Biblical Alphabetics -- The Letter 'M' Quiz

Answer: Methuselah

Methuselah was the oldest person in the Bible, living for 969 years, according to Genesis 5:27. Holding down the second spot for the oldest living person in the Bible is Jared, who lived for 962 years as per Genesis 5:20. Adam, who lived for 930 years, was the third oldest person in the Bible, as per Genesis 5:5. Methuselah's longevity has given birth to today's comical expression that someone or something is "as old as Methuselah".

Answer: Mephibosheth

Mephibosheth was the son of Jonathan and grandson of Saul and Scripture reports he was "lame in both feet." David and Mephibosheth's father were the best of friends. This, even though Jonathan's father Saul devoted much of his latter life trying to kill David. 2 Samuel 9:7 states that David restored to Mephibosheth all the land that belonged to his grandfather Saul and he ensured he would "always dine at his table with him."

Answer: Michal

Michal is the correct answer. It's a long story, but Saul, the father of Michal, ordered David to produce the foreskins from 100 Philistines to win his daughter's hand, as he firmly believed David would be killed in the process and he would no longer have to contend with him. According to the 18th chapter of 1 Samuel, David killed twice as many Philistines as needed and easily won Michal's hand, much to the consternation of Saul.

Answer: Mordecai

Mordecai figures prominently in the book of Esther. He teamed with Queen Esther to comprise a dynamic duo that saved the day for the Jewish people. In fact, had it not been for this duo, there's a very real possibility Haman would have had his way and arranged the execution of all the Jews in the region ruled over by the man known in the NIV Bible as King Xerxes.

After Haman was thwarted, he ended up being hanged on the gallows he had rigged for the intended execution of Mordecai. The story of Esther, Mordecai and Haman is told in the book of Esther.

Answer: Manasseh

Manasseh became king at the tender age of 12 and, according to Scripture, ruled until he was 67. Scripture states Manasseh was extremely brutal. 2 Kings 21:16, in the NIV Bible, states Manasseh "shed so much innocent blood that he filled Jerusalem from end to end." Scripture also reports he worshiped false gods and rebuilt high places his father Hezekiah had destroyed. According to Wikipedia, the name Manasseh means "causing to forget."

Answer: Mara

The account of Naomi referring to herself as Mara can be found in the first chapter of Ruth when she traveled to Bethlehem with her daughter-in-law Ruth. In the NIV Bible, Ruth 1:19-20 states: "So the two women went on until they came to Bethlehem. When they arrived in Bethlehem, the whole town was stirred because of them, and the women exclaimed, 'Can this be Naomi?' 'Don't call me Naomi', she told them. 'Call me Mara, because the Almighty has made my life very bitter'." Notes in the NIV Study Bible state Naomi means 'pleasant' while Mara means 'bitter'. Naomi's husband was Elimelek and they had two sons -- Mahlon and Kilion.

However, there is no indication in Scripture as to how the three men died.

Answer: Mary

Mary, of course, is the correct answer. Details about Mary giving birth to Jesus while a virgin can be found in the first chapter of Matthew and the first and second chapters of Luke. Her husband was Joseph. Scripture doesn't state her age, but many theologians believe she was 15 or younger when she gave birth to Jesus, as it was the custom of the day for girls to marry extremely young.

Answer: Martha

Martha is known as the busy one while her sister Mary is known for being attentive. Martha and Mary are the best known sisters in the New Testament. Details about Martha being busy while Mary was listening to the teachings of Jesus can be found in Luke 10:38-42. The story appears right after the famous parable known as The Good Samaritan.

Answer: Matthew

In the order the books appear, Matthew wrote the first Gospel of the New Testament. The traditional belief is the writer is the same person who served as one of Jesus' twelve disciples. If this was the case, he was a Jewish tax collector. Matthew quotes more passages from the Old Testament than any New Testament writer, according to notes in the NKJV Study Bible.

Answer: Matthias

Judas Iscariot, one of the original 12 disciples, hanged himself after betraying Jesus prior to the crucifixion, and Matthias was selected to replace him. Judas Iscariot's suicide is reported in Matthew 27:5. Meanwhile, the selection of Matthias is reported in Acts 1:12-26. He was selected over Joseph, called Barsabas, according to Scripture.