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Quiz about Biblical Origins of American PlaceNames

Biblical Origins of American Place-Names Quiz

The American pioneers were avid Bible readers and often drew inspiration from the Bible when naming places in the New World. This quiz will match Biblical places with their American namesakes. All references are from the Jewish Tanach (Old Testament).

A multiple-choice quiz by janetgool. Estimated time: 6 mins.

Author
janetgool

Time
6 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
252,910

Updated
Sep 20 24

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Difficult

Avg Score
4 / 10

Plays
2654

Awards
Top 20% Quiz

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. This Pennsylvania town may have been named after the place where the Biblical matriarch Rachel died, or it may have been named after the place Jesus was born. What town is it? Hint

Goshen

Salem

Ephrata

Nazareth

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Question 2 of 10

2. When the sons of Jacob migrated to Egypt, they settled in this area. What Indiana town is named after this Biblical site? Hint

Moab

Alexandria

Cairo

Goshen

NEXT>

Question 3 of 10

3. In Biblical times, Joshua brought down the walls of this town. What New York town is named after it?

Answer: (One Word)

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Question 4 of 10

4. In the book of Genesis, Jacob is given the additional name of "Israel". What Connecticut town is named after the place where this happened? Hint

Salem

Bethel

Jerusalem

Zion

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Question 5 of 10

5. This town in Washington State is named after a city build by Rehoboam, as described in the book of Chronicles. What city is it? Hint

Moriah

Pisgah

Arad

Tekoa

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Question 6 of 10

6. This Delaware beach resort is named after a "wide place" described in Genesis, where the patriarch Isaac dug a well. What is it? Hint

Merchavia

Rehoboth

Beer-Sheba

Bethany

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Question 7 of 10

7. The prophet Samuel rebukes King Saul in this place. What exclusive California community is named after it? Hint

Carmel

Jaffa

Monterey

Mt. Moriah

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Question 8 of 10

8. Here is another place from Samuel I. King Saul and his three sons died on this mountain. What New York town is named after it? Hint

Gilboa

Hebron

Tabor

Pisgah

NEXT>

Question 9 of 10

9. Moses saw the Holy Land from this range of mountains. What Arkansas town is named after it? Hint

Pisgah

Horeb

Sinai

Gilboa

10. And now for our last question! These two rivers, one in the Holy Land and one in Utah, share the same name. They both connect a fresh water lake to a salt water lake. What is the name of the river?

Answer: (One Word)

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. This Pennsylvania town may have been named after the place where the Biblical matriarch Rachel died, or it may have been named after the place Jesus was born. What town is it?

Answer: Ephrata

According to Genesis 35:19 "And Rachel died, and was buried in the way to Ephrath . . .". The modern community of Ephrath in Israel is about 20 minutes from Jerusalem. Ephrata is also, possibly, an old name for the town of Bethlehem.

Ephrata, Pennsylvania, is in the heart of the Pennsylvania Dutch country and is a popular site for visitors to the area.

2. When the sons of Jacob migrated to Egypt, they settled in this area. What Indiana town is named after this Biblical site?

Answer: Goshen

"And he sent Judah before him unto Joseph, to show the way before him unto Goshen . . ."(Gen. 46:28). Goshen Indiana is home to Goshen College.

3. In Biblical times, Joshua brought down the walls of this town. What New York town is named after it?

Answer: Jericho

Jericho, New York, is located in Nassau County on Long Island. The Biblical Jericho is considered the oldest continuously settled city in the world. It is located 825 feet below sea level, and in recent times has been governed by Jordan, Israel and the Palestinian Authority.

4. In the book of Genesis, Jacob is given the additional name of "Israel". What Connecticut town is named after the place where this happened?

Answer: Bethel

Bethel, Conn., is a small town founded in 1855. It is named after the Biblical Beit El, mentioned in Genesis 35:15. The modern town of Bethel is north of Jerusalem.

5. This town in Washington State is named after a city build by Rehoboam, as described in the book of Chronicles. What city is it?

Answer: Tekoa

Tekoa is cited in Chronicles 2 11:6. The modern town of Tekoa is home to veteran Israelis and immigrants from a host of countries. Tekoa, Washington, is 34 miles southeast of Spokane.

6. This Delaware beach resort is named after a "wide place" described in Genesis, where the patriarch Isaac dug a well. What is it?

Answer: Rehoboth

See Genesis 26:22. Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, is a popular Atlantic Ocean resort. The modern city of Rehoboth, Israel, is home to the Weitzman Institute of Science, a leading academic institution.

7. The prophet Samuel rebukes King Saul in this place. What exclusive California community is named after it?

Answer: Carmel

Clint Eastwood was once mayor of Carmel-by-the Sea California, a town on the Pacific Coast. According to commentators, the Carmel mentioned in Samuel I 15:12 was south of Hebron, in the Judaean Hills. The Carmel Mountains in modern Israel are along the northern coast.

8. Here is another place from Samuel I. King Saul and his three sons died on this mountain. What New York town is named after it?

Answer: Gilboa

Gilboa, New York is located in Schoharie County. It is a small town (pop.1215 in 2000) and suffered a serious flood in 1865. Interestingly, Schoharie County is also home to a town called "Sharon", another name taken from the Bible. Mount Gilboa, in north-east Israel, is home to several kibbutzim and parks.

9. Moses saw the Holy Land from this range of mountains. What Arkansas town is named after it?

Answer: Pisgah

"Pisgah" in Hebrew means "summit". Many mountains and towns in the US are called "Pisgah". The one in Arkansas is located in White County and was founded in 1819.

Answer: Jordan

The Biblical Jordan River, probably one of the most famous rivers in the world, flows from the Sea of Galilee (Kinneret) to the Dead Sea. Though not as wide as some songs might have one think, it still impresses and moves visitors and pilgrims from around the world.

The Jordan River in Utah connects Utah Lake with the Great Salt Lake, and was named for the Jordan River by Herbert C. Kimball in 1847, who remarked on the similarity of these two rivers. I hope you enjoyed this quiz!

Source: Author janetgool

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor minch before going online.
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