Call Me Ishmael... Trivia Quiz

Answer: God will listen or God listens

Interestingly, in the teachings of Islam, Judaism and Christianity, Ishmael is considered the eldest son of Abram (Abraham). While Abraham was his father, his mother was Hagar, the handmaid of Abraham's wife, Sarah.

Later after Sarah and Abraham had a son, Isaac, Sarah died and Abraham remarried. He had more children by this second wife, Keturah. Most, if not all of the Semitic peoples can trace their lineage back directly to Abraham.

Answer: sun

The Hebrew name Shimson, was a form of the word "shemesh" meaning "sun". Samson had it all, but failed to trust implicitly in God and eventually failed miserably and becoming a laughingstock among his nation's enemies. He found redemption in returning to God, but lost his life in the process.

Answer: See, a son

Reuben, or the original name, Reuven, seems to bespeak of a proud father in a culture that valued sons as the inheritors of property and perpetrators of family names. Reuben later prevented his brothers from killing their next-to- youngest brother Joseph, whom they instead sold into slavery in Egypt via a passing caravan.

On the downside, Reuben had what in that time was considered an incestuous relationship with one of his father's wive's handmaids. She was the mother of two of his brothers, hence, the incestuous status. This greatly angered his father, Jacob or "Israel"; so much that his status as the natural born inheritor of the family birthright was taken from him and passed along to his brother, Judah.
Traditionally, the eldest son received a double portion of the inheritance, but along with this double blessing came additional responsibilities. As the next-in-line to the father's lineage, the eldest was responsible for the upkeep and care of his surviving mother and unmarried sisters. Judah was fourth in line, but his three older brothers each and severally disqualified themselves through various actions.

Answer: beloved

"Dawid" or "Daveed" means beloved. The Bible speaks of him as a man after God's own heart, but even David had his faults. Probably one of his most well-known sins was to lust after another man's wife to the point of arranging for the man's death in battle.

In an act of true repentance of this matter, David turned to God, and while he had to endure the pain of watching the child of this illicit relationship die shortly after birth, he was later blessed with another son, Solomon, who became the nation's next king.

Answer: God is my judge

King Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar, Cyrus of Persia and Darius the Mede were all influenced by the Jewish prophet Daniel. Some of their experiences were quite frightening, while others were blessed. Read the book of Daniel. It is quite an eye-opener with prophecies that apply even for today and tomorrow.

Answer: festive

The name Haggai or Haggay is probably derived from the Hebrew word "hag", meaning festival. He may have received this name as a result of having been born during the time of a major feast, such as the Feast of Tabernacles. His second message to the people was certainly delivered during that particular feast. (Haggai 2:1)

Answer: My Messenger

Mal'aki is probably a shortened form of Mal'ak-ya, meaning "Messenger of Yahweh". Christians see the book of Malachi as a prelude to four hundred years of silence from the Lord, until Jesus' birth takes place. This is preceded by the birth of John the Baptist, and Malachi predicts the coming of such a messenger who will prepare the way of the Lord in Malachi 3:1.

Answer: Latin

Titus was a young pastor, much like Timothy, whom Paul mentored. While the Greek section of Strong's Exhaustive Concordance states that the name is of Latin origin, and has an uncertain significance, the name probably most closely means "to pay a price", (as in a penalty), or to be "punished with"
(a penalty).

Ironically perhaps, there was a Roman Emperor/General by the same name, who put down a Jewish rebellion and sacked the city of Jerusalem in AD 70.

Answer: loving

The name is of Greek origin and the first part of the name may have served as a dead give-away.

PHILadelphia, the city of brotherly love, PHILanthropy, love of one's fellow man and PHILosopher, one who loves wisdom, may have helped you to figure this one out.

Philemon was a slave owner, and in Paul's letter to him, he appeals to Philemon to treat a worthless slave, Onesimus, with forgiveness and love. Onesimus had run away but had converted to Christianity and was going back to his owner. Paul asked Philemon to receive him as a brother in Christ and offers to personally repay any debts that Onesimus might have incurred.

Answer: to draw out

The Pharaoh's daughter gave Moses this name after she "drew him out" of the Nile river where he had been placed in a watertight basket in an attempt to spare him from being a victim of infanticide.

Later in life, he lived up to his name again, as he "drew out" his people from the land of Egypt under God's direction. He then led them towards their new homeland, but because of their disbelief and grumblings, God did not allow them to enter it for a generation.