Explore the People of the Bible
Patriarchs, prophets, kings, and apostles — placed on the biblical timeline. Click any name for context, story, and key passages.
Patriarchs
The era of the founding family of Israel — Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph. Scholars call them the patriarchs ("fathers") of the faith.
- 4000 BC
Adam
First manFirst human, created by God in Eden.
- 2900 BC
Noah
Builder of the arkRighteous man who survived the flood.
- 2000 BC–1825 BC
Abraham
PatriarchCalled by God; father of the covenant people.
- 1990 BC–1860 BC
Sarah
MatriarchWife of Abraham, mother of Isaac.
- 1900 BC–1720 BC
Isaac
PatriarchPromised son of Abraham and Sarah.
- 1840 BC–1690 BC
Jacob
Patriarch / IsraelRenamed Israel; father of the twelve tribes.
- 1750 BC–1640 BC
Joseph
Vizier of EgyptSold into slavery, rose to save Egypt and his family.
Exodus
Israel's departure from slavery in Egypt under Moses, followed by 40 years in the wilderness and the giving of the Law at Sinai.
Conquest
Joshua leads Israel into Canaan, the Promised Land, taking possession of the territory God promised to Abraham.
Judges
Before Israel had kings, regional leaders called "judges" rose up to rescue the tribes during repeated cycles of sin and oppression.
- 1200 BC
Deborah
Judge & prophetessLed Israel to victory over Sisera.
- 1150 BC
Gideon
JudgeDefeated Midian with 300 men.
- 1100 BC
Ruth
Moabite ancestor of DavidLoyal to Naomi; great-grandmother of David.
- 1080 BC
Samson
JudgeNazirite strongman who fought the Philistines.
- 1080 BC–1010 BC
Samuel
Prophet & last judgeAnointed Saul and David as king.
United Monarchy
The United Monarchy — Israel is unified under one king: Saul, then David, then Solomon, who builds the first temple in Jerusalem.
Divided Kingdom
After Solomon, the kingdom splits in two — Israel (north) and Judah (south) — and most of the prophets minister during this era.
- 860 BC
Elijah
ProphetConfronted Ahab and the prophets of Baal.
- 840 BC
Elisha
ProphetSuccessor to Elijah; worked many miracles.
- 740 BC–680 BC
Isaiah
ProphetProphet of judgment and the coming Messiah.
- 715 BC–686 BC
Hezekiah
King of JudahReformer king who trusted God against Assyria.
- 640 BC–609 BC
Josiah
King of JudahRediscovered the Law and led reforms.
- 627 BC–582 BC
Jeremiah
ProphetWept over Jerusalem's fall.
Exile
Babylon destroys Jerusalem and deports the people. The exile is the catastrophic loss of the land, temple, and monarchy.
Return
Persia conquers Babylon and allows the Jewish people to return home, rebuild the temple (the "Second Temple"), and restore Jerusalem.
Gospels
The life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus, recorded in the four Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
- 18 BC–AD 45
Mary
Mother of JesusMother of the Messiah.
- 4 BC–AD 29
John the Baptist
Forerunner of ChristPrepared the way for Jesus.
- 4 BC–AD 33
Jesus
Messiah, Son of GodThe Word made flesh; crucified and risen.
- AD 1–AD 67
Peter
ApostleFisherman; leader of the Twelve.
- AD 5–AD 60
Mary Magdalene
DiscipleFirst witness of the resurrection.
- AD 6–AD 100
John
ApostleBeloved disciple; wrote a Gospel and Revelation.
Early Church
The birth and spread of the early Church after Pentecost — the apostles' mission, Paul's letters, and the writings of the New Testament.
- AD 5–AD 67
Paul
Apostle to the GentilesPersecutor turned missionary; wrote much of the NT.
- AD 5–AD 34
Stephen
First martyrDeacon stoned for proclaiming Christ.
- AD 5–AD 61
Barnabas
ApostleEncourager; missionary partner of Paul.
- AD 17–AD 80
Timothy
PastorPaul's protégé; pastor at Ephesus.
- AD 20–AD 70
Lydia
Early convertPhilippian merchant; first European convert.