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"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." (Matthew 5:8)
JERUSALEM TIMELINE
Jerusalem
Jerusalem is one of the most important cities on earth. Scripture calls it "the city of our God" (Psalm 48). Jerusalem has been (and still is) a focal point for Jews, Muslims, and Christians.
The name "Jerusalem" means "city of peace." Yet, throughout history it has been one of the most fought-over cities of all time. It has been razed and rebuilt, abandoned and filled; wars have been fought over it, and yet pilgrims (even today) travel long, arduous journeys just to set foot in the holy city.
Jerusalem before King David
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The earliest mention of Jerusalem is in Egyptian texts dating from the 20th or 19th century BC.
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According to archaeological finds, Jerusalem became a fortified city with a complex water system in the 18th century BC.
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The first mention of Jerusalem in the Bible is in Genesis 14:18 when Abraham encountered Melchizedek, the "King of Salem." (Salem is believed to be a shortened name for Jerusalem.)
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Also in Genesis, Abraham was tested by God and offered his son Isaac on Mount Moriah (Genesis 22:2), a location later identified as the site where King Solomon built the temple in Jerusalem (2 Chronicles 3:1).
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Abraham's descendants, the sons of Jacob (Israel), moved to Egypt because of a famine in Canaan. They remained there and increased in number until 400 years later when Moses led them out of Egypt (the Exodus).
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Moses' successor, Joshua, led the Israelites back to Canaan to possess the land God had promised to them. Although Joshua conquered the land, he was unable to drive out the Jebusites who controlled the city of Jerusalem (2 Samuel 5:6-10). It would be nearly four centuries later before a man named David would capture this formidable city and make it the capital of Israel.
Religious Ruling Power:
Jewish
Christian
Muslim
Other
c. 1011 BC - c. 586 BC
ISRAEL & JUDAH
Jewish Ruling Power
c. 1011-971
Reign of King David
King David captured Jerusalem (city of Jebus) from the Jebusites, brought the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem, purchased a threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite on Mount Moriah in Jerusalem to be the site of the temple.
c. 971-931
Reign of King Solomon
Jerusalem experienced a time of peace and prosperity during the reign of King Solomon.
967-960
First Temple
The first temple was built on Mount Moriah by King Solomon.
931
Death of Solomon
When King Solomon died, his kingdom was divided into the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the Southern Kingdom of Judah (includes Jerusalem).
926
Egyptian Pharaoh Shishak
Shishak attacked Jerusalem and plundered the temple.
835
King Joash of Judah
King Joash and priest Jehoiada repaired the temple.
796
King Jehoash of Israel
King Joash attacked Judah, tore down Jerusalem's walls, and took temple treasures to Samaria.
722
Northern Kingdom of Israel
Israel fell to Assyria. Refugees relocated to Judah and Jerusalem's population grew.
720
King Ahaz of Judah
King Ahaz paid tribute to King Tiglath-Pileser III of Assyria using temple furnishings and treasures; defiled the temple with a pagan altar.
716-687
Reign of King Hezekiah of Judah
King Hezekiah cleansed the temple; constructed a long tunnel under the City of David to tap into a water source to prepare for an Assyrian siege (701 BC); paid tribute to King Sennacherib of Assyria with temple treasures; foolishly showed temple treasures to a Babylonian prince, an event Isaiah prophesied would lead to the destruction of Jerusalem (2 Kings 20:12-19).
697
King Manasseh of Judah
King Manasseh was King Hezekiah's son. He reversed his father's reforms and placed idols in the temple.
641
King Josiah of Judah
King Josiah recovered the Law of Moses, reformed the land, tore down pagan altars. Levites returned the ark to the temple (last mention in the Bible of the whereabouts of the ark, 2 Chronicles 35:3).
c. 605
Jeremiah Prophesies
Jeremiah prophesied that the Jews would return to Jerusalem after 70 years of exile (Jeremiah 25:11-12).
605
King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon
King Nebudchanezzar invaded Jerusalem and looted temple treasures.
598-597
Nebuchadnezzar returns
King Nebudchanezzar took more temple vessels to Babylon. Ezekiel was taken into exile.
c. 586 BC - c. 332 BC
BABYLONIAN & PERSIAN EMPIRES
Other Ruling Power
586
Judah falls to Babylon
Judah fell to Babylon upon Nebuchadnezzar's third invasion. The temple was destroyed, and many Jews were taken into exile in Babylon.
C. 585-573
Ezekiel has a vision
Ezekiel had a vision of a magnificent new temple (Ezekiel 40-48).
539
Cyrus the Great of Persia
Cyrus defeated Babylon and issued a decree allowing Jews in exile to return to Jerusalem.
539-538
Zerubbabel and Joshua
Zerubbabel and Joshua the high priest led Jews in exile back to Jerusalem.
539-536
Daniel
Daniel, in exile, received the prophecy of the seventy "sevens" about Messiah's death in Jerusalem, the destruction of the temple, and its rebuilding and desecration (Daniel 9).
536-516
Temple Rebuilt
The temple was rebuilt. Those who remembered the splendor of the first temple wept about this lesser second temple.
457-456
Ezra returns to Jerusalem
Ezra returned to Jerusalem and exhorted the people to religious and moral reform.
444-432
Nehemiah governs Jerusalem
Nehemiah governed Jerusalem and rebuilt the city walls.
c. 332 BC - c. 167 BC
HELLENISTIC PERIOD
Other Ruling Power
332
Alexander the Great
Alexander the Great conquered Jerusalem and spread Greek culture (Hellenization).
323
Death of Alexander
When Alexander died, his kingdom was divided among his generals.
320
Ptolemy I of Egypt
Ptolemy I, one of Alexander's generals, controlled Jerusalem; took many Jews to Egypt.
198
Ptolemies lose Jerusalem
Ptolemies lost Jerusalem to the Seleucid Empire of Syria (founded by Seleucus, another of Alexander's generals).
c. 167 BC - c. 37 BC
HASMONEAN DYNASTY
Jewish Ruling Power
167
Seleucid ruler Antiochus IV Epiphanes
Antiochus banned Sabbath-keeping, Jewish feasts, and possession of Scripture. He pillaged and defiled the temple by sacrificing a pig on the altar.
167
Maccabean Revolt
Judas Maccabeus, from a Jewish priestly family, led a successful revolt against Seleucids. He established the Hasmonean Dynasty.
164
First Hanukkah
Judas Maccabeus cleansed and rededicated the temple.
67
Civil War
Civil war broke out between Jewish princes Aristobulus II and Hycranus II.
63
Roman emperor Pompey
Pompey exploited the civil war, conquered Jerusalem and entered the temple. Pompey was later defeated by Julius Caesar.
c. 37 BC - AD 66
HERODIAN DYNASTY
Jewish Ruling Power
37
Herod
Herod, governor of Galilee, conquered Judea (including Jerusalem) and became a vassal king for the Romans.
20
King Herod begins Jerusalem reconstruction
King Herod began reconstruction of Jerusalem to gain favor with Jews. He doubled the size of the temple complex, fortified city walls, and built the tower of David.
c. 6-4 BC
Jesus born in Bethlehem
Jesus was born in Bethlehem, and was dedicated as an infant at the temple.
4 BC
Death of King Herod
King Herod died and his son, Archelaus, ruled Judea. He killed 3,000 Jewish nationalists at Passover in Jerusalem.
c. AD 7
Jesus
Jesus (age 12) made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem at Passover.
c. 26
Jesus baptized
Jesus was baptized and began ministry.
28
Roman procurator Pontius Pilate
Pontius Pilate killed Jewish zealots protesting at the temple.
c. 30
Jesus arrested
Jesus was arrested, taken to trial in Jerusalem, and was crucified at "the place of the skull" outside Jerusalem's walls. He rose for the dead on the third day, and was seen by many before returning to heaven 40 days later.
c. 30
Pentecost
On Pentecost, Peter preached in the temple and 3,000 were baptized.
c. 32
Stephen, first Christian martyr
Stephen, the first Christian martyr, was killed in Jerusalem.
39
Roman Emperor Caligula
Caligula declared himself a god. Jews refused his order to set up his statue in the temple.
49
Jerusalem Council
Jerusalem Council concluded that Gentile Christians are not required to observe Jewish religious laws.
57
Paul arrested
Paul was arrested in Jerusalem and taken to Rome.
62
James martyred
James, the brother of Jesus, was martyred in Jerusalem.
66
First Jewish Revolt
The first Jewish revolt against Romans began. Jerusalem Christians fled rather than to join the revolt.
c. AD 66 - 313
ROMAN ERA
Other Ruling Power
70
Temple destroyed
The temple was destroyed by Roman General Titus. Titus crushed the revolt, massacred thousands in Jerusalem, and plundered temple vessels.
75-94
Josephus writes
Josephus wrote "Jewish War" and "Jewish Antiquities."
132-135
Second Jewish Revolt (Bar Kokhba Rebellion)
Roman Emperor Hadrian put down the revolt, rebuilt Jerusalem as a Roman city renaming it "Aelia Capitolina," built a pagan temple on Temple Mount, banished Jews from the city, and renamed Judea "Palestina."
c. AD 313 - 637
BYZANTINE ERA
Christian Ruling Power
313
Emperor Constantine
Constantine issued Edict of Milan legalizing Christianity across the empire.
323-333
Helena, Constantine's mother
Helena established basilica at Mount of Olives, and according to tradition, found a piece of the "True Cross" and the robe of Jesus.
325-335
Church of the Holy Sepulchre
Church of the Holy Sepulchre was built by Constantine.
362
Julian "the Apostate"
Julian, Constantine's nephew, allowed Jews to return to Jerusalem and made plans to rebuild the temple.
363
Earthquake
An earthquake disrupted temple construction.
363
Julian is killed in battle
Temple plans were abandoned and Temple Mount became a site for dumping garbage.
380
Emperor Theodosius
Emperor Theodosius officially declared Christianity the state religion.
444
Empress Eudocia
Empress Eudocia settled in Jerusalem and built basilica in honor of the Christian martyr Stephen.
543
Emperor Justinian
Emperor Justinian built the new church of Saint Mary.
610-632
Muhammad founds Islam
Muhammad founded Islam and united tribes in Arabian Peninsula.
614
Sasanian Pathians
Sasanian Parthians (Persians) defeated Byzantine Christians in Jerusalem, killed thousands, and allowed Jews to return to the city.
617
Christian mob
Christian mob killed Jewish governor in Jerusalem.
620
Muhammad's Night Journey
According to Islamic tradition, an angel took Muhammed from Mecca to Jerusalem where Muhammed tethered his celestial horse to the Western Wall and ascended to heaven from the holy rock (the large stone inside Dome of the Rock).
629
Byzantine Emperor Heraclius
Heraclius defeated Persians. He entered Jerusalem through Golden Gate of Temple Mount carrying the "True Cross."
c. AD 637 - 1250
ISLAMIC RULE
Muslim Ruling Power
637-638
Caliph Omar
Caliph Omar, sieged Jerusalem and forced its surrender. According to tradition, Omar cleared the Temple Mount of debris.
661
Muslim Umayyad Dynasty
Muslim Umayyad Dynasty gained control of Jerusalem.
688-691
Dome of the Rock
Dome of the Rock was built on the Temple Mount.
C. 705-715
Al-Aqsa Mosque
Al-Aqsa Mosque was built on the Temple Mount.
C. 747
Earthquake
An earthquake damaged Al-Aqsa and Dome of the Rock.
797
Frankish Emperor Charlemagne
Charlemagne signed a treaty with Muslims permitting Christian building projects in Jerusalem, sparking an influx of Christian pilgrims.
969
Fatimid Muslims
Fatimid Muslims conquered Jerusalem.
1009
Fatimids raze Church
Fatimids razed Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and destroyed synagogues.
1020
Fatimids change policy
Fatimids changed policy, and enabled Christians and Jewish structures to be rebuilt.
1033
Major earthquake
A major earthquake destroyed much of Jerusalem's architecture.
1034
Al-Aqsa Mosque
Al-Aqsa Mosque was rebuilt.
1048
Church of the Holy Sepulchre
Church of the Holy Sepulchre was restored.
1054
Great Schism
The Great Schism divided the Church between East and West Jerusalem. Christians joined Eastern Orthodox Church.
1073
Seljuk Turks capture Jerusalem
Seljuk Turks captured Jerusalem, massacred inhabitants, and forbade Christian pilgrimages.
1095
Pope Urban II
Pope Urban II called for Crusade to return Jerusalem to Christian control.
1098
Fatimids retake Jerusalem
Fatimids regained Jerusalem from Seljuks.
1099
Crusaders capture Jerusalem
Crusaders captured Jerusalem, massacred thousands of Jews and Muslims, and established "Kingdom of Jerusalem." Dome of the Rock became a Christian church.
1118
Al-Aqsa Mosque
Al-Aqsa Mosque became Order of the Knights Templar's headquarters .
1138
Saint Anne's Church
Saint Anne's Church was built.
1187
Sultan Saladin from Egypt
Sultan Saladin from Egypt recaptured Jerusalem for Muslims. Saint Anne's church became a Muslim school. Christians were banned from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
1192
Third Crusade fails
Third Crusade failed. Truce permitted Jerusalem to remain under Saladin's control provided Christian pilgrimages were allowed. Christians were permitted to enter the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
1202
Fourth Crusade launched
Fourth Crusade launched to retake Jerusalem. Crusaders from the West did not even make it to Jerusalem. Instead they sacked Eastern Christian capital of Constantinople.
1219
Jerusalem razed
Jerusalem was razed by Muslim rulers to prevent Crusaders from retaking the city. Jerusalem's inhabitants abandoned the city.
1229
Agreement
An agreement between Muslim rulers and Frederick II of Germany transferred control of Jerusalem to Christians.
1244
Invasions
Invasion by Muslim Dynasties left Jerusalem virtually deserted.
c. 1250 - 1516
MAMLUK PERIOD
Muslim Ruling Power
1250
Mamluk Muslims
Mamluk Muslims gained control of Jerusalem and ruled the city for over 250 years.
1267
The Ramban
The Rambin (Nachmanides) moved to Jerusalem, prayed at the Western Wall, and established Ramban Synagogue.
1348
Black Death
The Black Death (plague) spread to Jerusalem from Europe.
1492
Jews in Spain
Jews in Spain facing the Inquisition escaped to Jerusalem.
c. 1516 - 1917
OTTOMAN EMPIRE
Muslim Ruling Power
1516
Ottoman Turks conquer Jerusalem
Ottoman Turks conquered Jerusalem and ruled the city for 400 years.
1537-1541
Ottoman Sultan Suleiman "the Magnificent"
Suleiman rebuilt walls of Jerusalem that had laid in ruins for three centuries, embellished Dome of the Rock, designated Western Wall as the place for Jewish worship, rebuilt Tower of David by Jaffa Gate to include a mosque and minaret (still standing today).
1541
Suleiman seals Golden Gate
Suleiman sealed Golden Gate on the eastern side of the Temple Mount through which, according to tradition, the Messiah will enter the temple.
1553
Population
The population of Jerusalem grew to 13,000 after Ottomans encouraged resettlement.
1700
Hurva Synagogue built
The Hurva Synagogue was built, and was burned by Arabs two decades later.
1799
Napoleon invades Palestine
Napoleon invaded Palestine, and announced he would restore Jerusalem to Jews, but he was defeated at Acre.
1818
William John Bankes of Britain
William John Bankes conducted the first archaeological excavation in Jerusalem, though he did so secretly at night because he was denied permission.
1838-1852
American Edward Robinson
American Edward Robinson discovered many biblical locations, including Hezekiah's tunnel and first-century arch of Temple Mount ("Robinson's Arc").
1853-1856
Crimean War
The Crimean War was fought between Russia, Ottoman Empire, and European nations on the pretext of a dispute over Russia's supposed right to act as guardian of Christian religious sites in the Holy Land.
1855
Belgian prince Leopold II
Prince Leopold II became the first non-Muslim (since Crusades) allowed to tour Dome of the Rock.
1860
Sir Moses Montefiore
Sir Moses Montefiore, a wealthy British Jew, founded the first Jewish settlement outside Old City Jerusalem walls. He later renovated the Western Wall.
1864
Population of Jerusalem
The population of Jerusalem reached 15,000; First recorded Jewish majority (8,000) since second century AD.
1864
Hurva Synagogue
The Hurva Synagogue was built.
1865
Palestine Exploration Fund
The Palestine Exploration Fund was established by British archaeologists and clergymen to fund expeditions in the Holy Land.
1867-1870
Sir Charles Warren
Sir Charles Warren conducted the first archaeological excavations in Old City, and discovered "Warren Gate."
1883
Charles Gordon of Britain
Charles Gordon claimed he located "the place of the skull" where Jesus was crucified. The site became know as the Garden Tomb or Gordon's Calvary.
1897
First Zionist Congress
The First Zionist Congress chaired by Theodore Herzl sparked waves of Jewish immigration (aliyah).
c. 1917 - 1948
BRITISH MANDATE
Christian Ruling Power
1917
Britain captures Jerusalem
Britain captured Jerusalem for the Ottomans in World War I.
1920
Mandate for Palestine
Mandate for Palestine gave Britain control over Palestine.
1929
Western Wall Uprising
Jewish and Arab riots began in Jerusalem and spread throughout Palestine; 133 Jews and 116 Arabs were killed.
1930
Britain limits Jewish immigration
In response to the riots, Britain limited Jewish immigration.
1945
World War II ends
Jewish survivors of concentration camps settled in Palestine in spite of Britain's attempts to stop them.
1946
King David Hotel
Jewish terrorists bombed the King David Hotel (site of British headquarters) in Jerusalem, killing 91.
1947
United Nations
The United Nations (U.N.) planned to establish a Jewish State and Arab State with Jerusalem governed by the U.N.
1947
Population
The population of Jerusalem exceeded 160,000.
c. 1948 - Present
ISRAEL & JUDAH
Jewish Ruling Power
1948
State of Israel declared
State of Israel was declared after Mandate ended. War broke out between Israel and neighboring Arab nations. Estimated 500,00 - 750,000 Arab Palestinians fled or were expelled from Palestine.
1948
Arab-Israeli War
The Arab-Israeli War ended with Israel controlling West Jerusalem, and Jordan controlling Old City. Jordan prohibited Jews from praying at the Western Wall for the next 19 years.
1950
Israel declares Jerusalem
Israel declared Jerusalem as their capital.
1951
King Abdullah of Jordan
King Abdullah was assassinated by Muslim extremists in Al-Aqsa Mosque.
1956-1964
Lead roof of Dome of the Rock
The lead roof of the Dome of the Rock was overlaid with aluminum and bronze alloy becoming gold in appearance.
1961-1967
British archaeologist Dame Kathleen Kenyon
Dame Kathleen Kenyon discovered a wall in the City of David dating back to 1800 BC.
1964
Pope Paul VI
Pope Paul VI became the first Pope to visit Jerusalem.
1964
Palestine Liberation Organization
The Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) was founded in Jerusalem.
1967
Six-Day War
Israel captured Old City, reunifying all of Jerusalem. Israel returned religious administration of Temple Mount to an Islamic Trust (Waqf).
1976
Status Quo Agreement
Muslims retained religious sovereignty over Temple Mount, but overall control was maintained by Israel.
1977
President Anwar Sadat of Egypt
President Anwar Sadat visited Jerusalem. He was the first head of state of an Arab nation to do so since the State of Israel was established.
1980
Israel passes law, Jerusalem is its capital
Israel passed law declaring that all of Jerusalem is its capital, including Old City.
1981
Excavation of Warren's Gate
The excavation of Warren's Gate in the Western Wall tunnel led to Arab demonstrations causing authorities to close the dig and seal the entrance.
1984
Israel annuls Waqf
Israel annulled Waqf ownership of Western Wall declaring it state property.
1984
Jerusalem Underground
Jerusalem Underground, a Jewish terrorist group, was arrested and charged with numerous attacks on Arabs, including a plot to blow up Dome of the Rock.
1987-1993
First Intifada
First Intifada (uprising) by Palestinians against Israelis resulted in about 160 Israeli and 1,260 Palestinian deaths.
1990
Arab riots
There were Arab riots after Temple Mount Faithful group announced plans to lay a cornerstone for the third Jewish temple; 17 rioters were killed by Israeli police.
1994
Israel-Jordan treaty
Israeli-Jordan treaty resolved territory disputes between the two nations.
1996
Palestinians riot
Palestinians rioted in response to Israel opening an exit to Hasmonean tunnel near Western Wall. The riot resulted in about 70 Palestinians and 15 Israeli soldiers killed.
1998
U.N. declaration of illegal sovereignty
The U.N. declared Israeli sovereignty over Jerusalem to be illegal.
1999
Israel forbids Waqf construction
Israel forbade Waqf construction in Solomon's Stables on Temple Mount. Waqf began construction anyway, and dumped tons of archaeologically rich debris in Kidron Valley.
2000
Second Intifada
Second Intifada (Al-Aqsa Intifada) was declared by Yasser Arafat after Ariel Sharon's visit to Temple Mount. Riots and terrorist attacks occurred in Jerusalem and throughout the region. Temple Mount was closed to all non-Muslims for the next 3 years.
2002
Barrier wall built
A barrier wall was built by Israel between Jerusalem and West Bank.
2004
Temple Mount Sifting Project
Temple Mount Sifting Project was established to salvage artifacts in debris which had been dumped in Kidron Valley in 1999. (Legal disputes over Israeli archaeologists' right to remove artifacts had delayed excavation of debris for several years.
2005
Discovery of a building in City of David
The discovery of a building in City of David was believed to be part of the palace of either David or Solomon.
2010
Discovery of wall section in City of David
The discovery of a section of wall in City of David was believed to be part of the first temple complex.