Image: PeopleImages / E+ / Getty Images
About This Quiz
From nearly its opening verse, when the Bible describes the world as "formless and void," to its conclusion in The Resurrection, where verses allude to some unknown "bride," the book that consistently makes both "best seller" and "most read" book lists can be a confusing narrative to navigate.
We all think we know what words like "compass," "flag" and "mail" mean, but these definitions are vastly different in the Bible from the way we use those words today. Getting mail today means you've received a letter in your postal box; "mail" in Bible times was equivalent to body armor. So, an individual wearing a "coat of mail" didn't have letters and magazines taped to his body! Rather, he was outfitted for war.ÂÂ
That's just one example of many where a definition for a Biblical term may be obscure or have been changed in the few thousand years that followed the authorship of the book. Test your Bible vocabulary skills in this quiz by seeing how many definitions of these ancient words you can successfully nail. We'll crown you potentate (That's a good thing!) if you can decipher a majority. So, stanch your activities and sojourn with us through these questions. Test your vocabulary prowess now.
In Biblical times, if you were ill, a doctor might check you for ague. What is "ague?"
A sore throat
A fever
The term "ague" survived from Biblical times and was even used in the colonial period to denote someone with flu-like symptoms of a fever and chills. The Bible references a "burning ague" that consumes the eyes in the Book of Leviticus.
A headache
A stomachache
If you were "amerced" in Biblical times, what was happening to you?
Penalized financially
Amercement was a common financial punishment levied against an individual in the Middle Ages. It was often imposed in place of an individual doing jail time. Deuteronomy discusses someone being amerced in 30 shekels of silver.
Submerged in water
Married to a cousin
Working for yourself
We'd encourage you to answer this question "anon." What does "anon" mean?
Immediately
"Anon" is used in the Bible to discuss a sickness that had befallen Simon's wife's mother. The text says, "Anon they told him of her," showing urgency regarding her dire condition.
Impartially
Illegally
Impatiently
Advertisement
You might first think of dogs when we mention the term "barked," but in the Bible, it means something quite different. What does it mean?
Having a coughing fit
Scraping a tree
The concept of barking in the Bible referred to the process of removing bark from a tree, a concept discussed in Joel: "... barked my fig tree." Barking a tree, known today as girdling, will actually kill the tree.
Issuing commands
Finding a lost sheep
The Bible mentions that "Abraham begat Isaac." What does "begat" mean?
Killed
Forgave
Brought forth
The Bible is full of verses talking about one person who "begat" another. This simply represents a lineage, as "begat" refers to one generation having children and bringing forth the next generation.
Physically punished
If someone gave you a "carbuncle" in Biblical times, you'd probably have a pretty strong reaction. What is a "carbuncle?"
A skin infection
A red gemstone
Though "carbuncle" is used today to represent a skin infection or group of boils (ouch!), the Biblical use was meant to refer to something precious: a glittery red gem similar to January's birthstone, the garnet.
A horse carriage
A chunk of wood
Advertisement
A "churlish" man might not have been someone you would've wanted to hang around. What does it mean to be "churlish?"
Violent
Rude
The Bible describes Nabal and his wife, Abigail, in I Samuel. Abigail was beautiful and understanding, but Nabal was not described so positively, being called "churlish and evil in his doings."
Diseased
Drunk
Abraham's wife, Sarah, might have used "crisping pins" back in the day. What are they?
A sewing needle
Cooking utensils
Hair curlers
In Biblical times, women may have used crisping pins, or pins designed to help curl the hair, to enhance their appearance. Today, we would equate those to hair curlers or a curling iron.
Female garments
Today, we might sit on the deck with an iced tea. What does the word "deck" mean in the Bible?
To till the ground
To cover or clothe
Maybe you've heard someone say, "He was decked out to the nines!" All they meant was that he was covered or clothed with fine apparel. The same holds true in the Bible, where multiple references to the word "deck" refer to covering something with tapestries or silver and gold.
To strike violently
To walk a long distance
Advertisement
The Bible uses the word "divers" in several instances, and we don't think it's referring to swimming. What does it mean?
Similar
Delicate
Personal
Various
Perhaps short for "diverse," the word "divers" in the Bible is used to describe a variety of places or different things. In Deuteronomy, gardeners are planting "divers seeds," or seeds of various types.
Imagine you're walking through Bethlehem and children "environ" you. What has just happened?
You've been robbed.
You've been surrounded.
The Bible discusses the concept of the word "environ" in Joshua when the book's namesake is bemoaning the plight of his people. Joshua's complaint is that the Canaanites will "environ" them and essentially kill them.
You've been stepped on.
You've been given flowers.
If someone sent you out to "espy" the land in Biblical times, what were you being asked to do?
To view it
Asking someone to "espy" something in the Bible was akin to asking them to catch a glance of it or view it. Bible great Moses sends someone out in the Book of Joshua to "espy the land."
To prepare it
To subdue it
To wipe it out
Advertisement
In the Book of Luke, someone was "fain" to fill his belly with the same food the pigs were eating. What does "fain" mean?
Hesitant
Embarrassed
Reluctant
Willing
In the parable of the lost son, the Bible speaks to how destitute the son was, so much that he "would fain have filled his belly" with the swines' food. Now, that's been pretty hungry!
It wasn't your traditional "flag" that Job was referring to when discussing what the cows were eating. What was he talking about?
A deceased animal
A bread mixture
An aquatic plant
Cattle would munch on the "flag," a water-based plant likened to a reed or grass. Many Bible scholars today compare it to a type of papyrus, the same plant that early types of paper were created out of.
A piece of sausage
If you were caught by a "gin" in Biblical times, who or what had captured you?
The police
A trap
The Bible describes a "gin" as a type of trap or snare one could be caught in. In Job, an individual is caught by the heel in a gin, giving a robber the upper hand against him.
A sorceress
An alcoholic drink
Advertisement
The Bible says, "Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin." What does "impute" mean?
To eliminate
To charge
The Book of Romans describes the man who will not be charged with his sins as "blessed." In short, this man will not pay for the many vile acts or offenses he may have committed; he has been forgiven.
To reference
To strike
Joseph did not "know" Mary when she gave birth to Jesus. What does "know" mean in this context?
They had not had a sexual relationship.
When they Bible referencing two people not knowing it each, it meant they did not know each other sexually (or had not had a sexual relationship). Joseph did not "know" Mary in a sexual sense, an important tenant of the virgin birth.
They had not been formally introduced.
They had not spent enough time together.
They had not met each other's families.
A "laver" was used to facilitate washing something in the Bible. What is a "laver?"
A bar of soap
A rag or cloth
A bowl or basin
A "laver" would be a modern-day bowl or basin that was used in Biblical times for washing. In Exodus, the laver is described as being made of brass "to wash withal." Lavers were common in tabernacles and temples.
A shower
Advertisement
If you were after "lucre" in the Bible, what exactly did you have your sights set on?
Expensive food
A dishonorable woman
Money obtained dishonestly
The Bible mentions "filthy lucre" four times, alluding to its dishonorable or illegal collection. The Bible also issues criteria who one who would be a bishop, stating that he not be "given to filthy lucre."
Getting revenge on your enemies
The Bible's "matrix" doesn't have anything to do Keanu Reeve's matrix. What does the Biblical version mean?
A female's womb
Five times the word "matrix" shows up in the Scriptures, and each time, the act of "opening" is referenced. In several instances, the firstborn that emerges from the matrix is intended to be set aside for the Lord.
A point in battle
A royal position
A type of key
If you were looking at "ouches" in the Biblical sense, what would have been in front of you?
Wounds
Ring settings
The word "ouches" in the Bible doesn't refer to something that hurts. Rather, it refers to settings that hold precious stones. In Exodus, the ouches being discussed were made of gold.
Glasses
Ornamental robes
Advertisement
The widow in the Bible who only gave two mites was in "penury." What state was she in?
Incarcerated
Sickness
Pride
Poverty
The Bible discusses the gift of the impoverished widow as being worth more than what the wealthy gave. Why? Because she gave everything she had, even though it was a small amount, when everyone else was more capable but greedy.
The woman who touched the hem of Jesus' garment navigated the "press" to do so. What is the "press?"
The media
A large crowd
In the Bible, a "press" was a throng of people, typically observed whenever Jesus was around. The woman who sought healing from him came "in the press" behind and touched his robe.
The disciples
The church leaders
In Daniel, Melzar took the food and wine away from the people and replaced it with "pulse." What is "pulse?"
Corn stalks
Grains or seeds
The Bible describes "pulse" as a type of grain, seed or bean that was used in place of food. Pulse would have been a lesser meal than a more traditional diet of meat and vegetables.
Contaminated water
Ornamental flowers
Advertisement
If your "reins" were searched in Biblical times, what was being examined?
Your emotions
In The Book of Revelation, in a letter to the church, the Lord is making it clear that the church will understand that it is he "which searcheth the reins and hearts." This would include searching an individual's emotions and feelings.
Your intellect
Your physical stamina
Your spirituality
"Sackbut" is a pretty humorous-sounding word, but you'll probably never guess what it actually means ...
It's a musical instrument.
It's hard telling how the "sackbut" received its name, but it was often accompanied a flute, harp, psaltery, dulcimer and other instruments in providing music and entertainment for royalty.
It's a lazy ne'er-do-well.
It's a location in Jordan.
It's a type of satchel.
David carried a "scrip" during his famous battle with Goliath. What was he carrying?
Stones
A harp
A rod
A satchel
A "scrip" was a type of bag or satchel used to carry things in Biblical times. The account of David's battle with Goliath mentions that he placed the five smooth stones in a shepherd's bag inside a scrip.
Advertisement
Olive Garden might give you breadsticks, but in Biblical times, they'd give you "sop." What is "sop?"
A type of soup starter
A pipe to smoke after dinner
A bread used for dipping
"Sop" in the Bible was a type of bread that could be dipped into a liquid before being eaten. At the Last Supper, Jesus served sop to his disciples, including Judas, his betrayer.
A rag to wash your hands
If two people got together to "sup" in the Bible, what were they actually doing?
Talking about their problems
Getting food to eat
The idea of "supping" in the Bible refers to a communing together to gather food and eat. In The Revelation, Jesus talks about supping with any man who hears his knock at the door and opens the door to let him in.
Preparing for imminent battle
Overtaking a common enemy
"Targets" have changed since Biblical times. What was meant by the term "target" in the Bible?
A bulleye
A shield
We're accustomed to targets being used as bullseyes for practicing archery or shooting in today's time, but years ago, a "target" was a shield, often made of gold, worn between a soldier's shoulders.
A dummy
An enemy
Advertisement
In Exodus, when people were worshiping Baal, leaders called for everyone to have "vestments." What were they?
Monetary donations
Stocks and bonds
Unrivaled affections
Priestly garments
"Vestments" were deemed necessary for all of the worshippers of the false idol Baal, but that wasn't the only mention of the term in the Bible. Pharaoh saw fit to array Joseph in vestments of fine linen in Genesis.
If you'd lived during Biblical times and someone asked you for "victuals," what were they seeking?
Religious books
Instruction
Rare jewels
Food or provisions
"Victuals" derives from the Latin word, "victus," which means "nourishment," according Merriam-Webster. In II Chronicles, an army is observed fortifying its strongholds and store victuals, oil and wine.
Today, we equate the word "wise" with someone who is extremely smart. What did "wise" mean in the Bible?
A storage of money
A plan or preparation
Spiritual intelligence
A way or manner
The Bible says, in Exodus 22:23, "If thou afflict them in any wise, and they cry at all unto me, I will surely hear their cry." This is referencing what will happen if someone is afflicted in any "way or manner."
Advertisement
The children of Israel "wist" not when the discussion turned to manna. What does "wist" mean?
Didn't know
Other instances of the word "wist" in the Bible also refer to individuals who didn't know something, such as not knowing what to say in a particular circumstance or not knowing that Jesus "must be about my Father's business" in Luke 2.
Didn't like
Didn't acknowledge
Didn't eat
"Yonder" isn't just a Southern term; the Bible uses it several times to describe what?
A specific job
A certain location
You may have heard someone say, "It's over yonder." That's not just a Southern term. The Bible uses the word "yonder" to describe a location known only to the one speaking or giving direction, such as Abraham saying, "... and I and the lad will go yonder and worship , and come again to you."
A hill or mountain
A unit of time
You Got:
/35
PeopleImages / E+ / Getty Images