Ep. 134 | What happened between the Old and New Testament?

What happened in the 400 years between the Old Testament and the New Testament? This often-overlooked era—known as the Intertestamental Period or the Silent Period—bridges the gap between the books of Malachi and Matthew and helps explain the world Jesus entered. Join the The Chara Project team, as they walk through the major historical events that shaped the political, cultural, and religious landscape of the New Testament. Explore the rise and fall of four major empires—the Persian and Greek periods, a period of independence, and then the Roman period—and how each influenced Jewish life, faith, and identity. You’ll learn about Alexander the Great and Hellenization, the translation of the Hebrew scriptures into the Greek Septuagint, the Maccabean Revolt that led to the celebration of Hanukkah, and how the Jewish Diaspora, synagogues, Pharisees, and Sadducees emerged. Understanding this critical period helps make sense of the New Testament and the cultural setting of Jesus’ ministry. If you’ve ever felt like the Bible jumps suddenly from the Old Testament to the New Testament, this episode helps bridge the 400-year gap in the story of the Bible. The Chara Project is a nonprofit organization with a mission to help build confidence in studying the Bible on your own and with your neighbor. Chara is the Greek word for JOY, and the Chara team offers resources and teaching to empower people to find joy as they explore the Bible, grow in their Biblical understanding, and help others do the same. For more information about The Chara Project and how to study the Bible, including a download of the CHARA Bible Study Guide or Story of the Bible Guide, visit www.thecharaproject.com. To support The Chara Project, visit https://www.thecharaproject.com/give #bible #biblestudy #biblestudytools #scripture #scripturestudy #christianpodcast #biblepodcast #howto #oldtestament #newtestament #biblescripture #storyofthebible #intertestamentalperiod #intertestamental #maccabee