_The History of The Bible._
By REV. J. L. HURLBUT, D.D., AND R. S. HOLMES, A.M.
_I. General Periods._—Bible history, according to the common chronology,
which we accept, but do not indorse as correct, embraces the events of
4100 years. This may be divided into six general periods, as follows:
_1. The Period of the Human Race_, from the creation of man B. C. 4004 to
the call of Abraham, B. C. 1921. During this period the whole race comes
under consideration.
_2. The Period of the Chosen Family_, from the call of Abraham B. C. 1921
to the exodus from Egypt, B. C. 1491. During this period the family of
Abraham forms the only subject of the history; hence it might be called
the period of the Patriarchs.
_3. The Period of the Israelite People_, from the exodus 1491 to the
coronation of Saul, B. C. 1095; the period of the Theocracy.
_4. The Period of the Israelite Kingdom_, from the coronation of Saul,
B. C. 1095, to the captivity at Babylon, B. C. 587; the period of the
Monarch.
_5. The Period of the Jewish Province_, from the captivity at Babylon, B.
C. 587, to the birth of Christ, B. C. 4; a period of foreign rule during
most of the time.
_6. The Period of the Christian Church_, from the birth of Christ, B. C.
4, to the destruction of Jerusalem, A. D. 70.
_II. Subdivisions._—The general periods may be subdivided as follows:
1. The Human Race into—(1) the early race 4004 B. C. to the dispersion B.
C. 2234; (2) the dispersed race, 2234 to 1921.
2. The Chosen Family into—(1) The journeyings of the Patriarchs 1921, to
the descent into Egypt, 1706; (2) the sojourn in Egypt, 1706-1491.
3. The Israelite people into—(1) The wandering in the wilderness, from
the exodus, 1491, to the crossing of the Jordan, 1451; (2) the settlement
in Canaan, from 1451 to the death of Joshua, 1426; (3) the rule of the
Judges, from 1426 to 1095.
4. The Israelite kingdom into—(1) The age of unity, from 1095 to the
division, 975; (2) the age of division, from 975 to the fall of Samaria,
721; (3) the age of decay, from 721 to the captivity, 587.
5. The Jewish Province into—(1) Chaldean rule, from 587 to the return
from captivity, 536; (2) Persian rule, from 536 to Alexander’s conquest,
330; (3) Greek rule, 330 to the revolt of Mattathias, 168 B. C.; (4)
Maccabean rule, the period of Jewish independence, from 168 to 37 B. C.;
(5) Roman rule, 37 B. C. to 4 B. C.
6. The Christian Church into—(1) The preparation, from the birth of
Christ, B. C. 4, to the baptism of Christ, A. D. 26; (2) The ministry of
Jesus, from A. D. 26 to the ascension A. D. 30; (3) Jewish Christianity,
from the ascension to the conversion of Paul, A. D. 37; (4) Transition,
from Jewish to Gentile, from A. D. 37 to the council at Jerusalem, A.
D. 50; (5) Gentile Christianity, from A. D. 50 to the destruction of
Jerusalem A. D. 70.
III. We notice next a few of the great events in the periods, beside
those already named at their beginning and ending:
1. In the period of the human race—(1) The Fall; (2) The Translation of
Enoch; (3) The Deluge.
2. In the period of the chosen family—(1) The Covenant with Abraham; (2)
The Selling of Joseph; (3) The Enslavement of the Israelites.
3. In the period of the Israelite people—(1) The Giving of the Law; (2)
The Conquest of Canaan; (3) Gideon’s Victory.
4. In the period of the Israelite kingdom—(1) The Building of the Temple;
(2) Elijah’s Victory on Carmel; (3) The Destruction of the Assyrian Host
at Jerusalem.
5. In the period of the Jewish Province—(1) The Fiery Furnace; (2)
Esther’s Deliverance; (3) Ezra’s Reformation.
6. In the period of the Christian Church—(1) The Preaching of John the
Baptist; (2) The Transfiguration; (3) The Crucifixion; (4) The Death of
Stephen; (5) The Journeys of Paul.
IV. We connect with each period, the names of its most important
_persons_: