Bible Daily

Tracing the Biblical Timeline from Adam to Jesus

The journey through the biblical timeline from Adam to Jesus is a fascinating exploration of God's redemptive plan as it unfolds through history. This timeline spans from the creation of Adam in Genesis to the birth of Jesus Christ in the New Testament, encompassing thousands of years of divine narrative.

From Adam to Noah

The narrative begins with the creation of Adam and Eve, as detailed in Genesis. Here are some pivotal figures and their ages:

  1. Adam lived 930 years (Genesis 5:5).
  2. Seth, Adam's son, lived 912 years (Genesis 5:8).
  3. Enosh, Seth's son, lived 905 years (Genesis 5:11).
  4. Kenan, Enosh's son, lived 910 years (Genesis 5:14).
  5. Mahalalel, Kenan's son, lived 895 years (Genesis 5:17).
  6. Jared, Mahalalel's son, lived 962 years (Genesis 5:20).
  7. Enoch, Jared's son, lived 365 years before being taken by God (Genesis 5:23-24).
  8. Methuselah, Enoch's son, with the longest recorded lifespan of 969 years (Genesis 5:27).
  9. Lamech, Methuselah's son, lived 777 years (Genesis 5:31).
  10. Noah, Lamech's son, was 600 years old at the time of the flood (Genesis 7:6).

From Adam to Noah, approximately 1,656 years passed according to the genealogies in Genesis.

From Noah to Abraham

Following the flood, Noah's sons repopulate the earth. The genealogy from Noah to Abraham includes:

  1. Shem, Noah's son, lived 600 years (Genesis 11:10-11).
  2. Arphaxad, Shem's son, lived 438 years (Genesis 11:12-13).
  3. Shelah, Arphaxad's son, lived 433 years (Genesis 11:14-15).
  4. Eber, Shelah's son, lived 464 years (Genesis 11:16-17).
  5. Peleg, Eber's son, lived 239 years (Genesis 11:18-19).
  6. Reu, Peleg's son, lived 239 years (Genesis 11:20-21).
  7. Serug, Reu's son, lived 230 years (Genesis 11:22-23).
  8. Nahor, Serug's son, lived 148 years (Genesis 11:24-25).
  9. Terah, Nahor's son, lived 205 years (Genesis 11:32).
  10. Abram (Abraham), Terah's son, who plays a central role in biblical history (Genesis 11:26).

The time from Noah to Abraham is roughly 390 years, making the total from Adam to Abraham about 2,046 years.

From Abraham to Moses

Abraham's life marks the beginning of God's covenant with Israel. Key figures in this period include:

  1. Abraham lived 175 years (Genesis 25:7).
  2. Isaac, Abraham's son, lived 180 years (Genesis 35:28).
  3. Jacob (Israel), Isaac's son, lived 147 years (Genesis 47:28).

Jacob's descendants moved to Egypt, where they were enslaved for approximately 400 years. Moses, born during this time, led the Israelites out of Egypt after living 120 years (Deuteronomy 34:7).

From Moses to King David

After Moses, Joshua led the Israelites into Canaan. The period of the judges followed, lasting around 350 years. King David's reign marked a significant era, beginning around 1010 BC and lasting 40 years (2 Samuel 5:4-5).

From King David to the Babylonian Exile

David's son, Solomon, built the first temple and reigned for 40 years (1 Kings 11:42). After Solomon, the kingdom split, with the northern kingdom falling to Assyria in 722 BC and Judah to Babylon in 586 BC.

From the Babylonian Exile to Jesus

The exile lasted 70 years, after which the Jews returned to Jerusalem under leaders like Zerubbabel, Ezra, and Nehemiah. The intertestamental period followed, lasting about 400 years. Jesus was born around 4-6 BC, during Herod the Great's reign (Matthew 2:1).

The Significance of the Timeline

This timeline is not merely chronological but theological, showing God's plan:

  1. Adam - The beginning of humanity and sin.
  2. Noah - God's judgment and mercy.
  3. Abraham - The covenant with God's chosen people.
  4. Moses - Deliverance and the Law.
  5. David - The promise of a Messianic king.
  6. The Exile and Return - God's discipline and restoration.
  7. Jesus - The fulfillment of prophecy and covenant, bringing salvation.

This timeline underscores God's faithfulness and the unfolding of His redemptive plan through history, culminating in Jesus Christ.