Intertestamental period
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The Historical Bridge Spanning the Interval of the Old Testament and the New Testament is a figurative way that Protestants refer to the 350 silent years between the Old and New Testaments, which was from 400 B.C. to 5 B.C. Several of the deuterocanonical books were written during this time, making the period much less "silent" for those Christians that accept these books as part of scripture. This article shows how this interval corresponds with Biblical events.
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[edit] Government
National factors in the divine plan;
[edit] Persian Domination
400-330 B.C., Persian proclamation of Cyrus and return of the Jews;
[edit] Alexander the Great's Supremacy
330-328 B.C., Greek Conquest of Alexander; spread of the Greek language;
[edit] Alexander's Successors
Egyptian and Syrian rule: 323-166 B.C.;
[edit] Jewish Independence
Under Maccabees 166 B.C. - 63 B.C.,Jewish dispersion of Jews, spreading truths of unity of God, messianic hope and Scriptures;
[edit] Roman Rule
Roman establishment of worldwide stable government, uniform laws, and good roads starts the New Testament;
[edit] History
The history of the interval between the Old and New Testament is often regarded as of little importance since most protestants believe that no divinely inspired prophets spoke during this period. The period is sometimes called 'The Silent Centuries.'
Yet knowledge of the leading events, as well as of the literature of the times, is of great value because they furnish a background for the advent and the life of Jesus.
For two hundred years after the Captivity the province of Judea remained under Persian rule.
The conquest of Alexander the Great in 330 B.C. not only brought the Jews under Grecian domination, but also introduced the Greek language and ideas throughout the ancient world.
After the death of Alexander, his kingdom was divided, and a struggle between the Ptolemies of Egypt and the monarchs of Syria, resulting first in Egyptian, then in Syrian, rule over Judea.
The latter was a dark period in Jewish history, especially during the reign of Antiochus Epiphanes, the Syrian king, who committed many outrages against the Jews, sought to establish idolatry in Jerusalem, and defiled the temple.
His wickedness led to the Maccabean revolt, 166 B.C. in which the priest Matthias and his sons defeated the Syrians in a series of battles, which secured the independence of the providence of Judea.
This was the foundation of the Hasmonean dynasty, which reigned from 166 - 63 B.C.
[edit] Events Immediately Preceding Jesus
[edit] Announcement
Announcement to Zechariah of the forerunner of Jesus (Luke 1:5-17);
[edit] Annunciation
Annunciation to Mary of the coming Messiah (Luke 1:26-35);
[edit] Preaching
Preaching of John the Baptist (Matthew 3:1-6);
