They Were Sick in the Bible! Trivia Quiz

Answer: Miriam

Numbers 12:1-15 describes how Aaron and Miriam spoke against Moses after he married an Ethiopian woman, and questioned if they were not also recipients of the word of the Lord. The Lord showed his displeasure by inflicting leprosy upon Miriam, but after entreaties from both Moses and Aaron relented, and settled on banishment from the camp for seven days as her punishment.

Answer: Hannah

Hannah was the second, much loved, wife of Elkanah, and despaired that she could not give him a son. Her own prayers to have this affliction removed were bolstered by those of the priest, Eli, and in due course she bore a son whom she named Samuel, "...saying, Because I asked him of the Lord."

Answer: The prophet

Displeased with the prophecies of the man of God, the king called for the prophet to be seized, pointing him out. As he did so his hand shrivelled, and ashes spilled from a broken altar, and Jeroboam pleaded for the prophet to intercede with the Lord for the healing of his hand. This the prophet did, and having refused the king's offer of hospitality and a reward, continued on his way.

Answer: Figs

Hezekiah's illness is described in II Kings 20:1-7, II Chron 32:24-26 and Isa 38:1-8. He wept and prayed to the Lord to be cured, and the Lord sent word to Isaiah that he would grant Hezekiah an additional fifteen years, and deliver his city from its enemies. Isaiah sent for "a lump of figs" which when laid upon Hezekiah's boil restored his health.

Answer: Nebuchadnezzar

King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon believed himself to be all powerful, and chose to ignore Daniel's interpretation of a dream that had foretold his descent into madness and life in the wild, with "hairs ... like eagle's feathers, and his nails like bird's claws".

When, eventually, he raised his eyes to heaven and praised and worshipped the Lord, his sanity was returned to him, as was his kingdom.

Answer: Fever

The apostle is described as Peter in Matthew 8:14-15, and as Simon in Mark 1:29-31 and Luke 4:38-39. In the first two passages the fever left the mother-in-law when Jesus took her by the hand. In the third He stood over her and rebuked the fever and it left her. In every case she arose and ministered to her guests.

Answer: It was the sabbath.

In each description the scribes and Pharisees were hovering to catch Jesus in the act of healing someone on the sabbath day. His response was to ask if it were better to do good or evil on that day, and to go ahead and heal the man, after which he departed the town whilst his detractors were making their reports.

Answer: Bartimaeus

Bartimaeus, son of Timaeus, was begging by the roadside as Jesus and his group were passing. He called out for mercy, and when Jesus inquired what was desired, the beggar requested that he receive his sight. Jesus stated that his faith would make him whole and the man was immediately able to see.

Answer: One Samaritan

As described in Luke 17: 11-19, ten lepers approached Jesus seeking mercy, and he sent them to see the priests. On the way they were cleansed of their disease, but only one Samaritan turned to praise God and give thanks for being delivered from his affliction.

Answer: Lazarus

Lazarus was the brother of Martha and Mary (who had anointed Jesus with ointment), and all were beloved friends of Jesus. By the time Jesus arrived in Bethany, Lazarus had been dead and in his grave for four days. Nevertheless, He ordered the stone to be removed from the mouth of the tomb, and Lazarus emerged in response to His call, and was alive.