The 400 Silent Years: From Malachi to Matthew

by H.A. Ironside

Four centuries separate the last prophet and the ministry of Jesus Christ, but that does not mean the intervening years were without significant events or important lessons. Quite the opposite. In The 400 Silent Years, Ironside does not simply trace the chronological events but provides fundamental lessons and warnings for the church today. In fact, he provides us a glimpse in the Preface why he wrote this book. There he writes, “From their history we may therefore obtain valuable suggestions, and by carefully considering the causes of their failures, be preserved from falling into the same snares.”Here is a fascinating look at the 400 years between the time of Malachi and Matthew, perfect for any student of the Bible or church history or for anyone who wants a deeper, more meaningful understanding of the Intertestamental Period.

Genres: History, Christian, Theology, Nonfiction, Religion

120 pages, Paperback

First published March 26, 2009

About the author

Henry Allen "Harry" Ironside (October 14, 1876-January 15, 1951) was a Canadian-American Bible teacher, preacher, theologian, pastor, and author.

Ironside was one of the most prolific Christian writers of the 20th Century and published more than eighty books and pamphlets, many of which are still in print. As an editorial reviewer wrote of a 2005 republication, "Ironside's commentaries are a standard and have stood the test of time."

Reviews

[Scott Petty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short but informative. Not a deep dive into history but a readable overview.

[Paul Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very educational

Historical dates and names of people throughout the silent 400 years. Putting the puzzle together one piece of history at a time. To read how the Old Testament prophecies were still being fulfilled to usher in the New Testament and how.....very enlightening.

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an interesting read. Ironside gives a brief account of the history of the Jews for the four centuries between the end of the Old Testament and the birth of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. It was a period of unrest, fights for independence, unreliable associations, and the struggle for the purification of the nation. Ironside also gives a brief overview of the apocryphal literature of the period. It's a book worth reading.

[Tim Deforest · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent history of the years between the end of the Old Testament and the beginning of the New, providing some important cultural and historical context for fully understanding the events of the Gospels and the book of Acts. The author draws important spiritual points from the events of those four centuries as well.

[Bless Your Memory · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let’s just say, It was not SILENT!!

[Martin Wickens · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't claim to remember a lot of the details in this book. Ironside traces the people and leadership of the land of Israel and surrounding nations between the close of the Old Testament and the beginning of the New.

The details of the leaders that followed from Alexander the Great are overwhelming to me, but definite themes stood out. The political plots, military endeavors, and family scandals are relentless.

At every turn the people of Israel suffered oppression and troubles with only brief seasons of relief. Probably the brightest lights during those 400 years were the Maccabees. However, in time, even this noble family declined and the ancestors of the original hero became villains.

Whether it was simply human nature, or the deliberate efforts of Satan to attack any Jewish leader just in case he was the promised Messiah, they all went through trials.

Something that stood out to me was the way in which the non-Jewish Herods became kings and given the opportunity to commit such atrocities. In 130 B.C. John Hyrcanus forced the Idumeans to convert to Judaism. The Herods were Idumeans and so though an un-Biblical move John set the stage for the attempted murder of Jesus, the murder of John the Baptist, the apostle James, and many others.

Another benefit of the book is to see the development of the movements that led to the Pharisees, Sadducees, and other political and religious groups firmly established by the lifetime of Jesus.

There are depths of detail in the 400 silent years which probably only benefit historians, but there are points that are invaluable to Bible teachers and Christians in understanding the times into which Jesus was born.

[Raewyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fairly decent read that helps flesh out the period in between the Old and New Testaments known as the Silent years. It kind of helps the reader to not only find out what was going on with regards to the Jewish people, but also find out where some of the most famous characters in history fit in along the extra biblical timeline.

In conclusion, the author also offers up another possibility for why the Jews ultimately rejected Jesus as the Messiah. Well worth the read, even just for historical value.

There is no bibliography or foot notes so if one was wanting to research the information in the book, they would need other material to support or refute it. This book was written in 1914. The edition is merely a reprint with pictures.

[John Eldreth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Worth Reading

This book provides a brief version of Judean history from the time between the writing of Malachi, the last prophet in the Old Testament, and the birth of the messiah, Jesus of Nazareth. It is easy to read and understand and does not dwell on any singular event. My takeaway was the significant amount of political and religious turmoil preceding the birth of the messiah almost as if someone was trying to prevent His being born at the time and manner predicted in the Old Testament.

[Josiah Richardson · Rating 2 out of 5]

There are few books I would not read before reading this again. I would rather teach a worm to juggle. I would have more success selling an eel a pair of knitted mittens than to be able to give this to a friend to read - which I did, and it was promptly round filed into the nearest waste receptacle.

Ironside may have said some good and true things here, but it was drier than my mouth at 3AM on a warm summers night. Two stars just for the stories I now have of this book.

[Robert Luff · Rating 4 out of 5]

A helpful summary of the books of Maccabees and the works odd Josephus to five a history of the period between the Old and New testaments. Ironside does a good job of evaluating the actions and ideas of the heroes and villains. His final chapter details brief summaries of the notable apocryphal books, the good and the bad, explaining in each case why they should not be considered canonical.
3.5 stars, rounded up.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was first published in 1914 and so the style of language is somewhat dated. It relies primarily on the book of 1 Maccabees from the Apocrypha with a few references from Josephus. It is a good high level view of the period between the close of the Old Testament and the birth of Jesus Christ. This book is good for supplying Bible readers with knowledge that most Christians I know do not possess.

[Randall D. Mantik · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fills a need

This book fills a need of understanding for those interested in the inter resume two period. It leads the reader as the title says from Malachi 4 to Matthew 1 and to what happened in ancient Palestine from Persian to Greco to Roman rulership. It gives great context to the Gospels and as a bonus gives a worthy summary of the Apochrapha. All in a smooth writing style.

[Óscar Álamo]

With this work, H.A Ironside, bridged the history gap between the two Old and New Testaments, setting the stage for the events registered in the Gospels. Very particularly from the return old Juda to Jerusalem as told in Nehemiah and Ezra spanning to the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus.

It is not exactly an easy read, as his writing reflects the mental constructs and writing style of his time.

[Crystal Melnyk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Between the Old and New Testaments

If you were wondering what happened to Israel between Malachi and Matthew this book does offer insight. However it is written at the turn of the century and may be a difficult read for some. It definitely clarified why the Jewish people were so close minded towards Jesus as the Messiah!

[Graeme Hodgson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book to be a little difficult to read and follow, however the main theme of how our loving and forgiving Heavenly Father continued to protect, lead, support and love His children of Israel, through the 400 years of silence between the old and new Testaments was again most encouraging.

[Jerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short book was teeming with information about which most Christians no nothing. In fact, there were a few things about which I didn't know. It is books like this one that Christians need to read. We need to know more about our history. If we are truly to understand Jesus and the writings of the New Testament, then we need to understand the context and background in which they lived.

[Johann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting

This definitely does what the title suggests. It puts in perspective the prophecies of Daniel concerning the future empires that would come after him.
Very enlightening information concerning how the Pharisee and Sadducees came to exist and how they evolved.
Author lists his sources allowing one to further study the content.

[Reid & June Sandford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great little book by H. A. Ironside. A great man of God and used mightily by Him.
His information on the series "From Malachi to Matthew" was helpful and found the documents at "Faithful Words for Old and Young: Volume 17" Edited by H.F. Witherby https://bibletruthpublishers.com/bibl.... Those short vignettes are equally informative.
Reid Sandford

[Alfie Mosse · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad read. A little simplistic in its presentation. A reader will probably get at least as much or probably more from reading I and II Maccabees. I found the running theological commentary a bit awkward, but to someone new to the subject, it could be useful.

[Commissioner James Knaggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Speaking of the Silence

This is a worthy read by a reputable theologian. One needs no more research to learn of this period of time between the Testaments. He then gives a helpful, brief overview of the Apocrypha. I’ll keep this handy for ready reference about this period.

[James Dakis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mostly a political history

It was my hope that this book would give more insight into the religious life, growth, and demise of the Jewish nation. However, what I found was more of a political commentary until the last section of the book.

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Worthy

This book is a very interesting read, with a lot of subtext and understanding of why the silence. And a bonus of other unknowns that weren't included in the KJV Bible. I really enjoyed this book.

[Kent Edwards · Rating 4 out of 5]

Best read and discerned

This book is best read in small increments followed by periods of reflective discernment. It's packed with an immense amount of information that is best studied slowly and deliberately.

[Peter Caligiuri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nicely detailed and interesting

As to the history of the period Ironside goes into great detail, while interjecting scriptural insights. This is well worth reading and the reviews of the apocraphyl books are concise and helpful.

[ann fiese · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative

It was interesting to read of the path and trials of the Jewish nation during the 400 years between the end of the old testament and the beginning of the new testament.

[Mark Livingstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

What happened in the inter-testament period?

An enjoyable and informative history of what happened in the 400 years between the Old Testament book of Malachi and the New Testament book of Matthew.

[elizabeth crompton · Rating 4 out of 5]

inspired history

Yes will recommend being a person that let their reading or lack of knowledge of the Bible. Will say I love history and want the Bible to introduce Christ to my heart and life, keep reading it let’s you see though the trees.

[Judith Kinder · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this difficult to read, but I did want to find out more about the years between the testaments so i have a purchased a more up to date, language book to give me an insight into this interesting period

[Ruby Y. Hyatt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Makes you think, what if?


A lot of research went into this book. I would recommend it to young adults, because they need to think about why God was silent.

[Janet Selitto · Rating 5 out of 5]

40 years of silence

I enjoy reading about Jewish history, and this book helped put the history of Israel in perspective. It was interesting.