Bible heroes. bible characters
A hero or heroine cannot simply be equated with a character in a story, since characters can be secondary, and not necessarily the main characters. Also, not all characters are heroes. Heroes and heroines differ in at least five characteristics:
1) they are typical representatives of their cultural environment;
2) their trials and struggles are understandable in the conditions of a given culture and thus empathize with it;
3) they represent the values and virtues that this culture seeks to affirm;
4) although they do not need absolute idealization, nevertheless, they are mostly examples worthy of imitation;
5) they attract wide attention. Accordingly, they perform in their culture, first of all, two functions - they inspire people and affirm cultural and spiritual values.
The image of a hero or heroine is created by the imagination based on the facts of real life. Life itself provides the materials from which people create their heroes, but in real life, heroes never exist in their pure form. The literary hero is the quintessence of the available material, and the process of highlighting the image requires selection and giving it weight. The creation of heroes and heroines is one of the most important products of society, in part because it serves as the vehicle through which society communicates its values and moral categories.
The main literary genre devoted to heroic deeds is the heroic story, and the Bible is an anthology of such stories. Heroic images are also found in such genres as lyric poetry, parables and prophecies. In addition, although heroic traits may be the basis for assigning hero status, most often in the Bible (as in literature in general) the position of the hero is determined by his role, with which the virtues of a person are often associated. The review of biblical heroes and heroines offered below is based on the usual images of heroes in their usual sense.
High-ranking heroes. The ancient world admired the strength and power possessed by the rulers. The main literary source for expressing this heroic image is the palace chronicles, which recorded the main public (and sometimes personal) events in the life of kings and queens, as well as epic poems dedicated to glorifying the deeds of the people, including by exalting the role of the ruling class. We see this theme in full measure in the Old Testament (in the New Testament it is barely indicated). Above all stands the figure of David, the king, most often represented as a model for evaluating the deeds of his successors, and more broadly, in the annals of the palace, the conviction is expressed that kings and rulers are the most significant persons in society and should inspire awe before the power they personify. In the ancient world it was believed that the fate of a people was entirely determined by the ruler that the people represented, and in the Old Testament this belief is reinforced by the premise that the king is the person through whom the covenant is either kept or not, with the resulting blessings or misfortunes. Of course, the king could be not only a hero, but also a villain, and a remarkable feature of the Old Testament palace chronicles is that many kings are represented in them by no means as heroes, but as wicked ones.
Tsars and queens often became candidates for the role of literary heroes due to the power in their hands. This principle extended to other influential figures on the public stage, and it is especially noticeable in the Old Testament. One of these groups belonged to the heads of clans, in particular, the patriarchs. In Genesis, a triad of heroes is shown, consisting of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. (Luther called them "next in importance to Christ and John the Baptist...the most outstanding heroes the world has ever known.") Only one step behind them are the sons of Jacob, who became the founders of the tribes of Israel. Moses and Joshua are the heroic leaders of the exodus and conquest of the earth. In the Book of Judges, the figure of a judge rises to the position of a hero. But in order to become true heroes, all these biblical characters were required to meet certain moral and spiritual qualities. These include discernment, firm leadership, adherence to the truth, coupled with rejection of idolatry, godliness, and obedience to the commandments of God's covenant. But the decisive place among these qualities is the correspondence to the role of the leader.
In the ancient world, not only rulers and leaders, but also warriors were elevated to the rank of heroes (see BATTLE, FIGHTING ACTIONS). Although the Old Testament pays less attention to this topic than in parallel ancient literature, this image of the hero also finds expression in it. With the exception of the patriarchs, the Old Testament leaders were also warriors and generals; and some of them are known to us more for their military exploits than for the deeds of government. In the battle stories, the main place is occupied by men, but sometimes their ranks are replenished by women, such as Deborah and Jael (). Heroes are distinguished by such traits as courage, physical strength and dexterity, as well as superiority in the use of tactical techniques. It should also be noted that in military literature it is considered an axiom that the decisive events of history occur on the battlefield. Moreover, the Old Testament writers take it as an indisputable truth that victory is achieved not due to human qualities in themselves, but due to the help of God. In some Old Testament stories of victories, God is depicted as the actual victor (see HEAVENLY WARRIOR).
religious heroes. People could also receive the status of heroes by virtue of their fulfillment of their religious duties. In some cases, they were part of an elite social group, comparable to the position of the political leaders of society, simply by virtue of the performance of these functions; in other cases, their heroic deeds were determined by the choice of God to play a heroic role. In the Bible we see four main categories of elevation to the position of religious heroes. The first group of recognized religious elite in society included the Old Testament priesthood, whose primary duty was to represent God's people through the sacrificial system. In later Old Testament history, the most prominent religious heroes were the prophets, who gained fame for their courage in bringing God's word of judgment to apostate people and nations. The New Testament church elevated the missionary to the position of a prophet. The essence of heroic missionary work is evangelistic zeal combined with tireless energy in the traveling evangelistic work. Another New Testament group includes disciples who, in the gospels, appear at times somewhat obtuse and unreceptive, and yet, by virtue of their special calling by Jesus, play the role of His first followers and companions, and subsequently proclaim the Good News about Jesus (and in some cases write about her).
Ordinary people as heroes. Despite the ancient (or perhaps timeless) habit of paying homage to prominent public figures, the positions of heroes can also be reached by people standing on the lower rungs of the social ladder. Literature idealizes, for example, the pastoral image of a shepherd. In the biblical pastoral tradition, Abel comes first, and the patriarchs also look like almost pastoral figures. But in our imagination, the heroic pastoral personality remains primarily David, especially in connection with the glorification of the ideal Shepherd in . In the literature of wisdom, despite its refined manner, the shepherd is also paid tribute (). And the apotheosis of the image of the heroic shepherd is Jesus in the story of the Good Shepherd ().
In a broader sense, the Bible also notes the farmer (“plowman”) as a figure worthy of honor and imitation (see AGRICULTURE). The first examples were Adam and Eve, placed by God "in the garden of Eden to cultivate it and keep it" (). After settling in Canaan, the Bible reflects the agrarian atmosphere, and its characters are peasant families. Even King Saul () is depicted as a plowman, and the prophet Elisha received a call when he plowed a field with “twelve pairs of oxen” (). In the parables of Jesus, the industrious peasant is portrayed as a figure worthy of respect.
In ancient literature, the praise of a devoted servant is not very common, and in general this role does not evoke heroic associations. In the Bible, the position of a servant is exalted, especially in the metaphorical sense of the believer's relationship with God. But we see the images of the heroic servant in the Bible even at the human level, for example, in the images of the servant of Abraham, who organized the correspondence acquaintance of Rebekah and Isaac (), the maid of Naaman, who played a role in his healing from leprosy (), and faithful servants in the parables and sayings of Jesus .
Young heroes have always occupied a special place in the hearts and imaginations of people, and the Bible in a number of cases satisfies this predilection. The main example is David, a homegrown giant slayer who accomplished his feat with the help of a sling and a stone. In the same category is the young Samuel, chosen by God to deliver a prophetic message to his master, the priest Eli. Josiah was only eight years old when he began the godly government of Judah (). The Virgin Mary reached a heroic position by agreeing to fulfill the role intended for Her in the story of the Annunciation (). We see a number of heroic images of young characters in the Bible, although they are not completely told about them - in stories about them that are not fully disclosed, for example, Miriam, when her brother, baby Moses, was entrusted to the waters of the Nile, or twelve-year-old Jesus, who surprised rabbis in the temple ().
Changing Heroic Conventions. Human conventions in the Bible are often reversed, for example, the younger is exalted over the older, or it is stated that strength is in weakness. This principle that subverts generally accepted concepts also applies to some images of heroes (see ANTI-HERO). In particular, martyrs are idealized in the Bible because they represent the highest degree of devotion to God. The prototype is the righteous Abel, who was killed by his brother precisely because his deeds were righteous (). Since then, “the blood of the righteous Abel” has become the source from which comes “all the righteous blood shed on the earth” (; cf.). The list of heroes of faith in includes an exciting picture of martyrs, attention to which is also drawn in Revelation ().
Closely connected with the image of the martyr is the Suffering Servant, a figure who experienced undeserved suffering that played a redemptive role in the lives of other people. Other examples include Joseph (surviving disasters that saved his family and freed the world from famine), Moses (a persecuted leader who interceded with God for his people), and Jeremiah (a wailing prophet who was viciously attacked for his bold report God's Word on Judgment). The first epistle of Peter is a small treatise on the high honor of suffering for Christ's sake. This archetype reaches its apogee in the four songs of the Servant in Isaiah and in the redemptive life and death of Christ.
Intellectual heroism. In world heroic literature, attention is mainly paid to physical achievements. The alternative is a hero or heroine, who differ mainly in mental abilities. Apparently, the interpreter of dreams can be considered an ancient analogue of the modern detective. Two biblical characters who rise to the heroic level through the ability to interpret dreams are Joseph and Daniel. The most common type of intellectual hero in the Bible is the sage, that is, a person with a deep understanding of life. The wise man is often a rabbi or teacher, another heroic figure in the Bible.
Of course, teachers need students, and the Bible commends those who learn and appreciate the benefits of knowledge and instruction, as the Book of Proverbs and the example of Jesus' disciples attest. The main protagonist of the Book of Proverbs is a sage, or a teacher, but in general, in the literature of wisdom, the hero is a person who listens to the advice of a sage and follows them in life, in other words, behaves wisely. "Who is how wise?" - the author of Ecclesiastes asks a rhetorical question (). Or else: “Wisdom is better than military tools” (). The glory of Solomon was based not only on his material prosperity, but also on wisdom ().
We also see examples of the attitude towards the contemplative as a hero - in the psalms, extolling the ability to think; in stories about Jesus being alone on a mountain or in a desert; in the stories of Mary, the Mother of Jesus, who wrote the words of Jesus in her heart, and Mary, the sister of Martha, who sat at the feet of Jesus.
Another quality that was highly valued in ancient cultures was oratory, and we may well speak of an eloquent hero. When young David was recommended to Saul, he was described not only as "a man of courage and warlike", but also "wise in speeches" (). Moses was afraid that the lack of eloquence would prevent him from becoming a leader (), so God gave him Aaron to help him, thereby confirming that the ability to express himself articulately is a necessary trait of a hero leader. One of the most obvious gifts of the prophets in the Old Testament and Paul in the New Testament was their oratory, and Jesus too was a master of public speaking and witty replies in dialogue and argument.
Beloved as heroes. Heroism is usually associated with actions, but in the literary tradition, the heroic position is sometimes achieved through feelings. This theme occurs mainly in love literature (see LOVE STORIES), but the image of the beloved as a hero also figures prominently in literary history in general. The most striking example in the Bible is the beloved in the Song of Songs, who are the epitome of attraction, the ultimate expression of romantic love and the poetic meaning of romantic feelings. In narrative places, Adam and Eve, Jacob and Rachel, Boaz and Ruth, Joseph and Mary, who are all to some extent idealized as lovers, appear as analogues of these lyrical heroes.
In this regard, it is worth noting, by the way, that although the Bible expounds moral and spiritual concepts of heroism, it does not, however, ignore the human tendency to exalt externally attractive people. Indeed, although female beauty can be deceptive and vain (), and God looks at the heart, and not at the appearance of a person (), we nevertheless meet examples of heroes who stand out, among other things, for their impressive appearance. Sarah attracted people with her beauty (), Rebekah was "beautiful in appearance" (), and Rachel was "beautiful in shape and beautiful in face" (). Abigail was “a very smart and beautiful person” (), and Esther became a contender for the role of queen, because she met the requirements to be “beautiful” ().
The same is true of some of the male heroes of the Bible. Joseph was "handsome in shape and handsome in face" (). When Samuel mistakenly thought that God chose Jesse's son Eliab as king because he was a respectable man and was instructed not to look at appearances, we nevertheless read that the youngest son David was "blonde, with fine eyes and a pleasant face »().
Home heroes. Wives and mothers rise to the position of heroes in the Bible. In a virtuous wife is shown as a model to which any woman should strive, and in this regard it is worth noting that physical attractiveness is perceived as something suspicious (). We see portraits of the ideal wife and mother in the stories of Mary, the Mother of Jesus, and Anna, the mother of Samuel. David had every reason to marry Abigail immediately after the death of her ungrateful husband, since she was worthy to become the wife of any man ().
Exemplary personalities as heroes. In addition to the characters noted above who perform certain functional duties in society, the Bible shows many people who have heroic traits and are worthy of emulation simply because of their personal qualities, which usually appear in deeds in the course of the story (in accordance with the character traits that their author). One of the most common literary themes in the Bible is to present a typical and exemplary human experience in the form of a story about individuals who take actions in specific life situations that reflect an understanding of the difference between good and evil, between truly valuable and worthless. In a certain sense, every biblical story serves as an "example," according to the statement in , that historical events in the Bible are "described for our instruction." The Bible story, like any other, instructs us in two complementary ways: showing positive examples of behavior worthy of emulation and negative examples that should not be imitated. In positive examples, images of heroism are expressed. In some cases, we see full-blown pictures of heroic behavior, such as Ruth's devotion, Elijah's faithfulness to his prophetic calling and his resourcefulness in times of danger, and Daniel's courage, purity, and devotion to God. But the Bible is notable for its special literary composition, in which the characters are periodically highlighted, as if from the side, by flashes of kindness, moral or physical strength, devotion, perseverance, faith, wisdom, and many other heroic traits. The Bible exhibits consistent realism, interspersing heroic deeds with manifestations of human weakness. (There are only a handful of perfectly idealized characters in the Bible.) But the weaknesses of heroes and heroines only set off their heroic traits and deeds and show the reader that a person does not need to be perfect to become a hero.
The characteristic image of the hero that appears on the pages of the Bible is a saint, distinguished, first of all, by faith in God and the fulfillment of God's commandments. Typical traits of a hero or heroine are submission to God, a life of prayer, piety, trust in God, Repentance, humility and faith. This image in many cases conflicts with the image of an ordinary literary hero, whose characteristic features are pride, self-confidence, the desire to achieve power, material well-being, sexual satisfaction and self-affirmation. The position of such a holy hero is available to every believer, but the biblical stories exalt heroes and heroines who demonstrate these qualities with extraordinary courage and boldness in adverse or difficult circumstances. The heroes and heroines of the Bible are reflected in people like Joseph, Elijah and Paul or Ruth and Esther in this world.
Heroic Stories. The description of "hero" and "heroine" reflects the concept of a certain personality, but these names do not fully reveal the meaning of the genre of heroic stories. Such stories are built around a typical and exemplary character who, in a certain sense, embodies the life experience and ideals of his culture. The main way of interpreting a heroic story is the empathy of the events taking place in it by a certain observer and fellow traveler of the hero or heroine. The accompanying storylines, almost always present in the heroic story, are connected with the Trials, which provide the hero with the opportunity to demonstrate and assert his true self. In addition, if we bring the heroic stories together, we can distinguish several typical scenes, including the story of the birth of the hero (see BIRTH STORIES), about his Initiation, Calling and meeting with God (see MAN'S MEETING WITH GOD). Many heroic stories end with the death of the hero.
Jesus as a hero. From the foregoing, it becomes obvious that Jesus personifies almost all the heroic images shown in the Bible. His life path followed the usual course of events characteristic of heroic stories, including a miraculous birth, a call to a special role in life, initiation into this life, achievement of a goal, and a remarkable death. In the case of Jesus, there are also additional stages - resurrection and ascension to heaven. In addition, the life of Jesus corresponds to specific hero images such as leader, priest, prophet, shepherd, martyr, suffering servant, sage, teacher, debater, and poet. In the moral and spiritual sense, Jesus is also a model of moral virtue, obedience to the Father, self-sacrifice and a life of prayer.
Conclusion. The Bible shows a whole gallery of memorable heroes and heroines. It contains almost all existing images of heroes. Two prominent examples can be singled out. It speaks primarily of the heroes of the faith and lists them, and along with this we see many heroic themes in the Bible. The life of Christ also expresses the biblical ideal of heroism.
See also: ABRAHAM, ANTI-HERO, DAVID, JESUS CHRIST, JOSEPH, THE BOOK OF ESHER, THE BOOK OF RUTH, MARY, MOSES, TEST MOTIVE, SHEEP, DEDICATION, PROPHET, PRIEST, DIFFICULT EXPERIENCES, CHARACTERISTIC CHARACTERS, QUEEN, KING.
bible character
Alternative descriptionsGospel traitor
The name of Maccabee, who understood the rebellion against the Syrian Seleucid dynasty
Which of the closest disciples of Jesus Christ took on a great responsibility at a decisive moment
Synonym for traitor
According to the gospel, the disciple who betrayed Jesus
Seller of Christ
Apostle - traitor
Whose kiss became a symbol of betrayal
Maccabeus or Iscariot
One of the apostles
From this male name come the surnames Yudashkin and Yudenich
This name was borne by the eldest of the sons of Jacob, who, according to the Old Testament tradition, is considered the ancestor of all Jews.
In the Bible - the fourth son of Jacob and Leah, an apostle, a traitor, a traitor
What was the name of the person who was in charge of the general expenses of the community of the disciples of Jesus Christ, carrying with him a "cash box" for alms?
Which of the apostles at the Last Supper was marked by the so-called "communion of salt", that is, Jesus personally dipped a piece of bread in salt for him?
If Yeshua is from Gamal, then who is from Kiriath?
His kiss is depicted in a painting by Giotto
Oratorio by the German composer G. Handel "... Maccabeus"
The traitor famous for his kiss
Which apostle hanged himself on an aspen tree?
Iscariot
traitor savior
Male name
Apostle, traitor, traitor
A play by the French playwright Pagnol
A poem by the 19th-century Russian poet S. Nadson
The character of the novel by M. Bulgakov "The Master and Margarita"
Who sold his conscience for 30 pieces of silver?
Apostle who betrayed Christ for 30 pieces of silver
A fitting name for a traitor
Biblical traitor
The Disciple Who Betrayed Jesus
Apostle-Christ seller
The Disciple Who Betrayed Christ
Betrayer of Christ
Received 30 pieces of silver
Traitor
Betrayed Jesus Christ
Betrayed Jesus
Also an apostle
Kissed and betrayed
From his name, the surname Yudashkin
Betrayed Christ for thirty pieces of silver
Recipient of thirty pieces of silver
Apostle who sold his conscience
One of the twelve apostles
Apostle who betrayed Christ for 30 pieces of silver
1 of 12 apostles
His kiss in a painting by Giotto
Apostle who betrayed Christ
One of Christ's Disciples
Betrayed Christ for 30 pieces of silver
Biblical. brother of Pavlik Morozov
One of the twelve disciples of Christ
Sold for 30 pieces of silver
Bible Fellow of Pavlik Morozov
Finished life under the aspen
The sold-out apostle
Vile Apostle
Who betrayed Christ for thirty pieces of silver?
. "Laureate" of thirty pieces of silver
Sneaky Apostle
Worst of all apostles
Corrupt Apostle
The traitor famous for the kiss
From his name, the surname Yudenich
Apostle rhyming with dishes
Disciple of Christ
Selling Disciple of Christ
Traitor of the Apostles
Greedy Apostle
traitor, traitor
The same Iscariot
Cursed Apostle
He betrayed Jesus Christ
Symbol of the traitor
Traitor against Christ
Betrayed Christ
Apostle the traitor
Yeshua from Gamal, and who from Kiriath?
Apostle who betrayed Jesus Christ for 30 pieces of silver
In the Bible, one of the apostles of Christ
Traitor, traitor [on behalf of the Apostle Judas, who, according to the gospel myth, betrayed Jesus Christ]
The character of the novel by M. Bulgakov
. "Laureate" of thirty pieces of silver
Iscariot
If Yeshua is from Gamal, then who is from Kiriath
Yeshua from Gamal, and who from Kiriath
What was the name of the person who was in charge of the general expenses of the community of the disciples of Jesus Christ, carrying with him a "cash box" for alms
Which apostle hanged himself on an aspen
Which of the apostles at the Last Supper was marked by the so-called "communion of salt", that is, Jesus personally dipped a piece of bread in salt to him
Who betrayed Christ for thirty pieces of silver
Who sold his conscience for 30 pieces of silver
Turned into abusive: a traitor, a traitor. Judas kiss, sly, sly hello. Judas tree, aspen. You will pass the world through Judas, but you will strangle yourself. To believe in Judas, it does not matter to pay. Than to be a Judas, it is better not to be born into the world. Our Judas eats without food! here name is only for red warehouse
Oratorio by the German composer G. Handel "... Maccabeus"
The character of the novel by M. Bulgakov "The Master and Margarita"
Betrayer of the Savior
Traitor
Renegade Apostle
Traitor Apostle
One of twelve students. Christ
Mix of words "Audi"
Recipient of 30 pieces of silver
Suitable name for christ seller
Mix of the word "Audi"
Anagram for "Audi"
Purdue University scholar Lawrence Mykityuk, who specializes in the history of Judaism, proved the existence of biblical characters.
It is possible to confirm the historicity of a particular biblical person only if the three identifying features - the person's name, patronymic and rank (rank or position) - coincide with non-biblical historical sources, for example, are contained in ancient written monuments.
As an example, he cited the personality of Ahab, king of the kingdom of Israel in 873-852 BC. e. It is known that he was a participant in the famous battle of Karkar (853 BC), which is mentioned in the Assyrian chronicles.
As a result painstaking analysis of sources in 2014, L. Mykytyuk announced the existence of documentary evidence of the historical existence of more than 50 Old Testament characters, the existence of which is documented.
Those mentioned in the Bible were identified from archaeological records,” said L. Mykityuk in his report, which was published in the journal Biblical Archeology Review.
The list of personalities compiled by L. Mikityuk includes Egyptian pharaohs, kings of countries neighboring Israel, statesmen of the Assyrian, Babylonian and Persian empires, several famous Israeli kings, including Ahab, Jehu, David, Hezekiah and Manasseh. Also Joseph the ruler in Egypt.
If you have a person's name, his or her patronymic name, as well as position or title, this does not confirm that they did certain [described in the Bible] things. However, more extensive written sources have survived, originating from countries located in the neighborhood of ancient Israel. They also mention people and events in the Old Testament, they are just described from a different point of view.
« These data indicate that in order to understand and accept much of what the Bible says, it is not necessary to have a religious faith, - the American researcher quotes the publication. “This shows that even based on non-biblical sources, Scripture has a significant degree of historical accuracy.”
unbiblical sources
On the territory of modern Jordan a stone slab was discovered, the so-called Mesha Stele, which dates back to the 9th century BC. On it, the Moabite king Mesha describes his exploits and his rebellion against Israel. The inscription on this stone slab not only also mentions David, but also describes other kings and events associated with them, which correspond in all details to the biblical story.
During the excavations of the palace of the Assyrian king Ashurbanipal A huge cuneiform library was discovered in Nineveh. Among the thousands of books, there were also found those that reported on the flood, strikingly matching the Biblical data in details.
For example, the inscription on a stone slab mentioning Pontius Pilate. This was the first archaeological find to confirm the existence of the personality of Pontius Pilate.
The Apostle Paul (born Saul; Saul; Shaul) - was a completely real historical character. This is evidenced by a number of archaeological finds.
The name of Queen Jezebel, the wife of the Israeli king Ahab (875 - 853 BC), except for the Bible, is not found anywhere. The discovery of Jezebel's official royal seal again testifies to the historical accuracy of the Bible.
The first physical evidence of the existence of the prophet Isaiah. The proof of the existence of the prophet was a piece of clay with an imprint of a seal, only 0.4 inches long.
The clay tablet is broken and is about a centimeter in diameter. On a Hebrew clay tablet, Yesha "a (y), that is, Isaiah, is written. This is followed by three letters N.Yu., which are the first three letters of the Hebrew word for a prophet.
The Hebrew seal "belonging to Ovdi, the slave of Oshei" - the seal depicts a man dressed in a cane skirt. Oshiya (Hosea) was the last king of Israel (4 Kings ch. 17).
Seal with Hebrew inscription "belonging to Amos" - 8th c. BC e.
Bulla "belonging to Ahaz (son) Jeotham, king of Judah". Ahaz is the twelfth king of Judah (732-716 BC). This king is mentioned in 2 Kings ch. 16.
Seal of Yuchal, mentioned in the Bible (Book of Jeremiah).
A seal belonging to one of the ministers of the biblical king Zedekiah was found by Israeli archaeologists (dr. Eilat Mazar, found inside the royal palace in Jerusalem). A valuable find was made during archaeological excavations in Jerusalem, in the area of the ancient city of King David.
Ring and seal inscribed in Hebrew "belonging to Yotam" (758-743 BC). We are talking about Yotam, son of Uzziah, king of Judah (2 Kings 15:32).
Seal 7th c. BC e. with an inscription in Hebrew “belonging to Jehoahaz, the son of the king” (4 Kings 13).
BUT archaeologists have discovered hundreds impressions of ancient seals, also known as bullae. Some of them contain the names of people mentioned in the Bible. For example, archaeologists have found impressions of what are believed to be the personal seals of two Jewish kings. On one bull it is written: "Belongs to Ahaz [son] of Jotam [Jotham], king of Judah." On the other is written: "Belongs to Hezekiah [son of] Ahaz, king of Judah." Kings Ahaz and Hezekiah ruled in the 8th century BC. e.
Scholars have also studied other bullae made with seals, which some believe belonged to people mentioned in the Bible.
Among them are those mentioned in the book of Jeremiah: Baruch (Jeremiah's clerk), Gemariah ("son of Shaphan"), Jerahmeel ("son of the king"), Yuchal ("son of Shelemah") and Seraiah (brother of Baruch).
How characters in the Old Testament?
Generally in the Old Testament several hundred characters are mentioned who can be counted among the characters of the Bible. The most important biblical characters of the Old Testament - about a hundred.
These are Adam and Eve, their sons Cain, Abel, Seth and their descendants, the antediluvian patriarchs of the Jewish people and the patriarchs of the period after the Great Flood, the leaders of the twelve tribes of Israel (Asir, Benjamin, Dan, Gad, Issachar, Joseph, Ephraim, Manasseh, Judah, Naphtali, Reuben, Simeon and Zebulun), historical figures of the period from the formation of a nation to the creation of a kingdom (Esrom, Aminadab, Naason, Boaz, Obid, Jesse, etc.), four so-called great biblical prophets (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Daniel) and twelve minor prophets (Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi), biblical kings (Saul, David, Solomon, etc.) and the rulers of the Northern and Southern kingdoms (according to twenty personalities in each case).
Everything in the Bible(in the Old and New Testaments) about 2800 names are mentioned. At the same time, not all of them can be considered the names of biblical characters; many of these biblical names are simply mentioned in connection with some event.
Oddly enough, there are characters in the Bible who are presented as righteous and virtuous people, some of whose actions are immoral and even monstrous.
Elisha
Elisha was a prophet believed to have lived in the ninth century BC. e. Elisha performed many miracles, such as returning water to Jericho and resurrecting a woman's son, but there is one "miracle" that stands out from the series of his actions.
Once the children laughed at the bald head of Elisha, for which the prophet cursed them and called the death penalty on their heads. Two bears came running at the call and tore the children to pieces. That is, the righteous prophet brutally killed 42 children, simply because they laughed at him. Now Elisha is revered as a saint.
David
King David is perhaps the most righteous man in the Bible, even though he single-handedly killed and castrated 200 men at the request of his wife. Cruelty often goes hand in hand with righteousness, and it is the righteous who starts the carnage.
David with an army invaded the neighboring lands and destroyed all the men and women in the captured cities. The Bible does not indicate the reason for such an act, it is only known that they were “old inhabitants of the earth” - apparently, David destroyed the indigenous population. Even the textbook episode of the murder of Goliath by David ends with the chopping off of the head of the defeated enemy, after which it was carried around the camp.
Samson
Samson was given superhuman strength by God to fight the Philistines. Samson did defeat his enemies, but then he began to kill more and more people. He bet 30 men that none of them could solve his riddle. If someone succeeds, he will give them 30 silk shirts. The rivals tricked Samson's wife into telling them the answer. The warrior, in order to avoid paying the debt, killed 30 other people, took off their clothes and gave them to his opponents.
Or me
Elijah is a saint who was a prophet before Elisha, until God took him up to heaven. When Elijah was a prophet in Israel, many people worshiped the pagan god Baal. The prophet decided to punish the Israelites and gathered 450 prophets of Baal, ordered them to kill the bull, put it on the altar and pray that their god would set the altar on fire. Naturally, nothing happened. Then Elijah killed the bull, laid it on the altar and prayed to God. The fire broke out almost instantly. The prophets of Baal believed, but this was not enough for Elijah. He took them to the river and executed them all one by one.
Elijah really proved his holiness more than once. For example, the king ordered 50 soldiers to bring Elijah, to which the prophet replied: “If I am a man of God, then let fire come down from heaven and burn you and your 50 soldiers.” So he killed them, and then did the same to the next hundred men who came for him.
Jephthah
Jephthah was one of the sons of the city of Gilead, a rich man, but his mother was a harlot, and Jephthah was cast out of the house without an inheritance. A few years later, the Israelites found Jephthah and asked him to return to Gilead to lead an army against the Ammonites. King Ammon asked Israel to simply let them live in peace, to which the Israelites replied: "Whom the Lord our God drives out from us, that we will possess."
Jephthah made a deal with God before the fight: if the Israelites win, Jephthah will donate the first thing that will meet him at home upon his return. When Jephthah returned home with victory, his only daughter ran out to meet him, whom the soldier sacrificed.
Yehu
Jehu became king of Israel as a result of the overthrow of King Jehoram. Yehu hunted down and killed all of Jehoram's royal family - 70 people - and dumped their severed heads outside the city gates. Then he drove over the still-living mother of Jehoram in his chariot.
The new king was anointed to reign by the prophet Elisha. To refute the rumors that he worshiped Baal, Jehu asked all the servants of Baal to make a rich sacrifice in his honor. People who came from all over the kingdom filled the huge temple of Baal, after which the army of Jehu slaughtered all those gathered. God rewarded the king by promising that his descendants would be guaranteed to occupy the throne of Israel for four generations.
Joshua
According to legend, Jesus crushed the walls of Jericho with the help of a trumpet. As soon as the walls fell, Joshua's army entered the city and killed all the men, women, and children. And this is not an isolated case: the cities of Livna, Lachish, Eglon, Hebron and Davir were also destroyed, and each of their inhabitants found his death on the sharp swords of the army of Joshua.
Moses
Moses is famous for leading the Israelites out of Egypt. The book of Exodus tells of the ten plagues, how the waters of the Red Sea parted, and how the ten commandments were received from God (including "Thou shalt not kill"). The Israeli people wandered in the desert for 40 years, most of this time the Israelites spent attacking foreign cities.
After a victorious battle against the Midianites, Moses gave the order to kill all male babies and all women who knew a husband in the bed. All female children who do not know a husband should be left alive for themselves. That is, all the little girls in the cities of Midian were raped at the order of the saint.