Can You Name the Most Mentioned Characters in the Bible From a Hint?

By: Beth Hendricks
Estimated Completion Time
4 min
Can You Name the Most Mentioned Characters in the Bible From a Hint?
Image: PaoloGaetano/E+/Getty Images

About This Quiz

The Bible is full of interesting characters. The first man, Adam, lived in a beautiful garden and had a wife made from his own rib. God spoke to Moses in the form of a burning bush. Noah convinced his family to accumulate two of every kind of animal on the Earth and board a giant ark for roughly a year. Daniel ended up in a lion's den, Jonah spent some time in the belly of a whale and poor Peter chopped off a guy's ear in defense of his friend. It's like a soap opera full of fallible people, some who did what they should and others who did what they definitely shouldn't have.

Could you recognize these popular characters from the Bible if we gave you a simple clue? Scope out these hints and match them to their frequently-mentioned Bible character. We promise nothing tricky -- no "Ittai the Gittite" or "Shiphrah and Puah." (Those are all legitimate Bible characters, by the way -- check out II Samuel 15 and Exodus 1, respectively.) Just good, old-fashioned questions about Peter, Paul and Mary (the Bible characters, not the music group).

So, wind your way through these hints and tell us who they best fit. See if you can discern Adam from Ahab and Joshua from Jonah!

This Biblical character is omnipotent and has also been described as the Alpha and Omega. Who is it?
Michael
God
The Bible opens with God in Genesis 1:1, and He is the thread that ties the entire Scripture together. The name "God" is mentioned more than 4,400 times from the Bible's start to its completion.
Nathan
Adam

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This guy fathered 12 sons who went on to become the leaders of the 12 tribes of Israel. Who are we talking about?
Jacob
The son of Isaac and Rebecca, Jacob had 12 sons (and one daughter, by the way). His sons became leaders of the 12 tribes of Israel. Jacob is mentioned nearly 3,000 times in the Bible, second only to God.
Joshua
Jonathan
Josiah

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Need to slay a giant? Which Biblical figure might be your best bet, so long as he brings his slingshot?
Daniel
Joshua
David
David's battle against the giant, Goliath, is one of the most recounted stories in the Bible. It is often used to represent the battles you can win when you have God in your corner, no matter the odds stacked against you.
Obadiah

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This individual began his earthly ministry at age 30, but it only lasted for three years. Who do you think it is?
Jesus
Though Jesus was born and raised on Earth, his ministry didn't begin until his thirtieth year and lasted roughly three years before he was crucified as the "King of the Jews."
James
John
Jared

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This Biblical man was used to collect and deliver the Ten Commandments. Who are we talking about?
Adam
Noah
Moses
Moses collected the Ten Commandments from the top of Mount Sinai and delivered them to the Israelites. As the story goes, he broke the first set of tablets in anger over his people's ungodly behavior.
David

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No love lost here! This character devised a plan to sell his own brother, Joseph, into slavery. Who committed this act?
John
Jude
Jeru
Judah
One of the brothers of Joseph, Judah was responsible for helping to develop a plan to sell Joseph into slavery. That sounds awful until you realize Judah likely saved his life, as his other brothers were planning to kill him.

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This guy really didn't like haircuts. The Bible says he lost his strength when his hair was cut while he slept. Who does this refer to?
Saul
Samuel
Solomon
Samson
Samson's strength was in his hair, according to the Bible. His lover, Delilah, secretly cut it while he was sleeping and his strength was lost. He was later turned over to his Philistine enemies.

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In the Bible, this gentleman was not only Moses' brother, but also his right-hand man. Which character are we referencing?
Adam
Absalom
Aaron
Aaron was Moses' brother and helper, but let things get out of control when the Israelites clamored for a false idol to worship. While Moses was away, Aaron played a role in the detriment of his people.
Artemis

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"Father _______ had many sons!" Who is this catchy Sunday School tune about?
Adam
Solomon
Simon
Abraham
This song about father Abraham speaks to his promise from God that he would be the father of many nations. This promise was made when Abraham was considerably aged and did not yet have any children.

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Considered a wise guy, this king was responsible for building the First Temple. Who are we talking about?
Caesar
Solomon
One of the wisest men to ever live, King Solomon started construction of the First Temple in Jerusalem. It was later destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar II and replaced by the Second Temple.
Simeon
Samuel

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This man was given no small task: He was selected to be Jesus' earthly father. Which man was it?
Joseph
Joseph had not even known Mary intimately when he discovered she was carrying the Son of God. He reared Jesus on Earth, teaching him the carpentry trade.
James
John the Baptist
Jethro

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It was in this former leper's home that Jesus' feet were anointed with oil. Who are we discussing?
James
Jeremiah
Matthew
Simon
Simon's home in Bethany was the site of the story in the Bible when Jesus' feet were anointed with oil. The story continues that the woman doing the anointing dried his feet with her long hair.

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According to the song, this guy "fit the Battle of Jericho." Who was it?
Joshua
Joshua led the charge to fight the Battle of Jericho, encircling the camp seven times before, as the song and the Bible explain, the walls came tumbling down. This was the Israelites' first battle in overtaking Canaan.
Jacob
Matthew
Mark

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This guy had an enlightening experience on the road to Damascus and left the encounter with a new name. Who did this happen to?
Malachi
Saul
Once Saul, this Biblical character became Paul after his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus. He endured blindness before his eyes were "opened" and he became a new man.
Jonah
Simeon

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A twin to Jacob, this man sold away his birthright out of sheer contempt. Who did it?
Samuel
Esau
Despite being heir to great riches -- more than what his younger twin brother, Jacob, was entitled to -- the Bible tells us that Esau traded away his birthright simply because he despised it.
Ham
Japeth

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God heard the prayers of this figure's mother. She returned him to God at an early age and he became a great prophet. Who are we referencing?
Jebediah
Isaac
Jonathan
Samuel
Samuel's mother, Hannah, prayed in earnest for a son and promised to return him to God if she was blessed with a child. She fulfilled that promise, taking Samuel to the temple early in his childhood.

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The author of several books in the Bible, scholars refer to him as the "weeping prophet" because he cried tears of sadness. Who was the sad one?
Jeremiah
Jeremiah earned the nickname of the "weeping prophet" for many sad occurrences in his life, including the loss of his friendships and his lack of a wife or children. Jeremiah also struggled because people would not listen to his warnings.
James
Isaiah
Ezra

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Abraham demonstrated his faith in God when he very nearly sacrificed his own son on an altar. Who was the son?
Jonathan
Jude
Isaac
Abraham's near-sacrifice of his son, Isaac, was at the command of God. Abraham's faith was so great that he trusted God would not promise to make him a father of many nations and then take his son away from him.
Solomon

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Very little is known about this prophet before his arrival, but he makes quite an impression, performing miracles and putting leaders in their place. Who was this strong individual?
Abraham
Elijah
The prophet Elijah is a mysterious character in the Bible because little is known about him before he bursts onto the scene. But he is a charismatic character, performing various miracles and rebuking kings and leaders.
Adam
Matthew

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BFFs! This man was known in Scripture as David's friend whom he loved "as his own soul." Who was David's BFF?
Peter
Jacob
Nahum
Jonathan
David and Jonathan enjoyed a special friendship and bond, as exhibited in the Bible. The Scripture tells us that David loved Jonathan as his own soul, and that Jonathan was content to be secondary in their relationship.

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Not only did this leader earn the title of one of Israel's worst kings, but the Bible describes him as someone who did a lot of evil. Who was this corrupt king?
Hezekiah
Ahab
King Ahab is described in the Bible as one of the most wicked and evil of his time. Together with his wife, Jezebel, he constructed false idols to worship and conspired to kill the prophet Elijah (but didn't).
Rehoboam
David

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Don't cross this guy! The Biblical figure had Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego thrown into the fiery furnace. Who did this dastardly deed?
Nebuchadnezzar
Nebuchadnezzar was an interesting character who found himself in some intense situations, not the least of which was throwing Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the fiery furnace. A fourth figure -- Jesus -- appears in the blaze beside the three who had been persecuted.
Ahab
Asa
Tibni

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On the highlight reel of this guy's life was his opportunity to baptize Jesus in the Jordan River. Who had the honor?
Matthew
Peter
Simon
John
John the Baptist not only had the title of being Jesus' earthly cousin, but he was called upon to baptize Jesus in the river. Despite initially rebuffing the request, he eventually relented and fulfilled the task.

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This son of Adam and Eve was, in his mother's eyes, a replacement for the son they previously lost. Who are we talking about?
Evan
Seth
After Cain murdered Abel, Adam and Eve went on to have other children, including Seth, whose name means "set in place of." Eve believed this righteous son was sent to replace the son she had lost.
Cain
Abel

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He was no lion-tamer, but he did live to tell about his experience being thrown into the lion's den. Who was in the den?
Matthew
Daniel
Daniel was able to safely escape the lion's den, thanks to the protection of God. The lions' mouths were shut up while Daniel was in the path of danger, demonstrating God's ability to protect those faithful to Him.
Jonah
James

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This Biblical character was falsely worshipped by many, including the Israelites, which didn't please Moses. Which character are we talking about?
Ashtoreth
Ahab
Baal
Baal was a false god constructed by the Israelites during Moses' journey to collect the Ten Commandments. Upon his return, seeing what the people had done, Moses smashed the tablets on which the commandments were written.
Elijah

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This woman was in her nineties when she gave birth to her promised son, despite a few bumps in the road along the way. Who was this heroine?
Sarah
Sarah was finally blessed with a child, Isaac, to whom she gave birth when she was well into what we would consider "old age." Prior to Isaac's birth, Sarah had encouraged Abraham to have a child with her maid, Hagar.
Rebecca
Esther
Naomi

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This Biblical woman was rewarded with a husband and child for her sacrifice in caring for Naomi. Who was this servant?
Esther
Hannah
Ruth
Ruth's obedience and faithfulness in caring for her widowed mother-in-law, Naomi (Ruth herself was widowed at the time as well), led her to be rewarded later with a husband and child.
Diane

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Through all of this Biblical character's trials and tribulations, he was still able to remain faithful to God. Who are we speaking about?
John
Job
Job is one of the most relatable characters in the Bible for his ability to persevere in his faith, despite being subjected to various trials and tribulations. In one day, Job lost his children, servants and livestock, but managed to remain steadfast.
Peter
Aaron

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This man adopted his cousin, Esther, and raised her as his own -- until the day she became queen. Who was it?
Ahab
Malachi
Shadrach
Mordecai
Mordecai took in the orphaned Esther and raised her as his own. Esther went on to become queen, the wife of Ahasuerus. Esther was Jewish, but did not reveal that to her Persian husband.

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This Biblical character was the first that Jesus appeared to after His crucifixion and resurrection. Who was the lucky individual?
Miriam
Mary Magdalene
Mary Magdalene, who had gone to the tomb to anoint Jesus' body after his death, was the first to whom Jesus appeared after His resurrection. He greeted her with the words: "Woman, why weepest thou?"
Peter
Thomas

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Who was the first earthly man the Bible introduced, who was also an inhabitant of the Garden of Eden?
Seth
Abel
Adam
The Bible introduces us to Adam early in the Book of Genesis, when he discovers he is living in the Garden of Eden. He is later joined by Eve, whom God crafts from Adam's rib.
Samuel

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Two by two! This man took two of every kind aboard the ark. Who was this animal lover?
Ham
Moses
Noah
Noah constructed the ark from God's command and filled it with two of every kind of animal, along with various members of his family. After the flood, his actions allowed the Earth to repopulate and replenish.
Josiah

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After refusing to go to Nineveh, God punished this man with a fishing trip... and used him as the bait! Who was it?
Jonah
Jonah spent several days in the belly of a big fish (possibly a whale) while he sorted out his disobedience to God. Later, he was spit out by the fish and decided to obey God by going to preach in Nineveh.
Judah
Jeremiah
James

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This guy shares his name with a popular brand of blue jeans and was Moses's and Aaron's great-grandfather. To which character are we referring?
Lathan
Liam
Levi
The great-grandfather of Moses and Aaron, Levi was part of the tandem (alongside Simeon) who slaughtered the men of Shechem. The attack was in retaliation for the rape of Dinah, their sister.
Seth

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