Biblical heroes as role models. Biblical heroes as role models Children in the Gospels

The Bible does not contain all the names of the characters mentioned in it. It tells about people, their backgrounds and situations in which these people played any significant role, but their actual names are not revealed. Some of these “nameless” characters played an important role in biblical history, so historians decided to get to the bottom of the truth and find out their names. True, the historical reliability of this information is questionable and is more likely speculation than real historical facts. But it still gives food for thought.

1. Cain's Wife

2. Noah's wife

3. Moses' adoptive mother

4. Magi

The Gospel of Matthew does not mention the names or the number of wise men who came to see the born Son of God and worship him. Western tradition says there were three wise men, based on the number of gifts they brought to Jesus: gold, frankincense and myrrh. However, based on Syrian and Armenian traditions, the Eastern Church claims that there were 12 wise men.

The ancient work Book of the Bee, dating back to 1200 AD, names 12 people and states that four of them brought gold, four brought frankincense, and the last four brought myrrh. If we do not deviate from the generally accepted canons regarding the three sages, then their names can be found in the work called Excerpta Latina Barbari (approximately 6th century AD). These were Balthasar from Arabia, Melchior from Persia and Gaspard from India.

5. Children in the Gospels

6The Woman Who Sought Jesus' Help

7. Mother of the resurrected dead man

8. Thieves crucified next to Jesus

Several extra-biblical sources offer different versions of their names. The apocryphal text known as the Acts of Pilate (or the Gospel of Nicodemus) names the thieves Gestas and Dismas. One of the ancient Gospels says that their names were Zoatam and Kamma. The apocryphal Arabic Gospel of the Savior's childhood adds additional interesting information about the lives of these thieves.

9. The soldier who pierced the side of the crucified Jesus with a spear

10. The soldiers who guarded the tomb of Jesus

In the Gospel of Matthew (27:65), Pilate agrees to assign a group of guards to watch over Jesus' tomb to ensure that his body is not stolen. However, Matthew does not specify the names of the guards. The apocryphal Gospel of Peter, dating from the second century AD, also does not reveal the secret names of all the soldiers who were assigned to guard the body of Jesus, but it does say that the person in charge of these guards was a Roman centurion named Petronius. The Book of the Bee gives two versions of how many guards guarded Jesus' tomb. Chapter 44 says that there were five guards named Issachar, Gad, Matthiah, Barnabas, and Simon. In the next verse, however, the same book states that there were fifteen soldiers.

It is hardly a secret to anyone that a commonplace of atheistic propaganda, especially anti-Christian propaganda, is loud indignation at the atrocities that are sometimes described on the pages of the Old Testament. Proponents of morality pathetically wring their hands and wonder how Christians can not only read this terrible book, but also consider it useful for the spiritual development of a person. In fact, in this case, we are faced with a fairly common, but no less effective manipulative propaganda technique.

In short, the essence of the technique is as follows. Often a person does not want to argue with the real views and beliefs of his opponent; he may not understand them enough or understand that this dispute will show him in an unfavorable light to unbiased observers. Accordingly, the propagandist begins by first attributing to his ideological opponent some obviously stupid or immoral views, and then, as you might guess, brilliantly refutes them, or is indignant at the depths of moral decline.

It is this simple technology that is applied to the Old Testament and the Christian view of it. In the presentation of critics of Christianity, sometimes directly, sometimes subtly, the assumption is made that the Orthodox should perceive everything contained in the holy books precisely as a positive moral example, that is, a guide to action. If the Bible describes the action of a person, then this supposedly means the need to also perform this action or, at least, not condemn it. And if a biblical character is recognized by Christians themselves as positive, then this adherence to his norms of behavior everywhere and in everything is taken for granted.

“The Bible does not see the need to hide terrible details from people, to hide them behind a beautiful picture”

However, such an understanding absolutely does not correspond to how the Orthodox and Christians in general perceive the Old Testament. In fact, Old Testament history is, in essence, the story of the human fall and the terrible consequences that it caused. This is the story of fallen and sinful humanity. Descriptions of cruelty and immoral acts are not a call to repeat them. This is simply an objective statement of facts. The Bible does not see the need to hide terrible details from people, to hide them behind a beautiful picture.

The Old Testament does not talk about ideal people who lived in an ideal world. No. It tells about a sinful world, in which the good shown by people could often be a rare exception, perceived by others as something strange.

It is necessary, however, to understand that when reading the Old Testament, a Christian is in the position of a person who has already managed to look at the end of the book and make sure that a happy ending awaits him there. The description of the Old Testament world does not cause us horror and despondency precisely because we know: despite all the obstacles and misfortunes, everything will be fine. People will be saved. The Redeemer will come. Man will be freed from sin.

The Old Testament is precisely the story of how God patiently prepared humanity so that it could accommodate the Truth that came into the world with the Nativity, crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Do we need to know this story if we already know how it ended? Certainly. Actually, even if we talk about worldly history, then this position is considered reasonable there. We know when and how the history of many great civilizations ended. However, this does not mean that we do not need to study the features of their development over previous centuries. We can learn many useful lessons from this study. Moreover, often the lesson will not be that we should do something the same way as our distant ancestors, but on the contrary, that we should try to avoid something. Moreover, it is not so rare that the same states, the same people and civilizations can be both a positive and a negative example for us.

This also applies to Old Testament history. We honor King Solomon for his construction of the Jerusalem Temple, and we are amazed at his wisdom. Moreover, it would do well for each of us to learn prudence and patience from this Old Testament king. However, this, of course, does not mean that polygamy or idol worship is acceptable for Christians. Noah was a great righteous man, but this does not mean that it is necessary to abuse wine.

We should not blindly repeat all the actions of the Old Testament heroes and should not reproach them for not being the absolute embodiment of virtue. After all, as you know, we can only consider the Lord perfect. We should be grateful to these people for the fact that in the harsh Old Testament times they preserved virtue, did not lose the image of God, and were ultimately able to create the world into which our Savior, Christ, came.

In contact with

bible character

Gospel traitor

Name of Maccabee, who understood the revolt against the Syrian Seleucid dynasty

Which of the closest disciples of Jesus Christ took on greater responsibility at the decisive moment?

Synonym for traitor, traitor

According to the Gospel - the disciple who betrayed Jesus

Seller of Christ

Apostle is a traitor

Whose kiss became a symbol of betrayal

Maccabeus or Iscariot

One of the apostles

The surnames Yudashkin and Yudenich come from this male name.

This name was borne by the eldest of the sons of Jacob, who, according to the Old Testament tradition, is considered the ancestor of all Jews

In the Bible - the fourth son of Jacob and Leah, apostle, traitor, traitor

What was the name of the man who was in charge of the general expenses of the community of disciples of Jesus Christ, carrying with him a “cash box” for alms?

Which of the apostles at the Last Supper was marked with the so-called “communion of salt,” that is, Jesus personally dipped a piece of bread into salt for him?

If Yeshua is from Gamal, then who is from Kiriath?

His kiss is depicted in a painting by Giotto

Oratorio by the German composer G. Handel “...Maccabeus”

The traitor famous for his kiss

Which apostle hanged himself on an aspen tree?

Iscariot

Traitor to the Savior

Male name

Apostle, traitor, traitor

Play by French playwright Pagnol

Poem by the 19th century Russian poet S. Nadson

Character from M. Bulgakov’s novel “The Master and Margarita”

Who sold their conscience for 30 pieces of silver?

The Apostle who betrayed Christ for 30 pieces of silver

A fitting name for a traitor

Biblical traitor

The disciple who betrayed Jesus

Apostle-Christ-seller

The disciple who betrayed Christ

Traitor of Christ

Received 30 pieces of silver

Traitor

Betrayed Jesus Christ

Betrayed Jesus

And also an apostle

Kissed and betrayed

From his name the surname Yudashkin

He betrayed Christ for thirty pieces of silver

Recipient of thirty pieces of silver

The Apostle Who Sold His Conscience

One of the Twelve Apostles

The Apostle who betrayed Christ for 30 pieces of silver

1 of the 12 apostles

His kiss in Giotto's painting

Apostle who betrayed Christ

One of Christ's disciples

He betrayed Christ for 30 pieces of silver

Biblical brother of Pavlik Morozov

One of the twelve disciples of Christ

Sold for 30 pieces of silver

Biblical brother of Pavlik Morozov

Ended up living under an aspen tree

Selling Apostle

Vile Apostle

Who betrayed Christ for thirty pieces of silver?

. "laureate" of thirty pieces of silver

Vile Apostle

The worst of all the apostles

Corrupt Apostle

The traitor famous for the kiss

From his name the surname Yudenich

Apostle rhyming with utensils

Disciple of Christ

Corrupt disciple of Christ

Traitor of the Apostles

Greedy Apostle

Traitor, traitor

The same Iscariot

Damn apostle

He betrayed Jesus Christ

Traitor symbol

Traitor against Christ

Betrayed Christ

Traitor Apostle

Yeshua is from Gamal, and who is from Kiriath?

The apostle who betrayed Jesus Christ for 30 pieces of silver

In the Bible, one of the apostles of Christ

Traitor, traitor [on behalf of the Apostle Judas, who, according to the gospel myth, betrayed Jesus Christ]

Character in the novel by M. Bulgakov

. "Laureate" of thirty pieces of silver

Iscariot

If Yeshua is from Gamal, then who is from Kiriath?

Yeshua is from Gamal, and who is from Kiriath

What was the name of the man who was in charge of the general expenses of the community of disciples of Jesus Christ, carrying with him a “cash box” for alms

Which apostle hanged himself on an aspen tree

Which of the apostles at the Last Supper was marked with the so-called “communion of salt”, that is, Jesus personally dipped a piece of bread into salt for him

Who betrayed Christ for thirty pieces of silver

Who sold his conscience for 30 pieces of silver

Turned into an expletive: traitor, traitor. Judas's kiss, crafty, deceitful greetings. Judas tree, aspen. You will pass through the world like Judas, but you will hang yourself. Believe in Judas, it doesn’t matter if you pay. Rather than being a Judas, it is better not to be born into the world. Our Judas eats without a dish! here the name is only for the red warehouse

Oratorio by the German composer G. Handel "...Maccabeus"

Character from M. Bulgakov's novel "The Master and Margarita"

Traitor to the Savior

Traitor

Renegade Apostle

Traitor Apostle

One of twelve students. Christ

A mishmash of the word "Audi"

Recipient of 30 pieces of silver

Suitable name for the seller of Christ

A mishmash of the word "Audi"

Anagram for "Audi"

- son of Enosh, grandson of Seth, father of Maleleel, descendant of Adam

Cain Line

• - firstborn son of Adam, killed Abel
• Enoch - son of Cain
• Irad - son of Enoch
• Mehiael - son of Irad
• Methuselah – “man of God”, descendant of Cain
• - fifth generation along the line of Cain. The first polygamist in the Bible.
• - son of Lamech, last of the tribe of Cain.

Biblical characters: patriarchs after the Flood

Patriarchs in the Holy Scriptures are biblical characters who were the pious ancestors of the people of God (Jewish), who lived before the law given on Mount Sinai.

• - the third son of Shem, grandson of Noah, was born two years after the flood.
• Eber is a descendant of Shem, the ancestor of Abraham, the last of the pious patriarchs before the dispersion of the nations.
• Peleg - the son of Eber, the ancestor of Abraham (and Jesus), is recognized as the ancestor of all the Semitic peoples of Mesopotamia.
• - son of Harran (Aran), nephew of Abraham.
• – father of Abraham, his religious practices are hotly debated to this day
• - “father of many”, the first Jewish patriarch, son of Terah, descendant of Noah. Originally known as Abram.
• - Abraham's only son from Sarah and patriarch of the Israeli people
• Jacob is the ancestor of the Israeli people and the ancestor of the 12 tribes of Israel. Son, younger twin brother of Esau, husband of Leah and Rachel. God changed his name to “Israel.”

Twelve Tribes of Israel (sons of Jacob, aka Israel)

• Asher is the eighth son of Jacob and Zilpah (Leah's maid), the ancestor of the tribe of Asher.
• Benjamin is the twelfth and last of the sons of Jacob; founder of the tribe of Benjamin. Saul, the first king of Israel, was from the tribe of Benjamin.
• Dan is the fifth son of Jacob and the firstborn of Jacob by Bilhah. Founder of the tribe of Dan.
• Gad is the seventh son of Jacob and Zilpah, the founder of the tribe of Gad.
• Issachar is the ninth son of Jacob, the fifth born of Leah; founder of the tribe of Issachar; little is known about his personality.
• Joseph is the eleventh son of Jacob. His descendants were divided into 2 tribes: Ephraim and Manasseh. Joseph was taken to Egypt as a slave and served as a translator for Pharaoh.
• Ephraim is the second and youngest son of Joseph, the founder of the tribe of Ephraim.
• Manasseh – son of Joseph, founder of the tribe of Manasseh.
• Judah is the fourth son of Jacob and the ancestor of the tribe of Judah. King David was from the tribe of Judah.
• Naphtali is the sixth son of Jacob from Bilhah, the ancestor of the tribe of Naphtali.
• Reuben is the first son of Jacob and Leah, the ancestor of the tribe of Reuben.
• Simeon is the second son of Jacob by Leah.
• Zebulun is the tenth son of Jacob and the sixth son of Leah.

From the formation of a nation to the creation of a kingdom.

• Judah is the fourth son of Jacob and the progenitor of the tribe of Judah.
• Hezrom is the great-grandson of Jacob, grandson of Judah, ancestor of King David.
• Aminadab - father of Naason, ancestor of David and Jesus
• Naason – the name means “snake”; leader of the tribe of Judah in the wilderness.
• – hero; Boaz married Ruth and became the father of Obed (grandfather of David)
• Obed - son of Boaz and Ruth, father of Jesse, grandfather of King David
• Jesse – this name means “courageous”; the father of King David, lived in Bethlehem, had eight sons (of which David was the youngest) and two daughters.
• – the name means “beloved” or “beloved”; the first king to unite Israel and Judah reigned from 1005 to 965 BC. e.

Biblical Characters: Biblical Prophets

Great prophets

• Isaiah - relatively little is known about this biblical character. Prophet of the Kingdom of Judah. He was a prophet during the reign of the Judah kings Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah; biblical author.
• - belonged to the tribe of Benjamin; prophet in Judea before its fall in 586 BC. e.; known as the weeping prophet, author and.
• Ezekiel is a Jewish priest and prophet. He was taken captive to Babylon in 597 BC. e.; had a thorough knowledge of the Jerusalem Temple. Author .
• - a man of extraordinary wisdom and righteousness; member of the Jewish nobility, exiled to Babylon in 597 BC. e. Author .

Twelve Minor Prophets.

• Hosea - carried out prophetic ministry during the period when Assyria was establishing a new regime of dominance in the East. His predictions are recorded in. He was married to a harlot, often referred to as a “prophet of fate.”
• Joel – son of Bethuel; lived in Jerusalem, is mentioned by name only once in the Old Testament - in the preface to.
• - a prophet who lived around 750 BC. e., preached in the Northern Kingdom; was a contemporary of Isaiah and Hosea, was called to remind people of God’s punishing justice and call them to repentance; opposed the gap between the very rich and the very poor.
• Obadiah is the fourth of the minor prophets; probably contemporary with Jeremiah and Ezekiel; little is known about his personality. Author .
• Jonah is the son of Amathian; prophet of the Northern Kingdom (circa 800 BC). Author
• Micah - prophesied around 737-696 BC. e. in Judea. Contemporary of Isaiah, Amos and Hosea; condemned King Ahab; prophesied about the future destruction of Jerusalem and the future restoration of the Jewish state; predicted that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem.
• Nahum - very little is known about his personality; wrote about the fall of the Assyrian kingdom; may have written his prophecies around 615 BC. e.
• Habakkuk is believed to have lived in Jerusalem, and was probably a contemporary of Jeremiah and Zephaniah.
• Zephaniah - prophesied in the days of Josiah, king of Judah (641-610 BC), a contemporary of Jeremiah, with whom he has much in common; boldly opposed religious and moral corruption.
• Haggai - Jewish prophet during the construction of the second temple in Jerusalem; work on the restoration of the temple resumed thanks to his efforts and the efforts of the prophet Zechariah.
• Zechariah was a contemporary of Haggai; played a significant role in the restoration of the temple.
• , the author of the Old Testament, about whom virtually nothing is known.

Biblical Characters: Biblical Kings

United Monarchy (Israel and Judah)

• Saul - the first king of Israel, the son of Kish from the tribe of Benjamin; anointed king by Samuel, reigned from 1020-1000 BC. e.
• – ruled from 1005-965 BC e.
• Solomon is the tenth son of David and the second son of Bathsheba; third king of Israel, reigned for 40 years around 1000 BC. e.

Rulers of Israel (Northern Kingdom)

• Jeroboam I - son of Nebat, king of the Northern Kingdom of Israel after the revolt of the ten northern Israelite tribes against Rehoboam, which ended the United Monarchy; reigned for 22 years from 922 BC. e. 901.
• Nebat - the son and heir of Jeroboam, the second king of Northern Israel, reigned for two years from 901 to 900 BC. uh..
• Vaasa - reigned for 23 years (about 900 - 877 BC). Came to power by killing the previous king Navat.
• Elah is the son of Baasha, who succeeded him as the 4th king of Israel, he reigned around 877 - 876 BC. e.; was killed (along with his family).
• Zimri – King of Israel for seven days around 876 BC. e.; the killer of King Ila, was burned alive.
• Famnius, son of Gonathov; reigned from 876 – 871 BC. e.;
• Omri - reigned for 12 years (approximately 876 - 869 BC)
• Ahab - reigned for 22 years (from 869 - 850 BC) married Jezebel (daughter of the Tyrian king), sought to spread the worship of Baal.
• Ahaziah - son of Ahab and Jezebel; reigned from approximately 850 - 849 BC; historical documents record that the Moabites rebelled against him. Ahaziah died by falling from the roof of the gallery of his palace. Had no sons. After Ahaziah, his younger brother succeeded to power.
• Jehoram is the son of Ahab and Jezebel and the brother of King Ahaziah; reigned for 12 years (approximately 849 - 842 BC); worshiped Baal; killed by his own commander Jehu with an arrow in the back.
• Jehu - son of Jehoshaphat; reigned from 842 - 815 BC. e. after the murder of Jehoram.
• Jehoahaz, son of Jehu; reigned for seventeen years (approximately 815 - 801 BC).
• Joash is the son of Joahaz; reigned for 16 years (approximately 801 - 786 BC).
• Jeroboam II - son and successor of Joash; ruled for 41 years (approximately 786 -746 BC), defeated the Syrians; encouraging the worship of golden calves; reigned during the time of the prophets Hosea, Joel, and Amos.
• Zechariah – son of Jeroboam II; ruled for 6 months (746 - 745 BC);
• Sellum - originally a captain in the army of King Zechariah, he conspired against Zechariah and killed him; reigned for “a month of days” before another captain from Zechariah’s army put him to death and reigned in his place.
• Menaim reigned for 10 years (approximately 745 - 736 BC) after the murder of Sellum. Scientists believe Menaim died of natural causes. He was succeeded on the throne by his son.
• Fakia - son of Menaim; reigned for 2 years (approximately 742 - 740 BC) He was killed in the fortress of the royal palace in Samaria.
• Phakai - the son of Remaliin, a captain in the army of the king of Phakia, whom he killed to become king; reigned for several years (approximately 737 - 732 BC (the date of his reign is still debated)); was killed by Hosea, who seized the throne.
• Hosea is the son of Elah, the last king of the kingdom of Israel. Ruled approximately 732 - 721 BC. e.

Kingdom of Judah (Southern Kingdom)

• Rehoboam - son of Solomon, grandson of David; was the king of the Kingdom of Judah, reigned from about 932 - 915 BC. e.
• Abijah - son of Robam, grandson of Solomon, great-grandson of David; fourth king of the tribe of David and second ruler of the Kingdom of Judah; had 22 sons and 16 daughters from 14 wives; fought with King Jeroboam I in an attempt to unite the two kingdoms.
• Asa is the son of Abij; reigned for 41 years (913-873 BC); was zealously devoted to God and tried to rid the country of idolatry.
• Jehoshaphat - son of Asa, reigned for 25 years (approximately 871 - 849 BC).
• Jehoram, son of Jehoshaphat; reigned for 8 years (849 - 842 BC); trying to consolidate his power, he killed six brothers and entered into a conspiracy with the Northern Kingdom, marrying the daughter of King Ahab.
• Ahaziah - son of Joram; reigned for one year (842 BC); was the youngest son of Joram.
• Athaliah – daughter of King Ahab and Queen Jezebel; reigned for 6 years (842-837 BC); spread the cult of Baal in Judea, ordered the execution of all possible contenders for the throne.
• Joash is the only surviving son of Ahaziah after the massacre of Athaliah; ascended the throne at the age of 7, reigned for 40 years (approximately 837 - 800 AD). He was killed by his servants.
• Amaziah - son of Joash; took the throne after his father was assassinated at the age of 25; reigned for 29 years (797-768 BC). Having ascended the throne, he ordered the execution of his father’s murderers, but, contrary to custom, he allowed the children of traitors to live. He was killed in Lachish.
• Uzziah is the son of Amaziah; reigned for 52 years (approximately 783 - 742 BC); was faithful to God during his early reign; was stricken with leprosy because he disobeyed God.
• Jotham - son of Uzziah; reigned for 11 years (approximately 742 - 735 BC). A contemporary of the prophets Isaiah, Hosea, Amos and Micah, to whose advice he listened.
• Ahaz - son of Jotham; reigned for 16 years (approximately 732 - 729 BC). He indulged in gross idolatry and even sacrificed his own children to the pagan gods.
• Hezekiah - son of Ahaz; reigned for 29 years (approximately 715 - 686 BC), having ascended the throne, he immediately instructed the priests and Levites to begin repairing the temple. He was a contemporary of the prophets Isaiah and Micah; died of natural causes at the age of 54 and was succeeded by his son Manasseh.
• Manasseh is the son of Hezekiah; took the throne at the age of 12 and reigned for 55 years (approximately 687 - 643 BC). He canceled the reforms carried out by his father Hezekiah and again restored the pagan cult.
• Ammon - the son of Manasseh, reigned for 2 years (642 - 640 BC).
• Josiah, the son of Amun, took the throne at the age of 8 after the murder of his father and reigned for 31 years (641 - 610 BC). He carried out religious reforms, organized the repair of the temple, during which Hilkiah discovered the “book of the law of Moses.” Many scholars believe that it was a copy of the book. The discovery of the book prompted Josiah to renew the ancient Covenant with God. He ordered the destruction of pagan idols and emblems of Baal, and the burning of the bones of dead priests. Josiah died in battle against the Egyptians.
• Jehoahaz, the son of Josiah, neglected his father’s reforms and reigned for only 3 months in 609 BC. e., a, died in exile.
• Joachim - the son of Josiah, reigned for 11 years (608 - 597 BC). In 598 BC. e. he died and his body was thrown outside the city walls
• Jehoiachin – son of Joachim; reigned for 3 months and 10 days (from December 9, 598 to March 15/16, 597 BC) Jeremiah cursed him and his descendants. Mentioned in as Joseph's ancestor. Dethroned by Nebuchadnezzar II, King of Babylon
• Zedekiah is the last king of Judah. According to the Bible, he was placed on the throne by King Nebuchadnezzar II in 597 BC. e. at the age of 21. He was taken into Babylonian captivity, where he remained a captive until his death.

Characters of the New Testament.

Jesus Christ and his relatives.

• Jesus needs no introduction, the Savior, the Messiah and the central character of the New Testament.
• , wife of Joseph, known as “Our Lady” because of her virgin birth. The Gospel of James contains the names of her parents - Joachim and Anna; her death is not described in the Bible.
• - son of Jacob, husband of Mary, descendant of David; last mentioned in the Bible when Jesus was 12 years old. The lack of later references suggests that he may have died at a young age. By profession, he is a highly qualified craftsman in wood, stone or metal.

Brothers of Jesus.

There is no consensus among Catholics and Orthodox Christians about exactly what kind of family relationship Jesus had with his brothers. In the Orthodox tradition, the prevailing opinion is that Jesus’ brothers are his half-brothers, the children of Joseph the Betrothed from his first marriage. In Catholic tradition, it is believed that these are cousins ​​of Jesus, children of Mary of Cleopas.

• James - along with Judas, often mentioned in the Bible as “the brother of the Lord”, was executed in Jerusalem several years before the destruction of the temple in 70 AD. e.
• Judas is the brother of Jesus, who is sometimes confused with Judas, who was one of the twelve disciples.
• Josiah - mentioned in as the brother of Jesus.
• Simon - mentioned in as the brother of Jesus.

Christian Apostles are followers of Jesus.

Twelve Apostles.

• Peter (aka Simon or Cephas) ​​is the son of Jonah from the village of Bethsaida. His brother Andrew was also an apostle. Peter denied Jesus three times before truly believing. Leader of the early Christian church. The Catholic Church considers him the first Pope. He was crucified in Rome under Emperor Nero.
• Andrey (Peter’s brother) – born in the village of Bethsaida, a fisherman by profession. He was also a disciple of John the Baptist. He was martyred on the cross in Achaea.
• Jacob is the son of Zebedee. He was executed with a sword. This is the only apostle whose martyrdom is described in the New Testament.
• John - son of Zebedee, brother of Jacob; Church tradition holds that he outlived the rest of the apostles and was the only one who did not die a martyr's death. It is believed that he is the author of several books of the New Testament -, and, and also.
• Philip is an apostle, originally from the city of Bethsaida, the hometown of Andrew and Peter. Legend has it that he was tortured and executed in Hierapolis.
• Bartholomew is one of the first disciples of Christ, called fourth after Andrew, Peter and Philip. Legend has it that he was tortured in Armenia, having his head either cut off or flayed alive and crucified.
• Thomas, also known as “Doubting Thomas” – according to legend, when Jesus was resurrected, Thomas was traveling outside the Roman Empire and did not believe the good news that reached him. It is believed that Thomas was killed in 72 in India, possibly by a spear or arrow.
• Matthew - mentioned as a tax collector (possibly for Herod Antipas); also called Levi, son of Alpheus, considered the author.
• James, son of Alphaeus, may have been Matthew's brother. Some researchers attribute authorship to him.
• Judah (Thaddeus) – son of Jacob. Not to be confused with Judas the traitor (they are clearly distinguished from each other in the Bible). In some lists of the apostles his name is omitted - Judas, he is simply called Thaddeus, probably due to the fact that the name Judas was tainted by Judas Iscariot (the traitor). Thaddeus preached the gospel in Judea, Samaria, Syria, Mesopotamia, and Libya. Legend says that he was born into a Jewish family, but probably spoke both Greek and Aramaic and was a farmer by profession. According to legend, he suffered martyrdom in 65 in Beirut, in the Roman province of Syria, together with the Apostle Simon, possibly dying from an axe, the body was brought to Rome and placed in St. Peter's Basilica.
• Simon - According to legend, the holy Apostle Simon preached the teachings of Christ in Judea, Egypt, Abkhazia and Libya.
• Judas Iscariot (traitor) is the son of Simon Iscariot, infamous for his betrayal. Sold Jesus for thirty silver coins. Tradition says that he hanged himself after his betrayal.

Characters of the Bible - High Priests of the New Testament

• Caiaphas, high priest - Joseph Caiaphas; high priest during the trial and crucifixion of Jesus. The leader in the plot to arrest and execute Jesus had no power to impose the death penalty, so he sent Jesus to Pilate, the Roman governor, to pronounce sentence. Caiaphas served as high priest from 18 – 37 AD. e.
• Anna - the first high priest of Roman Judea - son of Seth, high priest during the time of John the Baptist; served as high priest from 6 – 16 AD. e.
• Zechariah - father of John the Baptist - priest in Jerusalem. In old age, the angel Gabriel appeared to him and announced that he and his wife were to have a child.

Characters of the Bible - Prophets of the New Testament

• Agabus is a prophet in the early church; perhaps one of Christ's 70 disciples, prophesied in Antioch about an approaching famine.
• Simeon is a prophet and teacher in the church in Antioch.
• John the Baptist - son of Zechariah and Elizabeth; born about six months before Jesus Christ; denounced the Sadducees and Pharisees as spawn of vipers; baptized Jesus; was thrown into prison and beheaded by Herod.

Believing characters of the New Testament.

• Apollos was an eloquent, educated man, well versed in the sacred scriptures. He preached in Corinth after the Apostle Paul.
• Aquila - Priscilla's husband; came from Italy to Corinth after Claudius ordered the expulsion of the Jews from Rome, became a Christian and helped Paul in his ministry.
• Dionysius the Areopagite - one of Paul's converts in Athens; member of the Areopagus, an elite and powerful group of officials.
• Epaphras, a companion of the Apostle Paul, was the bishop of the city of Colosse and the churches of Laodicea and Hierapolis.
• Joseph of Arimathea is a wealthy member of the Sanhedrin, a Jewish elder in whose tomb Jesus Christ was buried.
• Lazarus is the brother of Mary and Martha of Bethany, raised from the dead by Jesus after lying in the grave for four days.
• Luke is a pagan by origin, author and. Close friend and companion of Paul; possibly originally from Antioch.
• Martha is a close friend and follower of Jesus, sister of Mary and Lazarus.

Other New Testament Characters

• Matthias is the apostle who replaced Judas after his betrayal and suicide.
• Paul (Saul) - missionary, theologian and writer of the ancient church; wrote 13 epistles, which make up almost 1/4 of the New Testament.
• Barnabas is a Levite and originally from Cyprus; birth name Joseph (or Josiah); sold his property and gave the proceeds to the Jerusalem church. One of Jesus' 70 disciples.

Purdue University scholar Lawrence Mikityuk, specializing in the history of Judaism, proved the existence of biblical characters.

Confirming the historicity of a particular biblical personality is possible only if three identifying features - the person’s name, his patronymic and rank (rank or position) - coincide with extra-biblical historical sources, for example, contained in ancient written monuments.

As an example, he cited the personality of Ahab, king of the Kingdom of Israel in 873-852 BC. e. It is known that he was a participant in the famous Battle of Karkar (853 BC), which is mentioned in the Assyrian chronicles.

As a result After a painstaking analysis of sources in 2014, L. Mikityuk announced the existence of documentary evidence of the historical existence of more than 50 Old Testament characters, the existence of which is documented.

Those mentioned in the Bible were identified from archaeological records,” noted L. Mykytyuk in his report, which was published in the journal Biblical Archeology Review.

The list of personalities compiled by L. Mikityuk includes Egyptian pharaohs, kings of countries neighboring Israel, statesmen of the Assyrian, Babylonian and Persian empires, several famous Israeli kings, including Ahab, Jehu, David, Hezekiah and Manasseh. Also Joseph the ruler in Egypt.

If you have a person's name, his or her middle name, position or title does not prove that they did certain things [described in the Bible]. However, more extensive written sources have been preserved, originating from countries located in the neighborhood of ancient Israel. They also mention people and events in the Old Testament, they just describe them from a different point of view.

« These data indicate that in order to understand and accept much of what the Bible says, it is not necessary to have a religious faith, the publication quotes the words of an American researcher. “This demonstrates that even on the basis of non-biblical sources, Scripture has a significant degree of historical accuracy.”

Unbiblical sources

In the territory of modern Jordan A stone slab was discovered, the so-called Mesha Stele, which dates back to the 9th century BC. On it, the Moabite king Mesha describes his exploits and his rebellion against Israel. The inscription on this stone slab not only also mentions David, but also describes other kings and events associated with them, which correspond in every detail to the biblical narrative.

During excavations of the palace of the Assyrian king Ashurbanipal A huge cuneiform library was discovered in Nineveh. Among thousands of books, some were discovered that reported about the flood, in detail strikingly coinciding with the Biblical data.

For example, an inscription on a stone slab mentioning Pontius Pilate. This was the first archaeological find to confirm the existence of the personality of Pontius Pilate.

The Apostle Paul (born Saul; Saul; Shaul) was a completely real historical character. This is currently evidenced by a number of archaeological finds.

The name of Queen Jezebel, the wife of the Israeli king Ahab (875 - 853 BC), is found nowhere except in the Bible. The discovery of Jezebel's official royal seal once again demonstrates the historical accuracy of the Bible.

The first physical evidence of the existence of the prophet Isaiah. Proof of the prophet's existence was a piece of clay with a seal imprint, only 0.4 inches long.

The clay tablet is broken and is about a centimeter in diameter. On the clay tablet it is written in Hebrew Yesha "a (u) that is, Isaiah. Following this are the three letters N.Y., which are the first three letters of the Hebrew word for prophet.

Seal in Hebrew "belonging to Ovdi, the servant of Hoshea" - the seal depicts a man dressed in a reed skirt. Hoshea (Hosea) was the last king of Israel (2 Kings ch. 17).

Seal with the inscription in Hebrew "belonging to Amos" - 8th century. BC e.

Bull "belonging to Ahaz (son of) Jeotham, king of Judah." Ahaz is the twelfth king of Judah (732-716 BC). This king is mentioned in 2 Kings ch. 16.

Seal of Juhal, mentioned in the Bible (Book of Jeremiah).

A seal belonging to one of the ministers of the biblical king Zedekiah was found by Israeli archaeologists (dr. Eilat Mazar, found inside the royal palace in Jerusalem). A valuable find was made during archaeological excavations in Jerusalem, in the area of ​​​​the ancient city of King David.

Ring and seal with the Hebrew inscription "belonging to Yotam" (758-743 BC). We are talking about Yotham, the son of Uzziah, king of Judah (2 Kings 15:32).

7th century stamp BC e. with the inscription in Hebrew “belonging to Jehohaz the king’s son” (2 Kings 13).

A archaeologists have discovered hundreds impressions of ancient seals, also known as bullae. Some of them contain the names of people mentioned in the Bible. For example, archaeologists have found impressions of what are believed to be the personal seals of two Jewish kings. One bull says: “Belongs to Ahaz [son of] Jotham [Jotham], king of Judah.” On the other is written: “Belongs to Hezekiah [son of] Ahaz, king of Judah.” Kings Ahaz and Hezekiah ruled in the 8th century BC. e.

Scientists have studied other bullae made by seals that some believe belonged to people mentioned in the Bible.

Among them are those mentioned in the book of Jeremiah: Baruch (Jeremiah's scribe), Gemariah ("son of Shaphan"), Jerahmeel ("son of the king"), Juhal ("son of Shelemiyah") and Seraiah (Baruch's brother).

How many characters in the Old Testament?

Overall in the Old Testament several hundred characters are mentioned who can be classified as characters in the Bible. There are about a hundred of the most important biblical characters in the Old Testament.

These are Adam and Eve, their sons Cain, Abel, Seth and their descendants, the antediluvian patriarchs of the Jewish people and the patriarchs of the period after the Great Flood, the leaders of the twelve tribes of Israel (Ashir, Benjamin, Dan, Gad, Issachar, Joseph, Ephraim, Manasseh, Judah, Naphtali, Reuben, Simeon and Zebulun), historical figures of the period from the formation of the nation to the creation of the kingdom (Hezrom, Amminadab, Naason, Boaz, Obed, Jesse, etc.), four so-called great biblical prophets (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Daniel) and twelve minor prophets (Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi), biblical kings (Saul, David, Solomon, etc.) and the rulers of the Northern and Southern kingdoms (according to twenty personalities in each case).

Total in the Bible(in the Old and New Testaments) about 2800 names are mentioned. However, not all of them can be considered the names of biblical characters; many of these biblical names are simply mentioned in connection with some event.