Biblical Alphabetics -- The Letter 'L' Quiz

Answer: Laban

Laban is the correct answer. There's no disputing the fact he was shrewd and devious. Laban got fourteen years of labor out of Jacob, largely by tricking him. Jacob agreed to work for seven years for Laban if he could marry his younger daughter Rachel.

However, at the end of seven years, Laban gave Jacob his older daughter Leah in marriage, saying "it is not our custom here to give the younger daughter in marriage before the older one." So, Jacob agreed to work an additional seven years for Rachel's hand.

It's a case of what goes around, comes around. After all, Jacob was a master deceiver as he had duped his elderly father Isaac into giving him his blessing over his twin brother Esau, as per Genesis 27: 1-40. After this incident, Jacob ended up fleeing as Esau plotted to kill him.

Answer: Lamech

The account of Lamech confessing he murdered a man appears in the fourth chapter of Genesis, the same chapter in which the report about Cain killing Abel appears. In Geneses 4:23, Lamech tells his wives Adah and Zillah he killed a young man for injuring him.

The name of the victim is not disclosed and there are no other details. However, he states in the verse "if Cain is avenged seven times, then Lamech seventy-seven times."

Answer: Levi

Levi was the son of Jacob and Leah and the founder of one of the 12 tribes of Israel. Leah was also the mother of five other boys -- Reuben, Simeon, Judah, Issachar and Zebulun. Levi is perhaps best known for going on a killing spree with his brother Simeon after Shechem defiled their sister Dinah, as per the 34th chapter of Genesis.

Answer: Lot

Lot is the correct answer. After being together for some time, Abraham and Lot decided to split up because they were quarreling. According to Genesis 13:12, Abram lived in Canaan while Lot opted to pitch his his tents near Sodom. One of the best known stories in the Old Testament involves the LORD bringing down burning sulfur on Sodom and Gomorrah because of its wickedness, with Lot and his family fleeing.

However, Genesis 19:26 states Lot's wife (no name is given) was turned into a pillar of salt because she looked back.

Answer: Leah

Leah, the sister of Rachel, is the correct answer. Both women were married to Jacob. However, Scripture makes it clear Rachel was highly favored over Leah. In fact, Jacob never wanted to marry Leah and was tricked into doing so by her father Laban. The story is told in the 29th chapter of Genesis.

Answer: lilies

The correct answer is lilies. According to information from various Web sites, the lily is seen as a symbol of purity and resurrection. (Hence, Easter lilies.) Many theologians believe Jesus used the lily as an example of why people should not worry, but trust in God. Notes in the NKJV Study Bible state: "Even the wealthy King Solomon did not clothe himself as God has clothed the lilies."

Verse 28, in the NKJV, goes on to state: "If then God so clothes the grass, which today is in the field and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will He clothe you, O you of little faith?"

"If God takes care of the lilies, surely he will take care of you": this is one interpretation of the message of this Scripture.

Answer: Lazarus

Yes, Lazarus, the brother of Mary and Martha, is the correct answer. The report of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead at Bethany is perhaps Christ's most famous miracle. Scripture states the man had been dead for four days and in John 11:39, Martha was not keen about the stone being rolled away from Lazarus' tomb because of concern about the "stench" from the body. In other words, the funeral was over a long time ago and Lazarus was as dead as they come. According to Wikipedia, rigor mortis lasts for about 72 hours, or three days. In this case, the rigor mortis was over and now the body was starting to decay in the hot Mediterranean sun.

John 11:43, in the NIV Bible, quotes Jesus as saying: "Lazarus, come out!" And, according to Scripture, that's exactly what he did to the astonishment of everyone.

Answer: Luke

Luke, of course, is the correct answer. Luke was a worker in the early church who often labored behind the scenes with Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles. The Gospel of Luke contains a number of accounts which don't appear elsewhere. For example, details about the dying thief on the cross being assured he would enter paradise and the healing of the ten lepers are found in only Luke. Details about the parables of the Good Samaritan and the Prodigal Son are also found only in Luke. Meanwhile, the book of Acts is seen by many as a history of the beginning of the early church in Turkey and Europe.

Answer: Lydia

Lydia was a dealer in purple cloth and she was converted to Christianity in Philippi, making her the first believer in Europe in a resurrected Jesus Christ. Many theologians believe Lydia was wealthy because Scripture states she was a seller of purple cloth. Purple was a coveted color in Biblical times and was extremely expensive, worn by royalty and the elite.

Answer: Lois

The grandmother's name was Lois, but little is known about her as she is mentioned in passing reference. 2 Timothy 1:5, in the NIV Bible, states: "I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also." Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles, is credited with writing the book of Timothy, and the recipient was a young worker in the early church.