Biblical Oddities #23 - Have You Met Your Match? Quiz

Answer: Lot

After the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, Lot lived in a cave in the mountains with his two daughters, according to Genesis 19:30.

Lot's wife was no longer alive at the time as she was turned in to a pillar of salt when she refused to follow divine instructions and looked back at the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.

Lot's daughters are not named.

Scripture goes on to tell of the two daughters getting Lot drunk and being impregnated by him.

And people say the Bible is boring!

Answer: Irad

Going strictly by Scripture, Irad was the first great grandchild, as per Genesis 4:18.

Irad was the son of Enoch and the grandson of Seth. Meanwhile, Seth was the third son of Adam and Eve. In other words, Irad was the first great grandson of Adam and Eve.

Little is known about Irad as he is mentioned in only passing reference.

Answer: John the Baptist

In Matthew 11:11 in the NKJV, Jesus states: "Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist."

However, to put the verse in context, Jesus goes on to state: "...but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he" making it a paradoxical statement.

Some commentaries such as Gotquestions.org explain Christ was saying that while "John was the greatest under the Old Covenant, the smallest believer under the New Covenant (with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit) has a higher position of privilege and knowledge of salvation."

Answer: Barnabas

Joses was a worker in the early church who was known for always encouraging others. As a result, he earned the nickname Barnabas, which means 'Son of Encouragement'.

Barnabas was a Levite from Cyprus and often worked alongside Paul in the early church.

In addition to encouraging others, Barnabas was known for his generosity. According to Scripture, he sold property he owned and gave the proceeds to the early church.

In the NIV, his original name is given as Joseph rather than Joses.

Answer: Gabriel

The angel Gabriel appeared before Mary to announce the amazing news she would conceive and give birth to Jesus, even though she was a virgin.

In his announcement, Gabriel told Mary she had found favor with God and the Baby would be the Son of the Highest.

See Luke 1:26-38 for details.

Answer: Herod

According to Acts 12:21-23, King Herod Agrippa was struck by an angel and eaten by worms. He apparently suffered such a fate because he had become puffed up when a crowd in Caesarea claimed he was a god and not a mortal.

Acts 12:21-23 in the NKJV explains things this way: "So on a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat on his throne and gave an oration to them. And the people kept shouting, 'The voice of a god and not of a man!' Then immediately an angel of the Lord struck him, because he did not give glory to God. And he was eaten by worms and died."

According to various Websites, first-century historian Josephus confirms the account.

Answer: Isaac

According to Scripture, Issac and Rebekah pretended to be brother and sister to deceive the king of Gerar.

It's a bit of a long story, but Isaac and Rebekah moved to Gerar because of a famine. Scripture states Rebekah was "beautiful to behold" and Isaac was fearful if he was known as her husband he would be killed and Rebekah put in the king's harem.

The deception was eventually discovered but Isaac and Rebekah did not suffer any consequences.

See Genesis 26:1-10 for details.

Ironically, Isaac's parents, Abraham and Sarah, also pretended to be brother and sister while living in a foreign land on two different occasions. See Genesis 12 and 20 for details.

Answer: Caiaphas

According to Matthew 26:57-67, Caiaphas, the high priest, presided over a trial that featured "many" false witnesses.

On trial was Jesus with the Sanhedrin bound and determined a death penalty should be the only acceptable verdict. They would eventually achieve their objective with Jesus being turned over to the Romans to be crucified.

For details, see Matthew 57-67.

Answer: Samson

Samson is the Judge of Israel who killed a large number of Philistines when he ended his life. After his hair was cut, Samson lost his strength and ended up being captured by the Philistines, thanks to the traitorous actions of Delilah his lover.

However, the 16th chapter of Judges tells of Samson gaining revenge against the Philistines while taking his own life. With his hair partially grown back, Samson was able to use his remaining strength to kill a large number of the Philistines.

While the Philistine rulers were offering "a great sacrifice" to Dagon their god, it was decided to bring out Samson so all could see the prized prisoner.

However, the people who brought out Samson made a crucial mistake when they placed him by the pillars that supported the temple.

Judges 16:30 in the NKJV Bible states: "Then Samson said, 'Let me die with the Philistines!' And he pushed with all his might, and the temple fell on the lords and all the people who were in it. So the dead that he killed at his death were more than he had killed in his life."

And people say the Bible is boring!

Answer: Judas iscariot

According to Scripture, Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver, a reward from the religious leaders of the day. After he betrayed Jesus, Judas was filled with remorse and ended up committing suicide.

However, before he killed himself, Judas attempted to return the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, telling them, "I have sinned, for I have betrayed innocent blood".

However, when they refused to take the money back, Judas threw the silver into the temple and went away and hanged himself.

The money ended up being used to buy a field for burying strangers.

For further details, see Matthew 27:3-10.