OT 2 Joshua, Judges, Ruth Charecters

Joshua

Leader of Israel after Moses; led the Israelites into the Promised Land and oversaw the conquest of Canaan.

Rahab

Canaanite prostitute in Jericho who hid Israelite spies; spared during the city's destruction and became part of Jesus’ genealogy.

Achan

Israelite who sinned by taking banned items from Jericho, causing Israel’s defeat at Ai; he and his family were executed.

Adoni-bezek

Canaanite king defeated by the Israelites; had his thumbs and big toes cut off as judgment for how he treated other kings.

Ehud

Left-handed judge who delivered Israel by killing the Moabite king Eglon with a concealed dagger.

Deborah

Prophetess and only female judge of Israel; led Israel to victory alongside Barak.

Barak

Military leader who worked with Deborah to defeat Sisera; hesitant without her guidance.

Jael

Woman who killed Sisera, the enemy general, by driving a tent peg through his head while he slept.

Gideon

Judge who defeated the Midianites with only 300 men; known for asking God for signs (the fleece).

Abimelech

Son of Gideon who declared himself king and ruled wickedly; killed by a millstone dropped by a woman.

Jephthah

Judge who led Israel against the Ammonites; made a tragic vow resulting in the sacrifice of his daughter.

Samson

Nazarite judge with great strength; known for his battles with the Philistines and his downfall due to Delilah.

Naomi

Israelite woman who lost her husband and sons in Moab; returned to Bethlehem with Ruth, her Moabite daughter-in-law.

Ruth

Moabite woman who showed loyalty to Naomi; married Boaz and became an ancestor of David and Jesus.

Orpah

Naomi’s other daughter-in-law; returned to Moab instead of staying with Naomi.

Boaz

Wealthy relative of Naomi who redeemed and married Ruth; symbol of kindness and godly character.

David

Second king of Israel; known for slaying Goliath, uniting the tribes, and being “a man after God’s own heart.”

Jordan River

River Israel crossed to enter the Promised Land; site of many key events like Jesus’ baptism.

Jericho

First city conquered in Canaan; its walls fell after the Israelites marched around them for seven days.

Ai

Second city targeted by Israel; initially victorious due to Achan’s sin, but later conquered.

Reuben, Gad, half of Manasseh

Tribes who settled east of the Jordan River but still helped conquer Canaan with the rest of Israel.

Shechem

Important city in central Canaan; location of covenant renewal and Joseph’s burial.

Shiloh

Religious center of Israel before Jerusalem; where the Tabernacle and Ark of the Covenant were kept.

Philistines

Powerful enemies of Israel; frequent oppressors during the time of the judges and kings.

Moab

Nation east of Israel; descendants of Lot; sometimes hostile, but Ruth was a Moabite.

Benjamin

Smallest tribe of Israel; produced King Saul and had a turbulent history.

Judah

One of the largest and most important tribes; tribe of David and Jesus.

Bethlehem

City where David and Jesus were born; Ruth and Boaz’s hometown.