An 'Alex Trebek' Old Testament Quiz -- #5

Answer: Who is Naphtali?

Naphtali was one of two sons of Jacob and Bilah, as per Genesis 35:25. The other son was Dan. According to the verse, Bilhah was Rachel's handmaid. In total, Jacob was the father of twelve sons and one daughter with four different women.

Answer: Who is Lamech?

Many people know Cain was the first murderer in the Bible, but not as well known is the fact Lamech was the second killer. Both murders are documented in Genesis 4. Genesis 4:1-15 tells of Cain murdering his younger brother Abel while Genesis 4:23-24 tells of Lamech killing an unnamed man.

Going strictly by Scripture, Lamech was the first polygamist, with Adah and Zillah being his wives.

Answer: Who is Deborah?

Deborah was Rebekah's nurse, as per Genesis 35:8. However, little is known about her as she is mentioned in passing reference. The only verse in which Deborah is mentioned states that when she died she was "buried below Bethel under the terebinth tree" and the site was called Allon Bachuth. According to notes in the NKJV Study Bible, Allon Bachuth translates as Terebinth of Weeping.

There is a second Deborah in Scripture, of course. She was the only female judge of Israel and her exploits are documented in Judges 4 and 5.

Answer: Who is Shamgar?

Shamgar has the distinction of being a judge of Israel who killed no less than six hundred Philistines with an oxgoad. However, little is known about Shamgar as he is mentioned in only one verse, Judges 3:31. According to the verse, Shamgar was the son of Anath and similar to other judges, he "delivered" Israel.

Answer: Who is Ahithophel?

Ahithophel was an adviser to King David who became a traitor when he left to serve Absalom, who was staging a bloody coup attempt. While Ahithophel was known for providing David with sound advice, it was an entirely different matter when he counselled Absalom. Ahithophel's advice was eventually seen as being foolish and when he saw that no one was listening to him, he ended up committing suicide by hanging himself.

For details, see 2 Samuel 15, 16 and 17.

Answer: Who is Obadiah?

Ahab and his wife Jezebel were vehement opponents of the prophets of God but little did they know Obadiah, the head of their household, worked quietly and efficiently behind the scenes to protect the lives of the prophets. While Ahab and Jezebel were attempting to have all the prophets killed in Israel, Scripture tells of Obadiah hiding one hundred prophets in two different caves and giving them food and water.

Details appears in 1 Kings 18:3-4.

Answer: Who is Naaman?

Naaman was a Syrian army commander who was miraculously cleansed of leprosy after Elisha instructed him to wash seven times in the Jordan River. Initially, Naaman was outraged when he was told to wash in the Jordan, being convinced it wouldn't make any difference. However, Naaman's unnamed servants convinced him to follow Elisha's instructions and to his amazement he was cleansed of leprosy. In fact, the NKJV states "his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child and he was clean."

For complete details, see 2 Kings 5:1-19.

Answer: Who is Bildad?

Bildad and his two friends Eliphaz and Zophar, visited Job during his time of need. (Elihu would visit Job later.)

Scripture tells of Job's ten children being killed when a windstorm toppled the house they were in and he ended up in deplorable health. On top of this, Job was stripped of his immense wealth. Previously, Job had been the wealthiest man in the East.

The attempt by Job's visitors to comfort him was a dismal failure, as they only made matters worse by pointing an accusing finger at him.

There is a happy ending to Job's story, however. Scripture tells of him regaining his health and becoming the father of ten more children -- seven boys and three girls. On top of this, Job was blessed with twice as much wealth as before.

Answer: What is Mount Sinai?

Moses received the Ten Commandments from God on Mount Sinai. According to Exodus 19:18 in the NKJV, after God descended on Mount Sinai "it was completely in smoke... and the whole mountain quaked greatly." The Ten Commandments are listed in Exodus 20:1-17.

At the time, Moses was leading the Israelites on a forty-year-long journey from Egypt to Canaan, known as the Promised Land.

Answer: What is Malachi?

In addition to being the last book in the Old Testament of the Christian Bible, Malachi is also the last of twelve books in the Minor Prophet section. The book consists of four chapters.

It is possible Malachi was not the name of the writer of the book. Easton's Bible Dictionary states Malachi is not a proper name, with the name translating as God's messenger.