An 'Alex Trebek' Old Testament Quiz -- #17

Answer: Who is Melchizedek?

Melchizedek is described as the king of Salem and priest of God Most High in Genesis 14:18 in the KJV, NKJV and NIV. Scripture goes on to tell of Melchizedek blessing Abram, who would later become known as Abraham.

Interestingly, Melchizedek's name appears more times in the New Testament than in the Old Testament. Using the NKJV, for example, the name Melchizedek appears twice in the Old Testament and nine times in the New Testament. All the New Testament references are in Hebrews 5, 6 and 7.

Answer: Who are Ahinoam and Abigail?

Ahinoam and Abigail, two of David's wives, were taken captive by a raiding party of Amalekites. In addition to Ahinoam and Abigail, Scripture states the raiding party captured a number of men, women and children at Ziklag. David, however, was successful in tracking down the captors and freeing all the captives. For details, see 1 Samuel 30:1-30.

Answer: Who is Moses?

Moses described himself to God as "slow of speech and slow of tongue" in Exodus 4:10 in the NKJV, claiming he would be incapable of leading the Israelites or meeting with the Pharaoh to seek permission for the Israelitess to leave Egypt. Nevertheless, Moses would eventually assume the arduous task of leading the Israelites to Canaan, known as the Promised Land, with assistance from his brother Aaron. According to Exodus 7:7, Moses was eighty years old and Aaron was eighty-three when they first met with the Pharaoh seeking permission to lead the Israelites out of Egypt.

Answer: Who is Micah?

Micah writes about the "One to be Ruler" coming from Bethlehem in Micah 5:2 of the NKJV. (The title 'Ruler' is also used in the KJV and the NIV, however, the NIV does not use a capital 'R'.) The statement about the "One to be Ruler" coming from Bethlehem is interpreted by Christians to be in reference to the birth of Jesus Christ.

I find it interesting that while many of the prophets in the Old Testament tell of doom and gloom for Israel, Micah also writes about future blessings.

Out of the four options given as answers, Micah is the only one who wrote a book in the Minor Prophet section. Jeremiah was a major prophet, while Saul and Abraham are not credited with writing any books in the Old Testament.

Answer: Who is Ben-Hesed?

Ben-Hesed was one of twelve regional governors responsible for providing food and supplies for King Solomon for one month each year. 1 Kings 4:10 states Ben-Hesed governed over the district of Arubboth.

In addition to Ben-Hesed, the eleven other governors were Ben-Hur, Ben-Deker, Ben-Abinadab, Baana, Ben-Geber, Ahinadab, Ahimaaz, Baanah, Jehoshaphat, Shimei and Geber.

See 1 Kings 4:7-19 for more details.

Answer: Who is Bethuel?

Bethuel was the father of Laban and Rebecca, as per Genesis 25:20. Not much is known about Bethuel as he is mentioned in passing reference. However, Genesis 24:24 states he was the son of Nahor and Milcah.

Rebecca would become the wife of Isaac while Laban would become the father of Leah and Rachel. Laban's two daughters would both end up marrying Jacob.

Answer: Who is Eliphaz?

Eliphaz was one of three friends who attempted to comfort Job after he suffered through some horrible tragedies which involved everything from ten of his children being killed to his immense wealth being taken from him. Eliphaz was a Temanite who was accompanied by Bildad a Shuhite and Zophar a Naamathite. Elihu, a fourth friend, appears in Job 32. Their conversations with Job are a major portion of the Book of Job.

Answer: Who is Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz?

Using versions such as the NKJV and the NIV, Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz is the longest name in the Bible, as per Isaiah 8:1. (In the KJV, the name appears without any hyphens.) The name means "Speed the Spoil, Hasten the Booty," according to notes in the MKJV Study Bible.

Isaiah 8:1-3 states Isaiah was commanded to write the name in large characters on a tablet and afterwards to give as a symbolical name to his son. Some commentaries I have read state the name was in reference to a sudden attack by the Assyrian army on Damascus and Syria.

Answer: What is Ruth?

Using Bible versions such as the KJV, NKJV and the NIV, the Book of Ruth appears immediately after Judges in the Old Testament. Ruth is followed by 1 Samuel.

The Book of Ruth is largely about a widowed Moabite woman and her romance with Boaz, a Jewish landowner. The two married and became the great grandparents of King David.

Answer: What is Jeremiah?

Using Bible versions such as the KJV, NKJV and the NIV, Jeremiah is the only Old Testament book consisting of fivty-two chapters. The book was written by Jeremiah, known as the Weeping Prophet.

For the record, Genesis has fifty chapters, Daniel has twelve chapters and Haggai has two.