The approximate dates for the prehistoric period are 4,004 B. These dates are derived from the estimated lifetime of Adam, the first man, according to Bible scholars, to the lifetime of Abraham, the patriarch of Israel. The dates would correspond to a late Neolithic Age in the broader scheme of prehistory. After the Agricultural Revolution of the New Stone Age, man learned to farm as well as domesticate animals. Cain, one of Adam's sons, was a tiller of the ground, which suggests a late Neolithic existence. Abel, another of Adam's sons, was a "keeper of sheep," also suggestive of the late Neolithic Age. There were many " firsts" during this period. The most important of which is creation itself. The world was created, then Adam and Eve, the first man and woman. Another important " first" was the original sin. The first sin took place when Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit, and were banished from the garden of Eden. During this period the first homicide was committed. The guilty culprit was Cain who killed Abel. Cain was then banished from his homeland for his sin. The Great Flood that destroyed all of mankind except for Noah and his family occurred in this period as well. .
The approximate dates for the Age of the Patriarchs are 2,000 B.C. until around 1700 B.C. These dates would include the lifetime of Abraham, often called the "Father of the Jews." According to Hebrew tradition, Abraham migrated from Mesopotamia to the land of Palestine. Abraham's descendants eventually became known as the Children of Israel. In this period, God made covenants with Abraham, which would be renewed with Isaac and Jacob. God made the covenant by saying, "I shall be your God and you shall be my people." God promised Abraham a land, which was Cannan. He also promised him a seed, which included many descendants. The covenant continued with Isaac, Abraham's son. Isaac was born to Abraham and Sara when they were very old and thought the could not have children.
