Bible as Literature Final Quiz

The 10 Plagues of Egypt

These were a series of disasters described in the Book of Exodus, which God inflicted upon Egypt to persuade Pharaoh to release the Israelites from slavery. They included:
1. Water turning to blood
2. Frogs
3. Gnats
4. Flies
5. Livestock pestilence
6. Boils
7. Hail
8. Locusts
9. Darkness for three days
10. Death of firstborn son

Aaron

Brother of Moses, acted as his spokesperson. He was the first high priest of the Israelites and played a significant role in the Exodus from Egypt. He crafted the Golden Calf while Moses was on Mount Sinai.

Abraham’s “Sacrifice” of Isaac

A pivotal event in the Hebrew Bible where God tests Abraham's faith by commanding him to offer his son Isaac as a sacrifice. Abraham's willingness to obey God's command is seen as the ultimate test of faith. At the last moment, an angel intervenes and stops Abraham from sacrificing Isaac, providing a ram for sacrifice instead. This story is a powerful demonstration of faith, obedience, and God's provision.

Anti-hero

A protagonist who lacks conventional heroic qualities such as morality, courage, and idealism. Anti-heroes may possess flaws, questionable motives, or exhibit behavior that is typically associated with villains. They often challenge traditional notions of heroism and can be complex and morally ambiguous characters. Examples include characters who are motivated by personal gain, revenge, or a sense of alienation from society, yet still evoke empathy or admiration from the audience.

Abel

Adam and Eve's second son. Murdered by his brother Cain.

Abraham

Founder of Judaism who, according to the Bible, led his family from Ur to Canaan in obedience to God's command. Father of Issac.

Adam

First man created by God.

Anthropomorphic

the attribution of human characteristics or behavior to a god, animal, or object.

Apocrypha

biblical or related writings not forming part of the accepted canon of Scripture.

Aramaic

Aramaic is a Semitic language that was the common language of the Near East from the 6th century BCE until the rise of Arabic in the 7th century CE. It is still spoken by small communities. Aramaic was the language Jesus spoke.

Archetype

A detail, image, or character type that occurs frequently in literature and myth and is thought to appeal in a universal way to the unconscious and to evoke a response.

Bible

The holy book of Christians.

Cain

Adam and Eve's first son and murderer of his brother, Abel.

Covenant

A solemn agreement between human beings or between God and a human being in which mutual commitments are made.

Documentary Hypothesis

The idea that there are multiple authors for the Bible.

Esau

The elder of Isaac and Rebekah's twin sons. The ancestor of the Edomites. He gave up his birthright for a bowl of Jacob's stew.

Flood

An overflowing of water in a normally dry area, god flooded the land when he didn't like things that were happening.

Eve

The first woman created by God from the rib of Adam.

Greek

Language of the New Testament.

Hagar

Sarah's servant, the mother of Ishmael.

Hebrew

Original language of the Jewish people and that of their sacred books.

Isaac

Son of Abraham and Sarah, and father of Jacob and Esau. Isaac's birth was miraculous, as Sarah was past childbearing age. He is a key figure in the Old Testament.

Ishmael

Son of Abraham and Hagar.

Jacob

Grandson of Abraham, son of Isaac and Rebekah, brother of Esau, and father of Joseph.

John Milton

Author of Paradise Lost

Joseph

Jacob's favorite among his twelve sons. His envious brothers sold him as a slave, but Joseph rose to become prime minister of Egypt, where he was ultimately able to save his family from starvation.

Pharaoh

A ruler of ancient Egypt, ruled during the time of Moses leading the Israelites out of Egypt.

Paradise Lost

(1167) an epic poem by the 17th century English poet John Milton. The poem concerns the Christian story of the rise of Man: the temptation of Adam and Eve by Satan and their expulsion from the Garden of Eden.

Rebecca

Isaac's wife and the mother of Jacob and Esau. Rebekah is known for her role in helping Jacob deceive Isaac to receive the blessing intended for Esau, which has significant implications in the lineage of the Israelites.

Sarah

The wife of Abraham and mother of Isaac.

Testament

A solemn vow and contract to which God is a witness. It is a synonym of covenant.

Tower of Babel

A tall building proposed by the Hamites in order to "make a name for themselves." God responded to their challenge by confusing their languages, so the project could never be completed.

Babylon

Babylon was a significant city in ancient Mesopotamia, known for its impressive architecture, cultural influence, and political power. It served as the capital of Babylonia and played a key role in various empires throughout history. The city is famous for its ziggurats, the Hanging Gardens (one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World), and its mention in biblical texts, particularly in relation to the Babylonian exile of the Israelites.

Bethlehem

Bethlehem is a city located in the central West Bank, Palestine. It holds immense religious significance as the birthplace of Jesus Christ, making it a major pilgrimage site for Christians worldwide. The Church of the Nativity, built over the cave where Jesus is believed to have been born, is one of the oldest continuously operating churches in the world. Bethlehem is also significant in Jewish tradition as the birthplace of King David and the location where Samuel anointed him as king of Israel. The city's rich history and religious importance have made it a focal point of cultural and historical interest for centuries.

Boaz

Boaz is a wealthy landowner in the Book of Ruth, known for his kindness. He marries Ruth, a Moabite widow, and becomes an ancestor of King David.

Burning Bush

The burning bush is a pivotal event in the Book of Exodus where God appears to Moses in a bush that is engulfed in flames but not consumed by them. This miraculous phenomenon occurs on Mount Horeb and serves as the initial divine encounter through which God commissions Moses to lead the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt.

Daniel

Daniel was a prominent figure in the Hebrew Bible, known for his wisdom, faithfulness, and prophetic abilities. He served in the court of Babylon during the reigns of several kings, including Nebuchadnezzar II and Darius the Great, interpreting dreams and visions that revealed God's plans for the nations and the future. Despite facing persecution for his beliefs, Daniel remained steadfast in his devotion to God.

David

David was the second king of Israel, known for defeating Goliath and establishing Jerusalem. Despite struggles, including his affair with Bathsheba, he's revered for his Psalms and as an ancestor of Jesus.

Delilah

Delilah is a figure in the Book of Judges, known for her role in the downfall of Samson. She was bribed by the Philistines to discover the secret of Samson's strength; she eventually cuts his hair while he sleeps, thus rendering him powerless.

Egypt

Moses lead the Israelites out of Egypt in the story of Exodus.

Esther

Esther, originally named Hadassah, is the heroine of the Book of Esther in the Hebrew Bible. She was a Jewish queen of Persia who saved her people from a plot to annihilate them by revealing her identity to King Ahasuerus and exposing the villain Haman's intentions.

Genesis

The first book of the Bible, which depicts the creation of the universe and beginning of life and earth.

Gilgamesh

An ancient Mesopotamian king featured in the "Epic of Gilgamesh"; parallels have been drawn between his flood story and the Bible's Noah narrative.

Greek Rule in Judea

Refers to the period after Alexander the Great's conquest (c. 332 BCE) when Greek culture influenced Jewish life, leading to tensions that appear in later biblical books like Maccabees.

God

The supreme being in the Bible, creator of the universe, central to both Old and New Testaments as the object of faith and worship.

Goliath

A Philistine giant defeated by the young David with a sling and a stone in 1 Samuel, symbolizing faith overcoming adversity.

Exodus

The departure of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt under Moses' leadership; foundational to Jewish identity and referenced frequently throughout the Bible.

Haman

The villain in the Book of Esther who plots to destroy the Jews but is ultimately defeated, symbolizing divine justice.

Hadassah

The Hebrew name of Esther, the Jewish queen of Persia who saves her people from Haman's plot.

Jerusalem

A central city in the Bible, site of the Jewish Temple, and pivotal in both Jewish and Christian traditions.

Job

A righteous man tested by suffering in the Book of Job, exploring themes of faith, justice, and theodicy.

Judea

A region of ancient Israel, central to many biblical events, especially in the New Testament during Roman rule.

Maccabees

Jewish rebel warriors who resisted Hellenistic influence; their story is in the deuterocanonical books and illustrates themes of faith and resistance.

Mordacai

Esther's cousin and guardian in the Book of Esther, who helps save the Jews from destruction.

Moses

The prophet who leads the Israelites out of Egypt, receives the Ten Commandments, and is central to the Torah.

Naomi

The mother-in-law of Ruth in the Book of Ruth, symbolizing loyalty, loss, and God's provision.

Passover

A major Jewish festival commemorating the Israelites' escape from Egypt, initiated in the Book of Exodus.

Persia

The empire that allowed Jews to return from exile and rebuild the Temple; central in books like Daniel and Esther.

Prophet

A person chosen by God to deliver divine messages; many books in the Bible are named after prophets.

Pharaoh

The Egyptian ruler during the Exodus who refuses to release the Israelites, resulting in the plagues.

Philistines

A frequent enemy of Israel in the Old Testament, including the story of David and Goliath.

Psalms

A book of songs and prayers attributed largely to David, expressing a wide range of human emotion and worship.

Red Sea

The body of water God parts for the Israelites to escape Egypt, a key miracle in the Exodus story.

Samson

A judge of Israel with supernatural strength, known for his battles with the Philistines and his downfall via Delilah.

Samaria

The capital of the northern kingdom of Israel; later viewed negatively by Jews due to religious and political divisions.

Satan

An adversary or accuser in the Bible, later personified as the embodiment of evil opposing God.

Sinai

The mountain where Moses receives the Ten Commandments from God.

Snakes/Staff

Refers to Moses' staff turning into a snake as a sign from God; also linked to healing and God's power.

Temple

The central place of worship in Jerusalem; the First built by Solomon, the Second rebuilt after exile.

Ten Commandments

The foundational moral laws given by God to Moses on Mount Sinai.

The adversary

Another term for Satan, particularly in the Book of Job, where he challenges Job's faith.

The serpent

The creature that tempts Eve in the Garden of Eden, often interpreted as Satan.

Tower of Babel

A story in Genesis explaining the origin of different languages, resulting from humanity's pride.

Allusions

Indirect references in texts to biblical stories or themes, used for deeper meaning.

Antithesis

A rhetorical device often used by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount to contrast Old Testament law with new teachings.

Apostles

The twelve close followers of Jesus sent out to preach the Gospel after his resurrection.

Archetype

A typical example of a person or concept found repeatedly in literature; many biblical figures are archetypes (e.g., Moses as the deliverer).

Armageddon

The prophesied final battle between good and evil found in the Book of Revelation.

Apocalypse

A genre of biblical literature revealing divine mysteries, often about end times, found in Daniel and Revelation.

Beatitudes

Blessings listed by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount, describing the values of God's kingdom.

Bethlehem

The birthplace of Jesus, fulfilling Old Testament prophecy.

Birth Narratives

Accounts of Jesus' birth found in Matthew and Luke, highlighting his divine origin.

Caesar

The title for Roman emperors; mentioned in the New Testament as rulers during Jesus’ life and death.

Christ

The Greek word for "Messiah"; the title given to Jesus, meaning the anointed one.

Chief Priests

Jewish leaders involved in temple worship and often opponents of Jesus in the Gospels.

Covenant

A binding agreement between God and humans, central to biblical theology (e.g., with Noah, Abraham, Moses).

Crucifixion

The Roman method of execution used on Jesus, central to Christian belief in his sacrificial death.

Disciples

Followers of Jesus during his ministry, especially the twelve he chose to teach and send out.

Espistles

Letters in the New Testament written by apostles to early Christian communities, teaching theology and ethics.

Evangelists

The authors of the four Gospels—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

Gospel

The "good news" about Jesus' life, death, and resurrection; also refers to the first four books of the New Testament.

Golgotha

The "good news" about Jesus' life, death, and resurrection; also refers to the first four books of the New Testament.

Jesus

Central figure of Christianity, believed to be the Son of God, whose life and teachings are recorded in the New Testament.

John the Baptist

A prophet who baptized Jesus and called for repentance, preparing the way for the Messiah.

Judas Iscariot

One of Jesus’ disciples who betrayed him to the authorities for thirty pieces of silver.

Judea

Judea was a region in ancient Israel that included Jerusalem and played a central role in Jewish history and identity. It is significant in the Bible as the setting for many key events, including Jesus’ ministry, crucifixion, and resurrection.

Last Supper

Jesus’ final meal with his disciples, where he instituted the practice of communion.

Lepers

People with skin diseases often marginalized in biblical times; Jesus healed several, showing compassion.

Magi

Wise men from the East who visited Jesus after his birth, guided by a star.

Mary

The mother of Jesus, honored for her faith and obedience to God's call.