Bible Character Similarities
Here's our beginning lists of story characters.
Feel free to add some fresh ones , or post some favourite stories.
Here's a timeline of Bible Days
Adam/ Eve Caine and Abel
Enoch was translated in 3017 B.C. at the age of 365.
- Seth's great-great-great grandchild, Enoch, son of Jared was born. Enoch lived 365 years and fathered sons and daughters. ("The Arabian name of Enoch is Edris, and their traditions of him are that he was an eminent astronomer, mathematician and prophet of God.")
- Seth's great-great-great-great grandchild, Methuselah, son of Enoch was born. Methuselah lived 969 years, making him the oldest of the ancient ones, and the oldest man to ever live. (Methuselah's name means, "At his death, it will come." Methuselah died the year of the flood.) Methuselah fathered sons and daughters.
- After Methuselah's birth, the Bible records that Enoch developed an especially close relationship with God leading to his translation to heaven at the age of 365. "And Enoch walked with God 365 years and begat sons and daughters," Gen. 5:22 "And he was not for God took him." Gen. 5:24
- Methuselah's son was Noah
Noah
undated.. prior to 2500 BC
Abram [ father of the Jewish Nation] and Sarai 2000 BC
- story begins in Gen 11
Chronology
-bio: from humble beginnings to pre-eminent leader in history
Roots in Mesopotamia
Sarah highlights
One of three [ Isaac and Jacob ] important patriarchs of Judaism - autocratic ruler of an extended family
Lot ( nephew)
- family strive, beautiful wife, famine.. The Egyptian years .. barren.. Hagar -Egyptian
- had 8 sons in total with 3 women
Job:
Elihu
whose God is he. (1.) "The son of Barachel, a
Buzite" (Job 32:2), one of Job's friends. When
the debate between Job and his friends is
brought to a close, Elihu for the first time makes
his appearance, and delivers his opinion on the
points at issue (Job 32:1-22).
Hagar
From handmaid to Concubine- jealousy, family split, separation agreement/ promises of heirs for Ishmael ( founder of Islam) . Muhammed was said to be a direct descendant)
Isaac and Rebekah
Rebekah highlights
2006 BC
Essau AND Jacob
[ Rachel and Leah]
Leah highlights
Rachel highlights
Jacob: 'holder of the heel'
struggles with Essau were prenatal..
Life highlights
After deceiving his father and having
Essau and the buying of the birthright
-a wild hunter.
-was tricked by Jacob into giving up his birthright (leadership of Israel)
- was well aware of the upcoming enslavement of 400 yrs so he saw the birthright of Abrahamic blessing of no value
-started the Edomites
- paternal blessing and the deceit
-promise of reprisal
-Enroute to Uncle Laban at Haran.. Jacob's ladder
--received many blessings.. but also represented the Exiles ahead
Met Rachel and Leah at the well.. and fell in love.
Laban 's two daughters and the deception
Return... and Wrestling with the Angels.. the name change
Joseph [The Lord will increase/add".] and his 11 brothers
- 1915 BC - 1805
Moses 1500
1526 BC - Moses born
1446 . the exodus
1291 Gideon, Israels' 5th Judge rules for 40 years
Joshua and Caleb Joshua had a name change.. which reflects a change of character and emphasis
Samson and Delilah
"[One who] weakened or uprooted or impoveris
1209
Deborah
a prophetess, the last judge before the monarchy
highlights
1146 Nebuchanezzar
Shadrack, Meschak and Abednego
Eli
-- family disappointments, and an important protege
Hannah
Highlights
- challenges
- a conversation at a very sad time
- facing childlessness, she she makes a big promise
1105 Samuel born
1060
Ruth --"For wherever you go, I will go ...,"
- asks Boaz to marry her
-highlights
Book of Ruth -- themes
- great grandmother of David
Obed son of Ruth and Boaz
grandfather of David
1043 Saul becomes first king of Judah
Saul highlights
David becomes king 1004
Solomon
Azariah
- son of Oded, a wiseman and prophet
-more details
931 BC Asa
king of Judah - routed out idolatry.. peace in the land for 35 yrs
- great grandson of Solomon.
- his army of 580 000 defeated Ethiopena army of 1 000 000
more details
Elijah 840
highlights
more details
Elisha
Sampling of accomplishments
highlights
793 BC - Jonah becomes a prophet
740 BC - Isaiah becomes a prophet
605 BC - Daniel taken captive to Babylon
A summary of his triumphs and challenges
539 Darius King of Babylon who appointed Daniel one of three princes, is
tricked into putting him in the lions den.
Daniel and Ashpenaz... a special regimen refused
Malachi, the prophet 450
he book of Malachi was written to correct the lax religious and social behavior of the Israelites – particularly the priests – in post-exilic Jerusalem. Although the prophets urged the people of Judah and Israel to see their exile as punishment for failing to uphold their covenant with Yahweh, it was not long after they had been restored to the land and to Temple worship that the people’s commitment to their God began, once again, to wane. It was in this context that the prophet commonly referred to as Malachi delivered his prophecy.
In 1:2, Malachi has the people of Israel question God’s love for them. This introduction to the book illustrates the severity of the situation which Malachi addresses. The graveness of the situation is also indicated by the dialectical style with which Malachi confronts his audience. Malachi proceeds to accuse his audience of failing to respect God as God deserves. One way in which this disrespect is made manifest is through the substandard sacrifices which Malachi claims are being offered by the priests. While Yahweh demands animals that are “without blemish” (Leviticus 1:3, NRSV), the priests, who were “to determine whether the animal was acceptable” (Mason 143), were offering blind, lame and sick animals for sacrifice because they thought nobody would notice.
In 2:10, Malachi addresses the issue of divorce. On this topic, Malachi deals with divorce both as a social problem (“Why then are we faithless to one another ... ?” 2:10) and as a religious problem (“Judah ... has married the daughter of a foreign god” 2:11). In contrast to the book of Ezra, Malachi urges the people to remain steadfast to the wives of their youth.
Malachi also criticizes his audience for questioning God’s justice. He reminds them that God is just, exhorting them to be faithful as they await that justice. Malachi quickly goes on to point out that the people have not been faithful. In fact, the people are not giving God all that God deserves. Just as the priests have been offering unacceptable sacrifices, so the people have been neglecting to offer their full tithe to the Lord. The result of these shortcomings is that the people come to believe that no good comes out of serving God.
Malachi assures the faithful among his audience that in the eschaton, the differences between those who served God faithfully and those who did not will become clear. The book concludes by calling upon the teachings of
Jesus
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John's Baptism of Jesus 27
Crucifixion 30
Paul
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