Intertestamental Period

Place in the Bible

The intertestamental period refers to the span from Malachi, which stands at the very end of the Old Testament in the Protestant Bible, to the ministry of John the Baptist and the time of the birth of Jesus. It is commonly said to have lasted about four hundred years. No book of the Protestant Bible narrates this period directly. However, chapters 8 and 11 of Daniel have traditionally been read as prophecies foretelling the rise and fall of the Hellenistic kingdoms of this era. The Feast of Dedication mentioned in John 10:22 commemorates the rededication of the temple that took place during this period.

Historical Background

• Persian period: After the return from exile, Judah was a province of the Persian Empire.
• Hellenistic period: In the late fourth century BC, Alexander the Great conquered the region. After his death his empire was divided, and the Ptolemaic dynasty of Egypt and then the Seleucid dynasty of Syria ruled Judah in turn. During this time the Greek language and Greek culture spread widely, and the Septuagint, a Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible, was produced.
• Maccabean period: The Seleucid king Antiochus IV defiled the Temple in Jerusalem and prohibited Jewish religious observances. In response, the Maccabean family led a revolt in the 160s BC, recovered the temple, and rededicated it. The Hasmonean dynasty was established afterward.
• Roman period: In 63 BC the Roman general Pompey captured Jerusalem. Later, Herod became king with Roman approval.

During this period, religious life centered on the synagogue became established, and groups such as the Pharisees, the Sadducees, and the Essenes emerged. The Dead Sea Scrolls are regarded as an important source for understanding Judaism in this era.

Significance for the Bible as a Whole

Much of the background found in the New Testament—synagogues, the Sanhedrin (the supreme Jewish council), the various Jewish sects, Roman rule, and the use of Greek—took shape during this period. New Testament writers frequently followed the Septuagint when quoting the Old Testament. Many sermons interpret the phrase "when the fulness of the time was come" in Galatians 4:4 by linking it to this time of preparation. The prophecy of Elijah in Malachi 4:5–6 is connected to John the Baptist in Matthew 11:14. "The abomination that maketh desolate" in Daniel 11:31 is referred to again by Jesus in Matthew 24:15.

Interpretation and Issues

• Apocrypha and deuterocanonical books: The Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church include Jewish writings from around this period—such as the books of Maccabees, Tobit, and Sirach—in the Bible as deuterocanonical books. Protestants do not include these books in the canon. The Anglican tradition has historically read these books for instruction but not as a basis for doctrine. Some editions of the Korean Common Translation Bible include the deuterocanonical books.
• "The four hundred silent years": Protestants sometimes use this name for the period, meaning a time when no prophet appeared. However, the expression is not found in the biblical text; it is a label applied later. Some also point out that the period was in fact one of active Jewish literary production.
• Dating of Daniel: The conservative tradition regards the book of Daniel as prophecy given by Daniel in the sixth century BC and reads chapter 11 as fulfilled during this period. Many critical scholars hold that the book of Daniel was completed during the Maccabean period.
• Some interpreters connect the suffering believers of Hebrews 11:33–38 with the martyrs of the Maccabean period.

In the Korean Church

In Bible studies and seminary courses, this period is commonly treated under the name "intertestamental history" (junggansa). It is also frequently introduced in sermons and lectures explaining the background of the New Testament.