Bible as Literature: Joseph to Ruth Key Themes and Characters

Who are the parents of Jacob?

Isaac and Rebekah

What does the name Jacob mean?

Heel-grabber or supplanter

What did Esau sell his birthright for?

Red stew

How did Jacob receive Isaac's blessing?

By deceiving Isaac while wearing goatskins and Esau's clothes

What significant dream did Jacob have at Bethel?

A stairway/ladder reaching heaven with angels ascending and descending

What did Jacob vow to do if God kept him safe?

That the LORD would be his God and he would tithe

Who did Jacob meet at the well in Haran?

Rachel

How long did Jacob work for Rachel?

Seven years, which seemed like a few days

What was the name of Jacob's firstborn son?

Reuben

What did Jacob use to increase his flocks?

Selective breeding and peeled branches at the watering troughs

What happened at the Jabbok ford?

Jacob wrestled with a man until daybreak and was renamed Israel

What did Jacob call the place where he wrestled?

Peniel, meaning 'face of God'

What did Jacob's sons do to the men of Shechem?

Killed them and plundered the city after Dinah was assaulted

What was the name of Jacob's son born after Rachel's death?

Benjamin

How did Jacob bless his sons before he died?

He gave each son a specific blessing reflecting their character

What was Joseph's relationship to Jacob?

Joseph was Jacob's favorite son

What did Joseph's dreams signify?

His brothers and family would bow down to him

How much was Joseph sold for?

20 pieces of silver

Who did Joseph interpret dreams for while in prison?

Pharaoh's cupbearer and baker

What did Pharaoh's dreams foretell?

Seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine

What position was Joseph appointed to in Egypt?

Vizier, second in command to Pharaoh

What names did Joseph give his sons?

Manasseh and Ephraim

What did Jacob do when he met Pharaoh in Egypt?

He called his years 'few and hard'

What pattern is established in Jacob's story?

The deceiver is deceived and the reversal of birth order

What was the outcome of Jacob's wrestling match?

He was blessed and renamed Israel

What did Jacob do with foreign gods before returning to Bethel?

He had his family bury them and purify themselves

What was the significance of Judah's character in Genesis?

It sets up his transformation and the lineage leading to David

What was the fate of Jacob's sons Simeon and Levi after the Shechem incident?

Jacob rebuked them for bringing trouble upon him

What does the name Israel signify?

He strives with God

What action does Joseph take against his brothers upon their arrival?

He accuses them of spying, jails them for three days, keeps Simeon as a hostage, and returns their silver.

What do Joseph's brothers believe is the reason for their misfortune?

They think it is retribution for Joseph's blood.

What does Judah guarantee during the second trip to Egypt?

He personally guarantees Benjamin's safety.

How does Joseph treat his brothers at the feast?

He gives Benjamin five times as much food as the others.

What does Joseph do to frame Benjamin for theft?

He plants his silver cup in Benjamin's sack.

What is Judah's plea to Joseph?

He recounts their father's love for Benjamin and offers to stay as a slave in Benjamin's place.

What does Joseph reveal to his brothers?

He reveals his identity and states, 'I am Joseph. Is my father still alive?'

What does Joseph say about God's purpose in his suffering?

He says, 'You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good.'

What happens after Jacob dies?

Joseph's brothers fear revenge from him.

What significant event does Joseph request before his death?

He makes the Israelites swear to carry his bones out of Egypt.

What does a new king in Egypt do regarding the Israelites?

He makes them build store cities and orders the killing of baby boys.

Who are the Hebrew midwives that defy Pharaoh's orders?

Shiphrah and Puah.

How is Moses saved as a baby?

His mother hides him in a papyrus basket in the Nile, where Pharaoh's daughter finds him.

What does the name Moses mean?

It is linked to 'drew out' as he was drawn out of the water.

What does Moses do after he kills an Egyptian?

He flees to Midian.

What significant event occurs at Horeb/Sinai?

God appears to Moses in a burning bush.

What is God's name revealed to Moses?

'I AM WHO I AM' (ehyeh asher ehyeh).

What signs does God give Moses to prove his authority?

Turning a staff into a snake, a hand with leprosy, and turning water into blood.

What does Pharaoh say in response to Moses' request?

'Who is the LORD that I should obey him?'

What are the first three plagues that God sends upon Egypt?

Blood (Nile), frogs, and gnats/lice.

What is the significance of the Passover?

Each household marks their doorposts with lamb's blood to be spared from the death of the firstborn.

How long did the Israelites spend in Egypt?

430 years.

What miraculous event occurs at the Red Sea?

God parts the waters for the Israelites to cross on dry ground.

What do the Israelites sing after crossing the Red Sea?

The Song of the Sea / Song of Moses.

What does God provide the Israelites in the wilderness?

Manna and quail for food.

What does Moses strike to bring forth water?

A rock at Rephidim.

What are the Ten Commandments?

Laws given by God including no other gods, no idols, and honoring parents.

What happens when the Israelites create a golden calf?

Moses smashes the tablets and punishes the people.

What does God proclaim about Himself to Moses?

'The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love.'

What is the significance of the bronze serpent?

Those who looked at it after being bitten by serpents were healed.

What is the Shema?

A central declaration of the Jewish faith: 'Hear, O Israel.'

Who hides the two spies sent to Jericho?

Rahab, a prostitute, hides them under stalks of flax on her roof.

What sign does Rahab use to ensure her family's safety?

She ties a scarlet cord in her window.

What miraculous event occurs when the Israelites cross the Jordan River?

The water stops upstream, allowing them to cross on dry ground.

What do the Israelites set up at Gilgal after crossing the Jordan?

Twelve stones, one for each tribe, taken from the riverbed.

What significant event happens at Gilgal after the crossing?

The new generation is circumcised, Passover is observed, and manna stops.

What does the commander of the LORD's army instruct Joshua to do?

He tells Joshua to take off his sandals, echoing Moses at the burning bush.

What strategy do the Israelites use to conquer Jericho?

They march around the city once a day for six days, then seven times on the seventh day, followed by shouting.

What happens to the walls of Jericho?

The walls fall down after the Israelites shout on the seventh day.

What is the fate of everything in Jericho?

Everything alive is killed except for Rahab's household; the city is devoted to destruction.

Who is Achan and what sin does he commit?

Achan, son of Carmi, takes items from the herem: a robe, silver, and gold.

What consequence does Achan's sin have for Israel?

Israel is defeated at Ai, resulting in the death of 36 men.

How is Achan discovered as the sinner?

Through a process of casting lots that identifies his tribe, clan, family, and finally him.

What is Achan's punishment?

He, his family, and possessions are stoned and burned in the Valley of Achor.

What happens after Achan's punishment?

The LORD tells Joshua not to fear, and Israel successfully takes Ai by ambush.

What significant event occurs at Mt. Ebal?

An altar is built, and the whole Law is read with blessings and curses.

How do the Gibeonites deceive Israel?

They pose as distant travelers with worn sandals and moldy bread.

What happens to the five Amorite kings who attack Gibeon?

They are found hiding in a cave and executed by Joshua.

What is the cycle of events described in the Book of Judges?

Israel does evil → God gives them to an oppressor → they cry out → God raises a judge → rest → the judge dies and Israel does worse.

Who is the first judge mentioned in the Book of Judges?

Othniel, who defeats Cushan-rishathaim of Aram.

What notable act does Ehud perform against King Eglon?

He stabs Eglon with a double-edged dagger, killing him.

What unique strategy does Gideon use to defeat the Midianites?

He uses a surprise attack with 300 men, shouting and breaking jars to create confusion.

What does Gideon do with the gold earrings collected after his victory?

He makes an ephod, which becomes a snare for Israel.

What tragic act does Abimelech commit?

He kills his 70 brothers on one stone to secure his rule.

What does Jotham's fable illustrate?

It illustrates the folly of choosing a bramble (Abimelech) to rule over the trees.

What happens to Shechem as a result of Abimelech's actions?

He destroys Shechem and sows it with salt.

What is the significance of the Valley of Achor?

It becomes a symbol of trouble due to Achan's sin but is later reversed in Hosea 2:15.

What does Joshua command the Israelites at Shechem?

He urges them to choose whom they will serve, declaring, 'As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.'

What happens at the end of Joshua's life?

Joshua dies at 110 and is buried at Timnath-serah; Joseph's bones are buried at Shechem.

What action did Abimelech take against Shechem?

He destroyed Shechem, sowed it with salt, and burned the tower.

How did Abimelech die?

A woman dropped a millstone on his head, and he ordered his armor-bearer to kill him to avoid the shame of being killed by a woman.

Who was Jephthah?

Jephthah was the son of Gilead and a prostitute, who became a bandit chief and later led Israel against the Ammonites.

What vow did Jephthah make?

He vowed to offer whatever came first from his house as a burnt offering.

What tragic event occurred as a result of Jephthah's vow?

His only daughter came out to greet him, and he had to fulfill his vow, leading to her mourning for two months.

What was the significance of the term 'shibboleth' in Jephthah's story?

It was used to identify Ephraimite fugitives, resulting in the death of 42,000 Ephraimites.

Who were the minor judges mentioned in Judges?

Tola, Jair, Ibzan, Elon, and Abdon.

Who was Samson?

Samson was a judge born to Manoah and his barren wife, known for his strength and Nazirite vow.

What was the riddle Samson posed at his wedding?

Out of the eater, something to eat; out of the strong, something sweet.

How did Delilah betray Samson?

She nagged him until he revealed that his strength was in his hair, leading to his capture by the Philistines.

What did Samson do at the feast for Dagon?

He prayed and pushed down the two central pillars, killing more Philistines in his death than in his life.

What is the main theme of the book of Ruth?

It contrasts faithfulness and loyalty with the chaos and violence seen in Judges.