List Of Bible Characters In Chronological Order

List Of Old Testamnet Bible Characters In Chronological Order

• Adam and Eve (Before 4000 BC)
• Shem, Hem, and Japheth (Before 3000 BC)
• Cain and Abel (Before 3000 BC)
• Noah (Before 3000 BC)
• Job, 2100 Bc
• Abraham & Sarah (Journey to Canaan to Death) – 2091 BC – 1991 BC
• Ishmael – 2080 BC
• Isaac, 2066 bc
• Jacob and Esau (Birth), 2025 bc
• Jacob (Birth to Death) – 2025 bc – 1859 bc
• Joseph (Slavery to Death) – 1898 BC – 1806 bc
• Moses (Birth to Death) w/ Aaron and Miriam – 1525 bc – 1406 bc
• Nadab & Abihu (Consecration and Death) – 1445 bc
• Korah Rebels – 1426 bc
• Joshua (Chosen to succeed Moses to farewell address) – 1407 bc – 1375 bc
• Balak and Balaam – 1407 BC
• Rahab (w/ spies) – 1406 bc
• Othniel – 1374 bc
• Eglon – 1334 bc
• Ehud – 1316 bc
• Deborah and Barak – 1235 bc
• Gideon – 1169 bc
• Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz – 1140 bc
• Abimelech (From plot to be king to Death) – 1129 bc – 1126 bc
• Tola and Jair – 1118 bc
• Samuel (Birth to Death) – 100 bc – 1011 bc
• Jephthah, Ephraim, Ibzan, Elon, Abdon – 1097 bc – 1075 bc
• Samson – 1075 bc
• Saul (King to Death) – 1043 bc – 1010 bc
• David (Anointed to Death), 1024 bc – 970 bc
• Solomon (Birth to Death), 990 bc – 931 bc
• Rehoboam, 930 bc – 913 bc
• Jeroboam I, 930 bc – 910 bc
• Abijam, 913 bc – 911 bc
• Asa, 911 bc – 870 bc
• Baasha, 909 BC – 886 bc
• Elah, Zimri, Omri, 886 bc – 885 bc
• Ahab, 874 bc – 852 bc
• Jehoshaphat, 870 bc – 848 bc
• Elijah, 863 bc – 851 bc
• Jehoram, 853 bc – 841 bc
• Joram, 852 bc – 841 bc
• Elisha, 851 bc – 797 bc
• Jehu, 841 bc – 814 bc
• Athaliah, 840 bc – 835 bc
• Joel, 835 bc – 796 bc
• Joash, 835 bc – 796 bc
• Jehoahaz, 814 bc – 798 bc
• Jehoash, 798 bc – 780 bc
• Amaziah, 796 bc – 790 bc
• Jeroboam II, 793 BC – 752 bc
• Uzziah, 790 bc – 737 bc
• Jonah, 785 bc – 753 bc
• Amos, 760 bc – 750 bc
• Hosea, 753 bc – 715 bc
• Menahem, 751 bc – 740 bc
• Jotham, 750 bc – 721 bc
• Tiglathpileser III, 745 bc – 718 bc
• Micah, 742 bc – 687 bc
• Isaiah, 740 bc – 681 bc
• Pehahiah, 740 bc – 738 bc
• Pekah, 738 bc – 718 bc
• Ahaz, 730 bc – 715 bc
• Shalmaneser V, 718 bc – 709 bc
• Hoshea, 718 bc – 709 bc
• Hezekiah, 715 bc – 686 bc
• Sargon, 709 bc – 705 bc
• Sennacherib, 705 bc – 681 bc
• Manasseh, 695 bc – 642 bc
• Nahum, 663 bc – 612 bc
• Zephaniah, 640 bc – 621 bc
• Josiah, 639 bc – 610 bc
• Obadiah, 627 bc – 586 bc
• Jeremiah, 627 bc – 586 bc
• Nabopolassar, 626 bc – 605 bc
• Habakkuk, 612 bc – 589 bc
• Jehoahaz, 610 bc – 607 bc
• Jehoiakim, 607 bc – 596 bc
• Daniel, 605 bc – 536 bc
• Nebuchadnezzar, 605 bc – 562 bc
• Zedekiah, 597 bc – 586 bc
• Jehoiachin – 597 bc
• Ezekiel, 593 bc – 571 bc
• Evil Merodach, 562 bc – 560 bc
• Belshazzar, 553 bc – 539 bc
• Cyrus, 550 bc – 530 bc
• Darius I, 521 bc – 486 bc
• Haggai, 520 bc
• Zechariah, 520 bc – 480 bc
• Xerxes, 486 bc – 464 bc
• Malachi -430 bc

List Of New Testamnet Bible Characters In Chronological Order

Jesus and his relatives

• Jesus – The savior and central figure of the New Testament
• Mary – mother of Jesus, wife of Joseph, known as “the Virgin” because of her virginal conception of Jesus, Gospel of James names her parents as Joachim and Anne, from the Tribe of Levi; her death is not recorded in the Bible
• Joseph – son of Jacob or Heli, husband of Mary, a descendant of David; is last mentioned in the Bible when Jesus was 12 years old and his absence in later events suggest he may have died, was by trade a highly-skilled craftsman in wood, stone, or metal
• Brothers of Jesus (meaning of “brother” is debated by some who insist Mary remained a perpetual virgin)
  • James the Just – relationship to Jesus is debated, although apparently not followers of Jesus’ ministry, was present at critical events, referred to, along with Jude, as “brothers of the Lord” which hints strongly to status as a sibling but could mean close friend or associates of Jesus; reportedly put to death by priestly authorities in Jerusalem a few years before the destruction of the Temple in 70 AD
  • Jude – referred to, along with James, as “brothers of the Lord”, sometimes confused with “Judas”, son or brother of James that was one of the twelve disciples
  • Joses – also known as Joseph, mentioned in Mark as a brother of Jesus
  • Simon – mentioned in Mark as a brother of Jesus

Christian Apostles of Jesus

The Twelve

• Peter (aka Simon or Cephas) – son of John (or Jonah or Jona); from village of Bethsaida in Galilee; brother Andrew was also an apostle; originally a fisherman; thrice denied Jesus; leader of early Christian Church, Catholic Church considers him to be the first pope; crucified in Rome under Emperor Nero Augustus Caesar, tradition holds that he was crucified upside down per his request; Gospel of Mark traditionally thought to show the influence of Peter’s preaching and eyewitness account of the events
• Andrew (Simon Peter’s brother) – born in village of Bethsaida on the Sea of Galilee, fisherman by trade, at the beginning of Jesus’ public life, he lived with him in the same house in Capernaum; was also a disciple of John the Baptist; said to have been martyred by crucifixion in Patras in Achaea; several relics of the Apostle Andrew are known to exist
• James, son of Zebedee – often identified as James the Greater, son of Zebedee and Salome, brother of John; probably came from a family with some wealth; was with John and their father when Jesus called them to follow; Herod Agrippa had James executed by sword and is the only apostle whose martyrdom is recorded in the New Testament
• John, son of Zebedee – son of Zebedee and Salome, brother of James; tradition holds that he outlived the other apostles and that he was the only one not to die a martyr’s death; tradition is that he authored several books of the New Testament (Gospel of John, the three Epistles of John, Book of Revelation) but true authorship is uncertain
• Philip – Christian traditions describe Philip as the apostle who preached in Greece, Syria, and Phrygia, possibly setting out on his own to spread the word; hailed from the city of Bethsaida which may connect him to Andrew and Peter who were from the same town; was one of the men around John the Baptist when John pointed Jesus out as the savior; legend proclaims he was tortured and executed in Hierapolis (a tomb thought to be his was discovered in Hierapolis in 2011)
• Bartholomew – introduced to Jesus by Philip, mentioned several times in the company of Philip so they may have been good friends; possibly also identified as Nathanial; legend says he went on a missionary tour to India, Ethiopia, Mesopotamia, Parthia, and Lycaonia; legend holds he was martyred in Albanopolis in Armenia, either beheaded or flayed alive and crucified
• Thomas also known as “Doubting Thomas” – tradition holds he travelled outside the Roman Empire to preach the Gospel, traveling as far as India; called “Doubting Thomas” when after Jesus had risen, he said, “Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails and put my finger into the print, I will not believe.”, after which Jesus invited Thomas to touch his wounds; full name may have been Judas Thomas; tradition holds Thomas was killed in 72 AD at Mylapore near Chennai in India possibly by spears or arrow
• Matthew – mentioned as a tax collector (possibly for Herod Antipas); also called Levi, son of Alpheus, believed to be the author of the Gospel of Matthew (as a tax collector, he would likely have been literate and well-versed in several languages)
• James, son of Alphaeus – often identified as James the Less (probably due to short stature or younger age), may have been a brother of Matthew, possibly the author of the Gospel of Mark and/or the mysterious “Q” source
• Judas, son of James (aka Thaddeus or Lebbaeus) – not to be confused with Judas the traitor (they are clearly distinguished in the Bible), may have been related to James; some lists of apostles omitted Jude but included “Thaddeus” hinting that possibly his nickname was Thaddeus or that the name “Judas” had been tainted by Judas Iscariot (the traitor); opinion is divided whether Jude the apostle is the same as Jude, the brother of Jesus; tradition holds that he preached the Gospel in Judea, Samaria, Idumaea, Syria, Mesopotamia, and Libya; legend says he was born into a Jewish family in Paneas, a town in Galilee; likely spoke Greek and Aramaic and was a farmer by trade; tradition holds he suffered martyrdom in 65 AD in Beirut, in the Roman province of Syria, together with the apostle Simon, possibly died by axe, body brought to Rome and placed in a crypt in St. Peter’s Basilica
• Simon the Zealot – one of the most obscure among the apostles of Jesus; likely not Simon, the brother of Jesus
• Judas Iscariot (the traitor) – son of Simon Iscariot, notorious for the kiss and betrayal of Jesus to the Pontius Pilate for thirty silver coins; tradition holds that he hanged himself following his betrayal, his place later filled by Matthias

Others

• Matthias – chosen by the remaining eleven apostles to replace Judas Iscariot following Judas’ betrayal of Jesus and suicide; tradition holds that he planted the faith along the coasts of the Caspian sea; possibly stoned to death
• Paul (Saul) – missionary, theologian, and writer of the early church; wrote 13 epistles that comprise almost 1/4 of the New Testament; born in Jewish family in Tarsus of Cilicia probably around 10 AD; from the tribe of Benjamin; probably came from a family of tentmakers or leatherworkers who were moderately wealthy; born a Roman citizen which gave him important legal rights that aided his missionary labors, probably carried a wax tablet that acted as a birth certificate proving his citizenship; grew up in Jerusalem; recognized the threat that followers of Jesus posed to traditional Jewish religion (as was later evidenced by authorization to imprison believers in Christ); initially rejected Jesus as the Messiah; became a believer while travelling to Damascus to arrest and imprison believers – Jesus appeared with “blinding radiance” and commented on Saul’s resistance to believing – Saul’s blindness was healed and he became a believer too; was known to have spent time with the disciples; became “wanted” by the Jews and evaded capture for some time; first missionary journey occurred sometime around 47-48 AD; arrested in Jerusalem in 57 AD; described by historians as small in stature, balding, and “full of friendliness”
• Barnabas – Levite and native to Cyprus; birth name Joseph (or Joses); sold his property and gave the proceeds to the Jerusalem church; cousin of “Mark”
• James, the Lord’s Brother – precise meaning of “the Lord’s brother” is debated, possibly brother, stepbrother, cousin, or close friend; not a believer until after Jesus’ resurrection; in time he assumed leadership of the Jerusalem church (originally held by Peter); death ordered by high priest Ananus and was either by stoning or being cast down from the temple tower
• Jude, the Lord’s Brother – identified as one of the “brothers of the Lord” in Matthew, Mark, Acts, and Corinthians; also called Judas (not to be confused with Judas the apostle); not a believer until after Jesus’ resurrection

New Testament Priests

• Caiaphas, high priest – Joseph Caiaphas; high priest at the time of the trial and crucifixion of Jesus (during Pilate’s administration), leader in the plot to arrest and execute Jesus, had no power to inflict punishment of death so sent Jesus to Pilate, the Roman governor, so that he could pronounce the sentence against him; son-in-law of Annas; served as high priest from about 18 – 37 AD; attested in writings of Josephus; remains recovered in a ossuary discovered in Jerusalem; was of the sect of Sadducees
• Annas, first high priest of Roman Judea – son of Seth, high priest at the time John the Baptist began his preaching; served as high priest from 6 – 16 AD by Quirinius, governor of Syria; when Jesus was arrested, he was taken before Annas who, although not high priest at the time, still held considerable influence
• Zechariah, father of John the Baptist – priest in Jerusalem and father of John the Baptist; at an elderly age, angel Gabriel appeared and announced that he and his wife (Elizabeth) would give birth to a child

New Testament Prophets

• Agabus – “prophet” in the early church; possibly one of the 70 disciples of Christ; prophesied at Antioch of the approaching famine (during the reign of 

Claudius was Roman emperor from AD 41 to 54. Son of Nero Claudius Drusus and Antonia Minor, he was afflicted with a limp and deafness causing his family to ostracize him until he was declared emperor by the Praetorian Guard after Caligula’s assassination. Many authors contend that he was murdered by his own wife, Agrippina the Younger. After his death at the age of 63, Nero, his grand-nephew and legally adopted step-son, succeeded him as emperor.

Claudius, confirmed by historians); met with Paul at Caesarea and warned him of the bonds that awaited him in Jerusalem

• Anna – daughter of Phanuel from the tribe of Asher, a “prophetess” who met the infant Jesus and his parents in the temple and recognized him as the Messiah
• Simeon – prophet and teacher in the church at Antioch; also aged saint who visited the temple when Jesus was presented and uttered lofty words of thanksgiving and prophecy
• John the Baptist – of priestly descent, son of Zacharias and Elizabeth (daughter or Aaron); birth took place about six months before Jesus’; denounced Sadducees and Pharisees as a generation of vipers; baptized Jesus; was cast into prison by Herod and beheaded

Other New Testament believers

• Apollos – eloquent, educated man well versed in the scriptures; was taught Christian doctrine by Priscilla and Aquila; respected friend of Paul; wrote First Epistle to the Corinthians
• Aquila – married to Priscilla; came from Italy to Corinth after Claudius ordered Jews expelled from Rome; became Christians and assisted Paul in his ministry; tentmakers by trade (as was Paul); instructed Apollos in the Christian faith
• Dionysius the Areopagite – one of Paul’s converts at Athens; member of the Areopagus, an elite and influential group of officials
• Epaphras – fellow prisoner of Paul; Christian preacher; native of Colossae; apparently held in high regard by Paul
• Joseph of Arimathea – rich member of the 

There were two classes of Jewish courts called Sanhedrin, the Great Sanhedrin and the Lesser Sanhedrin. A lesser Sanhedrin of 23 judges was appointed to each city, but there was to be only one Great Sanhedrin of 71 judges, which among other roles acted as the Supreme Court, taking appeals from cases decided by lesser courts. In the Second Temple period, the Great Sanhedrin met every day in the Temple in Jerusalem, in a building called the Hall of Hewn Stones.

Sanhedrin; after the crucifixion of Jesus, he boldly requested the body of Pilate and along with Mary Magdalene, Mary (Jesus mother), Nicodemus, and others, laid it in his own unused tomb; from Arimathea which is probably the same as Ramathaim-zophim (Old Testament town of Ramah) northwest of Jerusalem

• Lazarus – brother of Mary and Martha of 

Bethany, raised from the dead after he had lain for four days in a tomb, this miracle so excited the Jews that they sought to put both Jesus and Lazarus to death

• Luke – Gentile author of Third Gospel and book of Acts (possibly while in Rome with Paul during his imprisonment), according to his statement, was not an “eye-witness and minister of the word from the beginning”; close friend and travelling companion of Paul; possibly from Antioch; identified as a physician by Paul
• Mark – sometimes called John; son of Mary, a woman of means and influence; cousin of Barnabas; minister who accompanied several of the apostles in their travels
• Martha – close friend and follower of Jesus; sister of Mary and Lazarus; portrayed as a person in charge who welcomed Jesus into her home
• Mary Magdalene – one of the early followers of Jesus, one of the first recipients of the news of Jesus’ ressurrection, appeared at the cross and Jesus’ tomb, name implies that she was from Magdala (town on western shore of the Sea of Galilee), Jesus cast seven demons from her.
• Mary – sister of Martha and Lazarus in Bethany
• Nicodemus – an influential Pharisee who showed an interest in Jesus’ teaching, mentioned as “a secret disciple whose faith grew slowly”.
• Onesimus – a runaway slave belonging to Philemon (see below), the subject of the New Testament Letter of Philemon, met the Apostle Paul during his imprisonment and became a believer.
• Philemon – “friend and fellow-worker” of Paul and the recipient of the New Testament letter that bears his name, importan member of the church at Colossae.
• Priscilla
• Silas
• Sopater
• Stephen, first martyr
• Timothy
• Titus

New Testament Secular rulers

• Herod the Great
• Herod Antipas, called “Herod the Tetrarch” or “Herod” in the Gospels and in Acts 4:27
• Pontius Pilate
• Agrippa I, called “King Herod” or “Herod” in Acts 12
• Felix governor of Judea who was present at the trial of Paul, and his wife Drusilla in Acts 24:24