The events described in Bible stories can be best understood if an accurate chronology of those events is available. An emphasis in this book is on the chronological usefulness of what are referred to here as patterns. Some of these patterns may be periodic, such as the sabbatical year, jubilee year, and census calendars. Natural patterns based on astronomy can be calculated precisely for any time of biblical interest. Geophysical events such as volcanic eruptions may provide datable correlations over wide geographical areas, and archeological discoveries also provide valuable chronological information. These and other patterns taken together help to confirm the historicity of many ancient Bible-related stories, while providing them with probable dates of unprecedented accuracy.
