Second Temple construction
Dating
Notes
START:[Shulman date p15] [Ussher date p19]The giving of the Law at Mt. Sinai (51 days after the Exodus from Egypt) was 430 years after the giving of the Promise to Abram. [Shulman date p45] [Ussher date p25]This period of oppression began with Ishmael mocking Isaac at the feast to celebrate Isaac's weaning (GEN 21:8-9) at age 5. [Shulman date p45] [Ussher date p26][Ussher date p30][Ussher date p31]This event is keyed off of the The_Exodus event. The Exodus 16:35 passage connects the beginning of the forty years with year they began eating mannah shortly after the Exodus. [Shulman date p93] [Ussher date p39][Shulman date p115]*HYPOTHESIS: Israel began construction of the tabernacle after the giving of the Torah at Sinai, after Moses goes up on the mountain, and after the sin of the golden calf. [Ussher date p41][Shulman date p83] [Ussher date p50]Although Israel conquered Heshbon and its villages at the time of the Exodus (NUM 21:25), they wandered for 40 years (NUM 32:13) and did not begin living there until they settled the Land. [Shulman date p109][Shulman date p107] [Ussher date p50][Shulman date p107] [Ussher date p51]*HYPOTHESIS: The year to begin counting Land Sabbaths and Jubilees after Israel conquers the Land (7 years) and apportions it (7 years) rather than the year Israel entered the Land. [Ussher date p51]*EXTRA-BIBLICAL SOURCE: Josephus' "Antiquities of the Jews" records a period of 18 years between Joshua and the first judge: Antiq. 6:84 (6.5.4) for in the days of Moses and his disciple Joshua, who was their general, they continued under an aristocracy; but after the death of Joshua, for EIGHTEEN years in all, the multitude had no settled form of government, but were in an anarchy; Antiq. 6:85 (6.5.4) after which they returned to their former government, they then permitted themselves to be judged by him who appeared to be the best warrior and most courageous, whence it was that they called this interval of their government the Judges.[Ussher date p52][Ussher date p53]*EXTRA-BIBLICAL SOURCE: Josephus' "Antiquities of the Jews" records a period of 18 years between Joshua and the first judge. [Shulman date p83] [Ussher date p53]*HYPOTHESIS: The year Eglon's oppression began is the year Othniel died. [Ussher date p53]*HYPOTHESIS: The year Jabin's oppression began is ten years before Ehud's period of peace ended. [Ussher date p53]*HYPOTHESIS: The year Ehud began to judge is the year Eglon's oppression ended. [Shulman date p83] [Ussher date p53]*HYPOTHESIS: The year Shamgar began to judge is the last year of Ehud's time as judge. [Shulman date p83] [Ussher date p53]*HYPOTHESIS: The year Deborah began to judge is the year Shamgar's time as judge ended. [Shulman date p83] [Ussher date p53]*HYPOTHESIS: The year Midian's oppression began is the year Deborah's period of peace ended. [Ussher date p54]*HYPOTHESIS: The year Gideon began to judge is the second year of Midian's oppression. [Shulman date p83] [Ussher date p54]*HYPOTHESIS: Abimelech's treachery that brought about his rule occurred at the end of Gideon's 40-year period of peace upon Gideon's death and the search for a successor. [Shulman date p83] [Ussher date p54]*HYPOTHESIS: The year Tola began to judge is the year Abimelech's rule ended. [Shulman date p83] [Ussher date p54]*HYPOTHESIS: The year Jair began to judge is 10 years into Tola's time as judge. [Shulman date p83] [Ussher date p55]The Ammonite oppression is still ongoing when Jephthah began to judge (see JDG 11:12). *HYPOTHESIS: The year Jephthah began to judge is the year Jair's time as judge ended. [Shulman date p83] [Ussher date p55]*HYPOTHESIS: The year the Philistine and Ammonite oppression of Israel began is 8 years after Jair's time as judge began. [Shulman date p83] [Ussher date p55]*HYPOTHESIS: The year Ibzan began to judge is the year Jephthah's time as judge ended. [Shulman date p83] [Ussher date p55]*HYPOTHESIS: The year Elon began to judge is the year Ibzan's time as judge ended. [Shulman date p83] [Ussher date p56]*HYPOTHESIS: The year Abdon began to judge is the year Elon's time as judge ended. [Shulman date p83] [Ussher date p56]*HYPOTHESIS: The year Samson began to judge is the year Abdon's time as judge ended. [Shulman date p83] [Ussher date p56][Shulman date p83] [Ussher date p56]*HYPOTHESIS: The year the Philistine's 40-year oppression of Israel began is 10 years after Samson's time as judge began. [Ussher date p56]*EXTRA-BIBLICAL SOURCE: Josephus records that Samuel judged for THIRTY-TWO YEARS. Since Saul's reign took up twelve of those thirty-two years, then Samuel's time as a judge before the reign of Saul would have taken up the remaining twenty. Samuel's remaining time as judge would have overlapped Saul's time as king for ten of Saul's twelve-year reign. [Shulman date p83]The ark was with the Phililstines in Ashdod, Gath, and Ekron for seven months (1SA 6:1) before it was returned to the Israelites during the wheat harvest (1SA 6:13) which is usually around May/June. The battle when the Philistines captured the ark (1SA 4:11) would have been towards the end of autumn (Nov/Dec) the year before. [Ussher date p57][Ussher date p57]*HYPOTHESIS: Saul reigned for 12 years beginning the year AFTER the ark is returned to Kiriath-jearim and Israel asks for a king (see 1SA 8:5) This article explains why his reign can only be 12 years: https://onemessianicgentile.com/articles/musings/the-age-and-reign-of-king-saul.html [Shulman date p83] [Ussher date p57][Shulman date p83] [Ussher date p59]*HYPOTHESIS: David's reign started in the first half of the year [Shulman date p83] [Ussher date p59][Ussher date p59][Ussher date p60]Now it came about in the FOUR HUNDRED AND EIGHTIETH YEAR after the sons of Israel came out of the land of Egypt, in the FOURTH YEAR of Solomon’s reign over Israel, in the month of Ziv which is the second month, that he 1began to build the house of the LORD. (1KI 6:1) [Shulman date p83 and p117] [Ussher date p63][Shulman date p115] [Ussher date p67]*HYPOTHESIS: Five years before Solomon's death is sufficient time in his life to obtain "seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines" (1KI 11:3) and for them to "turn his heart away" from the LORD. It also allows sufficient time for his deep introspection and repentance which he recorded in the book of Ecclesiastes. [Shulman date p83][Shulman date p83] [Ussher date p67]Thiele places this in the fall of 930 BCE which is AH 3030. [Shulman date p83] [Ussher date p67]Additional Scriptural reference: 2CH 13:1-2 HYPOTHESIS: This is the "eighteenth year of King Jeroboam" when counted using Israel's non-accession-year approach. See dataset notes for more information. [Shulman date p83] [Ussher date p68]Additional Scriptural reference: 2CH 16:13 HYPOTHESIS: This is the "twentieth year of King Jeroboam" when accounting for the Israel-Judah calendar offset. See dataset notes for more information. [Shulman date p83] [Ussher date p69][Shulman date p83] [Ussher date p69]*HYPOTHESIS: Israel and Judah counted the years of a king's reign differently than the other and also began their calendar year on different days. These two factors need to be considered when calculating this date. See dataset notes for more information. [Shulman date p83] [Ussher date p69]*HYPOTHESIS: Israel and Judah counted the years of a king's reign differently than the other and also began their calendar year on different days. These two factors need to be considered when calculating this date. See dataset notes for more information. [Shulman date p83] [Ussher date p70]*HYPOTHESIS: Israel and Judah counted the years of a king's reign differently than the other. See dataset notes for more information. [Shulman date p83] [Ussher date p70][Shulman date p83] [Ussher date p70][Shulman date p83] [Ussher date p70]*HYPOTHESIS: Israel and Judah counted the years of a king's reign differently than the other. See dataset notes for more information. [Ussher date p70]*HYPOTHESIS: Israel and Judah counted the years of a king's reign differently than the other and also began their calendar year on different days. These two factors need to be considered when calculating this date. See dataset notes for more information. [Shulman date p83] [Ussher date p70]*HYPOTHESIS: Elijah's prophetic ministry began a year after Ahab became king of IsraelConsider also that Jehoshaphat's regency began in the 39th year of Asa and this verse: In the THIRTY-NINTH YEAR of his reign Asa became diseased in his feet. His disease was severe, yet even in his disease he did not seek the LORD, but the physicians. (2CH 16:12)Additional Scriptural reference: 2CH 20:31 *HYPOTHESIS: Judah began counting Ahab's regnal years in AH 3089 instead of AH 3088 due to their "accession year" methodology. This is the "fourth year of King Ahab" when counted using Israel's non-accession-year approach. See dataset notes for more information. Jehoshaphat was THIRTY-FIVE YEARS old when he became king. (1KI 22:42) [Shulman date p83] [Ussher date p70]*HYPOTHESIS: Micaiah prophesies against Ahab at least one year before the prophecy regarding the battle at Ramoth-gilead.So Ahaziah died according to the word of the LORD which Elijah had spoken. And because he had no son, JEHORAM became king in his place in the SECOND YEAR of Jehoram the son of Jehoshaphat, king of Judah. (2KI 1:17) Now JEHORAM the son of Ahab became king over Israel at Samaria in the EIGHTEENTH YEAR of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, and reigned twelve years. THE ONLY WAY FOR THE SECOND YEAR OF JEHORAM AND THE EIGHTEENTH YEAR OF JEHOSHAPHAT TO BE THE SAME YEAR IS WITH JEHORAM BEING A REGENT DURING HIS FATHER'S REIGN. [Shulman date p83] [Ussher date p71]*HYPOTHESIS: Israel and Judah counted the years of a king's reign differently than the other. See dataset notes for more information. [Shulman date p83] [Ussher date p71]*HYPOTHESIS: Israel's "all calendar years" approach means that Scipture records one year more than the "total duration" used in this dataset. See dataset notes for more information. [Shulman date p83] [Ussher date p71][Shulman date p83] [Ussher date p71]Additional Scriptural reference: 2CH 21:5, 20 HYPOTHESIS: This is the "fifth year of King Joram" when counted using Israel's non-accession-year approach. [Shulman date p83] [Ussher date p71]This is the "twelfth year of King Joram" when counted using Israel's non-accession-year approach. 2KI 9:29 counts this time using the accession-year approach and states "eleventh year" accordingly. See dataset notes for more information. Ahaziah was TWENTY-TWO YEARS old when he became king (2KI 8:26) [Shulman date p83] [Ussher date p72][Shulman date p83] [Ussher date p72][Shulman date p83] [Ussher date p72]*HYPOTHESIS: 3127 is the "seventh year of Jehu" when counted using Israel's non-accession-year approach. [Shulman date p83] [Ussher date p72]*HYPOTHESIS: Israel's "all calendar years" approach means that Scipture records one year more than the "total duration" used in this dataset. Israel and Judah were using a nonaccession-year approach during this time. See dataset notes for more information. [Shulman date p83] [Ussher date p73][Shulman date p83] [Ussher date p73]He was TWENTY-FIVE YEARS old when he became king... (2KI 14:2) Amaziah was TWENTY-FIVE YEARS old when he became king (2CH 25:1) [Shulman date p83] [Ussher date p73]*HYPOTHESIS: Jonah prophesied at the beginning of Jeroboam's reign that he would restore the border of Israel. Ussher places these events at the time of the 13th Jubilee rather than the 12th. [Shulman date p83] [Ussher date p75]*HYPOTHESIS: Israel's "all calendar years" approach means that Scipture records one year more than the "total duration" used in this dataset. See dataset notes for more information. [Ussher date p73]*HYPOTHESIS: Israel's "all calendar years" approach means that Scipture records one year more than the "total duration" used in this dataset. See dataset notes for more information.Amaziah died and his son, Azariah (Uzziah), became king in his place in the same year (3195) which was the TWENTY-SEVENTH YEAR of Jeroboam (2KI 15:1). Basic math (3195 - 27) would place the start of Jeroboam's reign in 3168. However, 2KI 14:23 states Jeroboam became king in the FIFTEENTH YEAR of Amaziah (3166 + 15 - 1 year duration overcount = 3180). HOW CAN IT BE BOTH? The year Amaziah died (3195) was FIFTEEN YEARS AFTER the death of Jehoash (2KI 14:17) which means Jehoash' death occurred in 3195 - 15 = 3180 (math). This tells us that Jereboah co-reigned with his father for TWELVE YEARS. [Shulman date p83] [Ussher date p73]*HYPOTHESIS: The year Hoshea began to prophecy was at the beginning of Jeroboam's reign. [Shulman date p83] [Ussher date p74]*HYPOTHESIS: Israel began their calendar year in the spring (Nisan) and Judah began their calendar year in the fall (Tishrei). See dataset notes for more information. [Shulman date p83] [Ussher date p73]*HYPOTHESIS: Amos' time of prophecy began shortly after the sole reign of Azariah (Uzziah) began. Archaeological evidence at Hazor establishes the time of the earthquake (AMO 1:1) around 760-750 BCE. [Shulman date p83] [Ussher date p74]*HYPOTHESIS: Judah counted regnal years starting the year AFTER a king took the throne (accession year) resulting in a 1-year undercount. See dataset notes for more information. [Shulman date p83] [Ussher date p75]*HYPOTHESIS: Judah counted regnal years starting the year AFTER a king took the throne (accession year) resulting in a 1-year undercount. See dataset notes for more information. [Shulman date p83] [Ussher date p75]*HYPOTHESIS: Judah counted regnal years starting the year AFTER a king took the throne (accession year) resulting in a 1-year undercount. See dataset notes for more information. [Shulman date p83] [Ussher date p75]*HYPOTHESIS: Hoshea takes the throne in the 12th year of Ahaz (2KI 17:1) upon the death of Pekah. The 12th year of Ahaz would have been the same as the 20th year of Jotham (math). The only way for the END of Pekah's reign to align with the START of Hoshea's reign AND the START of Jotham's reign to align with the 2nd year of Pekah is if Pekah had a rival reign with Menachem that began in the same year as Menachem's reign. His undisputed SOLE reign began in the 52nd year of Azariah (2KI 15:27). [Ussher date p75]"He was twenty-five years old when he became king" (2KI 15:33) We know this was a co-regency because of the start date (second year of Pekah) is still during the reign of Azariah. *HYPOTHESIS: This is the "second year of Pekah" when counted using Israel's non-accession-year approach.*HYPOTHESIS: Judah counted regnal years starting the year AFTER a king took the throne (accession year) resulting in a 1-year undercount. See dataset notes for more information. [Shulman date p83] [Ussher date p76]*HYPOTHESIS: Hoshea takes the throne in the 12th year of Ahaz (2KI 17:1) upon the death of Pekah. The 12th year of Ahaz would have been the same as the 20th year of Jotham (math). The only way for the END of Pekah's reign to align with the START of Hoshea's reign AND the START of Jotham's reign to align with the 2nd year of Pekah is if Pekah had rival reigns with Menachem and Pekahiah that began in the same year as Menachem's reign and ended in the same year Pekahiah's reign ended. His undisputed SOLE reign began in the 52nd year of Azariah (2KI 15:27).*HYPOTHESIS: This was the beginning of Pekah's undisputed sole reign over Israel. Judah counted regnal years starting the year AFTER a king took the throne (accession year) resulting in a 1-year undercount. See dataset notes for more information. [Shulman date p83] [Ussher date p76]*HYPOTHESIS: Isaiah's time as prophet began with his prophecy in ISA 6:1 the year Uzziah died. [Shulman date p83] [Ussher date p76]*HYPOTHESIS: No clear date is given in the book of Joel for its timing. Ussher places Joel after the 13th Jubilee around 808 BC during Isaiah's time of prophesying. [Ussher date p74]"He was twenty-five years old when he became king" (2KI 15:33) *HYPOTHESIS: This is the "second year of Pekah" when counted using Israel's non-accession-year approach. [Shulman date p83] [Ussher date p76][Shulman date p83]"Ahaz was twenty years old when he became king" (2KI 16:2) *HYPOTHESIS: This is the "seventeenth year of Pekah" when counted starting with Pekah's disputed rival reign with Menachem.*HYPOTHESIS: Israel began their calendar year in the spring (Nisan) and Judah began their calendar year in the fall (Tishrei). See dataset notes for more information. Thiele considers the "twelfth year of Ahaz" in 2KI 17:1 to be a late addition to the text and a miscalculation on the part of the editor(s) of that chapter since it is impossible to reconcile with other synchronisms of related kings. [Shulman date p83] [Ussher date p79][Shulman date p83] [Ussher date p77]*HYPOTHESIS: The duration does not extend into the next calendar year.[Ussher date p80]"He was twenty-five years old when he became king" (2KI 18:2) This is the year that starts the count of Hezekiah's 29-year reign.*HYPOTHESIS: If Manasseh's reign started at the END of Hezekiah's reign then the reigns of the subsequent kings of Judah end ten years AFTER the destruction of the Temple in 586 BCE which is not possible.[Shulman date p83] [Ussher date p86][Shulman date p83] [Ussher date p76] Ussher refers to Josephus' view that Nahum's ministry was earlier and his statements regarding No-Amon were predictive rather than observational.[Shulman date p83] [Ussher date p90][Shulman date p83] [Ussher date p90][Shulman date p83] [Ussher date p92]*HYPOTHESIS: Judah counted regnal years starting the year AFTER a king took the throne (accession year) resulting in a 1-year undercount. See dataset notes for more information. [Shulman date p83] [Ussher date p92][Shulman date p83] [Ussher date p94][Shulman date p83] [Ussher date p94][Ussher date p95][Shulman date p142] [Ussher date p95]*HYPOTHESIS: Daniel's count used the accession year counting of Jehoiakim's regnal years resulting in a 1-year undercount. See dataset notes for more information. [Shulman date p146] [Ussher date p96][Ussher date p97][Shulman date p83] [Ussher date p98][Shulman date p142] [Ussher date p98][Shulman date p83] [Ussher date p99][Shulman date p83] [Ussher date p98][Ussher date p102][Shulman date p83] [Ussher date p104][Ussher date p108][Shulman date p143] [Ussher date p110]*EXTRA-BIBLICAL SOURCES: The Nabonidus Chronicle, Babylonian contract tablets, and Ptolemy’s Canon, combined with Herodotus (Histories 1.46–214) and Berossus (via Josephus), indicate Cyrus became king of Anshan (a precursor to his Persian rule) around 559 BCE. This marks the beginning of his reign over the Persian tribes before his conquests of Media, Lydia, and Babylon. [Ussher date p111]*EXTRA-BIBLICAL SOURCE: The Nabonidus Chronicle, a Babylonian cuneiform text, documents the reign of Nabonidus, Belshazzar’s father, from 556 to 539 BCE. It notes that Nabonidus entrusted the kingship to Belshazzar in his third year (ca. 553 BCE) while Nabonidus was in Tema (Arabia). This suggests Belshazzar acted as co-regent or ruler in Babylon from around 553 BCE until the fall of Babylon in 539 BCE, implying a period of about 14 years. [Shulman date p143] [Ussher date p113]*EXTRA-BIBLICAL SOURCES: - The Nabonidus Chronicle, a Babylonian cuneiform document, explicitly records the fall of Babylon to Cyrus in the 17th year of Nabonidus’ reign, which corresponds to 539 BCE. It describes Cyrus’ army entering Babylon without a battle in the month of Tishri (October) 539 BCE, after defeating Babylonian forces at Opis. This is the most precise and authoritative source for dating Cyrus’ conquest to 539 BCE. - The Cyrus Cylinder, a propagandistic cuneiform document, details Cyrus’ capture of Babylon and his claim to legitimate rule. While it does not provide an exact year, it describes his peaceful entry into Babylon and restoration of temples, aligning with the Nabonidus Chronicle’s account of 539 BCE. - Cuneiform economic and administrative tablets from Babylon show a transition in dating formulas from Nabonidus’ reign to Cyrus’ reign in 539 BCE. Tablets dated to Nabonidus cease in October 539 BCE, and those dated to “Year 1 of Cyrus, King of Babylon” begin shortly after, confirming the conquest and start of his reign in 539 BCE. These records provide precise chronological evidence. - The Canon of Ptolemy, a chronological list of kings used for astronomical calculations, records Cyrus as ruler of Babylon starting in 538/539 BCE (following Nabonidus’ 17-year reign). While compiled later, it relies on earlier Babylonian records and aligns with the Nabonidus Chronicle, placing Cyrus’ accession over Babylon in 539 BCE. - In his Histories (Book 1.178–191), Herodotus describes Cyrus’ conquest of Babylon, including diverting the Euphrates River to enter the city. While he does not provide a specific year, his narrative aligns with the Babylonian timeline of 539 BCE, as it follows Cyrus’ earlier conquests (e.g., Lydia in 546 BCE) and precedes later Persian campaigns. His account supports the general chronology established by Babylonian sources. - Xenophon’s Cyropaedia (Book 7) recounts Cyrus’ capture of Babylon, describing a nighttime assault during a festival. Like Herodotus, Xenophon does not specify a year, but his narrative is consistent with the 539 BCE conquest described in Babylonian records, reinforcing the timeline. - Berossus, as cited by later authors like Josephus (Against Apion 1.20), describes Cyrus’ conquest of Babylon after defeating Nabonidus. He does not explicitly state 539 BCE, but his account of Cyrus’ victory and rule over Babylon aligns with the Nabonidus Chronicle’s timeline, supporting the start of Cyrus’ reign in 539 BCE. [Shulman date p143] [Ussher date p116][Shulman date p143] [Ussher date p118]*EXTRA-BIBLICAL SOURCES: - The Behistun Inscription, a monumental rock relief and trilingual cuneiform inscription, commissioned by Darius I, details his rise to power. It describes how Darius, a Persian noble, overthrew Gaumata (a Magian usurper claiming to be Bardiya, son of Cyrus) in 522 BCE, thus becoming king. - The Babylonian Contract Tablets, economic and administrative tablets from Babylon record transactions dated by regnal years of Persian kings. Tablets dated to “Year 1 of Darius” begin in late 522 BCE, after those dated to Bardiya (March–September 522 BCE). - The Canon of Ptolemy, a chronological list of kings used for astronomical calculations, lists Darius I as succeeding Cambyses II and Bardiya, with his reign beginning in 522/521 BCE. - In his Histories (Book 3.61–88), Herodotus narrates Darius’ rise to power, describing how he and six Persian nobles conspired to overthrow the usurper “Smerdis” (Gaumata, posing as Bardiya) in 522 BCE. - In his Persica, Ctesias offers an alternative account of Persian history, preserved in fragments by later authors like Photius. He mentions Darius’ rise after Cambyses but includes less reliable details. [Shulman date p143] [Ussher date p125][Shulman date p83] [Ussher date p126][Shulman date p83] [Ussher date p126][Shulman date p83] [Ussher date p160] Malachi, the last of the prophets, was contemporary with Nehemiah. This we gather from the following. He nowhere exhorts the people to build the temple as Haggai and Zechariah did. Since the Temple was now built, he reproved those disorders among the Jews which Nehemiah at his second return with a new commission did also. These are, the marriage with foreign women, Mal 2:11 withholding of tithes, Mal 3:8 and abuses in the worship of God. Mal 1:13 2:8.Most scholars identify Ahasuerus in Esther with Xerxes I (486–465 BCE). The description of his vast empire (127 provinces in EST 1:1) and opulent court aligns with Herodotus’ portrayal of Xerxes’ wealth and campaigns (Histories 7–9). The Greek form of Xerxes (Xerxes) matches the Hebrew Achashverosh via the Old Persian Xšayārša. The account of the book of Esther, with its Persian court intrigue and reference to Susa (Shushan), fits Xerxes I’s reign. No ancient sources explicitly name Xerxes as Ahasuerus, but the linguistic and historical fit is strong. The absence of precise dates in Esther allows flexibility, but Xerxes I is the consensus. Xerxes I preceded Artaxerxes I, his son. Thus, Ahasuerus (Xerxes I) in Esther is not the same person as Artaxerxes in Ezra or Nehemiah. EXTRA-BIBLICAL SOURCES: Babylonian contract tablets dated to Darius I’s reign (522–486 BCE) cease in late 486 BCE (around October/November), and tablets dated to “Year 1 of Xerxes, King of Persia and Media” begin shortly thereafter, marking his accession in late 486 BCE. The transition is seamless, indicating Xerxes’ immediate recognition as king. [Shulman date p143] [Ussher date p119]*EXTRA-BIBLICAL SOURCES: - Babylonian contract tablets dated to “Year 21 of Xerxes” appear until mid-465 BCE (around August), after which tablets dated to “Year 1 of Artaxerxes” begin, indicating Xerxes’ death in the summer of 465 BCE. Some tablets note a brief period of instability, possibly due to the assassination. - Ptolemy’s Canon lists Xerxes I’s reign as 21 years, ending in 465 BCE, with Artaxerxes I succeeding him. - In his Library of History (Book 11.69), Diodorus provides a later account of Xerxes’ assassination, attributing it to Artabanus, who briefly usurped power before Artaxerxes I’s rise. - The Persepolis Fortification and Treasury Tablets are administrative records continue under Xerxes until his death until mid-465 BCE, after which Artaxerxes I’s tablets begin. This transition supports Xerxes’ death in 465 BCE. [Shulman date p149] END:The Flood began on the 17th day of the 2nd month during Noah's 600th year of life (GEN 7:11). Noah's birth date could have fallen on ANY date after that up to the 1st day of the 1st month the following year since the Flood ended in the 601st year of Noah's life (GEN 8:13). The water abated and the land was dry at the end of the second month (GEN 8:14). [Shulman date p15] [Ussher date p19][Ussher date p31][Shulman date p45][Shulman date p55] [Ussher date p40]This event is keyed off of the The_Exodus event. Israel had not departed Sinai until the SECOND month of the SECOND year (NUM 10:11) [Shulman date p55] [Ussher date p41]The Israelites forty-year period of wandering included the two years at Sinai building the tabernacle. It is in that second year that the twelve men are sent to spy out the Land (NUM 13:1). Moses specifies the thirty-eight year wandering period in Deuteronomy 2:14. [Shulman date p93] [Ussher date p50]Caleb was 40 years old (JOS 14:7) when he spied out the Land in 2517. He was 85 at the end of the conquest in 2562. The difference between the incident of the spies and the end of the conquest is 45 years. Israel continued wandering in the wilderness for 38 of those years. So, 45 - 38 = 7 years of conquest. [Shulman date p107] [Ussher date p52][Shulman date p107] [Ussher date p52]*EXTRA-BIBLICAL SOURCE: Eliezer Shulman's "The Sequence of Events in the Old Testament" (page 107) indicates Joshua was 42 at the time of the Exodus and led the people of Israel for 28 years. Josephus Ant 5.117: Joshua ruled for 25 years after Moses Eusebius (Chron 31-34) gives 27 years for Joshua's rule. [https://ia800702.us.archive.org/26/items/EusebiusChroniclechronicon/Eusebius_Chronicle.pdf]*EXTRA-BIBLICAL SOURCE: Josephus' "Antiquities of the Jews" records a period of 18 years between Joshua and the first judge: Antiq. 6:84 (6.5.4) for in the days of Moses and his disciple Joshua, who was their general, they continued under an aristocracy; but after the death of Joshua, for EIGHTEEN years in all, the multitude had no settled form of government, but were in an anarchy; Antiq. 6:85 (6.5.4) after which they returned to their former government, they then permitted themselves to be judged by him who appeared to be the best warrior and most courageous, whence it was that they called this interval of their government the Judges.*HYPOTHESIS: The year Othniel began to judge is the end of Cushan-rishathaim's 8-year period of oppression. [Ussher date p53]*HYPOTHESIS: Othniel judged Israel throughout the 40-year period the land had rest. [Shulman date p83] [Ussher date p53][Ussher date p53]*HYPOTHESIS: Ehud judged Israel throughout the 80-year period the land was undisturbed. [Shulman date p83] [Ussher date p53]*EXTRA-BIBLICAL SOURCE: Josephus' "Antiquities of the Jews" records a "short breathing time" (less than a year?) for Shamgar's time as judge. [Shulman date p83] [Ussher date p53][Ussher date p53]*HYPOTHESIS: Deborah judged Israel throughout the 40-year period the land was undisturbed. [Shulman date p83][Ussher date p54]*HYPOTHESIS: Gideon judged Israel throughout the 40-year period the land was undisturbed. [Shulman date p83] [Ussher date p54][Shulman date p83] [Ussher date p54]Although Israel conquered Heshbon and its villages at the time of the Exodus (NUM 21:25), they wandered for 40 years (NUM 32:13) and did not begin living there until they settled the Land. [Shulman date p109] [Ussher date p55][Shulman date p83] [Ussher date p55]*HYPOTHESIS: Tola's judgeship overlapped with Jair's. [Shulman date p83] [Ussher date p54][Shulman date p83] [Ussher date p55][Shulman date p83][Shulman date p83] [Ussher date p55][Shulman date p83] [Ussher date p56][Shulman date p83] [Ussher date p56][Shulman date p83] [Ussher date p57] - 385a[Shulman date p83] [Ussher date p57][Ussher date p57]*HYPOTHESIS: The Philistines's oppression of Israel ended when they returned the ark to Israel. [Ussher date p57]*EXTRA-BIBLICAL SOURCE: Josephus records that Samuel judged for THIRTY-TWO YEARS. Since Saul's reign took up twelve of those thirty-two years, then Samuel's time as a judge before the reign of Saul would have taken up the remaining twenty. Samuel's remaining time as judge would have overlapped Saul's time as king for ten of Saul's twelve-year reign. [Shulman date p83][Shulman date p83] [Ussher date p58]Ish-bosheth's death and the end of his reign marked the beginning of David's rule over all of Israel [Ussher date p60][Ussher date p60]*HYPOTHESIS The year David began to reign in Jerusalem is the year he moved the ark there from Kiriath-jearim. [Ussher date p60][Shulman date p83] [Ussher date p63][Shulman date p83] [Ussher date p63][Shulman date p115] [Ussher date p67][Shulman date p127] [Ussher date p67][Shulman date p83] [Ussher date p67]*HYPOTHESIS: Five years after Jeroboam's reign began is sufficient time for him to institute his idolatrous practices (1KI 12), be warned (1KI 13), and fail to repent (1KI 13:33), resulting in Ahijah's second prophecy. [Shulman date p83]Additional Scriptural reference: 2CH 12:13 HYPOTHESIS: Judah began counting Rehoboam's regnal years in AH 3032 instead of AH 3031 due to their "accession year" methodology. See dataset notes for more information. [Shulman date p83] [Ussher date p68]HYPOTHESIS: Judah began counting Abijam's regnal years in AH 3050 instead of AH 3049 due to their "accession year" methodology. See dataset notes for more information. [Shulman date p83] [Ussher date p69]*HYPOTHESIS: Israel's "all calendar years" approach means that Scipture records one year more than the "total duration" used in this dataset. See dataset notes for more information. [Shulman date p83] [Ussher date p69]*HYPOTHESIS: Israel's "all calendar years" approach means that Scipture records one year more than the "total duration" used in this dataset. See dataset notes for more information. [Shulman date p83] [Ussher date p69]*HYPOTHESIS: Israel's "all calendar years" approach means that Scipture records one year more than the "total duration" used in this dataset. See dataset notes for more information. [Shulman date p83] [Ussher date p70]*HYPOTHESIS: Israel's "all calendar years" approach means that Scipture records one year more than the "total duration" used in this dataset. See dataset notes for more information. [Shulman date p83] [Ussher date p70][Shulman date p83] [Ussher date p70]*HYPOTHESIS: Tibni and Omri began a disputed reign over Israel at the same time. Omri is stated to have ruled TWELVE years (total) with SIX undisputed in Tirzah. This leaves SIX years of his reign disputed with Omri. Also, Israel and Judah counted the years of a king's reign differently than the other and also began their calendar year on different days. These two factors need to be considered when calculating this date. See dataset notes for more information. [Shulman date p83] [Ussher date p70][Ussher date p70][Shulman date p83] [Ussher date p70]So Asa slept with his fathers
Years are anno hominis — counted from Creation as year 1 — which is the frame the source computes in. The arithmetic behind each boundary is given above rather than assumed.