| Term | Definition |
| Abraham | Father of all nations. |
| Sarah | Wife of Abraham who gave birth to a child |
| Canaan | the Promised Land |
| Isaac | the son of Abraham |
| Ishmael | another son of Abraham who Muslims believe they descend of |
| Rebekah | Isaac's wife |
| Jacob | the son of Isaac |
| Israelites | people who descended from Jacob |
| the 4 patriarchs | Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph |
| the 3 matriarchs | Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel |
| Joseph | the son of Jacob and Rachel |
| Twelve tribes | twelve sons of Jacob |
| coat of many colors | special long robe given to Joseph |
| Moses | person most revered to this day by Jews |
| Yaweh | I am who am |
| David | united the 12 tribes into one kingdom |
| Samuel | prophet who anointed David |
| Solomon | David's son who became King |
| Isaiah | a prophet who told of Yahweh's distress at how the people had turned backs on God |
| 1900-1800 BCE | Abraham's move to Canaan |
| 1700 BCE | Joseph in Egypt |
| 1300 BCE | Moses and the Exodus |
| 1200 BCE | Israelites in Promised Land |
| 1000 BCE | David is king of Israel |
| 950 BCE | Building of Temple by Solomon |
| 900 BCE | Division into Northern and Southern Kingdoms |
| 700 BCE | Fall of Israel to Assyrians |
| 600 BCE | Fall of Judah to Babylonians; beginning of Exile |
| 550 BCE | Persian defeat of Babylonians; Jews return home |
| 500 BCE | Rebuilding of Jerusalem and Temple |
| 300 BCE | Greeks rule Jews |
| 150 BCE | Jewish revolt and independence from Greeks |
| 50 BCE | roman rule of Jews |
| 0 | birth of Jesus |
| 33 CE | Death of Jesus |
| 50 CE | Roman destruction of Jewish Temple |