Any existing classic book in human history is full of touching stories, courageous characters, uplifting underdog narratives and people who have lost their way (but realized it and repented, or didn't and remained that way 'til the end.) The Bible is no different. Starting from the Old Testament books (also known as the Torah) and continuing through to the last books of the New Testament, the book features characters who have withstood the test of time and survived the modernization of the ages. We cheer the efforts of the good people, and we despise the twisted maneuverings of the not-so-good ones. Yes, some of these famous do-gooders and evildoers are included in this quiz! We're sure you can name them all!
At the heart of unforgettable Bible stories are influential characters. Whether their influence falls on the right or wrong side of the moral spectrum, they still influence how people think about the world and the kinds of stories we continue to tell. We learn from their mistakes, and continue to debate what their stories mean in a modern context.
Take this quiz and see if you can pinpoint who's who among influential people from the Bible. We have faith that you can do it!
He's the one who built an ark.
Nineveh
Noah
Noah was known for building the Ark, the giant boat that was meant to save his family and all of the animals in existence from a catastrophic flood.
He is the youth who defied odds and toppled a giant Philistine soldier.
Jonah
David
David, who was a small man, is said to have killed the giant, Goliath, with a single stone from his slingshot. David eventually became the second king of Israel.
Mary is known as the Virgin Mary because of the immaculate conception of her son, Jesus. Both the Catholic church and Islam revere Mary, whereas Protestants feel like she had a minimal biblical role comparatively.
He was almost fed to lions because he prayed to God.
Duriel
Dammeil
Daniel
Daniel continued to pray to the Israelite God, in secret, and all the while became more powerful in the Babylonian court. Eventually, a rival tries to have him killed by having him thrown into a room with lions, but God protects Daniel from the lions, and they do not attack him.
He is the strong man whose strength lies in his long hair.
Shiva
Saul
Samson
Samson appeared in the Torah as a the last biblical judge before the Kingdom of Israel became a monarchy. He had superhuman powers, due to his long hair. His lover, Delilah, had someone cut his hair because she was bribed by his enemies.
Eve ate and shared the forbidden fruit (from the tree of knowledge of good and evil) with Adam, which led to their banishment from the Garden of Eden by God. The Hebrew word for "Eve" means "living."
Luke is actually a doctor by profession, and likely either a Greek or a Hellenic Jew. He is one of the Four Evangelists who are thought to have written the biblical Gospels.
He is perhaps the most well-known angel figure in the Bible.
Gabriel
Gabriel appeared in visions of many biblical figures throughout the Old and New Testament. He is considered a high ranking angel in all of the Abrahamic religions.
He was once a good angel, but he rebelled against God. Satan is considered a "fallen angel." He was punished and left only with the ability to wield power over evil-doers and demons. Satan (and his fellow fallen angels) tempt humans and then punish them for committing sins, according to many Abrahamic religions.
She is the first person to see Jesus being resurrected.
Moira Magdalene
Mary Magdalene
Mary Magdalene is actually one of the closest followers of Jesus Christ, like a female apostle of sorts. She witnessed his death, burial and eventually, his empty tomb.
He is the child who was about to be sacrificed by his own father until God told him to stop.
Isaac
Abraham had been ordered by God to prove his faith by sacrificing his son, Isaac. Just as Abraham was about to kill him, an angel (sent by God) told him to stop and sacrifice a ram instead.
He's one of the apostles who didn't believe that Jesus could come back from the dead.
Thomas
The Apostle Thomas (also called "doubting Thomas") wanted physical proof that Jesus has risen. He demanded to touch Jesus' wounds as proof. This appears in The Gospel of John.
After protecting the Israelites from the worst of the plagues and leading them out of Egypt, Moses received the Ten Commandments from God on Mount Sinai.
Joshua was Moses' assistant, and helped him build the army needed to defend the Israelites during and after the Exodus. Joshua was supposed to lead the Israelites after Moses' reign.
He was tested heavily by Satan to see if he would renounce God in the process.
Judas
Job
Job is a figure that stands for integrity in the face of hardships. Job is known for accepting God's will, despite the way it seems to destroy his life.
She is the only female judge that was recorded in the Bible.
Desiree
Damiana
Delilah
Deborah
Deborah was a prophetess and the fourth judge of Israel. "The Song of Deborah," her poem about a military victory, is believed to be the oldest Hebrew poetry.
Christians believe that Jesus is the son of God, as well as the Messiah mentioned in the Torah (or Old Testament.) He was Jewish, as Christianity did not exist until after his death.