Cities of the Old Testament Quiz | The Bible

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. I was the city called the center of the entire earth. Human beings began to think they didn't need God and began building "a tower with its top in the heavens" here. Because of this, the Lord confused their language and they scattered to the ends of the earth. What is my name?

Answer: Babel

The story of the city of Babel is contained in Genesis 11:1-9. The city's tower was never completed; however, the city would become Babylon, the great city at the heart of the empire which would eventually conquer the nation of Judah.

2. I am the city where Abram moved with his family. Abram's father Terah died while they lived within my walls. Many years later, Jacob, Abram's grandson, came and worked for 14 years in order to marry Rachel. What is my name?

Answer: Haran

Some scholars believe that this Haran is the same city as the modern Harran which is in Turkey and played a major role in the Crusades. The story of Abram's journey to Haran is in Genesis 11:31 - Genesis 12:4. Jacob's story in Haran is in Genesis 29 - 30.

3. I am the land where the family of Jacob settled after Joseph brought his family down to Egypt from Canaan. They remained, for the most part, here until the Exodus. What is my name?

Answer: Goshen

"When Pharaoh calls you, and says, 'What is your occupation?' you shall say 'Your servants have been keepers of livestock from our youth even until now, both we and our ancestors'-in order that you may settle in the land of Goshen." (Genesis 46:33-34) Joseph had the power to make a request of Pharaoh due to dreams which he had interpreted which predicted the famine that forced the family to move.

The move to Goshen is described in Genesis 46 - 47.

4. We are twin cities which Pharaoh forced the Israelites to build for him before the exodus. What is my name?

Answer: Pithom and Rameses

This verse, Exodus 1:11, has sparked controversy over the exact date of the Exodus. The city of Rameses is believed to have been built by Ramesses II who reigned between 1300 and 1200 BC. However, some scholars believe that the city was built 150 years earlier, and Ramesses II renovated the city and named it for himself.

Pharaoh Ramesses II's mummy was flown to Paris for testing in 1976 for treatment of a fungal infection which was destroying the Pharaoh's body. For the flight, Ramesses II was awarded an Egyptian passport. The occupation for the passport was "King (deceased)."

5. I am the mountain at the base of a peninsula by the same name. Israel stopped by my foot and Moses climbed me to receive the Law. The Israelites stayed here for a year. What is my name?

Answer: Mt. Sinai

Mount Sinai is one of the most important places in the Bible and makes several appearances in the Book of Exodus. This is the Mountain of the Lord, this was the mountain that Moses saw the burning bush and the place where the Israelites spent over a year receiving the law, and it was here that the Tabernacle and the Ark of the Covenant were made.

6. I am a city just outside the Promised Land. I was the location where the Israelites waited for the report of the spies sent into Canaan. What is my name?

Answer: Kadesh

"From there Abraham journeyed toward the region of the Negeb, and settled between Kadesh and Shur"(Genesis 20:1 New Revised Standard Version). Abraham lived near the city of Kadesh and over 400 years later his ancestors also inhabited the region during the exodus (Numbers 13).

7. As a nation, I claim to be descended from the eldest daughter of Lot. I was an enemy of Israel throughout most of my history. I was the nation which hired Balaam, son of Beor, to curse Israel as it moved toward the promised land. I was the homeland of Ruth, an ancestor of King David, the man who eventually defeated me. What is my name?

Answer: Moab

In Numbers 22:1 - 24:25, the nation of Moab hires Balaam, son of Beor, to curse the nation of Israel. However, Balaam blesses Israel instead.

The book of Ruth tells the story of the Moabite woman Ruth who travels with her mother-in-law to Israel and marries Boaz, who is listed as an ancestor of King David.

David defeated, but did not destroy, the nation of Moab in 2 Samuel 8:2.

8. I am the beautiful capital city of the nation of Assyria. It was my nation which defeated the Northern Kingdom of Israel and took the people into captivity. Many know of the prophet sent to me named Jonah, but have you heard of the prophet who prophesied about me named Nahum? What is my name?

Answer: Nineveh

Jonah was sent to warn Nineveh that they faced disaster if they did not repent and turn to the Lord. His message was met with enthusiasm and the Ninevites did what they were told. However, Nahum's message was not met with the same enthusiasm. Maybe he needed a giant whale...

9. I am where the Assyrians took the nation of Israel after they defeated Hoshea, King of Israel. What is my name?

Answer: Halah and the cities of the Medes

After the Assyrians defeated the nation of Israel, they took a majority of the nation captive and carried them to "Halah, on the Habor, the river of Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes." (2 Kings 17:6b) The city of Halah is believed to be in Turkey, Syria or Iraq between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers.

10. I am the city where Esther became Queen of Persia, Mordecai saved the king and Haman attempted to execute all Jewish people. What is my name?

Answer: Susa

Susa is mentioned in the book of Esther, which takes place in Susa, but it is also mentioned in the book of Daniel and the book of Nehemiah. It is believed to be a capital of the Persian Empire.

Susa is still a city, in western Iran. Near the city of Susa there is a tomb known as Shush-Daniel, which is believed by some to be the tomb of Daniel.

Haman was a high ranking official in the Persian Government who wanted to destroy the Jewish people because Mordecai refused to bow to him. His plot was foiled by Esther and he was hanged on the gallows which he had constructed for Mordecai.

I have enjoyed making this quiz, and I hope you enjoyed taking it.

Source: Author tacobowler

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor CellarDoor before going online.
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Cities of the Old Testament Trivia Quiz

In this quiz I will give you a description of major events which happened in a city according to the Old Testament. You then will answer with the name of the city. This quiz uses cities and important places which are not in the Promised Land.

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