Bible Talk Trivia Quiz

Answer: I'm being very explicit

In the book of Genesis, chapter 29, we can read the story of the Patriarch Jacob, who fell in love with Rachel and served her father Laban for seven years in order to marry her. However, Laban tricked Jacob and married him to Rachel's older, and less attractive sister, Leah.

When a Hebrew speaker says he is talking about "your younger daughter, Rachel", he means that he is being as specific as possible, and he expects to get Rachel, and not Leah. I'm sure your boss wouldn't be making a pass at you - there are very strict laws in Israel about sexual harassment in the workplace!

Answer: On the third day of creation the Lord said "It is good" twice

The story of creation is described in the first chapter of the Book of Genesis. At the end of each day, we are told, "And the Lord saw it was good...". However, on the third day, the Lord twice describes His work as "good". The first time is in Genesis 1:10 "And G-d called the dry land Earth, and the gathering together of the of the waters He called Seas; and G-d saw that it was good".

The second time is in Genesis 1:12 "And the earth brought forth grass, herb yielding seed after its kind, and tree bearing fruit, wherein is the seed thereof, after its kind; and G-d saw that it was good." Since the third day of the week in Jewish calendars is Tuesday, it is considered a lucky day in Jewish tradition.

Answer: The Scroll of Esther

The Book of Esther is one of the most dramatic stories found in the Bible. In it, one can read how King Ahasuerus was tricked into ordering the destruction of the Jewish people by the evil Haman, and how his plan was foiled by the combined forces of the wise Mordechai and the beautiful Esther.

When Esther goes to the king, uninvited, to plead for her people, she knows she is putting her life at risk. However, the king reaches out his scepter to her, and says, "What do you want, my Queen; I will give you half of the kingdom".

This has since become an expression meaning "I'll give you whatever you want".

Answer: The darkness of Egypt

Darkness was the ninth plague which the Lord visited upon Egypt, while trying to convince Pharaoh to release the Hebrew slaves. This is described in Exodus 10:21 "Stretch out thy hand toward heaven, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, even darkness which may be felt". Extreme darkness is described by Hebrew speakers as "the darkness of Egypt."

Answer: Dividing

After escaping from Egypt, the Hebrew children, under Moses' leadership, came to the Red Sea. Pharaoh and all his army were pursuing them - it looked hopeless. But then an incredible event occurred, which is described in Exodus 14:21 "and the LORD caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all the night, and made the sea dry land, and waters were divided." Extremely difficult tasks are often described by Hebrew speakers as "dividing the Reed (Red) Sea". Nachshon was said to be the first person to cross the sea.

Answer: The handwriting

This is one of the Biblical expressions used in Hebrew that is also used in English. The fifth chapter of the Book of Daniel describes how a mysterious hand wrote the words "mene mene tekel upharsin" on the wall of King Belshazzar's palace. Daniel is summoned to decipher the message, and tells the king he has been judged and found wanting.

Although the phrase "the handwriting on the wall" does not actually appear in the Bible, the image of the handwriting on the palace wall is so strong that it has gained international recognition.

Answer: All of these

The expression "to find favor in (someone's) eyes is found in many places in the Bible. For example, in the Book of Ruth 2:13, Ruth says to Boaz "May I continue to find favor in your eyes, my lord, you have given me comfort and have spoken kindly to me".

Although this turn of phrase sounds quaint in English, it is still used in modern Hebrew. The juxtaposition of this ancient term with modern, technological vocabulary might be startling, but in Israel, one is accustomed to mixing the old with the new!

Answer: Kings I

In I Kings, 18:29, we read a story about the prophet Elijah, who offered a challenge to idol-worshipping priests. The priests called out to Baal, their god, "from the morning until noon, but there was no voice or answer". Parents, teachers and lecturers who are met with thundering silence when they ask a question, frequently quote from the Book of Kings!

Answer: Jacob placed Rachel and Joseph behind the rest of his family

Jacob, as you probably remember, stole the birthright from his brother, Esau. After some years Jacob met up again with his brother, and was afraid that he would take revenge on him. In Genesis 33: 1-2 we read " And Jacob lifted up his eyes, and looked, and, behold, Esau came, and with him four hundred men. And he divided the children unto Leah, and unto Rachel, and unto the two handmaids. And he put the handmaids and their children foremost, and Leah and her children after, and Rachel and Joseph hindermost." In the end, Esau and Jacob had a positive reunion, falling on one another's neck and introducing their families.

The description of the way Jacob organized his large family when he feared they were in danger, has given rise to the Hebrew expression "Last, last, beloved", although these specific words do no appear in the Bible.

Answer: Moses

In Deuteronomy 34:7 we can read "And Moses was a hundred and twenty years old when he died; his eye was not dim, nor his natural forces abated". For Hebrew speakers, 120 years signifies the ideal life span. It is quite common to toast someone at his birthday by wishing him to live "until 120", although a modern twist wishes the celebrant to "live until one hundred as if you were twenty".

A chain of nursing homes in Israel is called "until 120".