Biblical Blue Collars Trivia Quiz

Answer: Judas Iscariot and Matthew

Matthew was a tax collector, so his job was a governmental position. Judas kept the accounts of the group, so he was able to read, write and handle money. Most Bible scholars think he was a scribe. Of the others, Peter, James, John and Andrew were recruited from among the fishermen of the Sea of Galilee.

The occupations of Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, James, Judas and Simon are unknown. It is assumed they were tradesmen or laborers of some sort without much education.

Answer: farming

When Adam was in the Garden of Eden, his job was to care for it (Genesis 2:15). After Adam was driven from the Garden of Eden, he had to support his growing family by raising his own food which wasn't easy because of the curse placed on the land (Genesis 3:17-19). Adam's sons, Cain and Abel also had agriculture-related jobs. Cain was a farmer and Abel a shepherd (Genesis 4:2).

Answer: Noah and Naboth

And both had trouble because of them. After the flood, Noah planted a vineyard and became drunk on the wine he made which ultimately caused some conflict with his son, Ham (Genesis 9:20-27). Naboth owned a vineyard that was the envy of King Ahab. Ahab offered to purchase it, but Naboth refused. Queen Jezebel handled the matter by falsely accusing Naboth of blasphemy and had him executed so Ahab could take possession of the land (1 Kings 21: 1-16).

Answer: coppersmith

Apparently Paul did not get along with Alexander. He says that the coppersmith in Troas caused him "much trouble" and "withstood his words" (2 Timothy 4:14-15).

Answer: cleaning wool

Sheared wool had to be washed and bleached before being made fit to use in clothing. Fuller's earth, a clay-like material, originated from this practice of bleaching the raw wool. Fullers are referenced in Mark 9:3 and Malachi 3:2 (KJV).

Answer: sailor

David wore many hats in the Bible. He started out as a shepherd working for his father, Jesse, when he was anointed by Samuel to be the future king of Israel. After slaying the giant Goliath, he became a soldier in the army of King Saul, then also was a freelance soldier while hiding from Saul's anger.

He also played the harp (or lyre) for King Saul (1 Samuel 16:14-23) and composed many songs of worship which make up a great part of the book of Psalms.

Answer: Jeremiah

"This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: 'Go down to the potter's house, and there I will give you my message.' So I went down to the potter's house, and I saw him working at the wheel. But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him.

Then the word of the Lord came to me. He said, 'Can I not do with you, Israel, as this potter does?' declares the Lord. 'Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, Israel.'" - Jeremiah 18:1-6 (NIV).

Answer: a butler

Cupbearers were servants of royalty. They were responsible for managing the beverages of the palace, especially the wine supply, and serving them to the king and/or queen. They probably also tasted the potables in the presence of the nobles to indicate that the drink did not contain poison. Cupbearers are mentioned in the 40th chapter of Genesis and Nehemiah 1:11.

Answer: in a net

Fishing nets are referenced many times in the Bible. Chapter 21 of John, Matthew chapter 4, Mark chapter 1 and the fifth chapter of Luke discuss matters in relation to Jesus' earliest disciples' profession.

Answer: Nimrod and Esau

Nimrod is first mentioned in Genesis 10:8-9 (KJV). He is also later referenced in 1 Chronicles and in Micah. Esau was the elder son of Isaac, but was tricked out of his birthright by his younger brother, Jacob (a.k.a. Israel). He is described as "a skillful hunter, a man of the open country" (Genesis 25:27).