Other Second Temple chronologies: Septuagint.2C Samaritan.2C Jubilees and Seder Olam Chronology of the Bible

solomon dedicates temple (james tissot)

the hebrew bible , old testament familiar called masoretic text, text preserved jewish rabbis in current era (the christian era). there are, however, 2 other major texts, septuagint , samaritan pentateuch. septuagint ( seventy, called lxx, 70 in latin script) greek translation of jewish holy books made in egypt in last few centuries before christ; agrees masoretic text, not in chronology. samaritan text text preserved samaritan jewish community. community dates time in last few centuries before christ - when disputed - and, septuagint, differs markedly masoretic text in chronology. modern scholars not regard masoretic text superior other 2 - masoretic wrong, when says saul began reign @ 2 years of age , reigned 1 year. more relevantly, 3 texts have clear purpose, not record history bring narrative point represents culmination of history.

in samaritan pentateuch, genealogies , narratives shaped ensure chronology of 3000 years creation israelite settlement of canaan. northcote reports proto-sp chronology, designated john skinner (1910), , speculates chronology may have been extended put rebuilding of second temple @ 3900, after 3 1,300-year phases. in septuagint version of pentateuch israelite chronology extends 4,777 years creation finishing of second temple, witnessed in codex alexandrinus manuscript. calculation emerges supplementing lxx mt s chronology of kings. there @ least 3 variations of lxx chronology; eusebius used 1 variation, favored hughes , others. northcote asserts lxx calendrical pattern meant demonstrate there 5,000 years creation contemporaneous ptolemaic egypt, circa 300 bce.

the 2nd century bce book of jubilees begins creation , measures time in years, weeks of years (groups of 7 years), , jubilees (sevens of sevens), interval creation settlement of canaan, example, fifty jubilees (2450 years). more significant, , still in common use among jews, seder olam rabbah ( great order of world ), work tracing history of world , jews creation 2nd century ce. allows 410 years duration of first temple, 70 years destruction second temple, , 420 years duration of second temple, making total of 900 years 2 temples. schematic approach numbers accounts remarkable feature, fact shortens entire persian empire on 2 centuries 52 years, mirroring 52 years gives babylonian exile.