Longest Names in the Bible Trivia Quiz

Answer: Ahaz

The name was significant, containing messages from God to Judah's king Ahaz. The years of Isaiah's ministry in Judah were turmultous. Tiglath-Pileser III was conquering much of the Middle East, his mighty empire stretched from the Persian Gulf all the way to Egypt. The kings of Syria and Israel wanted to form an alliance against the Assyrians with Ahaz, but he refused. Israel was soon devastated by conflicts.

It was during this time that Isaiah's second son was born. God had Isaiah name his son Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz, which means 'In making speed to the spoil, he hastens the prey'. It can also be interpreted as 'Swift to the spoil, quick to the plunder' - God's message to Ahaz was that the enemies of Judah would be crushed.

This came to pass in 732 BC when Syria and Israel fell to the Assyrians. Ten years later, Assyria looted Israel's wealth and the citizens had almost no identity. Many fled, those that remained fused with foreigners forming the Samaritan race. Judah was soon laid waste by Assyria.

Answer: Elam

The name (also spelt Kedorlaomer) comes from the Elamite word kudur meaning 'servant' and Lagamar, an Elamite goddess, both meaning 'servant of Lagamar'.

He was first mentioned in Genesis 14 as the king of Elam, a region now in Iran. The place was also called Susiana. He formed an alliance with various other kings, and became their leader. Some of the kings soon got fed up after twelve years under his rule and rebelled against him. He and his allies went on to quell the rebellions without much effort. Those rebels included Sodom and Gomorrah which went to battle against Chedolaomer's coalition, but they were not a match for the coalition. The Sodomites fled (some fell into tar pits in the Valley of Siddim on the way and perished). Chedolaomer went on to loot the forsaken city. Abraham's nephew, Lot, as well as his household, was taken captive. Abraham rallied 318 men and was able to defeat Chedolaomer at the Battle of Siddim and rescue his nephew. Melchizedek explained that God was with Abraham.

Answer: Zaphnath-Paaneah

Targum Onkelos (a 1st century AD Jewish text) interprets the name as "The man to whom mysteries are revealed". Other accepted meanings are "A finder of mysteries" and "One who reveals the unknown".

Pharaoh had two similar dreams. In his dreams, seven good and fat grains and cows were replaced by seven withered and starved ones. All his royal philosophers and advisers were not able to make anything of his dream. Joseph was able to interpret the dream as meaning that seven years of plenty would be followed by seven years of drought. He suggested that during the seven years of plenty, food and provisions should be stored in preparation for the seven years of famine.

For this, he was elevated to Pharaoh's second in command. He was given his new name as well as a new wife, Asenath, the daughter of the Priest of On (Heliopolis).

Answer: Tiglathpileser

The name Tilgathpilneser or Tiglathpileser means 'ruler of the Tigris', the Tigris being a major river in Assyria and, according to Genesis 2:14, one of the four rivers that watered Eden. It is the Hebrew form of the Akkadian name Tukulti-Apil-Eshurra which means 'My trust is in the son of Eshurra'. Eshurra was the main temple of the god Ashur in the city of Ashur.

He was one of the most influential figures of the 8th century (BCE) and is known for expanding the Assyrian empire through the middle east. Later in his rule, he was made king of Babylon. He disliked revolts against his rule and this led to the deportation of thousands of people all over his massive empire. His military campaigns were among the most successful in world history, as he conquered much of the world he knew before his death.

Answer: Othniel

Cushan-Rishathaim is made up of the words 'Cushan' indicating that he was Cushite and risathaim meaning 'double wickedness' (resha, which was modified to rishatha, means 'evil' while -im is a suffix that means double). This must have been what his enemies called him rather than his actual name.

Cushan-Rishathaim was king of Northwestern Mesopotamia and the first oppressor of the Israelites since they settled in Canaan.
The Israelites had been practising polytheism, which made God angry, so he allowed Cushan-Rishathaim to conquer them. They were in his captivity for eight years. The Israelites cried unto God and he sent Othniel (son of Kenaz, younger brother to Caleb) to deliver them out of Cushan-Rishathaim's hands.

Melchizedek was the famed king (and priest) of Salem who had no relations nor did he have a genealogy. His name means "Mighty one of God" and he is regarded by Bible scholars as an early reference to Jesus.

Answer: A year later

Nebuchadnezzar II is regarded as the greatest king of the Chaldean dynasty. He was able to transform Babylon into a splendid city during his rule which lasted from 605 to 562 BC. He was one of the longest reigning Babylonian monarchs. His father, Naboplassar, was the founder of the Chaldean dynasty.

The name is generally accepted to mean "Nebo (or Nabu) protect the crown". Nabu was one of the most important Babylonian deities at that time. According to etymonline.com, the name is gotten from Nebukhadnetztzar, the Hebrew form of the Babylonian name Nabu-kudurri-usur and can also be interpreted as 'Nabu, protect the crown'.

Nebuchadnezzar was indeed a master of architecture. The Hanging Gardens of Babylon were considered amongst the seven wonders of the ancient world. Many ancient stones unearthed in Iraq appear to bear his name and symbols. Perhaps his greatest achievement was his destruction of Jerusalem in 526 BC. Many Jews were taken into captivity as a result. He died sometime in 562 BC aged 84.

Answer: He sent gifts and letters to king Hezekiah

Merodachbaladan was a ruler from the Bit-Yakin tribe of Southern Babylonia. He served as king of Babylon from 721 to 711 BC. He is better remembered for upholding Babylon's independence despite the threat posed by the Assyrian military. The Bible records that he sent letters and a present to king Hezekiah who had just recovered from illness. God sent Isaiah to criticise Hezekiah's lavish treatment of the messengers, and later warned Hezekiah that a time would come when all the good things in Israel will go to Babylon.

The name is formed from four Hebraic words:
Mar (bitter), dak (oppressed), bal (not) and adon (lord). Putting these together, the name would mean 'Bitter oppressed not lord', but the name is generally accepted to mean 'Bitter contrition, without judgement'.

Answer: False

The child's name was Mephibosheth or Merib-Baal and can be found in 2 Samuel 4:4. Bible scholars and various etymologists accept the name to mean 'from the mouth of shame'.

Mephibosheth was the son of Jonathan and father of Micah. He was only 5 years old when his father (Jonathan) and grandfather (Saul) died at the Battle of Mount Gilboa. In panic, his nurse took him and wanted to run away. In her hurry, Mephibosheth fell and was unable to use his legs from then on. Later, when David became king, Mephibosheth was brought before David (David had been looking for a member of Saul's household to whom he would show kindness). Mephibosheth was given Saul's inheritance and allowed to live in the palace.

Answer: Hazarmaveth

Hazarmaveth was the third of Joktan's thirteen sons. Joktan was the second son of Eber and younger brother of Peleg. His thirteen sons are believed to have settled in Southern Arabia. They are considered the founders of the 13 Arab tribes. Hazarmaveth is said to have settled around Hadrumaut on the southern coast of what is now east Yemen.

Hazarmaveth (also spelled Hazarmaueth) comes from two words:
Hazar, which means dwelling or court, and maveth, meaning death. Therefore, the name is accepted to mean "dwelling place of death".

Answer: Ammishaddai

Ammishaddai was the father of Ahiezer, chief of the Danites. The name is derived from one of God's names, Shaddai (almighty) and means "People of the almighty".

The passage was about the first census held in Israel. In the wilderness of Sinai, God was giving Moses instructions on how to conduct the census. Ahiezer was the head of the tribe of Dan and would lead every male, above the age of twenty, to war if one eventually broke out.