Intertestamental Period

-400 לפנה״ס — -4 לפנה״ס

The four centuries between Malachi and Matthew — the 'silent years' when no canonical prophets spoke. Persian, Greek (Alexander, Ptolemies, Seleucids), and Roman empires ruled successively. The Maccabean revolt and rise of Pharisees and Sadducees set the stage for Jesus.