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People of the Bible

The lives of key people, and what we learn from them.

AaronAaron was the older brother of Moses (see Exodus 6:20; 7:7). He played an important role in establishing Israel and its institutions, especially the priesthood. He first appears after Moses was called by God at the…
AbiatharAbiathar served as high priest during the reigns of David and Solomon. He first met David before David became king. When David fled from Saul, he stopped in the city of Nob. Pretending to follow Saul's orders, David…
AbishaiAbishai was a strong and successful warrior and a leader in David's army. He was David's nephew, the son of David's sister Zeruiah, and the brother of Joab and Asahel (1 Chronicles 2:13–16). Abishai was very loyal to…
AbnerAbner, son of Ner, was King Saul’s cousin and his general (1 Samuel 14:49–52). Under Abner's command, Saul’s armies won key battles against the Philistines (1 Samuel 17:1–58). Abner also dined with David and Jonathan at…
Abraham“By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, without knowing where he was going…By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac on the altar”…
AbsalomAbsalom was the son of King David. The Bible says Absalom was "handsome and highly praised" (2 Samuel 14:25–26). When his sister Tamar was raped and abandoned by their half-brother Amnon, Absalom provided care and…
Adam and EveAdam was the first man and the father of humanity. God created the first couple in his image to fill the earth and manage creation (Genesis 1:26–31). God made Adam from the earth and gave him life (Genesis 2:7). Adam's…
AhabAhab, the eighth king of Israel, took over the northern kingdom from his strong father, Omri (1 Kings 16:27–28). He ruled Israel from 874 to 853 BC. Ahab married Jezebel, the daughter of King Ethbaal of Sidon.…
AhazAhaz ruled Judah during a difficult time, from 743 to 715 BC. His father, Jotham, and his son, Hezekiah, were praised for following the Lord (see 2 Kings 15:32–38; 2 Chronicles 27:1–9; and 2 Kings 18:1–8). However, Ahaz…
Annas and CaiaphasAnnas and Caiaphas were both high priests during the time of Jesus. They played key roles in condemning Jesus to death. Annas was the Jewish high priest around AD 6 to 15. Even after the Roman procurator of Judea…
Antiochus IVAntiochus IV is the most important Seleucid ruler in biblical literature. The Seleucids were a powerful Greek family that controlled much of the Middle East after Alexander the Great died. Antiochus IV is known as one…
ApollosApollos was a Greek-speaking Jew who knew the Scriptures well. He became a strong evangelist (someone who shared the good news about Jesus with many people) and a Christian apologist (someone who defended Christian…
ArameansThe Arameans belonged to a family of peoples who descended from Noah's son Shem (Genesis 10:22–23; compare Genesis 22:20–21). Bethuel and Laban were known as Arameans (Genesis 25:20; 28:1–7). Jacob lived with them in…
AsaAsa became the third king of Judah after Solomon's empire split into separate kingdoms. Asa became king after his father, Abijah, who ruled briefly from 913 to 910 BC. Asa reigned for 41 years, from 910 to 869 BC. At…
AssyriaAssyria was a symbol of fear and cruelty in the Near East for over three centuries. The Bible describes its power and harsh treatment of the people of Israel and Judah. However, Assyria's success depended on its…
BabylonBabylon, one of the world's oldest cities, was the center of Babylonian civilization. It is often used as a symbol for defiant human pride. Nimrod founded Babylon a few generations after the flood (Genesis 10:8–10). He…
BalaamBalaam was a diviner who read signs to predict the future and performed rituals to change it (see study note on Numbers 22:5–6; compare Joshua 13:22). He worked for money, so when Balak, the king of Moab, wanted to hire…
BarnabasBarnabas is shown in Acts as a good example of a Christian leader. He was from Cyprus and was active in the Jerusalem church. Barnabas showed great generosity by helping poorer members (Acts 4:32–37). His real name was…
BaruchBaruch, the son of Neriah, was a royal scribe in Jerusalem. He worked as a secretary for the prophet Jeremiah. His brother, Seraiah, was a staff officer in Zedekiah’s administration (Jeremiah 51:59–64). Baruch’s family…
BathshebaBathsheba, the wife of Uriah, was Eliam's daughter (2 Samuel 11:3; see also 1 Chronicles 3:5). She was Ahithophel's granddaughter, the king's adviser (2 Samuel 15:12; 23:34). Her husband, Uriah, was a Hittite soldier.…
CalebCaleb is an inspiring example of faith in God. He was the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite (Joshua 14:6; Numbers 32:12). The Kenizzites lived in the Negev, the southern desert region of Canaan (see Genesis 15:18–21).…
CorinthCorinth is one of Greece's oldest cities, with settlements dating back to at least 3000 BC. Its strategic location on key trade routes helped it become a major center for commerce. Corinth reached its peak power between…
Cyrus IICyrus II, king of Persia from 559 to 530 BC, founded the Persian Empire. His father was the king of Persia, a small nation under Media's control, and his mother was the daughter of the king of the Medes. In 549 BC…
DanielDaniel is a strong example of faith, wisdom, and endurance during difficult times and oppression. His life and prophecies show that God is in control and will ultimately win, even when evil seems powerful. Daniel…
DavidDavid is one of the most important people in the Bible. His time as king was a very special period in God's plan for Israel. The things David did as king had a great and lasting effect on Israel's future. David was born…
DeborahThe prophet Deborah was one of the early judges of Israel. She was a woman of integrity and devotion to the Lord. As a prophet, she received divine messages. As a judge, she settled legal disputes. People often called…
EgyptEgypt was a great and ancient civilization when Joseph rose to power and Jacob’s family traveled there for food (Genesis 39–41; 42–46; compare 12:10–20). Egypt was well protected from enemies because of where it was…
EleazarEleazar was the third son of Aaron, the first high priest (Exodus 6:23). Eleazar's two older brothers, Nadab and Abihu, angered God by offering incense differently than God commanded (Leviticus 10:1–7). Because they…
EliEli was Israel’s chief priest at the tabernacle in Shiloh, the central place of worship during the time of the judges. Eli likely descended from Ithamar, Aaron’s youngest son (see 1 Kings 2:27; 1 Chronicles 18:16…
ElijahElijah from Tishbe was a prophet in Israel during the reigns of Ahab and Ahaziah, from 874 to 852 BC. His name means “my God is Yahweh.” He showed that the Lord is the one true God and urged Israel to return to the…
ElishaElisha the prophet followed and succeeded Elijah in the northern kingdom of Israel during the late 800s BC. At that time, the leaders and people of the northern kingdom turned away from God and worshiped the Canaanite…
EphesusEphesus was at the crossroads of major trade routes, both north-south and east-west. It was famous as the "guardian" of the temple of Artemis (Acts 19:35). As guardian, Ephesus was officially recognized as the caretaker…
EsauEsau was the son of Isaac and Rebekah and Jacob's older twin brother (Genesis 25:24–26). He was named Esau because he was hairy at birth. His descendants became known as Edomites. "Edom" means "red," referring to…
EstherEsther was queen of Persia during the reign of Xerxes I (also called Ahasuerus), who ruled from 486 to 465 BC. She was part of the Diaspora ("scattering"), descended from Jews who had been scattered among the nations…
EzekielEzekiel was a priest and prophet. He was born around 623 BC. He likely grew up in Jerusalem and was married (Ezekiel 24:16–18). In 597 BC, he went into exile in Babylon with Jehoiachin and lived by the Kebar River. He…
EzraEzra was a priest and scribe (teacher and copier of Scripture). He came from an important family of high priests descended from Zadok (Ezra 7:1–5, 11–12; see also Nehemiah 8:2, 9). He led in Judah after the Jews…
GideonGideon was an Israelite judge and the son of Joash from the tribe of Manasseh. He said his clan was the weakest in Manasseh, and he was the least important in his clan. His story shows how God can use a weak person for…
HagarHagar was the Egyptian servant of Sarai, Abram’s wife. When God told Abram to leave Mesopotamia, He promised Abram many descendants and a new land (Genesis 12:2, 7). After ten years in Canaan without children, Sarai…
Hellenistic KingdomsFor 300 years after Alexander's death in 323 BC, Greek kings ruled the lands he had conquered. During this time, Greek ways of life, beliefs, and customs spread throughout these lands. This spread of Greek culture is…
Herod Agrippa IHerod Agrippa I was the grandson of Herod the Great, the nephew of Herod Antipas, and the brother of Herodias. Agrippa I ruled all of Palestine for a short time after the death of Jesus, during the early days of the…
Herod Agrippa IIHerod Agrippa II was the son of Herod Agrippa I. He became king after his father and ruled in Palestine from AD 50 to 100. He eventually controlled about the same area as his great-grandfather, Herod the Great. Agrippa…
Herod AntipasHerod Antipas was the sixth son of Herod the Great. He ruled Galilee and Perea from 4 BC to AD 39. This was during the lifetime of Jesus. He ruled areas where Jesus and John the Baptist focused their work. Herod…
Herod the GreatHerod the Great was the Roman-appointed king of Judea from 37 to 4 BC. Herod the Great was king when Jesus was born (Matthew 2:1; Luke 1:5). He was a strong military leader, a skilled politician, and a harsh ruler. He…
HezekiahHezekiah was one of Judah’s best kings. He ruled from 728 to 686 BC. His father, Ahaz, stopped worshiping God. But Hezekiah encouraged true worship of God. He fixed the temple doors, had the Levites prepare themselves…
HittitesFor many years, only the Bible mentioned the Hittite people. Some scholars questioned whether the Bible's historical accounts about the Hittites were accurate. They thought the Hittites were not a real people. However…
IsaacThe name Isaac means "he laughs," which reflects how he was born. When God promised Isaac's birth, both Abraham and Sarah laughed in disbelief (Genesis 17:15–19; 18:9–15). God had promised Abraham a son (Genesis…
IsaiahIsaiah was a prophet from Judah during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah. He was the son of Amoz (Isaiah 1:1). He might have been related to King Amaziah. Isaiah lived in Jerusalem, was well-educated, and…
IshmaelIshmael was Abraham’s first son, born to Hagar, Sarah’s Egyptian servant. The boy was born near Hebron when Abraham was eighty-six years old (Genesis 13:18; 16:16). God promised to make a great nation from the childless…
JacobJacob was the younger twin son of Isaac and Rebekah. He struggled with his twin brother Esau in the womb and was born holding Esau’s heel (Genesis 25:21–26). God told Rebekah that the boys symbolized two nations and…
James, Brother of JesusJames was one of the brothers of Jesus (Matthew 13:55; Mark 6:3; Galatians 1:19; compare Jude 1:1). He became the leader of the church in Jerusalem soon after Jesus rose from the dead. According to tradition, this James…
James, Son of ZebedeeJames, son of Zebedee and brother of John, was one of the twelve apostles. He was among the first to die as a follower of Jesus. His mother might have been the sister of Mary, the mother of Jesus. This would mean he was…
JehoshaphatJehoshaphat became the fourth king of Judah after his father Asa, who ruled from 872 to 848 BC. Like Hezekiah and Josiah, Jehoshaphat trusted the Lord throughout his life. He worked to remove most pagan worship from…
JeremiahJeremiah was a prophet in Jerusalem before its destruction in 586 BC. People sometimes call him the "weeping prophet" because he shared his struggles and sorrows while delivering God's messages. Jeremiah was born in…
Jeroboam IJeroboam I was the son of Nebat from the tribe of Ephraim. He was the first king of the northern kingdom of Israel. He ruled from 931 to 910 BC. He led the northern ten tribes into actions that caused the kingdom's…
Jeroboam IIJeroboam II was the son of Jehoash. He ruled as king of Israel for 41 years, from 793 to 753 BC. His time as king was longer than any other northern king. He followed the bad example of Jeroboam I (2 Kings 14:23–24).…
Jethro (Reuel)Jethro, also known as Reuel (Exodus 2:16–18; Numbers 10:29), was the priest of Midian (Exodus 2:16). Moses saved Jethro’s seven daughters from rough shepherds at a well and helped them water their flocks. At home, they…
Jewish LeadersJesus often disagreed with Jewish leaders during his public ministry. These leaders believed they were protecting the temple, its sacrifices, the synagogue, and its teachings. During the last week Jesus spent in…
JezebelJezebel, daughter of Ethbaal, king of Sidon (1 Kings 16:31), married King Ahab of Israel, likely to strengthen a political alliance between their nations. Jezebel supported Baal worship and insisted on total control for…
JoabJoab was David's nephew and the son of David's sister Zeruiah (1 Chronicles 2:13–16). His brothers were Abishai and Asahel. Joab became the commander of David's armies due to his bravery and military skill (2 Samuel…
John MarkJohn Mark, who wrote the first Gospel (the Gospel of Mark), helped three early missionaries: Barnabas Paul Peter Barnabas and Paul took Mark as an assistant on their first missionary journey. However, Mark left them and…
John the BaptistJohn the Baptist was a passionate preacher who lived in the desert and called people to repent (to change their lives by stopping their wrongdoing and turning to God). He became known as "the Baptist" (or "the…
John, Son of ZebedeeJohn was one of the twelve closest followers of Jesus. These followers are called apostles. John was the brother of James and the son of Zebedee. Jesus chose these twelve men as his special representatives and gave them…
JonathanJonathan was King Saul's oldest son. He was supposed to be the next king after Saul. However, when God rejected Saul and chose David, Jonathan supported David's rise to power (1 Samuel 18:1–4; 19:1–7). Jonathan was an…
JosephJoseph is famous for his dreams and the beautiful coat his father, Jacob, gave him. He is an example of faith, wisdom, and skill in managing. Despite many challenges, Joseph saved Canaan, Egypt, and his family from…
JoshuaJoshua was the son of Nun. He was the assistant of Moses and became Israel's leader after him. Joshua led the young nation across the Jordan River into Canaan, the land God promised to Abraham, by faithfully following…
JosiahJosiah was king of Judah from 640 to 609 BC. He was a godly man, unlike his grandfather Manasseh and his father Amon. Josiah followed the Lord with all his heart, soul, and strength. He obeyed all the laws of Moses (2…
JudahJudah is most famous for being the ancestor of King David and of Jesus Christ. Judah was not the oldest son and did wrong things as a grown man (Genesis 38). Despite that, God chose Judah to continue the lineage of King…
Judas IscariotJudas Iscariot is well-known for betraying Jesus to the authorities (Matthew 10:4; Mark 3:19; Luke 6:16). The meaning of the name Iscariot is unclear. It might refer to a village named Kerioth. Judas Iscariot is…
LeahLeah was Laban's first daughter, Jacob's first wife whom he did not love, and Rachel's older sister. Jacob tricked his father Isaac into giving him the blessing meant for Esau (Genesis 27:1–40). Then he went to his…
LotLot was Abraham’s nephew and the ancestor of the Moabites and Ammonites. Like Abraham, Lot was born in Ur and traveled with Terah to Haran (Genesis 11:27–32). After Terah died, Lot joined Abraham on the journey to…
LukeLuke was a Gentile (non-Jewish) doctor who became a Christian and a trusted helper of Paul in his missions. He wrote both the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles, which make up about one-quarter of the New…
MaccabeesThe Maccabees, which means "hammers," led a successful revolt against Antiochus IV because he persecuted the Jews. They and their descendants, known as the Hasmoneans, ruled Judea for nearly 100 years. They helped shape…
ManassehManasseh was the thirteenth king of Judah, ruling from 697 to 642 BC. He was king for many years and became known for doing evil things (2 Kings 21:1–18; 2 Chronicles 33:1–9). This was surprising because his father…
Martha, Mary, and LazarusThe sisters Martha and Mary lived with their brother Lazarus in Bethany, near Jerusalem. Jesus loved this family and spent time with them. The Gospels of Luke and John mention Martha and Mary, while Lazarus appears only…
Mary, Mother of JesusMary, the wife of Joseph, was the virgin mother of Jesus. Luke tells us that as a young girl in Nazareth, Mary was engaged to Joseph, a local carpenter. Before they married, an angel told her she would become pregnant…
Matthew (Levi)Matthew worked as a tax collector for the Romans and later became one of the twelve 12 closest followers of Jesus. These followers are called apostles. Early tradition says Matthew wrote the Gospel of Matthew. He is…
MelchizedekMelchizedek is a mysterious figure in the Bible. His name means "king of righteousness." He was a Canaanite priest and king. There is no record of his family, birth, or death. Abraham met Melchizedek after defeating…
MichalMichal was King Saul’s younger daughter (1 Samuel 14:49). She was King David’s first wife (18:17–27). She was important in the change from Saul’s rule to David’s. In the ancient Near East, leading families often…
Moab and AmmonThe Moabites descended from Moab, the son of Lot and his oldest daughter (Genesis 19:36–38). They settled on the high plateau east of the Dead Sea. Most of Moab is gently rolling tableland divided by ravines. Even at…
MosesMoses was the first leader of Israel as a nation. God used Moses at a very important time in the history of his people. He was the prophet who received the law and mediated God's covenant (special agreement) with Israel…
Nebuchadnezzar IIKing Nebuchadnezzar II ruled Babylon from 605 to 562 BC. He strengthened and expanded the empire of his father, Nabopolassar, who ruled from 626 to 605 BC. Besides the Bible, many ancient Babylonian documents describe…
NehemiahNehemiah was a strong leader of God's people in Judea after the exile to Babylon. He encouraged and strengthened God's people during difficult times. Before Nehemiah went back to Judea, he served as the cup-bearer to…
NeroNero became the emperor of Rome in AD 54 at 17 years old after his mother poisoned her husband, the emperor Claudius. Nero loved receiving attention. He was known for his immoral behavior and wasteful spending. During…
NicodemusNicodemus was a respected Jewish Pharisee (John 3:1) and a prominent member of the high council. He seems to have become a follower of Jesus. The Gospel of John is the only place where he is mentioned. Nicodemus was…
NoahNoah was the son of Lamech and a descendant of Seth (Genesis 5:3–29). Lamech might have hoped that Noah, whose name means "rest" or "relief," would ease the curse of hard work on the land. Instead, God used Noah to help…
Paul (Saul)Paul was first an enemy who attacked the early Christians, but he later became one of Jesus Christ's most important followers. He became one of the greatest early Christian missionaries and spent his life telling…
Pharaoh"Pharaoh" is an Egyptian word that means "great house." It refers to the royal palace and is also a title for the king of Egypt. During Joseph's time, the pharaoh viewed the Israelites favorably. Joseph interpreted the…
PhilipPhilip was among the first to share the good news about Jesus with people outside Judea. Highly respected by early Christians, he was one of seven men selected to manage the food distribution program for needy believers…
PhilippiPhilippi was a small village in Thrace until around 357 BC. Philip II of Macedon, Alexander the Great's father, conquered and rebuilt it. He named the village after himself, fortified it as a military base, and used the…
Pontius PilatePontius Pilate was the Roman governor of Judea from AD 26 to 36. He ordered Jesus to be put to death on a cross around AD 30 or 33. As the governor of Judea, Pilate controlled the Roman forces and the temple, including…
Priscilla and AquilaPriscilla and Aquila were a Christian couple. Paul lived and worked with them in his early days in Corinth. Later, they were active in Christian ministry and helped Apollos truly understand Jesus. They often welcomed…
RachelRachel was Laban's younger daughter. She was beautiful, and Jacob loved her more than his other wives. He first met her when he arrived at Paddan-aram in Haran. He helped her remove the stone from a well and watered her…
RahabRahab was a prostitute and a woman of faith. She remains mysterious even hundreds of years after her brief role in Israel's history. She believed in Israel's God and helped two Israelite scouts who visited her house.…
RebekahRebekah was the wife of Isaac. Genesis 24 tells the story of Abraham’s servant who seeks a wife for Isaac. Following Abraham’s instructions, he traveled to Haran in Aram-naharaim (northwest Mesopotamia) to find…
RehoboamRehoboam was the son of Solomon and an Ammonite woman (1 Kings 14:21). He became king at forty-one. He ruled for seventeen years, from 931 to 913 BC. He is known for causing the division of Solomon's kingdom and for…
Roman EmperorsAugustus (Octavian) ruled from 27 BC to AD 14. He became the first Roman emperor after defeating Marc Antony at the Battle of Actium in 31 BC. He ruled wisely and managed the empire well. He received the title…
RomeIn the first century AD, Rome was a diverse city and a powerful empire. It brought peace and stability to the Mediterranean region. The Founding and Early Growth of Rome According to tradition, Rome was founded in 753…
RuthThe story of Ruth is about a kind and loyal woman. It shows how God's hidden guidance helps those who love Him (Romans 8:28). This story is part of the history leading to the Messiah (God’s chosen one). It begins with…
SamaritansSamaria was a region north of Judea. It was centered around the ancient city of Shechem, which is called Sychar in the New Testament. After the conquest of Israel in 722 BC, the cities of Samaria and Shechem were…
SamsonSamson is a good example of God using someone for good even when they do wrong and do not care. Samson rescued Israel without trying or caring. He did not seem to care about his people, family, or God. He only cared…
SamuelSamuel lived at the end of the time of the judges and helped lead Israel into the time of kings. He was Israel’s last judge (1 Samuel 7:6, 15–17). Samuel is often seen as Israel’s first prophet (1 Samuel 3:20; Acts…
SarahSarah was both Abraham's wife and half-sister (Genesis 11:29; 20:12). She traveled with Abraham from Ur to Haran and then to Canaan (Genesis 11:31; 12:5). Twice, in Egypt and Gerar, Abraham asked Sarah to claim she was…
SatanThe book of Job mentions "the satan" as part of the heavenly court (Job 1:6; 2:1). (The heavenly court is a gathering in heaven where God meets with his angels.) In Hebrew, satan means an adversary or accuser in court…
SaulSaul was the first king of Israel. God and the people chose him, but he failed greatly due to his lack of confidence in himself and God. Saul was a complicated person. At times, we feel sorry for him because of his…
Simon PeterSimon Peter was the main leader among the twelve closest followers of Jesus. These followers are called apostles. After Jesus died, Simon Peter became the main person to speak officially for early Christians in…
SolomonSolomon was the third king of Israel and the second son of David and Bathsheba (2 Samuel 12:13–25). He ruled for forty years, from 971 to 931 BC. When Solomon first became king he had strong faith in God. But, he ended…
StephenStephen was an early Christian whose life was an example for others to follow. Because he spoke bravely about his faith, the Jewish authorities arrested and killed him. He is known as the first Christian martyr. This…
The AmalekitesThe Amalekites were the descendants of Amalek, a grandson of Esau (Genesis 36:12; 1 Chronicles 1:36). They were nomadic herdsmen. Their territory in the Negev stretched from south of Beersheba to the southeast, reaching…
The GreeksGreek civilization was important in the ancient world. Greek culture greatly influenced the world during the birth of Jesus and the writing of the New Testament. Mycenaean Civilization (1450 to 1200 BC) The Mycenaeans…
The Jewish High CouncilThe high council of Jewish leaders in Jerusalem had significant power in governing the Jewish people. It is traditionally called the Sanhedrin, a transliteration of the Greek word sunedrion, which means "council."…
The Medes and PersiansThe Medes (around 850–549 BC) The early Medes did not leave written records. An inscription from Shalmaneser III of Assyria, who ruled from 858 to 824 BC, states that the Medes settled around Ecbatana, their capital, by…
The PhariseesThe Pharisees were one of three major Jewish groups, along with the Sadducees and the Essenes. Unlike some other groups, the Pharisees did not try to gain political power. They began as part of a group called the…
The PhilistinesThe Philistines lived on the southeast coastal plain of the Mediterranean. They were part of a larger group of sea travelers from the Aegean region, called the "Sea Peoples" by the Egyptians. Around 1200 BC, they…
The Roman ChurchThe exact details of how the church in Rome started are unclear. Rome had a large Jewish population, and some Jews from Rome were in Jerusalem during Pentecost when the church began (Acts 2:10). It is likely that some…
The SadduceesThe Sadducees were an important Jewish group made up of priests and their families. They were different from the Pharisees, another Jewish group because the Pharisees were regular ("lay") people who were not priests.…
The Son of ManThe Hebrew and Aramaic phrase “son of man” means “human being.” However, the figure in Daniel 7:13–14, who is “like the Son of Man,” seems to be more than just a human being. His exact identity is not given, but his…
ThomasThomas was one of the 12 apostles (Matthew 10:3; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:15; Acts 1:13). He is also known as "the Twin." People remember him most for doubting that Jesus had risen from death. We do not know how Jesus first…
TimothyTimothy traveled with Paul for much of Paul's missionary work. He was one of Paul's most loved and trusted helpers. Paul wrote two of his last letters to Timothy. At that time, Timothy was leading the church in Ephesus…
TitusTitus was a Gentile (non-Jewish person) who became a follower of Jesus. He served as one of Paul's trusted helpers. Paul wrote one of his last letters to Titus while Titus was helping to strengthen the church in Crete.…
UzziahUzziah was the son of Amaziah and Jecoliah. He was king of Judah for 52 years, from 792 to 740 BC (see 2 Kings 14:21–22; 15:1–2; 2 Chronicles 26:1–3). He began as co-ruler with his father at age sixteen for about 25…
Women Named MaryThe Gospels mention four other Marys besides the mother of Jesus: Mary Magdalene, likely from Magdala in Galilee, was freed from demon possession by Jesus (Mark 16:9). She became a loyal follower and supported Jesus and…
Xerxes IXerxes I ruled the Persian Empire from 486 to 465 BC. He was the son and successor of Darius I (Hystaspes). Xerxes inherited a large empire from his father and his maternal grandfather, Cyrus II. However, he struggled…
ZadokZadok was a key figure in the history of Israel's priesthood. He first appears in the story of 2 Samuel (2 Samuel 8:17). Some scholars think he might not have been born into a priestly family. However, the Bible states…
ZerubbabelZerubbabel was a Jew born in Babylon. He moved to Judea in 538 BC as the governor of Jerusalem under Persian rule. Cyrus, the king of Persia, allowed Jews who were captured and exiled from Judah to return home.…