Creative Bible Study

Chart Four: Old Testament Prophets

Since much of the Old Testament are books of prophecy, it is important to know when the prophets lived and prophesied. Use this chart to date events during the periods of the prophets.

Name Of Prophet		     Prophesied To		                  Dates

Jonah				Assyria			        Before Captivity (800-650)
Nahum				Assyria			        Before Captivity (800-650)
Obadiah			        Edom				Before Captivity (800)
Hosea				Israel				Before Captivity (750)
Amos				Israel				Before Captivity (750)
Isaiah/Jeremiah		        Judah				Before Captivity (800-606) 
Jeremiah/Lamentations	        Judah				Before Captivity (800-606)
Joel				Judah				Before Captivity (800-606)
Micah				Judah				Before Captivity (800-606)
Habakkuk			Judah				Before Captivity (800-606)
Zephaniah			Judah				Before Captivity (800-606)
Ezekiel				Judah				During Captivity (606-536)
Daniel				Judah				During Captivity (606-536)
Haggai				Judah				After Captivity  (536-400)
Zechariah			Judah				After Captivity  (536-400)
Malachi			        Judah				After Captivity  (536-400)

LIFE IN BIBLE TIMES

The Bible, historians, and archaeological studies have provided information on the everyday life of the people of Israel in Bible times. Prior to the time when they went to Egypt the people of Israel lived in tents. They moved about with their flocks and herds in search of fresh pasture and water.

After the exodus from Egypt and the years traveling in the desert, Israel settled in their promised land of Canaan. From that time on the life of ordinary people followed a pattern that changed little throughout the years.

Peasant men worked either in the fields or in a village craft while the women and children kept the home. Farming and shepherding were both important occupations. There was some fishing and all kinds of village crafts including carpentry, pottery, and leather work.

Water was in short supply since the land was hot and dry most of the year. Water was drawn from a village well in a goatskin bucket. This was an important place of socializing for the women.