Advanced Bible Quiz about Bible Characters.

Here are advanced, challenging questions about the Bible.​​
 

1. What was the last command Jesus gave to his disciples?
   a. They were to be faithful to each other.
   b. Jesus instructed them to teach all nations.
   c. They were to obey the ten commandments as given to Moses.
   
   During His last forty days on earth, Jesus instructed the disciples to teach all nations.
   Matthew 28:16-20
   Answer B: The disciples were to evangelize and teach all nations.
   
    

2. How old was Moses when he confronted Pharaoh?
   a. 100, and Aaron was 90 years old.
   b. 80, and Aaron was 83.
   c. 30, and Aaron was 35.
   
   Moses was 80 years old, and Aaron was 83 years old when they faced Pharaoh.
   When Moses was 120 years old, he died on Mount Nebo.
   Aaron died when he was 123 years old, and he died at Mount Hor.
   Exodus 7:1-7.
   Answer B: Moses was 80 years old when he went before the Pharaoh.
   
    

3. This apostle said he would lay down his life to follow Jesus.
   a. Peter.
   b. Thomas.
   c. Matthew.
   
   Peter said he would lay down his life for Jesus.
   John 13:33-38.
   Answer A: Peter said he would lay down his life for Jesus.
   
    

4. Which apostle does tradition say was tied to and crucified on an X-shaped cross instead of a traditional cross?
   a. Paul.
   b. Peter.
   c. Andrew.
   
   Andrew was Simon Peter's brother and wanted to be tied rather than nailed to a cross.
   He was crucified in Patras, Greece, by Aegeas, the governor of the region at the time.
   Tradition also suggests that Aegeas tied him to the cross and turned the X sideways.
   Andrew wanted to suffer more because he felt inferior.
   The Bible does not authenticate this event.
   Learn more about Saint Andrew.
   Answer C: Andrew is said to have been crucified on an X-shaped cross.
   
    

5. Who was the prophet who stated that Babylon would capture Judah and take it back to Babylon?
   a. Ezekiel.
   b. Abraham.
   c. Jeremiah.
   
   God instructed Jeremiah to deliver messages of judgment and repentance.
   He was an Israelite prophet during the 6th and 7th centuries BC.
   Jeremiah predicted that Babylon would attack Judah, destroy the temple, and exile the Israelites to Babylon.
   Jeremiah 20:4-6
   Answer C: Jeremiah prophesized that Babylon would capture Judah.
   
    

6. How old was Joseph when his brothers sold him into slavery?
   a. Fifteen.
   b. Seventeen.
   c. Twenty-one.
   
   Joseph was the youngest brother at the time and was seventeen years old.
   Later, Benjamin was born and became the youngest of Jacob's sons.
   Genesis 37:1-4.
   Answer B: Joseph was seventeen years old when his brothers sold him into slavery.
   
    

7. Abraham told this king that his wife, Sarah, was his sister.
   a. King David.
   b. Old King Saul.
   c. Abimelech, King of Gerar.
   
   Abraham thought that Sarah's beauty would lead to his death.
   It appears that it was a common practice to kill the husbands of beautiful women.
   Abraham told Abimelech, King of Gerar, that Sarah was his unmarried sister.
   Based on this information, King Abimelech took her as his wife.
   God intervened before Abimelech lay with Sarah.
   After God explained who she was, Abimelech gave Sarah back to Abraham.
   Genesis 20.
   Answer C: Abimelech was told by Abraham that his wife was his sister.
   
    

8. This woman of the Bible lived her entire life in the temple.
   a. Deborah.
   b. Judith.
   c. Anna.
   
   She was a widow and a prophetess.
   When Mary and Joseph took the infant Jesus to the temple, Anna saw Him.
   Anna was a devout believer who resided in the temple her entire life.
   Anna recognized Jesus as the Christ right away.
   Luke 2:22-40.
   Answer C: Anna lived her entire life in the temple.
   
    

9. Who made the contribution to Christianity with the Vulgate translation?
   a. Aristotle.
   b. Isosceles.
   c. Saint Jerome of Dalmatia.
   
   It was Saint Jerome of Dalmatia who created the Latin Vulgate translation.
   His accolades include being a Christian priest, theologian, historian, and translator of the Bible.
   An intriguing thing is that for a while, he lived as a hermit before becoming a priest.
   Learn more about the Vulgate.
   Answer C: Saint Jerome supervised the Latin Vulgate translation of the Bible.
   
    

10. God put this man to death for "spilling his seed."
    a. Onan.
    b. Judah.
    c. Shem.
    
    Onan and Er were brothers and the sons of Jacob.
    God killed Er due to an evil deed he committed.
    Er's wife, Tamar, had no male children to inherit the estate.
    
    It was Er's brother Onan's duty to take Er's wife and impregnate her.
    Onan refused to carry out the tradition. 
    He "spilled his seed" because he did want to impregnate his brother's wife.
    God killed Onan for not doing the rightful and traditional ritual.
    Genesis 38:1-10.
    Answer A: Onan was put to death by God for "spilling his seed."
    
     

11. Who slew a giant at Gath?
    a. Jonathan, the nephew of David, slew the giant from Gath.
    b. Jonadab, David's relative, killed the giant.
    c. David slew another giant.
    
    David's nephew Jonathan, son of David's brother Shimeah, slew this giant.
    Apparently, it was a family tradition of slaying Philistine giants.
    The giant had six fingers on every hand and six toes on every foot.
    2 Samuel 21:21.
    Answer A: David's nephew Jonathan slew a giant at Gath.
    
     

12. What was written on the plaque above Jesus' head on the cross?
    a. He hangs for blasphemy against the church.
    b. If he is the Messiah, let him save himself.
    c. Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.
    
    Pilot created the plaque and had it hung on the cross.
    The plaque read, "Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews."
    Both Pilot and his wife felt Jesus was innocent.
    Pilot washed his hands in a bowl of water, symbolically saying,
    "I wash my hands. His fate is in your hands."
    John 19:16-22.
    Answer C: Written on the plaque of Jesus' cross was "King of the Jews."
    
     

13. Who slew the brother of Goliath, the giant Gittite?
    a. Elhanan, the son of Jareoregim, a Bethlehemite, slew the giant.
    b. Jonathan, the best friend of David, killed the Gittite.
    c. David slew another giant.
    
    The son of Jareoregim was Elhanan, a Bethlehemite.
    Elhanan defeated the giant Gittite using his staff as a spear.
    2 Samuel 21:19.
    Answer A: Elhanan slew the brother of Goliath.
    
     

14. Which Bible person was in jail with Paul when an earthquake opened the doors and loosened their chains?
    a. Silas.
    b. Timothy.
    c. Barnabas.
    
    Silas was in a Roman prison with Paul because they exorcised a spirit out of a slave fortune-teller who was making money for her owners.
    On the grounds of causing a public nuisance, authorities arrested, stripped, and flogged Paul and Silas in Philippi.
    Acts 16:16-40.
    Answer A: Silas was in jail with Paul on the grounds of being a public disturbance.
    
     

15. Which disciple was building something when his axe head fell into the river?
    a. Noah.
    b. Elisha
    c. Moses.
    
    While Elisha was working on a project, the head of his ax came loose and fell into the river.
    Elisha laid a piece of wood on the water's surface.
    The ax head miraculously floated to the top and attached itself to the wood.
    2 Kings 6:1-7.
    Answer B: Elisha caused an axe head to come out of the water and attach itself to a handle.
    
     

16. Who pushed a dagger deep into the belly of Eglon, King of Moab?
    a. Samson.
    b. Ussiah.
    c. Ehud.
    
    Ehud​ pushed a dagger into the large stomach of the King of Moab.
    The dagger penetrated so deeply into Eglon's body that it disappeared.
    Guards were not aware of how Eglon died at first, which allowed Ehud to make his escape.
    Judges 3:12-30.
    Answer C: Ehud pushed a dagger so deep into Eglon that it disappeared into his stomach.
    
     

17. Who was the wife of Nabal, who denied supplies to David's army?
    a. Jael.
    b. Abigail.
    c. Jehosheba.
    
    The wife of Nabal, Abigail, persuaded David not to kill her husband.
    David was going to kill Nabal because Nabal didn't want to give up his supplies.
    Later, Nabal suffered from what appeared to be a severe heart attack.
    Ten days later, he strangely died, and David married his wife, Abigail.
    Abigail became David's eighth and last wife.
    David married several women whose husbands mysteriously died.
    1 Samuel 25.
    Answer B: Abigail was the wife of Nabal.
    
     

18. Which female Bible character, known as a "double spy," drove a tent peg through the head of Sisera, the Canaanite general?
    a. Jezebel.
    b. Delilah.
    c. Jael.
    
    General Sisera sought refuge in Jael's tent after he retreated from the Israelite army.
    Jael drove a tent peg through the head of the general while he slept.
    Judges 4.
    Answer C: Jael was a spy who killed Sisera, the general, by driving a tent peg through his head.
    
     

19. What cave did David hide out in when Saul was after him?
    a. Machpelah.
    b. Makkedah.
    c. Adullam.
    
    David fled from Saul and went for sanctuary with Achish, king of Gath.
    The locals did not accept him there, and he had to leave.
    David left Gath and escaped to the cave of Adullam.
    1 Samuel 22:1.
    Answer C: Adullam Cave is where David hid out so that Saul couldn't locate him.
    
     

20. Which two midwives did the Egyptian king assign to care for the Israelite women during childbirth, with instructions to kill all males that were born?
    a. Gomer and Hagar.
    b. Shiphrah and Puah.
    c. Oholah and Oholibah.
    
    The Egyptian king assigned Shiphrah and Puah, who were midwives, to care for the Israelite women during childbirth.
    The king ordered them to execute all of the boys.
    They refused because they were believers.
    Exodus 1:15-21.
    Answer B: Shiphrah and Puah were midwives assigned by the king to kill all males that were born.
    
     

21. When Jeremiah found himself imprisoned in a cistern at Malkijah, who saved him?
    a. Shephatiah, the son of Mattan, saved Jeremiah.
    b. Ebed-Melech, an Ethiopian eunuch.
    c. Pashhur, the son of Malkijah.
    
    Ebed-Melech, an Ethiopian eunuch, rescued Jeremiah from a muddy cistern.
    He was in King Zedekiah's court when he rescued Jeremiah from a muddy cistern.
    Royal officials had thrown Jeremiah into the cistern because of his preaching.
    Ebed-Melech persuaded the king to have Jeremiah pulled out. 
    Jeremiah 38:1-13.
    Answer B: Ebed-Melech, a eunuch, rescued Jeremiah from a cistern.
    
     

22. This Bible queen refused to appear nude before the court.
    a. Simone.
    b. Jezebel.
    c. Vashti.
    
    King Xerxes was drunk and requested Queen Vashti to come to the court naked.
    Queen Vashti refused to appear nude in her husband's court.
    Vashti was dethroned and no longer allowed to be in the king's presence.
    King Xerxes replaced her with the beautiful Jewess, Esther.
    Esther 1:1-22.
    Answer C: Vashti refused to appear nude before her husband, the king.
    
     

23. Who suggested to Pharaoh that Joseph could interpret his dreams?
    a. A guard of the prison.
    b. An imprisoned baker.
    c. The chief cupbearer.
    
    The chief cupbearer, who had previously been in jail with Joseph, referred Pharaoh to Joseph.
    Joseph had correctly interpreted the chef's dream while in jail.
    Genesis 41:9-16.
    Answer C: The cupbearer advised the pharaoh that Joseph could interpret dreams.
    
     

24. Which Bible character became king when he was eight years old?
    a. Amon.
    b. Josiah.
    c. Jehoahaz.
    
    Josiah was a descendant of David and became king when he was only eight years old.
    Josiah reigned for thirty-one years.
    He was responsible for starting the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem.
    Josiah commanded the destruction of all idols.
    2 Chronicles 34.
    Answer B: Josiah became king when he was eight years old.
    
     

25. What events did NOT occur during the slaughter of the Amorites at Gibeon by Joshua?
    a. The Israelites killed many Amorites with their swords.
    b. Hailstones from heaven killed many Amorites.
    c. The sun stood still for a short time.
    d. Amorites committed suicide.
    
    The Amorites did not commit suicide.
    All the other things took place.
    Joshua 10.
    Answer: No suicides occurred at the battle of Gibeon.
    
     

26. After the soldiers crucified Jesus, what did they do?
    a. Took Jesus down from the cross for burial.
    b. Divided the clothes of Jesus among them.
    c. They felt remorse and converted.
    
    The Roman soldiers divided the clothes of Jesus among themselves.
    John 19:23-24.
    Answer B: The soldiers divided up Jesus' clothes after he died.
    
     

27. Who was the Syrian commander with leprosy who captured a young Israeli girl?
    a. Rimmon.
    b. Naaman.
    c. Mordecai.
    
    Naaman was commander of the army of the king of Aram and came down with leprosy.
    The young Israeli girl told her mistress to contact Elisha, who could cure the commander of leprosy.
    Elisha in Samaria healed Naaman, a Syrian commander, of his leprosy.
    2 Kings 5.
    Answer B: Naaman the commander came down with leprosy.
    
     

28. Who did Paul have to resurrect after falling asleep listening to long-winded Paul and falling out of the window to his death?
    a. Urrah.
    b. Eutychus.
    c. Bartholomew.
    
    Paul was preaching at midnight when Eutychus was sitting on a windowsill on the second story, listening.
    Eutychus fell asleep, fell out of the window, and lay dead on the ground until Paul revived him.
    Acts 20:7-12.
    Answer B: Eutychus fell out of a window and died during Paul's sermon.
    
     

29. Who was one of Saul's concubines who stayed with her two sons after they were hung on the hillside?
    a. Gibeah.
    b. Rizpah.
    c. Mephibosheth.
    
    Armoni and Mephibosheth were sons of Saul and Rizpah.
    The Gibeonites hung the two sons on the mountainside, allowing them to decay and become food for animals as revenge for Saul's misdeeds against them.
    Rizpah stayed with her dead sons, chasing away the birds and animals.
    2 Samuel 21:7-14.
    Answer B: Rizpah was a concubine of Saul whose sons were hung by the Gibeonites.
    
     

30. The church met in this wealthy Laodicean's house.
    a. Lydia.
    b. Priscilla.
    c. Nympha.
     
    Lydia was a wealthy businesswoman and a seller of purple cloth.
    The church met in Lydia's house at Laodicea.
    Colossians 4:10-15.
    Answer A: Lydia held religious meetings at her house.
    
     

31. Which prophet did God instruct to visit a widow's home in Zarephath and request bread and water during a severe drought?
    a. John the Baptist.
    b. Jeremiah.
    c. Elijah.
    
    God instructed Elijah to go to the widow of Zarephath's house for food and water.
    Afterward, God provided this woman with a flowerpot and an oil jug that never went empty.
    1 Kings 17:7-16.
    Answer C: Elijah was instructed by God to visit Zarephath during the drought for bread and water.
    
     

32. The Bible says that David had many mighty men. Who was the chief leader of them?
    a. Shammah, son of Agee the Hararite.
    b. Josheb-Basshebeth, a Tahkemonite.
    c. Benaiah, son of Jehoiada.
    
    Josheb-Basshebeth was one of David’s mighty warriors and their chief leader.
    He raised his spear against eight hundred men, whom he killed in one encounter.
    2 Samuel 23:8.
    Answer B: Josheb-Basshebeth was the chief leader of David's army.
    
     

33. When Noah came out of the Ark, what was the first thing he did?
    a. He built a shelter to live in.
    b. Noah built an altar to the Lord.
    c. He built corrals to house all the animals.
    
    Noah built an altar to express thanks and honor God.
    Genesis 8:15-21.
    Answer B: Noah built an altar as soon as he departed from the Ark.
    
     

34. What did Potiphar’s wife falsely accuse Joseph of, which got him thrown into prison?
    a. "He came in here to sleep with me."
    b. "He refuses to bow down to our religious idols."
    c. "Joseph was sent to kill the Pharaoh in his sleep."
    
    Potiphar's wife said Joseph had arrived to sleep with her.
    The truth was that Pharaoh's wife wanted Joseph to sleep with her, and he refused.
    Thus, the term "woman scorned" has been a prevalent saying since that time.
    Genesis 39:11-15.
    Answer A: Potiphar falsely said that Joseph "came to sleep with me."
    
     

35. Paul had these words to say about women’s long hair.
    a. Hair is to be groomed and kept above her shoulders.
    b. A woman's hair is not to be adorned with jewelry.
    c. The hair of a woman is her glory.
    
    Paul stated that long hair on a man is a disgrace.
    A woman is to allow her hair to grow long.
    Paul stated that a woman's hair is her glory.
    1 Corinthians 11:13-16.
    Answer C: Paul stated that long hair is a woman's glory.
    
     

36. Which Bible woman used false testimony to have Naboth killed so that her husband could take ownership of his vineyard?
    a. Jezebel.
    b. Bathsheba.
    c. Potiphar's wife.
    
    The wicked Jezebel had Naboth killed so that evil King Ahab could have his vineyard.
    King Ahab wanted the vineyard that was next to the palace and owned by Naboth.
    1 Kings 21.
    Answer A: Jezebel caused Naboth to be killed so that Ahab could claim his vineyard.
    
     

37. What animals pulled a cart that the Philistines sent to the Israelites?
    a. Two donkeys.
    b. Two calves.
    c. Two goats.
    
    The Philistines sent the cart out without a driver.
    Two calves pulled the cart.
    It went to the field of Joshua in Beth Shemesh.
    1 Samuel 6.
    Answer B: Two calves pulled a cart from the Philistines to the Israelites.
    
     

38. What was the main item in the cart that the Philistines sent to the Israelites?
    a. A Golden Calf.
    b. An original copy of the Tanakh.
    c. The Ark of the Covenant with the Ten Commandments.
    
    The Ark of the Covenant was in the cart that the Philistines sent to the Israelites.
    Also contained in the cart were five gold tumors and five gold rats.
    The Philistines decided to rid themselves of the Ark after it caused destruction everywhere it went.
    1 Samuel 6:1-18.
    Answer C: The Ark of the Covenant was on the cart pulled by two calves.
    
     

39. Who was the Bible person who traveled far, bringing many spices, gems, and gold to King Solomon because of his fame?
    a. King of Saudi Arabia.
    b. Prince of Ethiopia.
    c. Queen of Sheba.
    
    The Queen of Sheba visited King Solomon because she wanted to know how wise he was.
    1 Kings 10:1-13.
    Answer C: The Queen of Sheba made a famous visit to King Solomon.
    
     

40. How did Elisha spoil the plans of the king of Syria, who sent a large army with horses and chariots to Dothan to kill Elisha?
    a. Elisha caused a thundering noise in the sky and lightning bolts to strike the invaders.
    b. He blinded the entire invading army, causing them to retreat to another city.
    c. Elisha caused a firewall to erupt between the city and the invading army.
    
    The Syrian army arrived late at night and surrounded the city.
    Elisha prayed for help, and God blinded the enemy soldiers.
    Later, God removed their blindness when Elisha and the city were safe.
    2 Kings 6.
    Answer B: Elisha prayed, and God caused an invading army to be blinded.

​​
 

Here is an amusing slang term from the 1950s.

 

What does it mean to bunt the choppers?

​a. Take a ride in a helicopter.
b. Hit someone in the mouth.
c. It means you had a motorcycle accident.

To "bunt" the choppers meant you hit someone in the mouth.
Answer B: "Bunt the choppers" means to hit someone in the mouth.


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