Over 400 years separated the final events (Neh. 13:4–30) and final prophecy (Mal. 1:1–4:6) recorded in the Old Testament from the beginning actions (Luke 1:5–25) narrated in the New Testament (ca. 424–26 B.C.). Because there was no prophetic word from God during this time, this period is sometimes called “the four hundred silent years.” However, the history of these years followed the pattern predicted in Daniel (Dan. 2:24, 45; 7:1–28; 8:1–27; 11:1–35)