Think you are on a first-name basis with the characters of the Old Testament? The Old Testament is an important cornerstone of culture and religion across the world. It is an important part of all of the Abrahamic religions. This includes Judaism, Christianity, Islam and numerous other small and interesting sects that can be found scattered throughout Eurasia. Between Christianity and Islam alone, roughly half of all religious people on earth are accounted for. Roughly 3.7 billion people worldwide can attribute their spiritual, religious and cultural heritage in some way to the stories of the Old Testament.
From wars to major works of art, the Old Testament has had a massive impact on people for centuries. Some people even live their lives by interpretations of it to this day. There are sayings used every day that come from it, and people often reference it without realizing it. In fact, it is very likely that many people you have met are named after its characters and you might not even know it. These stories hold sway even today, with effects on politics, lifestyles and more across the globe.
If you know the characters of the Old Testament like the back of your hand, then put your knowledge to the ultimate test with this quiz!
Who was the first human being?
In Genesis, God creates Adam, the first human being. He is made from dust.
Who is the mother of humanity?
Eve was the first woman. She was created from Adam's rib.
Who committed the first murder?
Cain and Abel were the sons of Adam and Eve. Cain killed Abel out of jealousy when his offering to God was found unacceptable, while Abel's was accepted.
Who was the first person to die?
Abel died when his brother Cain killed him. He was the first human being to die.
Who built an ark?
Noah built the ark on which one of every kind of animal was placed. This protected them from God's great flood.
Which of these people was a child of Noah?
Noah took his 3 sons on the ark with him. They and their wives were meant to repopulate the earth after the flood.
Which son of Noah is the forbearer of Jesus?
Shem was a son of Noah. He began the line which Jesus and all Jews come from.
Who was spared from the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah?
Lot was spared when God destroyed the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. His wife, however, did not comply with God's directions and was not spared.
Who was the wife of Abraham?
Sarah was Abraham's wife. She gave birth to their son, Isaac.
Arab nomads are said to be descended from which man?
Ishmael was Abraham's son by Hagar. It is said that Arab nomads were his descendants.
Who traded his birthright to his brother for a bowl of lentils?
Esau and Jacob were the sons of Isaac. Jacob was younger but able to trick his brother and father into giving him the birthright traditionally reserved for oldest sons.
Who was the father of the 12 tribes of Israel?
Jacob was a patriarch who gave birth to 12 sons, who it is said the 12 tribes of Israel descended from. These sons were Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, Dan, Napthali Gad, Asher, Joseph and Benjamin.
Who was Jacob's favorite son?
Joseph's brothers were so jealous of their father's favoritism that they sold him into slavery in Egpyt. There Joseph became a powerful adviser to the Pharaoh due to his wisdom and ability to interpret dreams.
Jesus is descended from this tribe, started by one of Jacob's 12 sons.
The Jesus is descended from Jacob's son Judah. Bethlehem, where Jesus was born, is located within what was the territory of this tribe.
Who led enslaved jews out of Egypt?
Moses led the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt. He famously parted the Red Sea and brought law from God to the Jewish people in the form of the Ten Commandments.
Who was Moses' brother?
Aaron was the brother and spokesman of Moses. He was also the first high priest.
God struck her with leprosy for criticizing Moses.
Miriam was a prophet and sister of Moses and Aaron. She was struck briefly with leprosy by God after criticizing her brother.
Who was the wife of Moses?
Zipporah was the wife of Moses, and protected him from God's wrath. Moses' sister Miriam criticized their marriage because Zipporah was a Cushite.
Who was the successor of Moses?
Joshua led Israel into Canaan. He also asked God to make the sun stand still in battle.
Who was a prostitute spared by God in Jericho?
Rahab was a prostitute in Jericho whose life was spared when the walls fell during an attack. This is because she hid spies of Israel in her home.
Who were the people chosen by God to defend Israel?
God chose 16 leaders to defend Israel from enemies and oppressors. These people were called the Judges.
Who was the only female Judge?
The chosen Judges, or leaders, were Joshua, Othniel, Ehud, Shamgar, Deborah, Gideon, Tola, Jair, Jephthah, Ibzan, Elon, Abdon, Samson, Eli and Samuel. Deborah was the only female Judge.
Which Judge of Israel was betrayed by Delilah?
Samson was known for his strength, the source of which was his long hair. Delilah betrayed him by cutting his hair, leaving him weak and easy to capture by his enemies.
Which Biblical woman killed a military commander?
Jael killed the commander of the Canaanite army of King Jabin of Hazor. She lured him to her tent, put him to sleep with milk, and then hammered a tent peg into his head while he slept.
Who is the last Judge and first Prophet?
Samuel is mentioned in the Old Testament, New Testament and Koran. He is considered a prophet in all 3 religions.
Who was the first king of United Israel?
Saul was the first king of united Israel. The kingdom was taken from him when he failed to please God.
Who was the second king of United Israel?
King David was God's favorite. He wrote psalms.
Which large Philistine was killed by David?
Before David was King, he killed Goliath in one of the Bible's most famous stories. Despite Goliath being much larger than him, David was able to outsmart him by using a slingshot.
David coveted this woman and made her his wife.
David wanted the married Bathsheba so badly that he had her husband sent to the frontlines to die in battle so he could be with her. They had four sons.
Who was the last king of United Israel?
Solomon is famous for his wisdom and wealth. He angered God by worshipping the gods of his thousand foreign wives and concubines. He is considered a prophet in Judaism and Islam and an occult figure by many throughout history.
Who came to hear the wisdom of King Solomon?
The Queen of Sheba's visit to King Solomon is mentioned in both the Old Testament and the Koran. Their meeting has become the subject of widespread legend throughout Eurasia and Ethiopia.
Which of these men is remembered as a great prophet?
Elijah is remembered as a prophet and miracle worker. He defeated hundreds of Baal worshippers at Mt. Carmel.
Which wicked Queen of Israel was killed by being pushed out of a window?
Jezebel was the wife of King Ahab. Both were known for their corruption and were overthrown.
Which king of Israel was appointed to destroy wicked King Ahab and his family?
Abraham killed Ahab and his family on God's orders. He had his wife, Jezebel, thrown from a window to her death and dogs ate her body.
Which prophet predicted the fall of Jerusalem?
Jeremiah is known as the weeping prophet. He was punished for predicting the fall of Jerusalem.
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