Biblical Bits and Pieces Trivia Quiz

Answer: Every minute

That figure seems very high, amounting to over twenty-six million Bibles sold every year. Yet, with the Christian faith having the largest number of adherents in the world, and with the Bible listed as the world's best selling book by far, then perhaps the figure is correct after all. Over one billion copies of the Bible have been sold since records started to be kept of this figure.

Answer: Koine Greek

Koine Greek is also known as Alexandrian or Hellenistic Greek. It was spoken by the Romans and Greeks from ancient days and was spread throughout much of the known world by the mighty Alexander the Great as he went about his conquests. For several centuries it was a common form of language used in the areas and countries around the Mediterranean Sea.

It comprised many different dialects but was basic enough to be understood by most.

Answer: 80,000 dollars

The information about the purchase price back then can be found in I Kings 10:29 in the King James version of the Bible, where it states "Now a chariot that was imported from Egypt cost six hundred shekels of silver, and a horse one hundred and fifty; and thus, through their agents, they exported them to all the kings of the Hittites and the kings of Syria". That would have cost an enormous amount for the times, as the average pay for four days work was only one shekel. Vendors of donkeys and camels, with the animals' ability to reproduce, would have done a roaring trade.

It'd be wonderful if we could breed cars today in a similar fashion.

Answer: John

We know that John was present at this momentous event for it is recorded in (King James version) John 19:26-27 that "When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! (and) Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home". John, it is believed, was chosen because he appeared to be the Apostle closest to Jesus and is referred to as the disciple that Jesus loved. This is recorded in John 13:23.

Answer: None

Aww, poor little moggies don't even rate one reference in the Bible. However, you'll be pleased to know that lions, a distant relative, are mentioned fifty-five times instead.

Answer: II John

II John, in the New Testament, has only 13 verses in all and only 298 words. It is the shortest book - by verse - in the Bible. In the Old Testament, Obadiah is the shortest book. It has only 21 verses and 602 words. Overall however, it is the third shortest book in the Bible. III John has only 14 verses, and at 294 words, the fewest numbers of words in the Bible.

Answer: Almonds

Almonds are referred to directly in Genesis and Numbers. In Genesis 43:11 it states that "And their father Israel said unto them, If it must be so now, do this; take of the best fruits in the land in your vessels, and carry down the man a present, a little balm, and a little honey, spices, and myrrh, nuts, and almonds". Numbers 17:8 tells us that "And it came to pass, that on the morrow Moses went into the tabernacle of witness; and, behold, the rod of Aaron for the house of Levi was budded , and brought forth buds, and bloomed blossoms, and yielded almonds".

Answer: True

Nowhere can this be found in the King James version of the Bible. What it does say, in Matthew 2:1 (King James) is that "Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem...". It does not say how many there were, but that they brought three gifts with them. Perhaps that is where the confusion exists.

Answer: Isaiah

In Isaiah 57:15 (King James) it states that "For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones". That is one version of the Bible however. Used in this quiz is the King James version, which was considered the authorised Bible for several centuries since it was first compiled, based on earlier teachings, in the early 1600s.

Other more modern Bibles may have translated its teachings differently. The Bible, however, is more about the overall messages and what is being taught, rather than how it is said.

Answer: Once

Poor old grannies. They're right down there with cats. But the Bible was written at a time when men were basically the be all and end all of everything. Women, as you would realise from reading this great book, hardly get a look in at all, and many times, I'm sorry to say, they're not portrayed in the most positive of lights. Poor old hard-working grannies only rate one crummy mention.

This can be found in (King James) 2 Timothy 1:5 where it states "When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also".