History of Israel

Historical Time Periods: Israel's history can be divided into four main time periods.  The first time period is known as the Biblical time period starts with the Jewish patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob) and then follows the Israelite nation through the first exile.  The next time period, called the Second Temple Period, begins with the Israel people under Persian and Helenistic rule and ends with them under Roman rule.  The Foreign Domination is the third period and is characterized by the land of Israel being ruled by many peoples including the Byzantines, Arabs, and the Brittish.  The final time period is known as the State of Israel.  Idependance was regained in 1948 as the State of Israel was established. Info from the Internet Christian Library More on Israel's Biblical History: - Holyland Jerusalem site - Ahavat Israel website

Israel Archeology: Archeology has linked the country's present and past together.  There are thousands of years of history unearthed at over 3,500 sites in Isarael.  Some of the most important finds have been Solomon's stables at Megiddo (in the Jezreel Valley), ritual baths at Masada, numerous synagogues, and the Dead Sea Scrolls (in caves at Qumran).  Many Tels are excavated revealing layers of cities built on top of eachother dating back thousands of years.  This info and more detailed info from Official Israel Website

This is Qumran, which is the site of many of the "caves" where the ancient Jewish Biblical manuscripts known as the Dead Sea Scrolls were found.  These scrolls were put here many years ago by a Jewish sect known as the Essenes who lived out away from civilization and devoted their time to preparing themselves for the priethood while copying much of the Bible.

Ruins of the Herodian, which was Herod the Great's huge palace built into an artificial mountain that he had constructed.

Abbreviated Historical Timeline: 17th Century BC: The patriarchs of the Jewish people settle in the Land of Israel. 13th Centrury BC: Torah (including the 10 Commandments) is recieved. 1020 BC: Israelite monarchy established with Saul as the first Jewish king. 960 BC: First Temple built by King Solomon. 536-142 BC: Persian and Hellenistic rule.  Temple rebuilt. 63 BC: Romans take over land and people.  Temple rebuilt again. 0: Jesus of Nazareth born 20-33 AD: Ministry, death, and resurection of Jesus Christ 636-1099 AD: Arab rule 1918-1948 AD: Brittish rule 1948 AD: State of Israel proclaimed 1967 AD: Six Day War 1979 AD: Israel-Egypt Peace Treaty 1994 AD: Israel-Jordan Peace Treaty This info and more detailed info from Official Israel Website Still more historical timeline dates and info on Focus on Israel page

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