Stories of Jacob, Joseph, Ruth, the Flood, and Abraham

Vocabulary flashcards covering key characters, concepts, and theological themes from the biblical stories of Jacob, Joseph, Ruth, the Genesis Flood, and Abraham.

Rebekah

One of the four matriarchs of Israel who was initially barren, favoured Jacob, and guided him to obtain Isaac's paternal blessing over Esau.

Esau

The ruddy and hairy hunter son of Isaac, physically similar to Enkidu, who despised his birthright by trading it to Jacob for food and lost his father's blessing.

Jacob

The son of Isaac portrayed as a trickster who used deception and disguises, with Rebekah's help, to obtain Esau's birthright and Isaac's blessing.

Isaac's blessing

A paternal blessing that assigned Esau a subservient role, establishing Jacob and his descendants as the main family line.

Joseph

The son of Jacob whose story explains how the proto-Hebrews came to live in Egypt after his jealous brothers sold him into slavery.

Joseph's coat

A special coat that made Joseph's brothers jealous and was later used by them to deceive Jacob into believing Joseph was dead.

Ruth

The central protagonist of her biblical story who, along with Naomi, made decisions shaping her family line and became an ancestor of King David.

Anthropomorphism

The representation of God with human characteristics, emotions, or weaknesses, such as feeling sorrow, becoming angry, or regretting an action.

Covenant (Genesis Flood)

An agreement or promise made by God with Noah and all future humanity to never again destroy the earth with a flood, symbolized by the rainbow.

Etiology

A story or explanation that accounts for the origin or reason for the existence of something, such as the rainbow serving as the sign of God's covenant.

Monotheism

The belief in one God, which becomes the central focus of Genesis starting with the introduction of Abram and the patriarchs.

Melchizedek

A mysterious priest-king serving El-Elyon ("God Most High") who blesses Abraham after Abraham's victory.

El-Elyon

A divine title meaning "God Most High," served by the priest-king Melchizedek.

El Shaddai

A divine title meaning "God Almighty," introduced in Genesis 17 when God reaffirms His covenant with Abraham and Sarai.

Intercessor

A person who speaks or pleads to God on behalf of others, illustrated by Abraham arguing with God regarding the innocent people of Sodom and Gomorrah.

Ishmael

The son born to Abraham and Hagar, Sarah's servant, who is traditionally associated with Arab and Islamic ancestry.

Aborted sacrifice of Isaac

A divine test where God commands Abraham to sacrifice Isaac but halts him at the last moment and provides a ram, demonstrating Abraham's obedience without requiring Isaac's death.