Biblical Allusions Flashcards
Absalom
The third son of King David, who disobeyed his father and started a rebellion and was killed by his brother, but forgiven by his father
*represents rebellion and a father’s forgiveness
Apostles
Jesus’s 12 closest followers who represented him, followed him, learned through his teachings, and went to proclaim the Gospel to the world
*represent advocates for a cause, leaders, & teachers
Armageddon
The place where the battle between God(good) and the demon gods(evil) that threatened
*refers to any catastrophic war or battle that nearly resulted in disaster
Babel (tower of)
Tower built to reach heavens but god made builders speak diff languages so they couldn’t complete it
*signifies idea of no success and confusion
Babylon
A great, large empire famous for torture and it’s brutality
* signifies tyrannical gov/evil power, and even wicked decadence in some instances
Cain and abel
The children of adam and eve who were asked to make offerings to god but God only accepted Abel’s. Cain then murdered Abel making him the first murderer in the Bible
- cain signifies hell, evil, etc
- story signifies sibling rivalry
Daniel
- He’s an allusion for triumph in adversity, staying true to one’s faith/beliefs
- lions den represents any dangerous situation
David and Bathsheba
King david had an affair with a married woman(bathsheba) and impregnated her, and then killed her husband in order to be with her and the child. Child had to die for things to be made right, but had another child w her after death of that one
* symbol of redemption for those who have sinned
David and Goliath
*symbolizes that you don’t need to be almoghty if you have God on your side; battle against the odds
Doubting Thomas
One of the 12 Apostles not there for Jesus’s resurrection and wouldnt believe it till he saw it
*represents skepticism
Eye of the needle
*it is only possible to enter heaven if you have repented for your sins
Ie get rid of your “cargo”
Exodus
Second book of the bible that talks about israelites escaping slavery in Egypt
* mass departure of people or immigrants
Four horsemen
Four agents of destruction in the book of Revelation: pestilence, famine, war, and death
*related to any mass destruction and signify a warning
Genesis
First book in Old Testament of bible that tells about world creation in 6 days
*means beginning/to be born
Gethsemane
Garden near Jerusalem where Jesus went to pray after Last Supper and was arrested
*sign of pain, or place of anguish/suffering
Golden calf
Moses getting the commandments took too long and the restless began to worship golden calf and God punished them for it with a plague
*symbolizes worship of material values, money, and riches.
The good samaritan
When a jew was attacked and left to die but helped by a samaritan who was supposed to hate him
* represents kind selfless person helping someone they dont really know
Jacob and Esau
Twin sons of isaac and rebbekah
*represent sibling rivalry and redemption
Jezebel
Daughter of ethbaal who performed evil deeds ie murder and was hurled out of a window and eaten by dogs
*signifies shameless, immoral woman
Job
A prosperous man devoted to God who’s devotion was tested by the taking away of everything he had
*symbol of faith and patience
Jonah
Refused god’s wishes for him and ended up in a whale’s belly
*signifies rebellion will be punished and faith rewarded; even the wicked deserve concern
Judas Iscariot
One of jesus’s 12 disciples that betrayed him by selling him (blood money)
*symbol of betrayal
Last supper
Jesus and his disciples have wine and bread together before he’s arrested and crucified
*reps communion or gathering/celebration before an end to something
Lazarus
Resurrected by jesus because he got there too late to help cure him of his illness
*reps resurrection/rebirth/renewal
Lucifer
An archangel who disobeyed god, was thrown into hell and became satan
*reps evil and rebellion
Magi
Religious caste among persians
*signify wisdom
Manna
Food that rained for israelites during their 40 year journey in the desert
*symbolizes hope and fulfillment & unexpected but welcome gifts
Mark
Author of second Gospel & one of most scholarly disciples of Jesus
*important because he spread the word of Jesus
Mary and Martha
Martha represents fret and worry
Mary represents singular devotion and confidence
Mary Magdalene
Grateful to jesus for curing her of her demons and a strong supporter who watched him rise from the dead
*all sins can be redeemed
Matthew
Tax collector who became a disciple
*wrote first gospel
Methuselah
Oldest guy in bible
*symbol of resilience and long lasting life
Moses
Made 12 commandments and aided in Israelite escapade from egypt by parting the Red sea
* symbol of leadership and accomplishing impossible tasks
Olive Branch
Dove brings noah olive branch to signal end if flood
*symbol of peace
Philistine
Enemies of Israelites known for alcohol consumption
*symbolic of materialism and unculturedness
Pontius pilate
*symbolic of weakness and lack of morals
Prodigal son
(Prodigal means favored person)
A father forgives him for running away and spending all his money
*signifies all can be redeemed and all sins forgiven
Ruth and Naomi
Stuck together when fam members died unexpectedly
*symbolic of devotion and loyalty
Samson and Delilah
Samson’s strength is his hair and once Delilah figures it out she cuts it
- samson = strength
- Delilah = treachery and betrayal
Sodom and Gomorrah
God was burning cities and said he’d stop if 10 righteous men & they couldnt
*symbol of human wickedness and divine retribution
Solomon
*symbol of wisdom and an important monotheistic religious figure
Whited sepulcher
Represents hypocracy
Abraham and isaac
First two patriarchs of the Old Testament. God tested Abraham by telling him to sacrifice his son. He was about to comply when an angel told him it wasn’t necessary because his willingness to was enough. *His devotion to god made him a model of faith.
