The roughly four century gap between the Old and New Testaments is known as the “Intertestamental Period.” Old Testament history ends around 400 BC with the events recorded in Ezra and Nehemiah and the correlating prophets, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi. The earliest events the Gospels record took place around 4-6 BC.

Judaism refers to these 400 years as “The Silent Years.” No recognized Jewish prophet brought God’s Word to His people. After Malachi, God ceased to speak to His chosen nation. Then finally John the Baptist broke the silence. “Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 3:2 ESV).

Since there’s just a few pages between Malachi 4:6 and Matthew 1:1, we often forget about this big historical period. Yet in that small break between the two testaments in our Bibles span four centuries of upheaval, change, and history that shaped the world into which Jesus was born.

At the end of the Old Testament, Persia was the primary world power. When Matthew opens, Rome ruled the world. We don’t read about synagogues, the Sanhedrin, Pharisees, or Sadducees in the Old Testament yet they figure prominently in the New. Samaritans are mentioned once in the Old Testament (2 Kings 17:29) but we don’t learn about why such animosity developed between them and the Jews. In all these things and more, the Bible doesn’t tell us what happened or how it happened, but history does.

The events of the Intertestamental Period matter

If the Bible doesn’t record these events, why should we even care? What we read in Scripture did not occur in a vacuum. To properly and fully understand the Bible, we must consider the culture, world powers, and major events of the world outside and inside Palestine. This includes what happened in the roughly 400 years that passed between Malachi’s ministry and Jesus’ birth. (Also see “Mind the Historical and Cultural Gap in Scripture” and “What is the Post-Exilic Period in the Bible?”)

A full rundown is beyond the scope of this blog. But I do want to highlight a few key things. And, I encourage you to refer to other resources as needed when you study Scripture to gain insight on the historical and cultural setting. (Also see “Recommended Bible Study Resources” and “Five Bible Study Resources for Your Home Library.”)

The Hellenization of the World

When Malachi closed Persia was the dominant world power. Then, under the leadership of Alexander the Great, Greece conquered Persia in 331 BC. Before his death in 323 BC, Alexander established control and influence over most of the known world including Palestine. Along with military might, the Greeks heavily influenced the world with their language, culture, and philosophies. Like English today, Greek became the primary language for business, commerce, and politics well into the Christian era. This “Hellenization” (Greek influence) of the world also shaped Jews, particularly those who lived outside of Palestine. 

Since Greek became the primary language for many Jews, a group of seventy Jewish scholars translated the Hebrew Old Testament into Greek (Septuagint). By Jesus’ time, the Septuagint was widely used. Jesus and many New Testament authors often quoted from the Septuagint. 

Although these world events are not recorded in Scripture, they impact and must shape our understanding of things that are recorded. For instance, this Greek influence was at the heart of the complaint that divided the “Hellenist” and the “Hebrew” Christians in the early days of the church (Acts 6:1).

Ongoing Power Struggles 

After Alexander’s early and unexpected death in 323 BC, several of his generals grappled for control. Finally, two dominant factions rose to the top. Seleucus established rule over Syria and Ptolemy took control of Israel and Egypt. Ptolemy forced thousands of Jews to relocate from Israel to Egypt where the Hellenistic influence became even stronger. 

For more than a century, world power struggles continued around and through Palestine. Eventually, the Syrians gained control of Israel.  They violently and ruthlessly worked to stamp out Judaism by outlawing sacrifices, circumcision, and holy days. Around 168 BC, the infamous Syrian ruler Antiochus Epiphanes even desecrated the temple by sacrificing a pig on the altar.

Rebellion, a Shaky Independence, and a New World Power

Finally, one elderly Jewish priest named Mattathias could take no more. He refused to offer the pagan sacrifices required by Antiochus, killed a Syrian officer, and fled. When Mattathias called for rebellion, his son Judas Maccabeus led the rebel fighters.

The Jews won their independence from Syria in 165 BC. Yet Israel experienced infighting, division, and political violence for a century before Rome conquered Jerusalem in 63 BC. Ironically, although Israel lost her independence, Roman rule provided a certain amount of peace and stability. Although Rome installed its own client-king over Israel (Herod) and appointed the high priest, Israel also had much freedom to worship God as they pleased. 

The Bible and teaches and we believe that God is sovereign. He raises up empires and brings them down again for His plans and purposes (Daniel 2:21, John 19:11, Romans 13:1-4). The relative peace of Roman rule (Pax Romana) was God’s perfect timing for the Savior’s arrival.

Jewish Politics

The Jewish political landscape changed tremendously between the Testaments. For instance, in all four Gospels, elements like synagogues, Pharisees, Sadducees, and scribes are entrenched in the religious culture. As mentioned above, we read about none of these in the Old Testament. 

The synagogue likely developed after the destruction of the temple during the Jews’ time of exile in Babylon. By Jesus’ time, synagogues dotted the land and the people gathered there for worship and religious instruction. 

The Pharisees and Sadducees both emerged during Syrian rule and oppression. As we see in societies today, different groups argued over the best way to lead the people. Some Jews thought it best to cooperate with Antiochus and others sided with resistance. Over time these two factions became deeply ingrained in both the political and religious structure of Israel.

The Gospels repeatedly feature the Jews’ animosity with the Samaritans. This political strife developed between the testaments. The Samaritans descended from Jews left behind in the land after the Assyrian and Babylonian conquests and exiles who intermarried with people from various nations. The Samaritans built their own temple and the peoples around them influenced their worship. By the time Jesus sat down with the woman at the well (John 4) the strife between Jews and Samaritans was strong. 

These examples are just a few that demonstrate the need to know about the things that shaped the events, mindset, and relationships seen in the New Testament.

What about you? Do you know much about the time between the testaments? If not check out some of the links below.

Further Reading:

• What happened in the intertestamental period? (Got Questions)
• Interestamental Judaism, its literature, and its significance (Gospel Coalition)
• What is the intertestamental period? (Christianity.com)
• What is the intertestamental period? (Bible Hub)