A recent post on the Inside Google Book Search blog plots the locations mentioned in books over time. Let’s do the same thing with the Bible geocoding data. Bible book order corresponds (very) roughly to historical order, so I’ll use books as an approximation for historical periods. The bigger the dot, the more often the books mention the place.
Genesis to Deuteronomy
Here you can trace the patriarchs’ and the Israelites’ journeys to lots of places that aren’t the promised land.
Joshua to Ruth
The conquest and early rule of Canaan.
1 Samuel to Esther
The rule of the kings and subsequent exile.
Job to Malachi
These books cover a good period of time, much of it preoccupied with the exile.
Matthew to John
The gospels focus on the life of Jesus in Palestine.
Acts to Revelation
The church spreads beyond the Middle East.
Whole Bible
Here it’s all put together.
