Difficult Bible Quiz on General Biblical Subjects with Explanations.

Difficult Bible questions about general biblical topics.

 

1. What prayer did Jesus teach his followers to say?
   
   Answer: The Lord's Prayer.
   
   The prayer starts with "Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name."
   The prayer was customary for all children during this author's childhood before going to bed.
   I wonder if the prayer is still a custom, or have we as a society gone so far that we neglect to express thanks and ask for forgiveness?
   Luke 11:1-13
   
    

2. Which Bible book is considered the first written?
   
   Answer: Job.
   
   The first Bible book (document) written is believed to be Job.
   Bible books are not placed in the order of when they were written.
   Books are placed according to their general theme or purpose.
   The Book of Job was the first book written but not the first in the Bible.
   In the Book of Job, God tested Job's "patience."
   The lesson of the Book of Job is to trust and believe in God.
   
   
    

3. Who baptized Jesus?
   
   Answer: John the Baptist.
   
   John the Baptist, the second cousin of Jesus, baptized Him in the Jordan River.
   The second cousin of Jesus baptized Him.
   Their mothers, Elizabetha and Mary, were first cousins.
   Not only did John the Baptist baptize Jesus, but he also made the official announcement that Jesus was the prophesied messiah who had finally arrived.
   When John baptized Jesus, the Holy Spirit came upon Jesus like a dove.
   Matthew 3:13-17
   
   
    

4. When did the exodus led by Moses occur?
   
   Answer: 13th or the 15th century
   
   Scholars believe the massive exodus took place in the 13th or the 15th century.
   Unfortunately, the exact date cannot be determined.
   Using the Bible and archeological evidence, scholars come up with two possible dates.
   When did the exodus from Egypt happen?
   
    

5. How many days did it rain while Noah and his family were on the Ark?
   
   Answer: Forty days.
   
   It rained for forty days and forty nights while Noah and his family were in the Ark.
   The water took about 150 days to recede, allowing the ark to rest on Mount Ararat.
   Noah and his family were on the Ark for about 370 days.
   Gen 7:11-12
   
    

6. How did Paul escape Damascus when the Jews were trying to kill him?
   
   Answer: He was lowered down the wall in a basket.
   
   Paul's followers took him to a hole in the exterior city wall and lowered him down in a basket.
   The people were upset with Paul's message about Jesus being the Messiah when he was preaching at the synagogue.
   They wanted to kill him for his blasphemy.
   
   Acts 9:20-25
   
    

7. What does the word "gospel" mean?
   
   Answer: "Good News."
   
   The word "gospel" is derived from the Old English word "godspel" (good story).
   Luke 4:42-43
   Romans 10:15
   
    

8. What was the first plague that God placed on Egypt?
   
   Answer: Turned the Nile to blood.
   
   God unleashed ten plagues on Egypt.
    Turning the Nile into blood  was the first plague God placed on Egypt.
   The death of all firstborns, regardless of age, was the last plague.
   After this one, the people revolted against Pharaoh and forced him to let the slaves go.
   Exodus 7
   
    

9. Who is the mediator between God and his children on Earth?
   
   Answer: Jesus.
   
   "For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus."
   1 Timothy 2:5
   
   
    

10. During a battle, which object did Joshua command to stand still?
    
    Answer: The Sun.
    
    Joshua needed more daylight to finish the battle.
    He called upon God for a miracle to make the sun stand still for more daylight.
    Joshua 10:7-14
    
     

11. Who was thrown out a window by servants and then eaten by dogs?
    
    Answer: Jezebel.
    
    Jezebel was the wife of Ahab, King of Israel, and was thrown out of a window.
    Both Jezebel and Ahab were regarded as among the most notorious individuals in the Bible.
    General Jehu had overthrown Jezebel's son and killed him.
    One day, when Jehu was outside Jezebel's window, she taunted him.
    In retaliation, Jehu ordered the servants to throw Jezebel out the window.
    While she lay there, dogs began to eat her body before it could be buried.
    2 Kings 9:30-37
    
     

12. What Jewish ruling council plotted against Jesus and had Him arrested?
    
    Answer: The Sanhedrin.
    
    The Sanhedrin ruled against and brought charges against Jesus.
    This ruling council had authority over both the religious and civil matters.
    Seventy-one members made up the court.
    They were the elite of society, comprising heads of tribes, teachers, scribes, priests, elders, and other prominent community members.
    Matthew 26:1-5
    
     

13. What is the Tanakh?
    
    Answer: The Jewish Bible.
    
    The Jewish Bible is called the Tanakh and has five sections or divisions.
    The first section of the Bible is called the Torah and has five books.
    It is believed that Moses either wrote the first five books or directed their writing.
    The entire Jewish Bible is called the Tanakh.
    The Jewish Bible is called the Tanakh.
    
    
     

14. Which disciple was a tentmaker?
    
    Answer: Paul.
    
    Before becoming an apostle, Paul was known as Saul of Tarsus.
    Saul was a devout Jewish Pharisee and Roman citizen.
    He spent much of his time as a persecutor of the Jews.
    Saul also had a trade as a tentmaker to support himself.
    Acts 18:1-3
    
     

15. Which disciple was a Roman tax collector?
    
    Answer: Matthew
    
    Matthew was a tax collector for the Roman Empire.
    The Jews considered Matthew a traitor and, most importantly, a sinner.
    Matthew was a Levi Jew who worked for the Roman authorities.
    His job was collecting money from the Jews, and he often used extortion in doing so.
    Matthew 9:9-11
    
     

16. Who are the sons of Zipporah and Moses?
    
    Answer: Eliezer and Gershom.
    
    Eliezer and Gershom are the sons of Zipporah and Moses.
    Zipporah was one of the seven daughters of Jethro.
    We know Moses was born to a slave and adopted by Pharaoh's daughter.
    Jethro took Moses in after Moses had fled Egypt, where he had murdered a slave master.
    It was only natural that Zipporah and Moses hooked up.
    Moses and Zipporah had two sons.
    
     

17. Who was Moses's sister?
    
    Answer: Miriam.
    
    Miriam was the sister of Moses, and she was older than Moses.
    God gave Miriam leprosy when she attempted a coup to overthrow Moses.
    Miriam felt she would make a better leader and wanted Moses out of the way so she could take over.
    Numbers 26:59
    
     

18. Besides Jesus, who else walked on water?
    
    Answer: Peter.
    
    Besides Jesus, Peter also walked on water at the same time.
    The disciples were out in a boat a short distance from shore.
    Jesus was on shore and called out to them as he started walking on water toward the boat.
    Peter answered, got out of the boat, and started walking towards Jesus.
    Unfortunately, Peter lost faith and began to sink.
    Jesus had to rescue him.
    Matthew 14:22-33
    
     

19. Who did God pick up in a fiery chariot?
    
    Answer: Elijah.
    
    God sent the fiery chariot to pick up Elijah at the River Jordan.
    Elijah was a devout prophet favored by God.
    Elisha was Elijah's protégé who took over Elijah's ministry.
    2 Kings 2:10-12
    
    
    What manuscripts were found in a cave near a sea?

20. 
    Answer: The Dead Sea Scrolls.
    
    A cave concealed scrolls, which included a substantial portion of the Old Testament.
    Researchers discovered the scrolls in caves near Qumran between 1947 and 1956.
    Local shepherds seeking shelter in the cave near the Dead Sea first discovered the scrolls.
    The Dead Sea Scrolls contained most of the Old Testament.
    
     

21. Who is the oldest person in the Bible?
    .
    Answer: Methuselah.
    
    Methuselah is the oldest recorded person in the Bible at 969 years old.
    Noah was the grandson of Methuselah and the third-oldest man in the Bible at 950 years old.
    Methuselah was a descendant of Seth, who was the fifth oldest, at 912 years old.
    Genesis 5:21–27
    
     

22. Name the two individuals who were taken to heaven without dying first.
    
    Answer: Enoch and Elijah.
    
    Enoch and Elijah were taken directly to heaven without dying first.
    "Enoch walked with God, and then he disappeared because God took him away."
    Genesis 5:24
    
    "Suddenly, Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind."
    2 Kings 2:11
    
     

23. Which Bible written in English was the first to have numbered verses?
    
    Answer: The Geneva Bible.
    
    The first Bible in English with numbered verses was the Geneva Bible.
    The church exiled those who dared to translate the Bible into English.
    Many exiled individuals sought refuge in Switzerland, a neutral nation.
    The English version of the Bible was first printed in Switzerland in 1560.
    It was later allowed to be printed in England by Sir Rowland Hill of Soulton in 1575. 
    William Shakespeare and the Puritans who immigrated to America, among others, used the Geneva Bible.
    The Geneva Bible was rewritten with the Apocrypha removed.
    It developed into the Bishops' Bible because Matthew Parker, the archbishop of Canterbury, oversaw its translation.
    The Geneva Bible was the first Bible with numbered verses.
    
     

24. Who started and was the founder of Judaism?
    
    Answer: Abraham.
    
    The first patriarch and founder of the Hebrew (Jewish) religion was Abraham.
    Abraham was sometimes known as the father of the faithful.
    It appears that Abraham sparked God's interest in the Hebrews.
    Abraham made a covenant with God, which is considered the foundation of Judaism.
    Genesis 12-25
    
     

25. Proverbs states that every child is full of foolishness, but what will correct him?
    
    Answer: Rod of discipline.
    
    The rod of discipline will correct a child full of foolishness according to the proverbs.
    This form of correction is outdated and was used before the advent of "Time Out."
    People from biblical times recognized discipline as both verbal and physical.
    One of the most effective tools in the discipline of children was the physical rod of correction.
    During the author's childhood, the rod of correction was quite effective.
    However, in modern times, the only discipline is "time out," aka "go to your room and play with your Android."
    "No man left behind" has a new meaning to the current generation.
    The new battle cry is "No one is a failure," and every participant in any competition is awarded a medal.
    Proverbs 22:15
    
     

26. How will the Lord come when he comes the second time?
    
    Answer: Thief in the night.
    
    A "thief in the night" is how Jesus will unexpectedly appear when he returns.
    Nobody can predict when Jesus will return.
    Jesus Himself does not know; only God knows.
    There will be no advance announcement about when Jesus arrives.
    We will know about it when it happens, and it will be a loud, boisterous event.
    Matthew 24:42-44
    
     

27. Who said to God, "Am I my brother's keeper?"
    
    Answer: Cain.
    
    Cain asked God, "Am I my brother's keeper?"
    Those were the words Cain said to God after he killed his brother Abel.
    God expelled Cain from the family, and he found a new group of people to live with in the land of Nod.
    Genesis 4:8-10
    
     

28. Who doubted the identity of Jesus after his resurrection until he saw the scars on Jesus's hands?
    
    Answer: Thomas.
    
    Thomas doubted who Jesus was after the resurrection.
    Many failed to recognize Jesus right after the resurrection.
    Mary Magdalene at first thought he was a gardener.
    Two disciples were fishing and did not recognize Jesus when He approached them.
    While on the road, two other disciples didn't recognize Jesus until they broke bread.
    Before Thomas was convinced he was speaking with Jesus, he insisted on seeing the wounds in Jesus' hands as proof.
    The phrase "Oh, you doubt Thomas" is one of the most commonly used.
    John 20:25–29
    
     

29. What does the book of Hebrews assert that God's sight is blind to?
    
    Answer: Nothing.
    
    Nothing is hidden from God; He sees and hears everything.
    God is aware of "every hair on your head."
    Job 34:21, Jeremiah 16:17, Proverbs 15:3
    
     

30. Who did not want to be seen coming to see Jesus at night?
    
    Answer: Nicodemus did not want to be seen visiting Jesus because he was a Pharisee. 
    
    The man was a Pharisee who didn't want the humiliation of being seen visiting Jesus.
    He was reluctant and fearful to speak with Jesus during the day.
    He inquired of Jesus about the significance of being "born again."
    John 2:3
    
     

31. Complete the sentence from this well-known Psalm. "I fear no ____, for you are with me."
    
    Answer: Evil.
    
    "I fear no evil, for you are with me."
    It is a popular psalm that is spoken at funerals.
    The psalm shows God as a loving shepherd who provides, protects, and restores the soul, giving peace of mind to those who hear it.
    Psalm 23
    
     

32. Which book comes after Genesis?
    
    Answer: Exodus.
    
    Genesis tells of Earth's creation and the beginnings of human life.
    It tells of their sins, how they strayed from God, and how they became slaves in Egypt.
    The following book, Exodus, picks up where the Israelites, after 400 years of slavery, were led out of Egypt by Moses and taken to the promised land.
    
     

33. Who was the spokesman for Moses when he demanded that Pharaoh
    "Let my people go"?
    
    Answer: Aaron.
    
    Moses' brother Aaron was Moses' spokesman.
    Because Moses had a speech impediment, Aaron was his spokesperson.
    God commanded Moses' brother Aaron to take on that responsibility.
    Exodus 6:28-7:7
    
     

34. Where will there be a big final war after the tribulation?
    
    Answer: Armageddon.
    
    Armageddon is where the epic battle between God and the devil takes place.
    It is a battle between righteousness and evil.
    This battle is Satan's final rebellion against God.
    The battlefield for the final war is Armageddon in the Middle East.
    It is also known as the area near the Mountain of Megiddo.
    Revelation 16:16. 
    Learn more about Armageddon here.
    
     

35. What musical instrument did King David play?
    
    Answer: The lyre.
    
    The lyre is the musical instrument that David played.
    It is first mentioned that David, as a young lad, played for Samuel.
    King Saul often requested that David play music to relieve his stress.
    The Bible also indicates that David wrote several songs to the tunes of the lyre.
    1 Samuel 16:14-23
    
     

36. What animals were NOT allowed to be used for sacrifice?
    
    Answer: Blemished animals.
    
    Blemished animals or animals with defects were not allowed to be sacrificed.
    Only perfect animals were acceptable to God for sacrifices.
    Animals that were dirty, blemished, or defective were not acceptable as sacrifices.
    Leviticus 22:19-26
    
     

37. How many loaves of bread did the disciples feed the listeners along the shore during a sermon that Jesus gave?
    
    Answer: Five loaves.
    
    The disciples provided five loaves of bread during Jesus' sermon from the boat.
    Jesus was standing in a boat at the shore and was giving a long sermon.
    The disciples noticed the listeners' hunger and urged Jesus to take action.
    The disciples took two fish and five loaves of bread and started feeding those gathered along the shore.
    Somehow, five loaves were all it took to feed a congregation of 5,000 who had gathered to hear Jesus.
    This miracle left twelve baskets of broken bread pieces after the sermon.
    Matthew 14:13-21
    
     

38. ​Who hid some Israelite spies in her home from the authorities?
    
    Answer: Rahab.
    
    Rahab was a prostitute that hid Hebrew spies in her attic from the authorities.
    The authorities were looking for spies whom Joshua sent into the city.
    Rahab was a prostitute but a believer in God.
    She hid the spies among the reeds on the roof of her house.
    To identify her apartment and ensure her safety, Rahab tied a red cord to her windowsill.
    Joshua 2:17-22
    
     

39. What did God put in the desert in front of the Israelites when they woke up every day?
    
    Answer: A pillar of cloud.
    
    During the day, God positioned a cloud pillar in front of the Hebrews.
    The Israelites would follow the cloud while traveling during the day.
    At night, God would place a pillar of fire in front of the Hebrews.
    Exodus 13:21
    
     

40. How long was Moses with God on Mt. Sinai when he received the Ten Commandments?
    
    Answer: 40 days and nights.
    
    Moses spent 40 days and nights on the mountain when he received the commandments.
    Moses made a total of six trips up the mountain to speak with God and learn the laws.
    The Bible records Moses spent 40 days and nights during the fourth trip when he received the first set of the Ten Commandments.
    Exodus 34:27-28