Old Testament / Tanakh People Trivia

1. Joab is actually a Romanization of the Hebrew "Yoav". What does the name "Yoav" mean?

From Quiz General and Executioner

Answer: God is the Father

The name "Yoav" is made up of "Yo" which signifies God, and "Av" which means "Father". Yoav was the second of three sons. His older brother had an element of "father" in his name whereas his younger brother had an element of "God" in his name; it makes sense that Yoav's name would be a blending of the two.

From Quiz Amazing Men! How Biblical They Were!

Answer: Samson

Samson was a judge of Israel and the Hercules of the Old Testament. Despite his super-human strength, however, he could not escape tragedy. He made a series of bad decisions and mistakes, and fell in love with Delilah, a woman from the Valley of Sorek. Some Philistines bribed Delilah into collaborating with them to discover the secret of Samson's strength. She eventually learned that cutting his hair would sap him of his power, and while he slept in her lap, a co-conspirator shaved off Samson's seven braids. The Philistines gouged out Samson's eyes and subjected him to hard labor in Gaza. Samson prayed for deliverance, and he got it. During a pagan sacrificial ritual, the Philistines paraded their prize prisoner in their temple. Samson pushed against the pillars of the temple with all his might, and the entire structure collapsed, killing everyone inside. You can read more details of the story of Samson and Delilah in Judges, ch. 13-16.

From Quiz The Miracles of Elijah and Elisha -- #1

Answer: Jordan

Elijah parted the Jordan River when he struck it with his cloak, as per 2 Kings 2:8. The verse states Elijah took his cloak, rolled it up and struck the water with it. Miraculously, the water "divided to the right and to the left" and Elijah and Elisha crossed over on dry land. It was just after this incident Elisha requested he receive a double portion of Elijah's spirit. Scripture goes on to tell of Elisha using Elijah's cloak to also part the Jordan River.

From Quiz Memoirs of Biblical Leaders

Answer: Moses

Moses was called by God to deliver the Israelites from Egyptian bondage. The Israelites were not the easiest set of persons to lead as they were given to complaining and murmuring. Moses, who is renowned for his meekness, was so frustrated by those he led that he struck the rock instead of heeding God's command to speak to it. As a result of his action he was told that he would not enter Canaan but would die in the wilderness. (Numbers 20)

From Quiz BBB Bible Series: Daniel Did It!

Answer: God Is My Judge

The name Daniye'l or Dani'el means "God Is My Judge" when translated into English; Dan meaning "to judge" and El meaning "God. Daniel was around sixteen years old when his nation was taken into Babylonian captivity, and most of his life was spent as a captive during that 70-year time-frame.

From Quiz Feet of Clay

Answer: Jeremiah

"This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: I will put an iron yoke on the necks of all these nations to make them serve Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and they will serve him." [Jeremiah 28:14] At a time when the people of Judah had become wicked, the Lord sent his prophet Jeremiah to prophesy against them, suggesting that they might listen and turn from their evil ways. The people of Judah threatened to put Jeremiah to death, but only ended up imprisoning him. Because they did not listen, the Lord decreed that all the kingdoms of the area would be subjected to Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon. Nebuchadnezzar eventually came and conquered all the kingdoms of the area, even making the Egyptians fear him.

From Quiz "Who's Your Momma?"

Answer: Rachel

Genesis 30:1; 22-25 tells us Rachel was barren, and blamed her husband because she had no children. The Lord remembered Rachel and opened her womb, and she conceived, and bore a son. She named him Joseph.

From Quiz The Art Bible - The Old Testament

Answer: God and Adam

Michelangelo Buonarroti (1475-1564) was one of the greatest artists in the Italian Renaissance. He considered himself to be a sculptor, and some of his sculptures are indeed world famous - for instance his "David". But although Michelangelo didn't feel himself a (good) painter, his frescos for the Sistine Chapel are very famous too. On the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel Michelangelo painted nine scenes from the book of Genesis. The fourth division of the ceiling contains the "Creation of Adam", with the scene I've mentioned in the question. Adam, a handsome young man (fully nude) lies reclining, and points his left hand to the other character. God, an elderly bearded man in a pink-purple robe, is hovering towards Adam, pointing his right hand out. The index fingers of both hands almost touch. Another division of the ceiling contains "The Drunkenness of Noah". In this painting, the nude Noah has fallen asleep after enjoying too much of the just harvested wine. His sons Ham and Japheth walk backwards towards him (in order not to observe his nakedness) and cover him with a drape. Jonah and Zechariah are two of the seven prophets Michelangelo depicted at the walls, just at the edge of the ceiling. The others are Joel, Isaiah, Ezekiel, Daniel and Jeremiah. Michelangelo's painting "Leda and the Swan" is based upon Greek myth and was not inspired by the Bible.

From Quiz Who in Judges Are They?

Answer: Othniel

What a great way to start out the leadership period after Joshua died, with the first judge being a warrior who had faith in God! Joshua and Caleb had been known for their bravery and faith as some of the spies Moses sent into Canaan before the Israelites took the land. Their faith had been well respected by the next generation because they were the only ones that survived the next forty years after Israel's lack of faith for not taking the promise land the first time. When the Israelites ended their forty years of wandering and conquered the promise land, Joshua and Caleb were their leaders. However, the great time period of their leadership was coming to a close as Joshua and Caleb became older. They had to find leaders to take their place and there were still areas that were unconquered. Othniel the son of Kenaz was actually Caleb's nephew but became his son-in-law by taking on the challenge Caleb issued! "And Caleb said, He that smiteth Kirjathsepher, and taketh it, to him will I give Achsah my daughter to wife. And Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother, took it: and he gave him Achsah his daughter to wife" (Judges 1:12-13). Caleb's daughter was presented as a prize for victory, but Caleb had also ensured that he would fulfill his own duty as a father to his daughter. In Biblical times it was the father's duty to find his daughter a suitable husband who would take care of his daughter. Caleb's actions did result in her finding a good man, because Othniel was a brave and strong man who had faith in God. The Bible does not give the details of how Othniel accomplished Caleb's challenge, it only says that he captured the mountain. Othniel married Caleb's daughter and became the first judge after Joshua. He led Israel for forty years.

From Quiz Great Kings of Old

Answer: David

King David was the second King of the Kingdom of Israel after King Saul's reign. King David established Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. Jesus Christ was a descendant of King David. The biblical account about David came from the Book of Samuel and the Book of Chronicles.

From Quiz Find the Incorrect Answer (Old Testament) #4

Answer: His son Mephibosheth was lame in both feet.

Yes, Mephibosheth was lame in both feet, but he wasn't Saul's son. He was actually Saul's grandson. Saul's son Jonathan was the father of Mephibosheth, as per 2 Samuel 4:4. 1 Samuel 9:2 in the NKJV describes Saul as being tall and good looking. "There was not a more handsome person than he among the children of Israel," the verse states. "From his shoulders upward he was taller than any of the people." 1 Samuel 10:17-27 tells of Saul being proclaimed the first king of Israel. Meanwhile, 1 Samuel 18:27 tells of Saul's daughter becoming the wife of David. As a result, he was a father-in-law of David.

From Quiz Find the Incorrect Answer (Old Testament) #3

Answer: He was the first person to enter 'The Promised Land'.

Although he led the Israelites for forty years after their exodus out of Egypt, Moses did not live to enter Canaan, or 'The Promised Land'. According to Deuteronomy 34:1-2, Moses died on Mount Nebo, just prior to the Israelites being led into 'The Promised Land' by Joshua. Exodus 2 tells of Moses killing an unnamed Egyptian who was attacking an Israelite with the end result he fled to Midian. Exodus 4:14 and Exodus 15:20 confirms his brother was Aaron and his sister was Miriam. According to Numbers 12:1 in the KJV and NKJV, Moses married an Ethiopian woman. (The NIV describes his wife as a Cushite rather than an Ethiopian.) Scripture goes to to tell of Miriam and Aaron grumbling about her.

From Quiz Find the Incorrect Answer (Old Testament) #2

Answer: Sarah was extremely young when she gave birth to Isaac.

Sarah was anything but extremely young when she gave birth to Isaac. According to Scripture, Abraham was 100 years old and Sarah was 90 when she became pregnant. It might be difficult for some to believe, but according to Genesis 17:17, it's true. When Abraham heard the pronouncement of Sarah's impending pregnancy from God, he couldn't believe it either. The verse, in the NKJV Bible, states: "Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed, and said in his heart, 'Shall a child be born to a man who is one hundred years old? And shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?'" Genesis 17:15, in the NKJV, tells of God giving Sarai her new name: "Then God said to Abraham, 'As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name.'" According to Genesis 20:12, Sarah and Abraham had the same father, Terah. However, they had different mothers. In other words, Sarah was Abraham's half sister. Genesis 11:27-29, in the NKJV, gives Abram's lineage: "This is the genealogy of Terah: Terah begot Abram, Nahor, and Haran. Haran begot Lot. And Haran died before his father Terah in his native land, in Ur of the Chaldeans. Then Abram and Nahor took wives: the name of Abram's wife was Sarai, and the name of Nahor's wife, Milcah, the daughter of Haran the father of Milcah and the father of Iscah." According to Scripture, Sarah was guilty of lying directly to God. Scripture states Sarah started laughing when she overheard the LORD tell her husband Abraham that she would give birth to a son, even though she was "well advanced in age". When the LORD rebuked Sarah for laughing, she denied she had done such a thing. Genesis 18:10-15 gives this account in the NKJV Bible: "And He said, 'I will certainly return to you according to the time of life, and behold, Sarah your wife shall have a son.' (Sarah was listening in the tent door which was behind him.) Now Abraham and Sarah were old, well advanced in age; and Sarah had passed the age of childbearing. Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, 'After I have grown old, shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?' And the LORD said to Abraham, 'Why did Sarah laugh, saying, 'Shall I surely bear a child, since I am old?' Is anything too hard for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.' But Sarah denied it, saying, 'I did not laugh,' for she was afraid. And He said, 'No, but you did laugh!'"

From Quiz Find the Incorrect Answer (Old Testament)

Answer: He impregnated Zilpah, his wife's handmaiden.

Abraham, according to Scripture did indeed impregnate the handmaiden of his wife Sarah. However, the handmaiden's name was Hagar, not Zilpah. (Zilpah was the handmaiden of Leah, the wife of Jacob.) According to Genesis 16:3, Sarah gave permission to Abraham to sleep with Hagar, her Egyptian handmaiden, when she was unable to conceive. Abraham was originally known as Abram, as per Genesis 17:5. Scripture tells of him pretending to officials on two different occasions his wife was actually his sister. The incidents are reported in Genesis 12 and 20. In both cases, they were living in foreign lands (Egypt and Gerar) and Abraham was convinced he would be killed if the ruler knew Sarah, who was extremely beautiful, was his wife. In other words, he would be killed and his wife would be taken to the harem of the ruler. His life was spared but true to his suspicions, Sarah was taken and put into a harem on two different occasions. In Genesis 12, Sarah, who was then known as Sarai, was placed in the harem of the Pharaoh and in Genesis 20 she was placed in the harem of Abimelech king of Gerar. In both cases she would be set free due to divine intervention, Scripture reports. According to Genesis 24, Abraham sent the "oldest servant" of his house on a mission to get a wife for his son Isaac. Many theologians believe the servant was Eliezer, who is mentioned in Genesis 15:2-3.

From Quiz Who's Your Daddy?

Answer: Terah

See Joshua 24:2. The ancestors of Israel worshiped other gods. One of these ancestors was Terah, the father of Abraham.

From Quiz Whale Rider

Answer: Nazareth

Interestingly, the majority of the population of Nazareth are Muslims (and have been for quite some time). While some scholars dispute whether the "Nazareth" referred to in the Bible is actually the city we know today as located near Galilee, the Arabs seem to have no question on the matter. They often named settlements according to "nisba" - that is, named after a significant person who lived in a specific area. Their name for Nazareth transliterates in English to "an-Nasira", which roughly means "followers of Jesus".

From Quiz Word Association -- Old Testament Characters #15

Answer: Nehemiah

Not much is known about the personal life of Nehemiah, apart from the fact he had a brother called Hanani and their father was Hacaliah, as per Nehemiah 1:1-2. Facing gigantic odds, Nehemiah successfully rebuilt the wall around Jerusalem. In Biblical times, walls around cities were a common feature as they were used to keep occupants safe from intruders. Although Nehemiah rebuilt the wall around Jerusalem, it is not unanimous that he wrote the Old Testament book that bears his name. Some believe Ezra wrote the book, relying on Nehemiah's memories. Those who believe Ezra wrote the book point out that Nehemiah 7:5-73 and Ezra 2:1-70 are almost identical.

From Quiz Word Association -- Old Testament Characters #14

Answer: Ishbosheth

Ishbosheth is the correct answer. It's a bit of a long story, but Ishbosheth was the son of Saul and after his father died he became king of Israel. However, the people of Judah enthroned David as their king and the Israelites were involved in a bloody civil was a result. The war came to an end with Ishbosheth's death. 2 Kings 4:4-8 in the NKJV explains Ishbosheth's gruesome death this way: "Then the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, Rechab and Baanah, set out and came at about the heat of the day to the house of Ishbosheth, who was lying on his bed at noon. And they came there, all the way into the house, as though to get wheat, and they stabbed him in the stomach. Then Rechab and Baanah his brother escaped. For when they came into the house, he was lying on his bed in his bedroom; then they struck him and killed him, beheaded him and took his head, and were all night escaping through the plain. And they brought the head of Ishbosheth to David at Hebron, and said to the king, 'Here is the head of Ishbosheth, the son of Saul your enemy, who sought your life; and the Lord has avenged my lord the king this day of Saul and his descendants.'" Scripture goes on to state that the assassination angered David and he reacted by ordering the execution of the killers. The chapter concludes by stating David's "young men" executed the assassins, cut off their hands and feet, and hanged them by the pool in Hebron. Then they took the head of Ishbosheth and buried it in the tomb of Abner in Hebron.

From Quiz Word Association -- Old Testament Characters #13

Answer: David

David, of course, is the correct answer. The Book of Psalms consist of 150 chapters and David, a shepherd in his earlier years, is credited with writing the vast majority of the submissions. Psalm 23 is, without question, the best known Psalm. Here's how it reads in its entirety in the NKJV: "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever."

From Quiz Word Association -- Old Testament Characters #12

Answer: Mordecai

The correct answer is Mordecai. According to the eighth chapter of Esther, Mordecai was promoted by the king known as Ahasuerus in the NKJV Bible and Xerxes in the NIV. At the same time, Haman was executed on the very gallows he had constructed to hang Mordecai. Esther 8:15-16 in the NKJV states: "So Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal apparel of blue and white, with a great crown of gold and a garment of fine linen and purple." Esther 10:3 goes on to explain Mordecai became the second most powerful man in the land ruled by Ahasuerus/Xerxes. Haman, of course, had a diabolical plan to exterminate all the Jews in Persia. He was thwarted, however, by Esther and her cousin Mordecai.

From Quiz Word Association -- Old Testament Characters #11

Answer: The Pharaoh

The first report of a birthday party in Scripture involves a celebration by the Pharaoh. According to Genesis 40:20-22, the chief cupbearer was restored to his position and the chief baker was hanged on the third day of the Pharaoh's birthday celebration. The fates of the cupbearer and the baker were accurately predicted by Joseph who was imprisoned with the two men. Joseph, of course, was able to predict the fates of the two men when he interpreted their dreams. Genesis 40:20-22, in the NIV Bible, states: "Now the third day was Pharaoh's birthday, and he gave a feast for all his officials. He lifted up the heads of the chief cupbearer and the chief baker in the presence of his officials: He restored the chief cupbearer to his position, so that he once again put the cup into Pharaoh's hand -- but he impaled the chief baker, just as Joseph had said to them in his interpretation." Later, Joseph would be called upon to interpret the Pharaoh's dreams. The Pharaoh ended up being so impressed with Joseph's interpretations that he made him the second most powerful man in Egypt.

From Quiz Word Association -- Old Testament Characters #10

Answer: Vashti

Vashti is the correct answer. There's no mistaking the fact she was independent minded and believed in taking a stand -- regardless of the consequences. In fact, she could very well have been the world's first women's libber. Queen Vashti was deposed after she refused to obey a request of the king who is known as as Ahasuerus in the KJV and NKJV Bibles and as Xerxes in the NIV. In Esther 1:10, it states the king asked Queen Vashti to wear her royal crown and come before him to "display her beauty" to the people and the nobles. Esther 1:12, in the NIV Bible, states: "But when the attendants delivered the king's command, Queen Vashti refused to come. Then the king became furious and burned with anger." It was the end for her and a new beginning for Esther who would become queen. Esther, of course, would play a major role in preventing a diabolical plan by Haman to exterminate the Jews from coming to fruition. Meanwhile, there is no further mention of Vashti in Scripture.

From Quiz Word Association -- Old Testament Characters #9

Answer: Gomorrah

Gomorrah, of course, is the correct answer. It was a city on the plain of Sidon which was destroyed by brimstone and fire, as per Genesis 19:24. According to the Website Christiananswers.net, Gomorrah means 'submersion'. Whenever the place name Gomorrah appears in Scripture, it is always mentioned after Sodom, which was destroyed by brimstone and fire at the same time. The destruction of the two cities is also mentioned in the New Testament -- 2 Peter 2:6 and Jude 1:4-7.

From Quiz Word Association -- Old Testament Characters #8

Answer: Asenath

Asenath was Joseph's wife. According to Genesis 46:20, Joseph and Asenath were the parents to two boys -- Manasseh and Ephraim. The name of Asenath's father was Potipherah, as per the KJV. However, not much is known about him as he is mentioned in passing reference. Genesis 41:45 states he was the priest of On. (In the NKJV, his name is spelled Poti-Pherah and in the NIV it's Potiphera.)

From Quiz Word Association -- Old Testament Characters #7

Answer: Michal

Michal is the correct answer. All four women in the answers were wives of David; however, Michal was also the daughter of Saul, according to Scripture. It's a bit of a long story, but Saul ordered David to produce the foreskins from 100 Philistines to win Michal's hand as he firmly believed David would be killed in the process and he would no longer have to contend with him. According to the 18th chapter of 1 Samuel, David killed twice as many Philistines as needed and easily won Michal's hand, much to the consternation of Saul.

From Quiz Word Association -- Old Testament Characters #6

Answer: Gideon

According to Judges 6:30-32, Gideon was given the name Jerubbaal by his father Joash after he had destroyed the altar of Baal. In the NIV, Jerubbaal is spelled Jerub-Baal. The Web site Christiananswers.net reports Jerubbaal means "contender with Baal or, let Baal plead." The name Jerubbaal appears a number of different times in the Old Testament, notably in Judges 6:32, 7:1 and 8:29.

From Quiz Word Association -- Old Testament Characters #5

Answer: Gideon

When the LORD told Gideon he would be used to save the people of Israel, the sixth chapter of Judges indicates he was filled with doubt. So to make sure what he had been told to him was true, Gideon told the LORD to confirm the fact by giving him a sign. To this end, Gideon announced he would put a wool fleece on the threshing floor and if there was dew only on the fleece and all the ground was dry, he would know that he would indeed be able to save the people of Israel. Scripture reports Gideon rose early the next day and he squeezed the fleece and wrung out the dew -- a bowlful of water. But this wasn't enough for him. Much like a doubting Thomas, he demanded yet another sign. Then Gideon said he would conduct one more test with the fleece, "but this time make the fleece dry and let the ground be covered with dew." Scripture reports Gideon found the fleece was dry and all the ground was covered with dew. Gideon was a judge of Israel and his story appears in chapters 6 through 8 in Judges.

From Quiz Word Association -- Old Testament Characters #4

Answer: Gehazi

Gehazi is the correct answer. It's a long story, but after Naaman was cured of leprosy he offered Elisha a reward which the prophet declined. Scripture reports Gehazi caught up with Naaman after his departure and asked to receive a talent of silver and two sets of clothing. Naaman promptly responded to Gehazi's request, giving him two talents of silver and two sets of clothing. Later, Gehazi would deny his actions to Elisha and after he left the prophet's presence, Scripture reports he was leprous, as white as snow. The account of Gehazi being afflicted with leprosy is found in 2 Kings 5:20-27.

From Quiz Word Association -- Old Testament Characters #3

Answer: Miriam

Miriam, the sister of Moses and Aaron, is associated with the timbrel. She gets the distinction from Exodus 15:20-21, which tells of the song of Miriam during a glorious victory celebration during the exodus of the Israelites out of Egypt. The timbrel was front and center in that celebration. Exodus 15:20-21, in the NKJV, states: "Then Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took the timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances. And Miriam answered them: 'Sing to the LORD, For He has triumphed gloriously! The horse and its rider He has thrown into the sea!'" According to Scripture, the Egyptian army drowned when the LORD parted the Red Sea enabling the Israelites to leave Egypt while on a 40-year journey to Canaan, known as the Promised Land. After the Israelites had crossed over, the Red Sea closed in on the Egyptian army which was in pursuit, as per the 14th chapter of Exodus.

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