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
Nigh at hand
looking forth for the time of my coming, for it is nigh at hand
The revelation says the poor and meek will be looking for the time of Christ’s coming because it is near, and adds that summer is already nigh in the parable of the fig tree.
Doctrine and Covenants 35
Read these words in the passage → Source edition ↗General Latter-day Saint · Condition
When evil fruit again comes into the vineyard
when the time cometh that evil fruit shall again come into my vineyard
After the last pruning the Lord lays up fruit “for a long time”; when evil fruit returns, the good and bad are gathered, and then come “the season and the end.” No length is given.
The Book of Mormon
Read these words in the passage → Source edition ↗General Judaism · Duration
Forty years after about 1865
40 years more will have passed away
Thomas places forty years between the end of the prophetic numbers (about 1865) and the world’s subjection to Christ. His diagram prints the resulting year, 1905.
Elpis Israel (1849) · John Thomas, Elpis Israel (London, 1849), p. 373, one paragraph following his diagram of the 2300, 1290 and 1335 years.
Read this commentary at its passage → Source edition ↗General Latter-day Saint · Duration
Three days
after he is laid in a sepulchre for the space of three days he shall rise from the dead
A stated interval between the Messiah’s burial and resurrection.
The Book of Mormon
Read these words in the passage → Source edition ↗Islam — Twelver Shiʿa · Simultaneous events
The same year, month and day
The three will emerge in the same year, the same month and the same day
Simultaneous emergence of Sufyani, Khurasani and Yamani; same-year wording must not be mistaken for a one-year duration.
Kitab al-Irshad
Read these words in the passage → Source edition ↗Christian — Southcottian · Relative deadline
Three years after the new century’s work begins
the Lord will begin his strange works with a new century, and go on in such a manner to fulfil my prophecies, that in three years the major part of our land will be convinced the Lord hath spoken by me
The printed claim connects a three-year interval to the beginning of a new century. This is a recognition deadline.
The Strange Effects of Faith
Read these words in the passage → Source edition ↗General Latter-day Saint · Simultaneous events
When the two nations run together
when the two nations shall run together the testimony of the two nations shall run together also
The joining of the two nations’ testimonies accompanies the joining of the nations.
The Book of Mormon
Read these words in the passage → Source edition ↗General Latter-day Saint · Relative deadline
Speedily
vengeance cometh speedily upon the inhabitants of the earth
A day of wrath, burning and desolation is described as coming speedily, beginning at the Lord’s house.
Doctrine and Covenants 112
Read these words in the passage → Source edition ↗General Latter-day Saint · Relative deadline
Speedily
vengeance cometh speedily upon the ungodly as the whirlwind
A relative expression of nearness.
Doctrine and Covenants 97
Read these words in the passage → Source edition ↗General Latter-day Saint · Relative deadline
Until the harvest is fully ripe
let the wheat and the tares grow together until the harvest is fully ripe
The separation waits for a fully ripe harvest: the wheat is gathered first, then the tares are bound and the field burned.
Doctrine and Covenants 86
Read these words in the passage → Source edition ↗General Christianity · Relative deadline
Fourteen years from 1833
there remained 14 years, which is the period of Christ’s coming
The letter restates Wolff’s arithmetic: 2300 − 453 = 1847, and 1847 − 1833 = 14 years to Christ’s coming. The writer rejects the premises.
Researches and Missionary Labours · Emeer Sayd Ahmed, “Mujtehed of the Sheah” at Lucknow, letter written in Persian to Joseph Wolff in 1833, as printed in English in Wolff’s Researches and Missionary Labours (1835), pp. 396–397. Opening and the points headed First and Secondly, through “which suits his own purpose.”
Read this commentary at its passage → Source edition ↗General Latter-day Saint · Condition
As soon as the Saints are ready and prepared
Just as soon as the Latter-day Saints are ready and prepared to return to Independence
Young places the redemption of Zion before Christ’s appearance among his people and ties its timing to the Saints’ preparation, not to a date.
Brigham Young on the redemption of Zion · Brigham Young, as reported by G. D. Watt, 28 July 1861; Journal of Discourses 9, p. 137, three paragraphs from “While I am here with” through “the nations of the earth?”
Read this commentary at its passage → Source edition ↗