A chronology of the Old Testament from the Creation to Christ — each Scripture reference links to its chapter

An Historical Table of the Times, Special Persons, most notable Things, and Canonical Books of the Old Testament

The First Age: from the Creation to the Flood

Anno mundi	Patriarchs	Sacred history	Schisms & infidelity	Canonical Scriptures
a — The first year & first week.	Adam the first man, of whom all mankind is propagated.	a Creation of heaven and earth, and all things therein, in six days. Gen. 1. Man last created was made lord of all corporal creatures of this lower world, & placed in paradise. Gen. 2. For transgressing Gods commandment Adam and Eve were cast out of paradise. But by Gods grace repenting had promise of a Redeemer. Gen. 3. Cain the first born became a husbandman, Abel next born, a shepherd. Gen. 4.		Genesis containeth the history of the visible Church, from the beginning of the world to the death of Joseph in the year of the world 2340.
b 130.	Seth born.	God respecting Abels sacrifice, and not Cains, Cain killed Abel. Gen. 4.	Cain went forth from the face of our Lord; began a new city opposite to the City of God. Gen. 4. v. 16. His generations in the right line to Lamech, who slew him, are these, without notice of time when they were born or died: Henoch, Irad, Maviael, Mathusael, Lamech. Gen. 4. v. 17.
c 235.	Enos born.	Seths children and other faithful were called the sons of God to distinguish the true Church from the wicked city begun by Cain. Gen. 6.
d 325.	Cainan	In the days of Enos began public prayers of many assembling together (besides Sacrifice, which was before) Gen. 4. v. 26.
e 395.	Malaleel
f 460.	Jared
g 622.	Henoch	Henoch a Prophet pleased God in all his ways. None born in the earth like to Henoch. Eccli. 49. v. 16.
h 687.	Mathusala
i 874.	Lamech		Some declining from God, and matching in marriage with Cains race begat those monstrous men huge of stature, most wicked & cruel called giants. Gen. 6. v. 4.
k 930.		k Adam died at the age of 930 years. Gen. 5. v. 5. To whom Seth succeeded chief Patriarch. And so in the rest.
l 987.		l Henoch in the year of his age 365 was seen no more: because God took him. Gen. 5. v. 24. Henoch was translated that he should not see death. Heb. 11. v. 5.
m 1042.		m Seth died in the year of his age 912.
n 1056.	Noe born.
o 1140.		o Enos died anno ætatis 905.
p 1265.		p Cainan died, an. æt. 980.
q 1290.		q Malaleel died, an. æt. 895.
r 1422.		r Jared died, an. æt. 962.
s 1536.		s Noe the preacher of justice, forewarned all men that except they repented, God would destroy them with a flood.
t 1556.	Sem born. And the next two years Cham, & Japhet.	And by Gods commandment built an Ark (or ship) wherein himself, & his family, with other living creatures, were preserved from drowning.
v 1651.		v Lamech died (before his father) in the year of his age 777.
w 1656.		w Mathusala died, an. æt. 969, immediately before the flood, as seemeth most probable.
x 1656.		x The same year of the world 1656, the 17. day of the second month Noe with his three sons his wife, and their wives, in all eight persons, and seven pairs of every kind of clean living creatures, and two pairs of unclean entered into the Ark. And presently it rained forty days and nights together. Whereby all living creatures on the earth out of the ark were drowned. Gen. 7.	All Cains race, with other wicked infidels were utterly destroyed, by the flood. Gen. 7.

The end of the first age, and beginning of the second.

The Second Age: from the Flood to Abraham

Anno mundi	Patriarchs	Sacred history	Schisms & infidelity	Canonical Scriptures
y 1658.	Arphaxad born the son of Sem.	The whole earth being covered with water, Noe with his family, and other living creatures remained in the ark twelve months and ten days (a just year of the sun) then coming forth built an altar and offered sacrifice. Which God accepting blessed them for new increase. Gen. 8. & 9.
z 1693.	Cainan.*			* Not affirming but supposing that Cainan was the son of Arphaxad, we place him here: and Sale 30 years after.
a 1723.	Sale
b 1753.	Heber
c 1787.	Phaleg	c Heber consented not to the building of Babel. And therefore his family kept still their former language, which thenceforth for distinction sake, was called the Hebrew tongue. He lived to see Abrahams father.
d 1817.	Reu
e 1850.	Sarug
f 1879.	Nachor		Nemrod the son of Chus, and nephew to Cham, about threescore years after the flood, by force and subtlety drawing many followers, began a new sect of infidels. And afterwards was the principal author of building the tower of Babel. Where the tongues of the builders were confounded, & so they were separated into many nations, about 130 years after the flood. Gen. 10. v. 25.
g 1908.	Thare
h 1979.	Abraham born.	And Noe, Sem, Arphaxad, Phaleg, and other most godly men lived some part of Abrahams time, who was never corrupted in faith, nor religion.	After Nemrod his son Belus reigned in Babylon, about the year of the world 1871, which was 215 years after the flood. And after him his son Ninus beginning to reign about the year 1936 set up idolatry, causing his father to be honored as the great God, called Belus Juppiter: & his grandfather Nemrod, otherwise called Saturnus, or Sator deorum, the father of gods.

The end of the second age, and beginning of the third.

The Third Age: from Abraham to the going out of Egypt

Anno mundi	Patriarchs	High-priests	Line of David	Sacred history	Schisms & infidelity	Canonical Scriptures
i 2054.				i By Gods commandment, Abraham at the age 75 years having been much persecuted for religion, went forth of his country Chaldea. Whereupon his father Thare went as far as Haran, in the confines of Mesopotamia. And Lot went further with him into Chanaan. Which country God then promised to give him, and to multiply his seed, and therein to bless all nations. Gen. 11. v. 31. & 12. v. 1. & 7.
k 2055.				k By occasion of famine in Chanaan, Abraham went into Ægypt with his wife, and Lot. Gen. 12. v. 10.
l 2056.				l They returned into Chanaan, became very rich: and God renewed his great promises to Abraham. Gen. 13.
m 2058.				m Lot [amongst others] being taken captive, Abraham with three hundred and eighteen men rescued them all. Whereupon Melchisedech offered sacrifice in bread & wine: blessed Abraham, & received tithes of him. Gen. 14.
n 2064.				n Sara long barren persuaded Abraham to take her handmaid Agar to wife.
o 2065.				o Agar conceived & brought forth a son, who was named Ismael. Gen. 16.
p 2078.				p Circumcision was instituted, that Abraham, and his sons, & all the men of his family might be distinguished from others. Gen. 17. Sodom and Gomorrha with other cities were burnt with brimstone. From whence Lot was delivered by Angels. Gen. 19.
q 2079.	Isaac born.			q Sara conceived and bare a son called Isaac. Gen. 21.
r 2104.				r Abraham by Gods commandment was ready to offer Isaac in sacrifice, but was stayed by an Angel. And former promises were renewed. Gen. 22.	Ismael attempting to corrupt Isaac in manners (which S. Paul calleth persecution. Gal. 4.) was cast out of Abrahams house together with his mother. Gen. 21. v. 19. And nevertheless had twelve sons, all dukes before Isaac had any issue. Which S. Paul noteth. 1. Cor. 15. v. 46. First that is natural, afterward that which is spiritual. Esau also had much issue, and prospered in the world. But his progeny, as also Ismaels, & all Abrahams offspring by his last wife Cetura were excluded from the promised inheritance, & other blessings. Gen. 25. v. 5. & 6. & ch. 28. v. 4. & 14.
s 2116.				s After the death of Sara, Abraham married Cetura, by whom he had six sons. Gen. 25.
t 2119.				t Isaac married Rebecca the daughter of Bathuel, son of Nachor Abrahams brother. Gen. 24.
v 2139.	Jacob & Esau born.				Apis king of Argives, of Jupiters race, going into Ægypt, taught the people to plant vines, and make wine, to plow with oxen, and to sow & reap corn, was made their king and after his death honored in the form of an ox, for their great god. S. Aug. li. 18. c. 5. de civit.
x 2216.				x Isaac blessed Jacob thinking him to be Esau. Gen. 27.
y 2217.				y Jacob going into Mesopotamia to fly the danger of his brothers threats, saw in sleep a ladder reaching from the earth to heaven. Gen. 28. And being there he served his uncle Laban seven years for his younger daughter Rachael, received Lia the elder; and served other seven for Rachael. And six more for certain fruit of the flocks. Gen. 29. & 30.
z 2224.	Ruben
a 2225.	Simeon
b 2226.	Levi
c 2227.	Judas, Dan, Nephthali, Gad, Aser, Issachar, Zabulon.
d 2230.	Joseph
e 2236.				e Jacob returning from Mesopotamia wrestled with an Angel, & was called Israel. Gen. 32. & 35. v. 10.
f 2246.	Benjamin born.			f Rachael died, and was buried in Bethleem. Gen. 35. v. 18. & 19.
g 2247.				g Joseph was sold, and carried into Ægypt; & shortly after cast into prison, where he interpreted the dreams of two Eunuchs. Gen. 37. 39. & 40.
h 2259.				h Isaac died, at the age of 180 years.
i 2260.		Caath.	Phares.	i Joseph interpreting king Pharao his dreams, and giving wise counsel to provide for the scarcity to come, was made ruler of Ægypt. He then married, & had two sons Manasses, and Ephraim in the seven years of plenty. Gen. 41.	As people increased, so idolatry was multiplied, and innumerable gods feigned and served with superstitious rites in all heathen nations. Amongst which first the Assyrians, and at last the Romans held the principality, others in respect of them were of less power, or of shorter time, & as it were dependents of them: as S. Augustin observeth. li. 18. c. 2. de civit.	Job either of the progeny of Nachor, or as seemeth more probable of Esau, lived the same time; in which the children of Israel were pressed with servitude in Ægypt. Himself writ the history of his affliction in the Arabian tongue which Moyses translated into Hebrew.
k 2268.				k Jacob sent his ten sons into Ægypt to buy corn. Where they were threatened as suspected spies, and one was kept in prison, till they should bring their brother Benjamin. Gen. 42.
l 2269.				l They returning into Ægypt with Benjamin in their company, Joseph first terrified them, afterwards manifested himself unto them. And sending for his father and whole kindred, they all went into Ægypt. Gen. 43. 44. 45. & 46.
m 2286.		Amram.	Esron.	m Jacob blessed and adopted the two sons of Joseph, preferring Ephraim the younger before Manasses. Gen. 48. prophesied of all his twelve sons; and in Judas of Christ. Gen. 49. v. 10. And then died.
n 2300.				n Joseph buried his father in Chanaan, and nourished his brethren with their families, as their patron & superior. Gen. 50. v. 18.	About this time was Atlas the great Astronomer brother of Prometheus, grandfather to Mercurius the elder, whose nephew Mercurius, otherwise called Trismegistus, the master of moral philosophy must needs be a good while after Moyses. S. Aug. li. 18. c. 39. de civit. Also Cecrops the first king and builder of Athens, was in Moyses time, after him Cadmus built Thebes, and the first that brought letters into Grece, more ancient than many Panims gods. S. Aug. li. 18. c. 8. &c.
o 2340.				o He died at the age of 110 years. Gen. 50. After his death the Superiority of the children of Israel descended not to his sons, but to his brethren and rested in Levi the third brother living longest of all the twelve, to the age of 137 years. Exodi. 6. v. 16. whose genealogy is there declared to show the descent of Aaron and Moyses.		The book of Exodus containeth the affliction and deliverance of the children of Israel, & precepts of Gods law.

The end of the third age.

The Fourth Age: from the giving of the Law to the Temple

Anno mundi	High-priests	Line of David	Sacred history	Schisms & infidelity	Canonical Scriptures
p 2401.	Aaron born.	Aram.		About this time was Cecrops … (see above) and Cadmus.
q 2404.	Moyses born.		r Moyses an infant of three months was put in a basket on the water, & taken thence by Pharaos daughter, nursed by his own mother, and brought up in Pharaos court. Exod. 2.
s 2444.			s At the age of forty years he went to his brethren to comfort them. Where killing an Ægyptian that oppressed an Israelite, he was forced to flee into Madian. Exod. 2.
t 2484.		Aminadab.	t After other forty years God appeared to Moyses in a bush burning & not wasting. Sent him into Ægypt with power to work miracles, & to bring the children of Israel out of that bondage. Pharao and the Ægyptians resisting were plagued with ten sundry afflictions. At last the Israelites were delivered, and Pharao with all his army drowned. Exo. 3. to 15.		Leviticus containeth the Rites of Sacrifices, Priests, Feasts, Fasts, and Vows. Numeri, so called because in it are numbered the men of twelve tribes able to bear arms, also the Levites deputed to Gods service about the tabernacle, and the mansions of the people in the desert with other things happening in the 40 years of their abode there.
w 2485.	Aaron.		w The law was given in Mount Sina the fiftieth day after their going out of Ægypt. Exod. 19. 20.	In the absence of Moyses the people forcing Aaron to consent, made & adored a golden calf for God. Exod. 32.
x 2485.			x The tabernacle, with all things pertaining thereto, was prepared in the first year, and erected the first day of the second year of their abode in the desert. Exod. 40. y In the same second year Aaron was consecrated Highpriest, and his sons Priests, for an ordinary succession: Moyses remaining Superior extraordinary during his life. Levit. 8.	Nadab & Abiu offered strange fire in sacrifice and were burnt to death. Levit. 10. Chore, Dathan, & Abiron with many others murmuring & rebelling against Moyses & Aaron were partly swallowed alive into the earth, others burnt with fire from heaven. Num. 16.
z 2513.			z Balaam a sorcerer hired by Balac king of Moab to curse the Israelites, was forced by Gods power to prophesy good things of them. Num. 21. 23. 24. a Moyses and Aaron doubting that God would not give water out of a rock to the murmuring people, were foretold that they should die in the desert, and not enter into the promised land. Num. 20.
b 2523.	Eleazar		b Aaron died in the mount Hor, and his son Eleazar was made Highpriest. Num. 20.
c 2524.			c Moyses repeated the law, commending it earnestly to the people. Then died, and was secretly buried by Angels in the valley of Moab. Deut. 34. To whom Josue succeeded in temporal government his spiritual remaining in the Highpriest. Nu. 27. v. 20. d All the children of Israel that came forth of Ægypt above the age of twenty years died in the desert except two, Josue & Caleb. Num. 26. v. 64. 65.	All nations generally besides the Jews, serving many false gods, those thought themselves most religious that were most superstitious, & studious of art Magic, Nigromancy & the like. And every country yea almost every town & village had their peculiar imagined gods, as S. Athanasius discourseth, Orat. contra idola.	Deuteronomy is an abridgement and repetition of the law, contained more largely in the former books.
e 2524.			e Presently after Moyses death Josue brought the people over Jordan into Chanaan. Josue 3. And in the space of seven years conquered the land. Josue 6. &c.		The book of Josue is the first of those which are properly called Historical, declaring how the Israelites conquered & possessed the land of Chanaan, it containeth the history of 32 years.
f 2531.		Naasson.	f And divided the same amongst the tribes. Josue 13.
g 2533.			g The tribes of Ruben Gad and half Manasses having received inheritance on the other side of Jordan, Num. 32. v. 33. and now returning thither made an altar by the river side, which the other tribes suspecting to be for sacrifice, and so to make a schism, prepared to fight against them: but they answering that it was only for a monument; all were satisfied. Josue 22.	The Romans otherwise most prudent accounted all inventers of arts, conquerors of countries, & all achievers of great exploits at least after their deaths to be gods. And not only men, but also many other things were held for gods.
h 2556.	Phinees.		h Josue at the age of 110 years died. Josue 24. v. 29. & had no proper successor. i Eleazarus the Highpriest died the same year, Josue 24. v. 33. And his son Phinees succeeded.		The book of Judges showeth the state of the people of God the space of near three hundred years after the death of Josue, when they had sometimes temporal governors of divers tribes, sometimes none.
k 2556.			k After the death of Josue the people were afflicted by foreign nations, God so permitting for their sins, but repenting he raised up certain captains, who were called Judges, of divers tribes without ordinary succession, to deliver & defend the country from invasions. These were in all fourteen in the space of near 300 years.
l 2564.			l Othoniel the first Judge, of the tribe of Juda, delivered the Israelites from molestation of the king of Syria. He governed (comprehending also the intermission) forty years. Judic. 3. v. 11.	Neither did it suffice their fancies to commend themselves and their goods to the protection of few gods but divers things: yea and the same things according to divers state to divers gods, and goddesses. As S. Augustin noteth. li. 4. c. 8.
m 2588.			m Aod of the tribe of Benjamin the second Judge, killed Eglon king of Moab, and so delivered Israel, and slew ten thousand Moabites. Jud. 3. v. 20. 29.
n 2591.			n Samgar a husbandman the third Judge, killing six hundred Philisthimes with the coulter of a plough defended Israel. Judic. 3. v. 31. He with Aod, and the times, wanting judges, governed seventy five years.
o 2663.			o Barach by direction of Debora a prophetess, fighting against Sisara, chief captain of Jabin king of Asor, Jahil a stout woman slew the same captain, striking a nail in his head. Jud. 4. They governed 38 years.
p 2701.			p Gedeon confirmed by miracles that he was sent of God overthrew the Madianites, and delivered Israel, governing forty years. Judic. 6. 7. 8.
q 2741.			q Abimelech the base son of Gedeon unjustly usurping authority, killed his seventy brethren one only escaping, but within three years was hated of his followers, and slain by a woman. Jud. 9.
r 2744.			r Thola defended the country from invasion of enemies three years. Jud. 10.
s 2767.	Bocci.		s Jair a potent noble man defended the people twenty two years. Jud. 10. v. 3.
t 2789.		Booz.	t Jepte first rejected but afterwards entreated by the ancients of the people, fought for them and overthrew the enemies. And upon an indiscreet vow offered his daughter in sacrifice. Jud. 11. He killed in civil war forty two thousand Ephraimites, and governed six years. Jud. 12.	who so deluding men brought them to eternal ruin.
w 2795.			w Abesan a fortunate good man ruled in peace seven years. Judic. 12. v. 9. About this time Booz of the tribe of Juda married Ruth a Moabite: by whom the right line of Judas descended by Phares to David. Ruth. 4. v. 18. &c.		The book of Ruth amongst other mysteries showeth the genealogy of David, of whose seed Christ was born.
x 2802.			x Ahialon governed likewise in peace ten years. Jud. 12. v. 11.	The people in this time of peace fell again to idolatry. For which God suffered the Philistimes to afflict them. Jud. 13. The tribe of Dan set up idolatry, Jud. 18. A heinous crime being committed in the tribe of Benjamin and not punished, the other Israelites made battle against them & being themselves also great sinners lost many men in two conflicts, but in the third the tribe of Benjamin was almost destroyed. Jud. 19. v. 20.
y 2812.		Obed.	y Abdon another nobleman governed eight years. Jud. 12. v. 13.
z 2820.	Ozi.		z Samson from his birth a Nazarite of admirable strength did many heroical acts, killed many Philistimes in his life, & more by his own death. He governed twenty years. Jud. 13. v. 5. &c. ch. 16. v. 31.
a 2840.	Heli, otherwise Zaraias.	Isai, or Jesse.	a Heli of the stock of Aaron by the line of Ithamar was Highpriest and governed Israel forty years. 1. Reg. 4. v. 18.		The four books of kings show the state of the Church from the first kings of Gods people to their captivity. And the two books of Paralipomenon do repeat briefly some things written before, partly add things omitted in other books.
b 2880.	Maraioth.		b Samuel (whose mother being long barren had presented him an infant in the temple, according to her vow) was a Nazarite and a prophet from a child. 1. Reg. 1. & 3. And after the death of Heli, governed the people of Israel before Saul twenty years. And with him twenty years more.
c 2900.	Achimelech or Amarias.	David born.	c By the importunity of the people to have a king, God appointed Samuel to anoint Saul. 1. Reg. 10. who at first governed well, but afterwards declining from God was deposed, & David anointed by the same prophet Samuel. 1. Reg. 16. Yet Saul was not actually deprived of the scepter so long as he lived. 1. Reg. 31.	About the year of the world 2830 Troy was taken and destroyed by the Grecians. In which battle were Agamemnon, Ulisses, Achilles, Nestor, & many others not indeed so renowned for any virtues or facts of their own, as Homer, Horace, Virgil, Ovid, & others by poetical liberty & flattery set them forth. But most folly appeareth in that the city of Rome was afterwards commended to those gods, which were taken in Troy, not able to defend themselves from invasion and spoil. S. Aug. li. 1. c. 3. civit.
d 2920.	Abiathar, or Achitob.	David king.	d David king & prophet ruled his kingdom as a right pattern of all good kings: made the book of Psalmes full of all divine knowledge, prepared means for building the temple, ordained divers sorts of musicians, and reigned forty years. 2. Reg. totus. 2. Par. 23. &c.		The psalms written by David, a summary of all holy Scriptures.
e 2960.	Sadoc.	Salomon.	e Salomon excelling in wisdom, prospered in this world. 3. Reg. 3. &c.
f 2964.			f He built the temple and adorned the same with all excellent furniture requisite for Gods service: disposing all in order, as David had ordained.

The end of the fourth age.

The Fifth Age: from the building of the Temple to the Babylonian captivity

Anno mundi	High-priests	Line of David	Sacred history	Schisms & infidelity	Canonical Scriptures
g 2971.			g The temple being finished in seven years, was then dedicated most solemnly, with exceeding devotion of the king, and all the people with abundance of sacrifices. And afterwards the same king Salomon writ three sapiential books: The Proverbs, Ecclesiastes & the Canticle of Canticles. But in his old age fell from God, and it is uncertain whether he died penitent or no. He reigned forty years. 3. Reg. 11.	Jeroboam the first king of the ten tribes made a wicked schism, setting up two golden calves in Bethel and Dan: which most of the people served as their gods. He reigned 22 years. 3. Reg. 12. After him were these kings of divers families of the same ten tribes. Nadab son of Jeroboam reigned two years. 3. Reg. 14. Basa of the tribe of Issachar reigned 24 years. 3. Reg. 15. Ela two years. 3. Reg. 16. Zambri but seven days. 3. Reg. 16. v. 15. Amri 12 years whereof Thebni reigned in civil war against him three years. v. 22. Achab married Jezabel a Sidonian, and served Baal, reigning 21 years. 3. Reg. 16. &c.	The Proverbs. Ecclesiastes. Canticle of Canticles.
h 3000.	Achimaas.	Roboam.	h King Roboam leaving the advice of ancients and following young counsellors, offended the people: and his servant Jeroboam was made king of ten tribes: only Juda & Benjamin remaining to him. He reigned seventeen years. 3. Reg. 14. v. 21.	Ochozias reigned two years. 3. Reg. 22. v. 52. Joram twelve years. 4. Reg. 3. Jehu killed Joram and Jezabel, destroying the whole house of Achab reigned 8 years. 4. Reg. 9. & 10. Joachaz reigned 17 years. 4. Reg. 13. Joas reigned sixteen years. 4. Reg. 13. v. 10. Jeroboam 41 years. 4. Reg. 14. v. 23. Zacharias reigned but six months. 4. Reg. 15. v. 8. Sellum but one month. 4. Reg. 15. v. 15. Manahem reigned 10 years. 4. Reg. 15. v. 17. Phaceia two years. 4. Reg. 15. v. 23. Phacee reigned 20 years. 4. Reg. 15. v. 27.
i 3017.		Abias.	i His son Abias reigned wickedly three years. 3. Reg. 15. v. 2.
k 3020.	Azarias	Asa.	k Asa a good king destroyed idolatry, and reigned 41 years. 3. Reg. 15. v. 10.
l 3061.	Johanan.	Josaphat.	l Josaphat governed the kingdom well 25 years, 3. Reg. 22. v. 42. & 43. saving that he joined affinity with Achab king of Israel, and with Jezabel. 2. Paral. 18. v. 1.	Elias, Elizeus and divers other Prophets preached, & did many miracles in the kingdom of Juda and Israel, not writing any particular books.
m 3086.		Joram.	m Joram reigned wickedly eight years. 4. Reg. 8. v. 17. & 18. 2. Paral. 21. v. 5. & 6. The three next are omitted by S. Mathew.
n 3094.	Joiada.	* Ochozias.	n By the evil counsel of his mother Athalia, Ochozias governed wickedly one year, & was slain by Jehu together with Joram king of Israel. 4. Reg. 8. v. 27. & ch. 9. v. 27. 2. Paral. 22. v. 3. & 9.
o 3095.			o Queen Athalia murdering the children of her own son the late king, usurped the kingdom six years. 4. Reg. 11. v. 1.
p 3101.	Zacharias.	* Joas.	p The youngest son of Ochozias called Joas being saved from the slaughter, was made king by means of Joiada Highpriest, and Athalia slain. 4. Reg. 11. v. 4. He governed well during the life of Joiada. But afterwards fell to idolatry, & caused Zacharias the Highpriest and son of Joiada to be slain. 2. Paral. 24. v. 22. And shortly after the same king was treacherously slain when he had reigned 41 years. 4. Reg. 12. v. 20. & 2. Paral. 24. v. 25.
q 3142.	Sadoc, or Joathan; Sellum	* Amasias.	q Amasias beginning well did some good things, 4. Reg. 14. v. 3. But after the spoil of the Idumeans he worshipped their idols. 2. Paral. 25. v. 14. And reigned 29 years. ibidem.
r 3171.	Azarias	Ozias, or Asarias.	r Ozias sometime reigned well, 4. Reg. 15. v. 3. but afterwards presuming to offer incense on the altar was repelled by the Highpriest, & presently stricken with leprosy, and cast out of the temple and city. He lived after that he was king 52 years. 2. Par. 26. v. 16.		In the days of king Ozias was Isaias the Prophet. Likewise Osee, Joel, Amos, Abdias, and Jonas.
s 3223.	Urias	Joathan.	s Joathan a godly king governed a great part of his fathers time, and after his death sixteen years. 4. Reg. 15. 2. Par. 27.	The Grecians every fourth year set forth interludes in honour of Jupiter Olympius, whereof began the count of Olympias, about the year of the world 3247. And after six Olympiads, that is, 24 years, Rome was built.	Micheas prophesied in the reign of Joathan: the former prophets yet living.
t 3239.		Achaz.	t Achaz a wicked king, after many benefits received from God, fell to idolatry, reigning sixteen years, destroyed holy things, shut up the temple, and perverted many of the people. 4. Reg. 16. 2. Paral. 28.	Osee reigned nine years. 4. Reg. 17. The kingdom of Israel having stood above two hundred and fifty years was subdued by the Assyrians & much people carried captive into Assyria. 4. Reg. 17. v. 6. New inhabitants being sent from Assyria into Jewry, mixed their paganism with the Israelites religion, made many wicked, and detestable Sects. 4. Reg. 17. v. 29.
v 3255.		Ezechias.	v Ezechias a most godly king advanced true religion, which was much decayed. He recovered health being mortally sick, which was confirmed by miracle in the sun returning back: and made a Canticle of praise with thanks to God, and reigned 29 years. 4. Reg. 18. 2. Paral. 29. 30. 31. 32.		Nahum and Habacuc prophesied after the captivity of the ten tribes.
w 3284.		Manasses	w Manasses for his great sins was carried captive into Babylon, where he repented and was restored to his kingdom: he reigned & lived in captivity 55 years. 4. Reg. 21. 2. Par. 33.		About this time happened the history of Toby, who lived in all 102 years. Tob. 14. v. 2.
x 3339.		Amon.	x Amon reigned evil two years. 4. Reg. 21. 2. Par. 33.
y 3341.		Josias.	y Josias a very good king purged the Church of idolatry, repaired the temple, celebrated a most solemn Pasch, was slain in battle by the king of Ægypt, (which all the people much lamented, especially Jeremie the prophet) when he had reigned 31 years. 4. Reg. 22. 23. 2. Par. 34. 35.	In the time of Numa the second king of the Romans, Pythagoras taught transmigration of souls from one body to another.	Sophonias prophesied in the reign of Josias king of Juda.
z 3372.	Zaraias	Joachaz, or Jechonias.	z Joachaz otherwise called Jechonias, reigning but three months was carried into Ægypt (where afterwards he died. 4. Reg. 23. v. 34.) and Eliakim, otherwise called Joakim, his brother was made king: Who in the third year of his reign was carried into Babylon 4. Reg. 23. v. 34. 2. Par. 36. v. 4. 5. and with him Daniel, and the other three children. Dan. 1. Shortly after which time happened the history of Susanna. Dan. 13. And the same Joakim after his reign of three years, lived other eight years in captivity. 4. Reg. 24. v. 1. 2. Par. 36. v. 4. & 5.		Jeremie also began to prophesy being a child in the days of Josias, & continued in the captivity of the two tribes. Baruch was his Scribe and also a Prophet. Daniel began to prophesy also very young in Babylon, and continued after the relaxation from captivity.
a 3383.		Joachin, otherwise Jechonias.	a Joachin called also Jechonias, son of the former Jechonias, or Joachaz, reigned but three months & was carried into Babylon & with him Ezechiel the Prophet and others. And his uncle Matthanias, otherwise named Sedecias was made king who reigned eleven years. 4. Reg. 24. 2. Paral. 36.	A certain captain picking a quarrel apprehended Jeremie and by consent of principal men, cast him into a dungeon the king not knowing thereof. 4. Reg. 25. Jere. 37. 38.	Ezechiel prophesied also in the captivity, in the country near to Babylon.
b 3394.	Josedech.		b In the eleventh year of Sedecias when king Jechonias the younger was prisoner in Babylon, Jerusalem was taken, the Temple destroyed, and the people carried captive into Babylon. 4. Reg. 25. 1. Paral. 36. In the mean time Daniel was in singular great estimation both with the faithful people, and Pagans, and was advanced to authority as also by his means the other children, for which they were envied and persecuted but were miraculously protected. Dan. 1. ad 7. & 13. 14.	Ismael killed Godolias the governor, and others. 4. Reg. 25. Jere. 41. Many Jews fled into Ægypt and fell to idolatry, resisting & contemning Jeremies admonitions to the contrary. Jere. 42. 43. 44.

The end of the fifth age.

The Sixth Age: from the captivity to Christ

Anno mundi	High-priests	Line of David	Sacred history	Schisms & infidelity	Canonical Scriptures
c 3418.	Jesus son of Josedech.	From the captivity, the Jews had no kings: but the line of David continued in these persons from Jechonias to Christ.	c In the captivity by diligence of the prophets, many Jews had great zeal in true religion. And about the 24 year of the captivity Assuerus otherwise called Astiages, made Esther Queen, and wicked Aman seeking to destroy all the Jews in those parts, was himself hanged on the gallows which he had prepared for Mardocheus. Esther. 7. &c.	When the Monarchy came to the Chaldees by the power of Nabuchodonosor king of Babylon, there was greatest confusion of many gods, and of all kinds of idolatry.	The history of Esther, Mardocheus and Aman written in the book of Esther in the captivity.
d 3420.		Salathiel.	d Evilmerodach delivered Jechonias (or Joachin) from prison, and entertained him as a prince. 4. Reg. 25. v. 27.
e 3464.		Zorobabel.	e Baltazar being slain, Darius king of Medes & Persians possessed Babylon: & Cyrus succeeding Darius, released the Jews from captivity, and gave licence to Zorobabel, & Jesus to reduce the people into Jewry. 2. Paral. 36. v. 22. 1. Esd. 1.	And great dissension among the more learned Grecians. For the Pythagorians put their chief happiness, or Summum bonum, in the immortality of the soul. The Stoics in moral virtues. The Academics conceived much of pure spirits, as Angels, but could affirm nothing. The Peripatetics placed the consummation of all, in the aggregation of spiritual, corporal, and worldly prosperity.
f 3465.			f The Jews being returned into Jerusalem set up an altar and offered sacrifice. 1. Esd. 3. v. 2.		Esdras writ the relaxation of the Jews from captivity. And Nehemias the reparation of Jerusalem.
g 3466.			g The next year they began to build the temple. 1. Esd. 3. v. 8.
h 3469.	Joachin.	Abiud.	h Artaxerxes (otherwise called Cambyses, also Assuerus) forbade to perfect the temple. And Jesus the Highpriest returned into Babylon. 1. Esd. 4. v. 7.
i 3470.			i Daniel understood by vision that Christ should come within seventy weeks which make 490 years from the perfecting of the temple, & the walls of Jerusalem. Dan. 9. v. 25.	The schismatical Samaritans opposed against the building of the temple. 1. Esd. 4.
k 3490.	Eliasib.		k Aggeus & Zacharias the prophets exhorted to build the temple. 1. Esd. 5.		Aggeus. Zacharias.
l 3500.			l Judith killed Holofernes, either about this time, or in the days of Manasses before the captivity. Præfat. Judith.		Judith, either here, or before the captivity.
m 3502.	Eliacim.		m The temple being perfected Malachias (who is supposed to be Esdras) exhorted to offer sacrifice with sincerity. Mal. 1. & 2.	The Saducees acknowledging only the five books of Moyses rejected all other Scriptures, and denied the resurrection. The Scribes expounded holy Scriptures sophistically.	Malachias.
n 3508.			n And Nehemias brought the kings Edict for the reparation of Jerusalem. 2. Esd. 2.
o 3509.			o Esdras, Nehemias and others labored in repairing Jerusalem, but were often interrupted. 2. Esd. 3.	The Pharises were precise in the letter corrupting the sense, making large hems of their garments, often washing themselves, and the like.
p 3530.	Azor / Joiada.		p About this time the city was well repaired with three walls. 2. Esd. 3. & 7. And so by the judgement of some expositors, the count of seventy weeks began, according to the prophecy of Daniel. ch. 9. v. 26.
q 3594.	Jonathan.		q Nehemias returning from Persia (or Chaldea) into Jewry found thick water, for the fire, which Jeremie had hid in a deep cave. 2. Mach. 1. v. 20. & 23.
r 3644.	Jaddus.	Sadoc.	r Alexander the great honored Jaddus the Highpriest. Joseph. li. 11. c. 8. Antiq.	Sanaballat a Grecian obtained licence for his son in law Manasses, the Apostata highpriest, to build a temple in Garizim. Joseph. li. 11. c. 8. Antiq.
s 3689.	Onias.	Achim.	s Onias a most zealous godly Highpriest. 2. Mach. 4. was persecuted by Simon a churchwarden, slain by Andronicus a courtly minion, v. 34. And after his death prayed for all the people. ch. 15. v. 12.
t 3700.	Simon Priscus.		t Jesus the son of Sirach writ the book of Ecclesiasticus in the time of this Simon Highpriest, as seemeth ch. 50. v. 24. & 25.		Ecclesiasticus containeth many moral precepts, and is a storehouse of virtues and holy mysteries.
v 3720.	Eleazarus / Manasses an Apostata.	Eliud.	v The seventy two Interpreters being sent by Eleazarus Highpriest to Ptolomeus Philadelphus king of Ægypt translated the Hebrew Scriptures into Greek.	Ananias another false pretender built another schismatical temple in Ægypt.
w 3750.	Onias / Simon.		w Another Jesus (Nephew of the former) translated Ecclesiasticus into Greek. Prolog. Eccli.	In the time of Onias the second, his brother Jason obtained for money to be highpriest. Antiochus set up the abomination of desolation whereof Daniel prophesied. ch. 9.
x 3810.	Onias.	Eleazar.	x Philo the elder writ the book of wisdom in Greek. S. Jerom in pref.		The book of wisdom is also replenished with much doctrine of virtue, and of divine mysteries.
y 3825.	Mathathias.		y Antiochus Epiphanes persecuted the Church most cruelly, like as Antichrist will do near the end of the world. 1. Mach. 1. v. 11. & 2. Mach. 5. 6. 7.
z 3846.		Mathan.	z In defence of the Church Mathathias and his sons with others made wars, killed, and overthrew all their enemies, advanced religion, cleansed the temple, & delivered the people from persecution. 1. Mach. 2. &c. 2. Mach. 8. & seq.		The books of Machabees contain the history of the Jews from Alexander the great to the time of Joannes Hyrcanus highpriest, above two hundred years.
a 3847.	Judas Machabeus.			After Jason followed more usurpers of the Highpriesthood: Menelaus, Lisimachus, Alcimus.
b 3853.	Jonathas.
c 3869.	Simon.
d 3878.	Joanes Hyrcanus.	Jacob.	d After the wars, the Jews in Jerusalem writ to the Jews in Ægypt, exhorting them to keep the feasts, and other rites, as they were observed in Jewry. 2. Mach. 1. & 2.
e 3944.	Aristobulus / Alexander / Hyrcanus.	Joseph the husband of the most B. Virgin Mary.	e Pompeius the great taking Jerusalem subdued the Jews to the Romans. He entered into the holy place, called Sancta Sanctorum, there profaned holy things, carried away Aristobulus (who had been Highpriest) prisoner, & confirmed Hyrcanus in his place. After whom Cassius also spoiled the temple. S. Aug. li. 18. c. 45. de civit.
f 4000.	Antigonus / Anaellus.	JESUS CHRIST.	f S. John Baptist was born of Elizabeth, who had been long barren. And six months after, Christ our SAVIOVR was born, of the B. Virgin Mary, in Bethleem; circumcised, adored by the Sages, and presented in the Temple. When king Herod reigned in Judea.	Herodians held opinion that Herod was Christ, the Messias, whom the Jews had long expected.
g 4001.	Aristobulus.		g Joseph fled with the child & his mother into Ægypt, and Herod murdered the innocent infants.	But Christ the Son of God coming into this world cut off all these, & other old sects. And from time to time cutteth off all heresies, that rise against his Church.
h 4006.	Josue / Simon / Mathias		h Returning from Ægypt they dwelt in Nazareth.
i 4012.	Josephus / Jozarus / Eleazar / Josue.		i Christ at the age of twelve years remaining in Jerusalem unknown to his parents was found the third day in the temple amongst the Doctors.
k 4030.	Annas / Ismael / Eleazar / Simon.		k S. John Baptist preached and baptized in Jordan. Of whom Christ amongst others, was baptized, and fasted in the desert forty days.		The first holy Scripture of the new Testament was S. Mathewes Gospel written about the year of Christ 41. And the last was S. Johns Gospel the year 99.
l 4034.	Caiphas.		l Christ crucified, redeemed mankind; arose from death; ascended to heaven; & sending the Holy Ghost planted his perpetual visible Church.

The end of the sixth age, and of the Old Testament.