Literary Allusions - Biblical

Question 1

Abraham & Isaac

Answer 1

Refers to a very tough challenge or sacrifice; Abraham was asked by God to sacrifice his beloved son Isaac; Abraham was willing, but his son was spared at the last minute

Question 2

The Annunciation

Answer 2

Revealed the destiny of Jesus; refers to a prophet or prophecy

Question 3

Armageddon

Answer 3

A catastrophic conflict that threatens universal disaster; the end of the world; Armageddon is identified in the Bible as the place where the climactic battle between good and evil will be fought

Question 4

Babel (Tower of)

Answer 4

A scene of general confusion and noise; God thwarted the efforts of the builders of the Tower of Babel by making them all speak in different languages

Question 5

Babylon

Answer 5

Something known for its corruption or immorality; in the Bible, Babylon is a symbol for a prosperous human society that has no time for God

Question 6

burning bush (story of Moses)

Answer 6

A source of revelation, especially one of a miraculous nature; God addressed Moses from the burning bush

Question 7

Road to Damascus

Answer 7

A sudden, dramatic revelation resulting in a fundamental change of view; Saul has a vision of the risen Christ on his way to Damascus to persecute Christians –> Saul immediately becomes Christian

Question 8

Esther

Answer 8

The archetype of a beautiful, virtuous heroine; Esther was chosen to become queen of King Xerxes of Persia on account if her beauty; as queen, she protected the captive Israelites from persecution by her husband

Question 9

the golden calf (the story of Exodus)

Answer 9

Money, riches, or material values, or someone who is materialistic; in Exodus, the Israelites worshipped the golden calf in the absence of Aaron’s brother Moses

Question 10

Jacob’s ladder

Answer 10

A ladder of rope used to board a ship; Jacob’s ladder connected Earth with Heaven in a dream by Jacob

Question 11

Job

Answer 11

Someone who maintains integrity despite extreme hardship; in the Bible, Job went through great suffering, but maintained his character

Question 12

Leviathan

Answer 12

A vast or immensely powerful force or thing, especially a massive organization, state bureaucracy, etc; in the Bible, Leviathan is a monstrous beast

Question 13

Lot’s wife

Answer 13

An individual who brings about his/her own downfall through disobedience; Loy’s wife disobeyed a command and was turned into a pillar of salt

Question 14

Methuselah

Answer 14

Very old, ancient; Methuselah is the oldest man mentioned in the Bible

Question 15

olive branch (associations with Noah)

Answer 15

A peace offering or symbol of peace; in the Bible, a dove brought Noah an olive leaf as a sign that the waters of the Flood were receding

Question 16

“pearls before swine” (Matt 7:6)

Answer 16

Something good/valuable offered to or in possession of someone who can’t appreciate it

Question 17

Promised Land

Answer 17

A place it situation believed to offer great happiness, fulfillment, and security; land promised by God to Abraham

Question 18

the Prodigal Son (also know meaning of “Prodigal”)

Answer 18

A person who returns after a lengthy absence after recklessly spending his/her money; prodigal=someone who squanders his/her money

Question 19

Queen of Sheba (association with King Solomon)

Answer 19

Someone whose pride is vanquished (humbled); Queen of Sheba visited Solomon to see for herself the stories she had heard of his magnificence –> pride humbled when they proved true

Question 20

Ruth (Old Testament)

Answer 20

The archetype of a devoted, loyal woman; Ruth promised never to desert her mother-in-law