Timeline
When prophecies were given, the dates people predicted from them, proposed fulfillments and later interpretations. Choose a view: the overview shows where the material lies, the chronicle reads century by century, life-lines follow one prophecy or one line of prediction, and said vs. expected shows how far ahead each prediction looked.
Explore durations and conditions →
525 dates
Eighth century BCE · Cambridge estimate, disputed
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges introduction to Psalm 50 assigns it to the eighth century BCE on comparison with prophetic criticism of sacrifice. This is an attributed historical estimate, not consensus or an Asaph speech date. Kilchör and Weber (2014), section F, report a commonly proposed early post-exilic dating but argue instead for a setting after 722 BCE, probably under Hezekiah. These differing estimates remain explicit.
Whole-century bounds express the cited estimate; composition is disputed.
Eighth century BCE to after the exile · USCCB
The USCCB introduction says Deuteronomy was probably composed over three centuries, “from the eighth century to the exile and beyond,” and notes its relation to the book found in the Temple around 622 B.C. The source leaves the end open; 500 BCE is approximate.
Approximate date of the whole biblical work
Eighth century BCE to after the exile · USCCB
The USCCB introduction says Deuteronomy was probably composed over three centuries, “from the eighth century to the exile and beyond,” and notes its relation to the book found in the Temple around 622 B.C. The source leaves the end open; 500 BCE is approximate.
Approximate date of the whole biblical work
Sixth–fifth centuries BCE · book-level editorial dating
USCCB’s introduction says ancient Genesis traditions were edited in the sixth or fifth century BCE, and explicitly discusses Genesis 2:4–3:24 within the creation narrative. This is an attributed book-level editorial estimate.
17 October 520 BCE · seventh month, day 21
Haggai 2:1 dates the message in verses 1–9 to the twenty-first day of the seventh month. USCCB note 2:1 identifies 17 October 520 BCE. This is the message’s narrated date.
18 December 520 BCE · ninth month, day 24
Haggai 2:10 dates the priestly ruling and blessing; 2:20 introduces another message on the same date, addressed to Zerubbabel. USCCB notes 2:10, 2:18 and 2:20 identify 18 December 520 BCE.
Approximately fifth century BCE · reported setting
The discourse places this speech during the Buddha’s lifetime. The Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy dates his life broadly to the fifth century BCE while documenting other proposals and prolonged oral transmission.
Approximate narrated setting during the Buddha’s lifetime
Approximately fifth century BCE · reported setting
The discourse places this speech during the Buddha’s lifetime. The Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy dates his life broadly to the fifth century BCE while documenting other proposals and prolonged oral transmission.
Approximate narrated setting during the Buddha’s lifetime
Approximately fifth century BCE · reported setting
The discourse places this speech during the Buddha’s lifetime. The Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy dates his life broadly to the fifth century BCE while documenting other proposals and prolonged oral transmission.
Approximate narrated setting during the Buddha’s lifetime
5th–2nd centuries BCE · Zaehner’s estimate
Nicholas Sutton, The Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies Guide (2016), p.9 / PDF page 17, cites R.C. Zaehner (1973), p.7, placing composition between the fifth and second centuries BCE.
Around 450 BCE
Zondervan’s Encyclopedia of the Bible dates composition approximately to the middle of the fifth century BCE. This is a book-level estimate.
Approximate date of the whole biblical work
About 450 BCE · book composition
The Encyclopedia of the Bible dates the book to about 450 BCE. It also notes debate over whether the concluding Elijah passage is a later addition.
Approximately 450–400 BCE
USCCB favors a postexilic composition around 450–400 BCE, based on temple organization, language and use of earlier prophetic tradition.
Probably 450–400 BCE · USCCB estimate
The USCCB introduction says internal evidence favors a postexilic date for Joel’s composition, probably 450–400 B.C.; the superscription itself gives no historical setting.
Approximate date of the whole biblical work
Approximately 167–164 BCE · critical dating
USCCB dates Daniel’s composition to Antiochus IV’s persecution, a critical dating distinct from its earlier narrative setting.
Approximately 167–164 BCE · critical dating
USCCB dates Daniel’s composition to Antiochus IV’s persecution, a critical dating distinct from its earlier narrative setting.
Approximately 167–164 BCE · critical dating
USCCB dates the book’s composition to Antiochus IV’s persecution, 167–164 BCE, and explicitly includes chapters 7–12 as its visions. Source rechecked 11 September 2026.
Approximately 167–164 BCE · critical dating
USCCB dates Daniel’s composition to Antiochus IV’s persecution, a critical dating distinct from its earlier narrative setting.
Approximate date of the whole biblical work
Around 125 BCE · surviving Hebrew manuscript
The Israel Museum dates the Great Isaiah Scroll to approximately 125 BCE and states that its 54 columns contain all 66 chapters of Isaiah. This is a manuscript witness for the book containing Isaiah 11.
Approximately 30–33 CE · narrative setting
Narrative setting inferred from the Gospel placement before the Passion and the widely discussed crucifixion years, 30 and 33 CE.
Around 50 CE · Wallace’s Pauline dating
Daniel B. Wallace proposes spring–summer 50 CE and defends Pauline authorship. This is one attributed estimate.
Approximately 50–120 CE · broad proposed range
Early Christian Writings gives a broad composition range of 50–120 CE and documents disagreement over the work’s dating.
Around 51 CE
USCCB places Timothy’s return to Paul probably in early summer 51 CE and identifies it as the occasion for 1 Thessalonians.
Around 56 CE
USCCB dates Paul’s writing of this letter from Ephesus to about 56 CE. This is a letter-level composition estimate.
Approximate date of the whole biblical work
Between 56 and 58 CE · USCCB estimate
The USCCB introduction says Paul wrote Romans from Greece, likely Corinth, between A.D. 56 and 58.
Approximate date of the whole biblical work
Around 70 CE
PBS Frontline places Mark around 70 CE; USCCB describes the traditional date as shortly before 70.
Approximately 80–90 CE
USCCB reports a proposed composition range of 80–90 CE for Luke’s Gospel.
Approximately 80–90 CE
USCCB reports a proposed composition range of 80–90 CE for Luke’s Gospel.
Around 80–90 CE · common scholarly proposal
The USCCB introduction to Acts refers the date of Acts to its introduction to Luke, the first volume of the same work, which says many scholars propose A.D. 80–90 for Luke’s composition. This approximates the two-volume work;
Approximate date of the whole biblical work
Around 80–90 CE · common scholarly proposal
The USCCB introduction to Acts refers the date of Acts to its introduction to Luke, the first volume of the same work, which says many scholars propose A.D. 80–90 for Luke’s composition. This approximates the two-volume work;
Approximate date of the whole biblical work
Around 80–90 CE · common scholarly proposal
The USCCB introduction to Acts refers the date of Acts to its introduction to Luke, the first volume of the same work, which says many scholars propose A.D. 80–90 for Luke’s composition. This approximates the two-volume work;
Approximate date of the whole biblical work
80–100 CE · Kirby’s later dating
Peter Kirby’s Early Christian Writings assigns 80–100 CE and argues for a later author writing in Paul’s name.
Reign of Domitian (81–96 CE), probably near its end · USCCB
The USCCB introduction says the date of the book in its present form is probably near the end of the reign of Domitian (A.D. 81–96). The source favors the last years of the reign.
Approximate date of the whole biblical work
Reign of Domitian (81–96 CE), probably near its end · USCCB
The USCCB introduction says the date of the book in its present form is probably near the end of the reign of Domitian (A.D. 81–96). The source favors the last years of the reign.
Approximate date of the whole biblical work
Around 85 CE
Around 85 CE
John Dominic Crossan, in the PBS Frontline transcript, places Matthew around the year 85. This is a book-composition estimate.
Approximate date of the whole biblical work
Around 85 CE
John Dominic Crossan, in the PBS Frontline transcript, places Matthew around the year 85. This is a book-composition estimate. The PBS Matthew profile gives the broader 80–90 CE range.
Book-level approximate composition date.
Around 85 CE
Book-level composition estimate follows the existing Matthew assertion sourced to PBS Frontline.
Approximate date of the whole biblical work
Around 85 CE
John Dominic Crossan, in the PBS Frontline transcript, places Matthew around the year 85. This is a book-composition estimate.
Crossan’s approximate year (‘say in the year 85’) for the whole Gospel
Approximately 90–95 CE · one proposed range
Early Christian Writings gives 90–95 CE; USCCB places Revelation’s present form near the end of Domitian’s reign. This follows the late-date view.
Some passages give a span of time, a relative deadline or a condition. Explore those expressions here, with the words and context that define them.
112 timing expressions
General Latter-day Saint · Relative deadline
At hand
the great day of the Lord is at hand
The letter uses Malachi 3’s refiner imagery and says the day is at hand, then urges the Saints to prepare an offering of records.
Doctrine and Covenants 128
Read these words in the passage → Source edition ↗General Latter-day Saint · Relative deadline
Not yet, but nigh at hand
the day speedily cometh; the hour is not yet, but is nigh at hand
The preface says the day when peace is taken from the earth comes speedily, and that its hour has not arrived but is near.
Doctrine and Covenants 1
Read these words in the passage → Source edition ↗General Latter-day Saint · Relative deadline
Not yet, but nigh at hand
the hour is not yet, but is nigh at hand
The revelation says the day of being crowned with glory follows much tribulation; its hour has not come but is near.
Doctrine and Covenants 58
Read these words in the passage → Source edition ↗Buddhist — Tibetan · Duration
Fifty-six trillion Jambudvipa years
after fifty-six trillion Jambudvīpa years
The Tibetan-derived English connects this interval with the teaching of a discourse. Translator note 55 says the Chinese instead dates Maitreya’s descent and separately refers to an existing sutra.
Maitreya’s Birth in the Heaven of Joy
Read these words in the passage → Source edition ↗General Latter-day Saint · Relative deadline
Draweth nigh; as a thief in the night
the coming of the Lord draweth nigh, and it overtaketh the world as a thief in the night
The coming is described as near and unexpected for the world.
Doctrine and Covenants 106
Read these words in the passage → Source edition ↗Buddhist — Mahāyāna · Duration
The latter half of the millennium, called the last period
at the end of time, the last period, in the latter half of the millennium
The Buddha entrusts the chapter for transmission during the latter half of the millennium. Kern’s wording is retained without choosing a calendar epoch for that period.
Saddharmapuṇḍarīka (Lotus Sutra)
Read these words in the passage → Source edition ↗General Latter-day Saint · Duration
Six hundred years from Lehi’s departure
the Messiah cometh in six hundred years from the time that my father left Jerusalem
Nephi counts from his father’s departure from Jerusalem, an event within the narrative.
The Book of Mormon
Read these words in the passage → Source edition ↗Judaism — Sabbatean · Duration
Nine months of disappearance
that for nine months after he was to disappear
Among the prophecies Rycaut reports: the Messiah would disappear for nine months, during which the Jews would suffer, and then return.
The History of the Turkish Empire from the Year 1623 to the Year 1677
Read these words in the passage → Source edition ↗General Latter-day Saint · Condition
When they shall believe in him
when that day cometh when they shall believe in him
Jacob ties the Messiah’s second recovery of his people, and the destruction of their enemies, to the day they believe in him.
The Book of Mormon
Read these words in the passage → Source edition ↗Christian — Anabaptist · Relative deadline
At Easter
that the deliverance should then be at Easter
Gresbeck reports the king’s revelation that the city would be delivered, by the brethren gathering in Holland and Friesland, at Easter. Easter 1535 (28 March, Julian) is inferred from the siege narrative and the confessions of 25 July 1535.
Gresbeck’s report: the promised deliverance at Easter (new translation)
Read these words in the passage → Source edition ↗General Latter-day Saint · Relative deadline
Until the restoration of all things
must needs remain through you and your lineage until the restoration of all things
The priesthood’s continuance is bounded by the restoration of all things spoken by the prophets.
Doctrine and Covenants 86
Read these words in the passage → Source edition ↗Islam — Twelver Shiʿa · Maximum interval
No more than fifteen nights
No more than fifteen nights separate the Qa’im’s rising, peace be upon him, and the killing of the pure soul.
Fifteen nights at most between the killing and rising.
Kitab al-Irshad
Read these words in the passage → Source edition ↗