Sermon Central
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Bible Characters
Contributed by John Lowe on Dec 31, 2021 (message contributor)
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61. Gideon
Contributed on Mar 14, 2022
Gideon was the son of Joash, from the Abiezrite clan in the tribe of Manasseh and lived in Ephra (Ophrah). As a leader of the Israelites, he won a decisive victory over a Midianite army despite a vast numerical disadvantage, leading a troop of 300 "valiant" men.
Gideon Facts – Things You Should know Successor • Abimelech Parent(s) • Joash (father) Italics indicate individuals not explicitly described as judges Book of Joshua • Joshua Book of Judges ...read more
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62. Goliath Of Gath
Contributed on Mar 19, 2022
Some of the most popular and enduring stories involve an underdog who overcomes tremendous obstacles and secures victory against the odds. Arguably the most famous of such stories is the unlikely triumph of David—the young Israelite shepherd—against the battle-hardened Philistine.
Tom lowe 3/17/2022 bDavid and Goliath Goliath is a character in the biblical Book of Samuel, described as a Philistine giant defeated by the young David in single combat. The story signified Saul's unfitness to rule since Saul himself should have fought for Israel. Scholars today believe that ...read more
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63. Hagar
Contributed on Mar 21, 2022
After Hagar becomes pregnant, Sarah treats her harshly, and eventually, Hagar flees from her mistress into the wilderness, where God's messenger speaks to her.
Hagar In Brief This practice of surrogacya can be found in several ancient Near Eastern texts. Hagar is Sarah's Egyptian slave woman whom Sarah gives Abraham as a secondary wife and would bear a child for him. After Hagar becomes pregnant, Sarah treats her harshly, and eventually, Hagar flees ...read more
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64. Haggai
Contributed on Mar 22, 2022
The Lord asks, "Is it a time for you to dwell in your paneled houses, while this house (the Temple) lies in ruins?" – Haggai 1:4. This is one of the most piercing questions in all scripture, especially given our wealth in this country.
Haggai Haggai wrote during one of the most challenging times in Jewish history. His prophecies inspired the people to persevere and stay committed to God during that difficult time. Aside from the fact that he was a prophet, we know little about the man. His name means "festival," perhaps ...read more
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65. Ham, Noah's Son
Contributed on Mar 23, 2022
The Curse of Ham is described in the Book of Genesis as imposed by the patriarch Noah upon Ham's son Canaan. It occurs in the context of Noah's drunkenness and is provoked by a shameful act committed by Noah's son Ham, who "saw the nakedness of his father."
Ham, Noah's Son Scholars believe Ham is the youngest of Noah's three sons. Ham asks his brothers to help cover Noah when drunk and naked. According to the Table of Nations in the Book of Genesis, Ham was the second son of Noah and the father of Cush, Mizoram, Phut, and Canaan. Flavius ...read more
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66. Hannah
Contributed on Mar 24, 2022
In her prayer, she asked God for a son, and in return, she vowed to give the son back to God for the service of God. She promised he would remain a Nazarite all the days of his life.
Hannah Hannah was barren - until she meekly asked for a son from God, promising that she would dedicate him to God. Childless as one of the two wives of Elkanah, she prayed for a son, promising to dedicate him to God. Her prayers were answered, and she brought the child Samuel to Shiloh for ...read more
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67. The Herodians
Contributed on Mar 25, 2022
Known for their sensuality and corrupt living, the Herodians were supporters of the policies and government of the Herodian (Herod) family. They were a political rather than religious party.
Herodians Who Were The Herodians? Have you heard about the Herodians? Who were they, and why is it important to know about them? What was the Herodian? The Herodium is sometimes called Herodeion, and Israel knows it best as "Herodion." According to Josephus, the Jewish historian hired by ...read more
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68. The Herods
Contributed on Mar 26, 2022
In regard to overcoming sin, what should be your aim as a Christian? You should aim to overcome each and every temptation that you encounter, knowing that you have been given the grounds and the means to overcome such temptations,
The Herods During my study of the Herods, I realized that many people get confused about who "Herod" is in the Bible. This is not surprising since there are six different "Herods" in the New ...read more
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69. Higher Priesthood Of Melchizedek
Contributed on Mar 28, 2022
Melchizedek was one of those puzzling people in the Bible who appears only briefly but is mentioned again as an example of holiness and righteous living.
Higher priesthood of Melchizedek Let us dive into his biblical story and relevance for Christians today! Who was Melchizedek, mentioned in the Old and New Testaments? How was he a priest of God Most High? Why did Abram (Abraham) give him a tithe? Melchizedek Higher Priesthood of Melchizedek ...read more
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70. Hippolytus Of Rome
Contributed on Mar 29, 2022
Hippolytus was elected as a rival bishop of the Roman Church for a while. For these doctrinal differences and the bishops' relaxing of moral standards, Hippolytus bitterly opposed both bishops and Callistus' successors, Urban and Pontianus.
Hippolytus of Rome Who was Hippolytus? I have never heard of this man, and for a good reason – He is a Catholic saint; I am a Baptist. However, he has a part to play in the development of the Catholic Church, and I hope this article provides you with enough information that you can answer the ...read more
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71. Hosea
Contributed on Mar 30, 2022
Punishment for wrongdoing is essential, but according to Hosea, punishment is not to meet the demands of justice but rather to restore the ones who have done the wrong.
Hosea Hosea's first three children had very unusual names. His family story was a metaphor for God's relationship with Israel. The Book of Hosea is addressed to the people of the northern kingdom — Israel. It contains both a warning concerning future events and the meaning of these ...read more
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72. Irenaeus
Contributed on Mar 30, 2022
Irenaeus was a Greek bishop noted for his role in guiding and expanding Christian communities in southern France and for the development of Christian theology by combating heresy and defining orthodoxy.
• Irenaeus c. 130 – c. 202 AD) was a Greek bishop noted for his role in guiding and expanding Christian communities in the southern regions of present-day France and, more widely, for the development of Christian theology by combating heresy and defining orthodoxy (conformity, agreement, ...read more
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73. Isaiah
Contributed on Mar 31, 2022
Isaiah was a prophet for King Ahaz right before the Assyrian conflict began. He was the 8th-century BC Israelite prophet after whom the Book of Isaiah is named. Within the text of the Book of Isaiah, Isaiah himself is referred to as "the prophet."
Isaiah Personal Description Isaiah was a prophet for King Ahaz right before the Assyrian conflict began. He was the 8th-century BC Israelite prophet after whom the Book of Isaiah is named. Within the text of the Book of Isaiah, Isaiah himself is referred to as "the prophet." However, the ...read more
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74. Ishmael
Contributed on Apr 1, 2022
In Islamic beliefs, Abraham had prayed to God for a son. (God delivered this child to Abraham and later tested Abraham's faith by asking him to sacrifice his only son at the time.
Ishmael Ishmael was the first son of Abraham through the Egyptian Hagar, the common patriarch of the Abrahamic religions, and is venerated by Muslims as a prophet. According to the Genesis account, he died at the age of 137. Personal Facts Born: Canaan Children: Nebaioth, Basemath, Adbeel, ...read more
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75. Issachar And Zebulun
Contributed on Apr 3, 2022
The sages read Genesis 49:13-15 very differently. They glorified Issachar while explaining away Zebulun's calm superiority in a way that does not denigrate Issachar. Zebulun was an aggressive tribe on the ascendancy, but Issachar was comparatively weak.
Issachar and Zebulun Among Jacob's sons from Leah, Issachar was the fifth and Zebulun the sixth (Genesis 30:18-20). 18Then Leah said, "God has given me my wages because I gave my maid to my husband." So she named him Issachar. 19Leah conceived again and bore a sixth son to Jacob. ...read more
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76. Jacob And Esau
Contributed on Apr 4, 2022
God blesses Jacob, "Let peoples serve you, and nations bow down to you. Be Lord over your brothers and may your mother's sons bow down to you. Cursed be everyone who curses you and blessed be everyone who blesses you!"
Jacob and Esau Later, given the name Israel, Jacob is regarded as a patriarch of the Israelites and is an important figure in Abrahamic religions, such as Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. He had 13 children, 12 boys, one girl, Dinah. The boys became the heads of the 12 tribes of Israel. Biblical ...read more
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77. Jael
Contributed on Apr 5, 2022
Quietly, Jael took a mallet and drove a tent peg through Sisera's temple into the ground while he was sleeping, killing him instantly.
Jael Jael's Nationality Kenite Spouse Heber the Kenite Contents 1. Name 2. Heber the Kenite 3. Jael in the Book of Judges 4. Extra-biblical reference 5. Commentary 1. Name ...read more
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78. James
Contributed on Apr 9, 2022
Even after more than two years of miracles, James is a skeptic. It would, after all, be rather hard to swallow the idea that the brother you had grown up with was the Son of God.
Jesus came from a big family. Matthew 13:55-56 names Jesus' brothers: James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas and mentions sisters (plural), so He had at least six siblings. James is consistently named first when Jesus' brothers are listed, which in his day likely meant that he was the eldest of ...read more
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79. Jeremiah
Contributed on Apr 9, 2022
Jeremiah, also called the "weeping prophet,” was one of the major prophets of the Hebrew Bible.
Jeremiah Lineage and early life Jeremiah was born to a priestly family, the son of Hilkiah, a kohen (Jewish priest) from the small Benjamite village of Anathoth in Judeh. The difficulties he encountered, described in the books of Jeremiah and Lamentations, have prompted scholars to refer to him as ...read more
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80. The Jerusalem Council [part 1]
Contributed on Apr 9, 2022
The Council of Jerusalem was held in Jerusalem around AD 50. It is unique among the ancient pre-ecumenical councils, because many considered it to be the prototype and forerunner of future councils.
The Jerusalem Council This article is about the 1st-century Council of early Christianity. Contents Details About the Council of Jerusalem Date c. 50 Accepted by most Christian denominations Next Council Ancient church councils (pre-ecumenical) and the First Council of ...read more
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81. Job
Contributed on Apr 14, 2022
Job was faithful to God, even when he lost absolutely everything that had been important to him. This legend concerns Job, a prosperous man of outstanding piety. Satan acts as an agent provocateur to test whether or not Job's piety is rooted merely in his prosperity.
Job Job was faithful to God, even when he lost absolutely everything that had been important to him. This legend concerns Job, a prosperous man of outstanding piety. Satan acts as an agent provocateur to test whether or not Job's piety is rooted merely in his prosperity. However, Job still ...read more
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82. The Apostle John
Contributed on Apr 17, 2022
During his life, John wrote the Gospel of John and the first, second, and third books of John and the book of Revelation. Near the end of his life, it is said that he constantly repeated the phrase, "Little children, love one another!"
QUESTION: What is the history of John, the disciple of Jesus? ANSWER: To learn the history of John, the disciple of Jesus, we begin with his life before he met Jesus. John, his brother James, Peter, and Andrew were all partners in the fishing business before becoming disciples of Jesus. John was ...read more
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83. Joshua
Contributed on Apr 21, 2022
The Hebrew Bible identifies Joshua as one of the twelve spies of Israel sent by Moses to explore the land of Canaan. In Numbers 13:1, and after the death of Moses, he led the Israelite tribes in the conquest of Canaan and allocated lands to the tribes.
Joshua, Prophet, Righteous, Forefather Born Goshen (Lower Egypt), Ancient Egypt Died Canaan Venerated in Judaism, Christianity, Islam Major shrine Tomb of Joshua or Joshua's Hill Feast • July 26: Armenian Apostolic • September 1: Roman Catholicism • September 1: Eastern Orthodox ...read more
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84. Josiah
Contributed on Apr 22, 2022
When he became king, Josiah was eight years old, and he reigned for 37 years. Josiah was the last king before the exile. He destroyed all pagan idols and altars and insisted his people worship the one God.
Josiah When he became king, Josiah was eight years old, and he reigned for 37 years. Josiah was the last king before the exile. He destroyed all pagan idols and altars and insisted his people worship the one God. Josiah was the 16th king of Judah. According to the Hebrew Bible, he instituted major ...read more
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85. Judas Maccabees
Contributed on Apr 25, 2022
Judas Maccabeus (died 160 BC) was the leader of a Jewish revolt against the repressive policies of Antiochus IV Epiphanes, the King of Syria.
Revolt against the Seleucid Empire. Born: 190 BC, Modi'in-Maccabim-Re'ut, Israel Died: 160 BC, Judea Parents: Mattathias Dynasty: Hasmonean Successor: Jonathan Apphus Books: Playing Dreidel with Judah Maccabee Siblings: Simon Thassi, Jonathan Apphus, Eleazar Avaran Judas Maccabeus Judas ...read more
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86. Jude
Contributed on Apr 26, 2022
The Epistle of Jude is the penultimate [next to last] book of the New Testament and the Christian Bible. It is traditionally attributed to Jude the Apostle, brother of James the Just, and thus possibly the brother of Jesus.
Jude Jude The author of the biblical book of Jude was probably the brother of James (not one of Jesus' twelve disciples). Alternatively, it could be that Jude was just an assumed name. The Epistle of Jude is the penultimate [next to last] book of the New Testament and the Christian Bible. It ...read more
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87. Judith
Contributed on Apr 28, 2022
The story revolves around Judith; a daring and beautiful widow upset with her Jewish compatriots for not trusting God to deliver them from their Seleucid monarchs.
The Book of Judith is a deuterocanonical[a] book, included in the Septuagint and the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Christian Old Testament of the Bible but excluded from the Hebrew canon and assigned by Protestants to the Apocrypha. It tells of a Jewish widow, Judith, who uses her beauty and ...read more
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88. King Agrippa I
Contributed on Apr 29, 2022
Agrippa zealously pursued orthodox Jewish policies, earning the friendship of the Jews. According to the New Testament, he vigorously repressed the Jewish Christians.
King Agrippa I King Agrippa I Born: c.10 B.C.E. Died: 44 Title / Office: king (41-44), Judaea Herod Agrippa I, original name Marcus Julius Agrippa, (born c. 10 B.C.E.—died 44 C.E.), King of Judaea (41–44 C.E.), a clever diplomat who, through his friendship with the Roman imperial family, ...read more
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89. King Agrippa Ii
Contributed on Apr 30, 2022
In 70 he aided Vespasian’s son Titus in the final conquest of Jerusalem itself. After the war, his territory was enlarged by Titus, and he apparently survived until 93 CE.
Herod Agrippa II, or AGRIPPA II, officially named Marcus Julius Agrippa and sometimes shortened to Agrippa, was the last ruler from the Herodian dynasty, reigning over territories outside of Judea as a Roman client. Agrippa was overthrown by his Jewish subjects in 66 and supported the Roman side in ...read more
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90. Ahasuerus
Contributed on May 1, 2022
Xerxes 1 was the son of Darius 1 of Persia; his mother was the daughter of Cyrus the Great. During his reign, he dealt with revolts in Egypt and Babylon.
Ahasuerus/ ?-HAZ-ew-EER Modern: 'A?ašveroš, Tiberian: 'A?ašweroš, commonly Achashverosh, Koine Greek: ?s??????, romanized: Asou?ros, in µ Septuagint; Latin: Assuerus in the Vulgate) is a name applied in the Hebrew Bible to three rulers and a Babylonian official (or Median King) in the Book of ...read more