The Bible has lots of names. Read about the importance of genealogies in the Bible, including the history that they record and the connections they make. People in ancient Israel placed great importance on who their family’s ancestors were. The Bible includes family lists (genealogies) in order to show… Read More

Gentiles were people outside the nation of Israel. What is their role in the kingdom of God? How did their status change with the coming of Jesus? Find out here The English word gentile comes from the Latin word for “people.” In the Bible, Gentiles are all the peoples… Read More

Although he is most famous for his attempt to kill the baby Jesus, Herod the Great made many decisions that shaped the landscape of ancient Palestine. Herod the Great was the ruler of Judea (including Samaria and Galilee) from about 37 B.C. until his death in 4 B.C. Herod’s… Read More

Men weren’t the only important figures in the Hebrew Scriptures. Women played many important roles. Find out what they were. The book of Judith, one of the deuterocanonical/apocryphal books of the Bible, is named for a remarkably brave and beautiful woman who displays great faith in the God of… Read More

When Hezekiah became king of Judah, it was time for change. Throughout his reign Hezekiah instituted important religious reforms to bring the nation back to God. Hezekiah’s name means “The Lord is my strength.” He was the son of Ahaz and Abi and the twelfth king of the southern kingdom (Judah),… Read More

Stand up for what you believe in. Ignatius of Antioch did. See how this disciple of John lived his life and contributed to the early Christian community. Ignatius, along with Polycarp, was a disciple of John when he was in Ephesus in the latter part of the first century. Read More

As the son of Abraham and father of Jacob, Isaac was an important figure in the Old Testament. Read about his life and work here. Isaac is the second son of Abraham, a half brother to Ishmael, and the divinely promised firstborn son of Abraham and Sarah (Genesis16, 19)… Read More

In the Old Testament, worship revolved around the temple. Consequently, priests were important in Israel. Check out the role of priests throughout the Old Testament. The people of Israel were holy, or “set apart for God,” and they were to obey God’s commandments. Exodus 19:5 describes how God told… Read More

James was an important figure in the early church. He was a leader of believers in Jerusalem and a source of wisdom for the whole church. James the brother of Jesus, later known as “James the Just,” was an important figure in Jerusalem in the early decades of the… Read More

John the Baptist’s message of repentance was instrumental in preparing the way for Jesus’ ministry. Read more about his life and work here. John is sometimes called the last “Old Testament prophet” because of the warnings he brought about God’s judgment and because he announced the coming of God’s… Read More