Biblical Allusions

Question 1

Abraham and Isaac

Answer 1

Father and son. God tested Abraham’s faith by asking him to kill his son, Isaac, which Abraham was willing to do. Both Jews and Arabs trace their lineage to “Father Abraham” : Jews descend from Isaac, Arabs from Abraham’s other son, Ishmael.

Question 2

Absalom

Answer 2

Third son of David who rebelled against his father.

Question 3

Adam and Eve

Answer 3

The first man and woman. God drove them from the Garden of Eden after they tasted the forbidden fruit from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. Adam and Eve are the parents of mankind.

Question 4

Alpha and Omega

Answer 4

The first and last letters of the Greek alphabet; used in conjunction, they represent God, who is the beginning and the end.

Question 5

Am I my brother’s keeper?

Answer 5

This is from the Bible story of Cain and Abel, Adam’s and Eve’s sons. Upon learning that God had accepted Abel’s sacrifice and not his own, Cain killed Abel. When God asked Cain where his brother was, Cain replied, “Am I my brother’s keeper?”

Question 6

Apocalypse

Answer 6

Another name for the Book of Revelation, the last book of the Bible. An apocalypse refers to a final battle or catastrophe; the Apocalypse is the end of time.

Question 7

Apostles

Answer 7

The original apostles, or followers, of Christ.

Question 8

Mt. Ararat

Answer 8

Where Noah’s Ark landed.

Question 9

Ark of the Covenant

Answer 9

a chest described in the Book of Exodus[1] as containing the Tablets of Stone on which the Ten Commandments were inscribed

Question 10

Armageddon

Answer 10

The final battle between God and the devil at the end of the world, as described in the book of Revelation. Any major, climatic battle is sometimes considered Armageddon - the final battle between good and evil.

Question 11

Tower of Babel

Answer 11

Originally intended to reach into heaven, was built by the descendants of Noah, who were unified in speech in the city of Babel. Because of their arrogance, God confused their speech, making the people unable to understand one another, thus creating the different languages of Earth.

Question 12

Babylon

Answer 12

an ancient city of Mesopotamia known for its wealth, luxury, and vice

Question 13

Barabbas

Answer 13

Barabbas is the insurrectionary whom Pontius Pilate freed at the Passover feast in Jerusalem, instead of Jesus

Question 14

Bathsheba

Answer 14

The married woman whom David lusted after

Question 15

Beatitudes

Answer 15

The words of Jesus, spoken during the Sermon on the Mount. Each beatitude begins with, “Blessed are the…”

Question 16

Beelzebub

Answer 16

Another name for the devil. In Milton’s Paradise Lost, Beelzebub is second in command to Lucifer.

Question 17

Bethlehem

Answer 17

The birthplace of Jesus; it’s a village near Jerusalem.

Question 18

Blind leading the blind

Answer 18

The corrupt leading the lost. God saying that no “blind” person should lead potential Christians.

Question 19

Bread cast upon waters

Answer 19

do good without expecting gratitude or reward.

Question 20

Burning Bush

Answer 20

The method by which God revealed himself to Moses. Although the bush was on fire, it did not burn.

Question 21

Cain and Abel

Answer 21

Adam and Eve’s first sons. Cain murdered his brother, and as a result, was exiled by God. God marked Cain to protect him during his wanderings; this mark of Cain is still considered a sign of mankind’s sinful nature.

Question 22

Coat of many colors

Answer 22

The coat Jacob gave to his son, Joseph. His brothers became jealous, coveting Joseph’s gift, and sold Joseph into slavery.

Question 23

Covenant

Answer 23

An agreement, or contract, between God and his people.

Question 24

Crown of thorns

Answer 24

A mock crown, woven cut of thorny branches, that Jesus was forced to wear by Roman soldiers. Anything that causes immense pain and suffering can be called a crown of thorns.

Question 25

Crucifixion

Answer 25

Refers to the death of Jesus by hanging on a cross, bound by ropes or nailed through the hands and feet.

Question 26

Delilah and Samson

Answer 26

A man of the Old Testament who had incredible strength. Samson was betrayed by his lover, Delilah, who found out that his hair was the source of his strength and cut it.

Question 27

Disciples

Answer 27

Followers. Originally, they were the followers of Jesus, but now the term is used to describe anyone who follows a leader.

Question 28

Doubting Thomas

Answer 28

Refers to the apostle Thomas, who was not present with the others when they saw the risen Jesus Christ. He demanded to see for himself and touch Jesus’ wounds before he would believe that Christ had risen from the dead. Those with little faith are often referred to as doubting Thomases.

Question 29

Eden

Answer 29

The site of Adam and Eve’s perfect existence, until their transgression and subsequent banishment. Any place of complete peace and happiness can be considered a Garden of Eden.

Question 30

Elijah

Answer 30

Elijah or Elias was a prophet and a wonder-worker in the northern kingdom of Israel during the reign of Ahab, according to the Biblical Books of King

Question 31

Exodus

Answer 31

The second book of the Bible. It recounts the journey of Moses and the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt. The word exodus comes from the Greek, meaning departure.

Question 32

Fall of man

Answer 32

Adam and Eve’s were commanded by God not to eat the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge. Adam’s and Eve’s disobedience led to the Fall of Man and was famously chronicled in Milton’s Paradise Lost.

Question 33

Fatted calf

Answer 33

The parable of the Prodigal Son. The fatted calf was sacrificed to celebrate the return of the wayward son.

Question 34

Forbidden fruit

Answer 34

Refers to the fruit from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, which Adam and Eve were instructed not to eat. Traditionally, the forbidden fruit is an apple, though this has no Biblical origin. Contemporary forbidden fruits are things that are off-limits. Often, forbidden fruits are sexual in nature.

Question 35

Four horsemen

Answer 35

Signs from the Book of Revelation. Each rider represents a different form of evil: war, famine, pestilence, and death.

Question 36

Fruits - you will know them by their fruits

Answer 36

Hard work or products of hard work. Children are the fruits of marriage. A diploma is the fruits of my high school career.

Question 37

Give - more blessed to give than recieve

Answer 37

People who are more willing to give and not receive in return and going to end up more blessed

Question 38

Go the extra mile

Answer 38

Do more than you are required

Question 39

Golden calf

Answer 39

An idol created for the Israelites during the time they roamed the desert in search of the Promised Land. Fearing Moses would not return from Mt. Sinai and needing a god to lead them, they had Aaron create the golden calf out of melted jewelry. When Moses returned with the Ten Commandments, he found the people worshiping this false god.

Question 40

Good Samaritan

Answer 40

Tells about an enemy, a Samaritan, taking care of a Jewish man who was beaten and robbed. People who perform random acts of kindness are often called good Samaritans.