THE INTER-BIBLICAL PERIOD ("SILENCE OF GOD")

The Inter-biblical or Intertestamental period is the historical era between the Old and New Testaments. In the biblical narrative, about four hundred years elapsed between Nehemiah (when the Book of Malachi was written) and the birth of Christ (approximately 433–5 BC).

This period between the two testaments is often called the "years of silence" because, during this time, there was no recorded prophetic word from God to the people of Israel. However, many significant events occurred during the Inter-biblical period. The world described in the New Testament was taking shape during this time. Therefore, knowledge of what happened in the Inter-biblical period is essential for a better understanding of the historical context of the New Testament.

The Inter-biblical Period from Malachi to Christ

Returning to 538 BC, we see the beginning of the Persian period, which lasted until around 330 BC. The Persians conquered the Babylonians, who had previously conquered Jerusalem in 568 BC. This resulted in Persian rule over the Jews for about two hundred years. During this period, the Jews were led by high priests and were allowed to continue their religious practices. Around 430 BC, the prophet Malachi carried out his ministry.

In 333 BC, the Persian forces were defeated by Alexander the Great, marking the beginning of the Hellenistic period, which lasted from 330 to 166 BC. Alexander aimed to unify the world under Greek culture. In 323 BC, Alexander died, and his empire was divided among his generals, resulting in two dynasties: the Ptolemaic (in Egypt) and the Seleucid (in Syria and Macedonia). For over a hundred years, these dynasties contested control over Palestine.

During the Ptolemaic rule, Jewish religious practices were respected. However, in 198 BC, the Seleucids took power, leading to a dramatic and heroic period in Jewish history. Initially, the years were calm, but in 175 BC, when Antiochus IV Epiphanes ascended to power, things became complicated. Antiochus IV attempted to impose a radical Hellenization, committing great atrocities to eradicate the Jewish religion. Among his actions were:

• Banning fundamental elements of Jewish customs.
• Trying to destroy all copies of the Torah (the first five books of Moses - the Pentateuch).
• Demanding that the Greek God Zeus be worshipped.
• Sacrificing a pig inside the Temple of Jerusalem.

The Jewish Revolt in the Inter-biblical Period

An elderly priestly farmer named Mattathias and his five sons—Judas (Maccabeus), Jonathan, Simon, John, and Eleazar—led the opposition against Antiochus IV Epiphanes. The conflict, known as the Maccabean Revolt, lasted twenty-four years (166-142 BC), eventually resulting in Judea's independence until 63 BC. When Simon, the last of Mattathias' sons, died, the Hasmonean dynasty also adopted a Hellenistic regime that the Seleucids imposed. Between 103 and 76 BC, Alexander Jannaeus even persecuted the Pharisees.

Finally, in 63 BC, the Hasmonean dynasty ended due to Roman intervention in the dispute between Aristobulus II and Hyrcanus II, sons of Jannaeus. The Roman domination began in a very traumatic way for the Jews. General Pompey, who conquered the East for Rome, took Jerusalem and massacred the priests, desecrating the Holy of Holies after besieging the Temple area for about three months.

Literature in the Intertestamental Period

Although the Inter-biblical period was marked by turbulence and conflict, much literary material was produced by the Jews during these years. This period's three most significant works were the Septuagint, the Apocrypha, and the Dead Sea Scrolls.

The Septuagint is the Greek version of the Old Testament, also known by the Roman numeral LXX. It is named so because, according to Jewish tradition, seventy-two scholars gathered on the Pharos Island near Alexandria to translate the Old Testament into Greek. This is said to have taken seventy-two days.

However, it is believed that only the Torah (the five books of Moses) was translated during this period.

The remaining books of the Old Testament, along with some non-canonical books, were included in the Septuagint at some point before the beginning of the Christian era. The Septuagint became the Bible for Jews outside Palestine, mainly because many of them no longer spoke Hebrew. Later, the Septuagint also became the most used Bible by the early Church. Although the Septuagint was produced around 250 BC, it can be said that the actions of Alexander the Great between 333 and 323 BC, when he encouraged Jews to move to Alexandria, giving them some privileges common to Greek citizens, paved the way for this project.

The Apocryphal Books were also written during this intertestamental period, except for 2 Esdras, which probably dates to 90 AD. The so-called "Apocrypha" is a collection of books that includes some additions to the canonical books. The Apocryphal Books do not present any doctrinal value and contain chronological errors and various ideas that conflict with canonical texts.

Society in the Intertestamental Period

During the period between the Old and New Testaments, significant changes occurred that resulted in the Jewish society described in the time of Jesus. One of the most important movements of this era was the Diaspora (or Dispersion). Although it began during exile, it was in the Inter-biblical period that the Diaspora truly gained strength, spreading the Jewish people to the most distant lands.

This period was also marked by the emergence of political and religious groups that were very active in the first century. Among these groups were the Sadducees, the Essenes, and the Pharisees.

It was during the Inter-biblical period that the concept of the Synagogue became more established.

During the Babylonian exile, the people of Israel no longer had access to the Temple and were confronted with pagan religious practices that threatened the continuation of the Jewish religion. Faced with this reality, the Jews focused on preserving what they had—the Torah and the conviction that they were the people of God.

This worship was based on studying the Torah, personal holiness, and prayer to substitute for the sacrifices that could no longer be offered. Thus, Judaism could be practiced anywhere the Torah could be taken. This concept was preserved after the exile, and gatherings in synagogues, where people came together to worship God, became very popular.

Timeline of the Inter-biblical Period

Below is a timeline of the main events that occurred during the period between the Testaments:

• 333-323 BC: Alexander the Great's rule.
• 323-198 BC: The Ptolemies dominate Palestine.
• 320 BC: Jerusalem is conquered by Ptolemy I Soter.
• 311 BC: Beginning of the Seleucid dynasty.
• 226 BC: Antiochus III conquers the Holy Land.
• 223-187 BC: Antiochus becomes the Seleucid ruler of Syria.
• 198 BC: Antiochus defeats Egypt and gains control of the Holy Land.
• 198-166 BC: Seleucid rule over Palestine.
• 175-164 BC: Antiochus IV Epiphanes rules Syria, and Judaism is banned.
• 167 BC: Mattathias and his sons lead the rebellion against Antiochus IV.
• 166-160 BC: Judas Maccabeus leads.
• 165 BC: Rededication of the Temple.
• 160-143 BC: High priesthood held by Jonathan, son of Mattathias.
• 142-134 BC: Simon, son of Mattathias, becomes a high priest and starts the Hasmonean dynasty.
• 134-103 BC: The independent Jewish state is expanded by John Hyrcanus.
• 104-103 BC: Reign of Aristobulus.
• 103-76 BC: Reign of Alexander Jannaeus.
• 76-67 BC: Reign of Salome Alexandra, and Hyrcanus II becomes a high priest.
• 66-63 BC: Conflict between Aristobulus II and Hyrcanus II.
• 63 BC: Roman rule begins with Pompey invading the Holy Land.
• 63-40 BC: Reign of Hyrcanus II under Roman control.
• 48 BC: Julius Caesar defeats Pompey.
• 44 BC: Assassination of Julius Caesar.
• 40-37 BC: Antigonus rules under the Romans.
• 37-4 BC: Herod becomes ruler of the Holy Land.
• 27 BC: Caesar Augustus (Octavian) rules the Roman Empire.
• 19 BC: Construction of Herod's Temple begins.
• 4 BC: Herod dies, and Archelaus rules in his place.