Biblical Alphabetics -- The Letter 'Z' Quiz

Answer: Zebulun

Zebulun is the correct answer. In the 49th chapter of Genesis, Jacob blesses his 12 sons. In verse 13, he has this to say: "Zebulun will live by the seashore and become a haven for ships; his border will extend toward Sidon." According to notes in the NIV Study Bible, Zebulun probably means honor.

Answer: Zippora

Zippora became Moses' wife when he fled to Midian after killing an unnamed Egyptian man, as per the second chapter of Exodus. Zippora was the daughter of a priest in Midian and she had six sisters, as per Exodus 2:16. Moses and Zippora were parents of Gershom and Eliezer. Exodus 18:3-4, in the NIV Bible, gives this explanation of the names of the two sons: "One son was named Gershom, for Moses said, 'I have become a foreigner in a foreign land'; and the other was named Eliezer, for he said, 'My father's God was my helper; he saved me from the sword of Pharaoh'."

This spelling of her name is from the NIV; the NKJV has a slightly different spelling.

Answer: Zalmon

Zalmon is the correct answer but not much is known about him as he is mentioned in passing reference. In 2 Samuel 23:28, he is referred to as Zalmon the Ahohite. 2 Samuel 23:24-39 comprises a list of names of David's Mighty Warriors. In addition to Zalmon, a second Mighty Warrior had a name that started with the letter 'Z'. He was Zelek the Ammonite, as per the 37th verse.

Answer: Zedekiah

Zedekiah was the last king of Judah. According to 2 Kings 24:19-20 and Jeremiah 52:2-3, Zedekiah did "evil in the sight of the LORD". He was a son of Josiah, and his mother's name was Hamutal. The 39th chapter of Jeremiah tells of Zedekiah's capture by the Babylonian army.

He certainly didn't receive any preferential treatment. Jeremiah 39:7 tells of Zedekiah's eyes being put out and being bound with bronze shackles and taken to Babylon.

Answer: Zilpah

Zilpah was given to Jacob as a wife and bore him two sons, Gad and Asher, according to Genesis 30:9-12. Scripture records that Leah's father Laban had given Zilpah to her as an aide, as per Genesis 29:24. Little else is known about her. However, according to Wikipedia, Jewish tradition has it that Zilpah was buried in Tomb of the Matriarchs in Tiberias.

Answer: Zephaniah

Zephaniah, a great-grandson of Hezekiah, is the correct answer. He boldly predicted that immorality and idolatry in Judah would result in harsh judgment. However, he also told about coming blessings for Judah at a later date. Zephaniah is one of the 12 minor prophets in the Old Testament.

Answer: Zebidah

Zebidah is the correct answer. (In the KJV and the NKJV, she's known as Zebudah.) Zebidah was the mother of Jehoiakim, who became king of Israel at age 25 and reigned 11 years, as per 2 Kings 23:36. Scripture states she was the daughter of Pedaiah and she was from Rumah. According to Scripture, Jehoiakim did "evil in the eyes of the LORD, just as his predecessors had done."

Answer: Zebedee

The correct answer is Zebedee. However, not much is known about him as he is mentioned in passing reference. According to Matthew 4:21, he was a fisherman, just like his sons James and John. Theologians believe his wife's name was Salome.

Answer: Zechariah

Scripture states Zechariah was a priest who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah and his wife was also a descendant of Aaron, as per Luke 1:5. Luke 1:11-25 tells of the angel Gabriel appearing before Zechariah and telling him of the upcoming birth of their son, who would become John the Baptist.

When Zechariah doubted Gabriel's claims, he was rendered speechless as per Luke 1:20. After the baby was born, Zechariah wrote on a tablet that the infant was to be called John and, according to verse 64, "immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue was loosed, and he began to speak, praising God."

Answer: Zacchaeus

Zacchaeus, of course, was the short man who climbed up a sycamore tree in Luke 19 to get a better look at Jesus passing through town. Zacchaeus oversaw all the tax collectors in Jericho, a community northeast of Jerusalem, near the Jordan River. According to Wikipedia, Jericho is believed to be one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world.

When Jesus spotted the diminutive tax collector up in a tree, he said, "Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today." No doubt the response took Zacchaeus by complete surprise.

After all, it's not every day a 'celebrity' passes through a community and states to a person he has never met before that he wants to spend the night at his house.