Aaron
Exodus 4 - 12, 15 - 19, 24, 27 - 32, 34 - 35, etc.
Aaron was Moses' brother who was made his spokesman by God. Went with Moses to Pharaoh demanding children of Israel's release from slavery. Aaron was made the Old Testament's first High Priest. He and Moses were not allowed to enter the Promised Land due to their sin in the wilderness of Zin.
Abel
Genesis 4, Matthew 23:35, Luke 11:51, Hebrews 11:4, 12:24
Adam and Eve's second son. The Bible is silent regarding whether or not he married. Murdered by jealous older brother Cain. Had faith in God (Hebrews 11) and called righteous by Jesus (Matthew 23:35).
Abraham
Genesis 17 - 26, 28, 31, 32:9, 35:12, etc.
Originally named Abram. Left home in Ur of the Chaldees to go to the Promised Land. Faith tested when asked to sacrifice son Isaac. Promised by God he would be father of many nations and kings. The New Testament calls him the father of the faithful (Romans 4:16). Please see our article dedicated to Abraham for more information.
Absalom
2Samuel 3, 13 - 20, 1Kings 1:6, 2:7, 28, etc.
King David's son who attempted to take over the throne. While fleeing after losing a battle with David's army he is caught in a tree and killed by Joab.
Achan
Joshua 7:1, 18 - 20, 24, Joshua 22:20. 1Chronicles 2:7
Achan was of the tribe of Judah. He decided, when the Israelites conquered Jericho, to take some of the city's booty for himself. This act, in direct defiance to God's command, led to the people's inability to take the city of Ai. Joshua, upon discovering Achan's grievous sin, has him stoned to death and all his possessions burned (Joshua 6:16 - 19, 7:1 - 26).
Adam
Genesis 2 - 5, Deuteronomy 32:8, Joshua 3:16, etc.
Adam's name means 'red' or 'red earth.' He is the first created human being. A woman, first called Ish in Hebrew, and later named Eve, is created from one of his ribs. Sinned when he ate fruit of tree of good and evil (Genesis 3). Was cast out of Eden along with Eve. Lived 930 years. Please see our article dedicated to Adam for more information.
Ahab
1Kings 16 - 22, 2Kings 1, 3, 8 - 10, 21:3, 13, etc.
Ahab is considered the worst king of Israel. Married the evil pagan woman Jezebel. Expanded Israel's worship of pagan gods. Elijah the prophet confronted him for his evil. Please see our article dedicated to Ahab for more information.
Amos
Amos 1:1, 7:8 - 14, 8:2, Luke 3:25
Amos is considered one of the Bible's Minor Prophets. His contemporaries were Isaiah and Hosea. Prophesied against Israel's oppression of poor, sexual immorality, luxury and corruption.
Balaam
Numbers 22 - 24, 31:8, 16, Deuteronomy 23:4 - 5, etc.
Prophet asked by Balak, the king of the Moabites, to curse Israel as they camped in the wilderness. God warned Balaam not to curse Israel by miraculously having a donkey talk and the Angel of the Lord appear ready to kill him (Numbers 22 - 23). Taught Balak how to corrupt the Israelites and bring judgment down upon themselves (Numbers 31).
Baruch
Nehemiah 3:20, 10:6, 11:5, Jeremiah 32:12 - 16, etc.
Baruch was from the tribe of Judah. Secretary for the prophet Jeremiah who wrote all his prophecies then read them to the people.
Bathsheba
1Kings 1 - 2, 1Chronicles 3:5, 2Samuel 11:2 - 5, 12:24, Psalm 51:1
Bathsheba was the wife of Uriah the Hittite who served in David's military. King David committed adultery with her then set up Uriah to be killed in battle. Child born out of adultery dies. Marries David and become mother of Solomon and Nathan.
Last king of the Babylonian empire. Saw miraculous "handwriting on the wall" which Daniel revealed was God's judgment on him and Babylon. He was killed the same night he saw the handwriting. Darius the Mede, with consent of Persia's Cyrus the Great, takes Babylon.
Benjamin
Genesis 35:18, 24, 42:4, 36, 43:14 - 34, 44:12, etc.
Born to Jacob and Rachel. Was Jacob's youngest of twelve sons.
Bilhah
Genesis 29:29, 30:3 - 7, 35:22, 25, 37:2, 46:25, etc.
Was Rachel's handmaid given to her by her father Laban. Rachel, who was barren, gave Bilhah to Jacob so that she could have children through her (Genesis 30). Gave birth to two sons of Jacob named Dan and Naphtali.
Boaz
Ruth 2 - 4, 1Kings 7:21, 1Chronicles 2:11 - 12, 2Chronicles 3:17
Boaz married Ruth (who authored the Bible book of Ruth) and was the great-grandfather of King David.
Cain
Genesis 4, Joshua 15:57, Hebrews 11:4, 1John 3:12, Jude 1:11
Adam and Eve's first child who was a tiller of the ground. Became jealous of younger brother Abel and murdered him. His punishment from God was to be "marked" and to live as a fugitive his entire life. He eventually married one of his sisters.
Cyrus the Great
2Chronicles 36:22 - 23, Ezra 1, 3:7, 4:3 - 5, etc.
Considered first true king of the Persian empire. Conquered the Median Empire in 549 B.C. and the Babylonian empire in 539 B.C. Issued decree to allow Jews to return to Jerusalem.