenant with Noah and places a rainbow in the sky as a sign of His promise to never flood the whole earth again.
The Tower of Babel (Genesis 11)
Humans unite together in Babylon and build a tower to make a name for themselves. God confuses their languages and scatters them over the face of the earth.
Abraham (Genesis 12-25)
God calls Abram (later renamed Abraham) to go to the land of Canaan. God makes a covenant with Abraham, promising to make him a great nation, bless those who bless him, and curse those who curse him. God promises Abraham an heir in his old age, Isaac. Abraham demonstrates his faith by almost sacrificing Isaac.
Isaac (Genesis 21-35)
Isaac has twin sons, Esau and Jacob. Jacob tricks Isaac into giving him the firstborn blessing intended for Esau. Esau seeks to murder Jacob, so Jacob flees to his uncle Laban’s house.
Jacob (Genesis 25-50)
Jacob marries Laban’s daughters, Leah and Rachel. He later returns to Canaan and is reconciled with Esau. Jacob has 12 sons who become the 12 tribes of Israel. Through many ups and downs, God renames Jacob as Israel and blesses him.
Joseph (Genesis 37-50)
Joseph is Jacob’s favored son. His jealous brothers sell him into slavery in Egypt. Joseph rises to become second-in-command in Egypt. During a severe famine, Joseph’s brothers go to Egypt for food and don’t recognize Joseph. After testing them, Joseph reveals himself and forgives his brothers.
The Exodus from Egypt (Exodus 1-15)
The Israelites are enslaved in Egypt. Moses is called by God to confront Pharaoh and demand he let God’s people go. Pharaoh refuses until God sends 10 plagues. The final plague is the death of the firstborn sons, leading to the first Passover. Pharaoh finally relents and the Israelites leave Egypt.
The Ten Commandments and the Law (Exodus 19-24, 32)
At Mount Sinai, God gives Moses the Ten Commandments and other laws to govern the moral, religious, and social lives of the Israelites. While Moses is on the mountain, the Israelites worship a golden calf. Moses intercedes for them and God renews His covenant.
Wandering in the Wilderness (Numbers, Deuteronomy)
Due to their disobedience, the Israelites wander in the wilderness for 40 years until the unfaithful generation dies off. Moses gives the law again to the new generation before they enter Canaan.
The Promised Land (Joshua)
Under Joshua’s leadership, the Israelites cross the Jordan River into Canaan. They conquer Jericho and begin taking the Promised Land that God had promised to Abraham.
The Time of Judges (Judges)
Israel goes through cycles of rebelling against God, being oppressed by enemies, crying out to God, and being delivered by judges. Ruth lives during this time period.
United Kingdom of Israel (1 & 2 Samuel, 1 Kings 1-11)
God gifts Israel its first king, Saul, followed by David, and then Solomon. Under Solomon’s reign, the temple is built in Jerusalem. After Solomon’s idolatry, the kingdom splits into Israel in the north and Judah in the south.
Divided Kingdom of Israel and Judah (1 Kings 12-2 Kings)
There is a succession of kings of both the northern kingdom of Israel and southern kingdom of Judah, most of whom are evil and don’t follow God. Prophets like Elijah and Elisha warn the people to repent. The northern kingdom falls to the Assyrians.
Exile to Babylon (2 Kings, 2 Chronicles)
Due to Judah’s idolatry and disobedience, God allows Babylon to conquer Judah. Solomon’s temple is destroyed and many are taken into captivity in Babylon for 70 years.
Return from Exile (Ezra, Nehemiah)
After Babylon falls to the Persians, the Persian king Cyrus allows the Jewish exiles to return home. Ezra and Nehemiah lead efforts to rebuild the temple and Jerusalem’s walls despite opposition.
Intertestamental Period
This roughly 400 year period between the Old and New Testaments includes obedient Jews trying to follow God’s law under foreign rule. Key events include the Maccabean revolt.
Ministry of Jesus (The Gospels)
Jesus is born of a virgin in Bethlehem, fulfilling Messianic prophecy. Jesus calls 12 disciples, preforms miracles, and announces the kingdom of God. He is crucified for our sins and rises from the dead on the third day.
The Early Church (Acts)
After Jesus ascends to heaven, the disciples receive the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. The gospel begins spreading, first to Jews and then to Gentiles. Persecution scatters the believers and leads to Paul’s missionary journeys.
Paul’s Missionary Journeys (Acts 13-28)
Paul takes several missionary journeys to spread the gospel, planting many churches throughout the Roman empire. Paul writes letters to churches and individuals we have today as much of the New Testament.
Revelation (Revelation)
Jesus dictates letters to seven churches in Asia and gives the apostle John visions about future events. Revelations details the end times, the second coming of Christ, the final judgment, and the coming of a new heaven and new earth.
This covers the basic narrative arc and timeline of the major events described in the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. Of course, there are many more details, stories, theological teachings, prophecies, poetry, and other genres found throughout the Bible. But this overview traces the big picture of God’s redemptive plan revealed through the Scriptures.
The Bible starts with creation and the first humans in the Garden of Eden, continues through the fall and spreading sin, focuses on God’s choice of and covenant with Abraham and the Israelites, covers their exiles and returns, points to the promise of a future Messiah, and then reveals Jesus as the fulfillment of that promise. It climaxes with the life, death and resurrection of Christ, the spreading of the gospel, the establishment of the Church, and concludes with visions of the end times.
While the Bible contains 66 books written over 1,500 years, there is one cohesive narrative. It is the unfolding story of humanity’s fall from grace, God’s plan of redemption through Jesus Christ, and the promised restoration of all things when Jesus returns. We get glimpses of who God is and what He is like throughout each stage of this epic biblical story.