Old Testament Bible Trivia Quiz

I don't think I look like a nerd, but I think I am. Back in college, I thought about becoming a librarian, but I was totally turned off when I thought I might have to wear my hair in a bun, wear straight gray wool skirts, wear pumps, and grace my face with thick old glasses. But, after I "grew" up, I did become a librarian! I have always liked little trivia facts, research, and making worksheets, so it was no surprise to me that when in the summer of 2014 I decided to read the Bible through and write down questions I had as I perused the Bible. 

Doing what I love to do, I made up a little Old Testament quiz from my summer reading just for you. Give it a try. See how much Bible trivia you know. And remember, I would have received a 10% or less if I would have taken this quiz before my "summer reading initiative." But, isn't that what summer reading programs are for — to learn something? Answers and explanations follow the quiz.

Photo Credit: The Greene Family
The Bible Museum, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

1. Who is referred to as “knock out gorgeous” in the Book of Samuel?

a. Mephibosheth

b. Uzzah

c. Absolom

d. David

2. What disease did King Asa most likely have in his old age?

        a. diabetes

        b. Achilles tendon rupture

        c. peripheral artery disease

        d. lymphedema

3. Who is the son of DoDo?

        a. Abishai

        b. Benaiah

        c. Shammah

        d. Eleazar

4. What was the sign that Hezekiah would live longer?

        a. the siege of Jerusalem

        b. a sundial

        c. Sennacherib’s fall

        d. a vision from God

5. What does precept by precept mean?

        a. studying the Bible book by book

        b. ranking biblical words by alphabetic order

        c. studying the Bible line by line

        d. dismantling the meaning of words

6. What were cisterns used for in the Old Testament?

        a. storing gold and silver

        b. hiding those with leprosy

        c. storing wine

        d. hiding fugitives and prisoners

7. Why did Job call himself a “friend of ostriches?” 

        a. ostriches have inspired cultures for years

        b. ostriches like desolate places

        c. ostriches can go without drinking for days

        d. ostriches have very large eyes

8. Why did the Canaanites and the Perizzites cut off Adonibezek’s thumbs and his big toes?

        a. because he had done the same to 60 civilians

        b. to show their kingdoms had been divided

        c. because he had done the same to 70 kings

        d. because a painful journey was upon them

9. What is a parapet?

        a. an extension of a wall at the edge of a roof

        b. a parrot residing in the Middle East region

        c. a sandal popular in Old Testament times

        d. a lampstand used in making the tabernacle

10. God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding

        a. like the knowledge of good and evil

        b. like the Lion of Judah

        c. like the stars in the heaven

        d. like the sand on the seashore

Answers

1.    c

2.    a

3.    d

4.    b

5.    c

6.    d

7.    b

8.    c

9.    a

10.  d

More for the Inquiring Minds . . .

The Bible: A double-edged sword
Photo Credit: Thinkstock

1. The Bible infers Absolom was knock-out gorgeous.

Bible Verse: Now in all Israel there was no one so much to be praised for his handsome appearance as Absalom. From the sole of his foot to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him. 2 Samuel 14:25

2. Many scholars today say King Asa most likely had diabetes in his old age. Some even say it could be the first record of diabetic gangrene.

Bible Verse: But in his old age he was diseased in his feet. 1 Kings 15:23

3.  DoDo’s son was Eleazar.

Bible Verse: And next to him amoung the three mighty men was Eleazar the son of Dodo, son of Ahohi. 2 Samuel 23:9

4. Through a sundial, Hezekiah was given a sign he would live longer.

Bible Verse: Behold, I will make the shadow cast by the declining sun on the dial of Ahaz turn back ten steps by which it had declined. Isaiah 38:8

5. Precept upon precept means studying the Word of God line by line.

Bible Verse: To whom will he teach knowledge, and to whom will he explain the message? Those who are weaned from the milk, those taken from the breast? For it is precept upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon line, line upon line, here a little, there a little. Isaiah 28:9-10

6. During Biblical times cisterns were used to store water They were also used as hiding places for fugitives and burial places. The prophet Jeremiah was held as a prisoner in Malchaiah's muddy cistern, where he was eventually pulled out with ropes.

Bible Verse: So they took Jeremiah and cast him into the cistern of Malchiah, the king’s son, which was in the court of the guard, letting Jeremiah down by ropes. Jeremiah 38:6

7. Clark’s Commentary says, “both the jackal and the female ostrich are remarkable for their mournful cry, and for their attachment to desolate places.”

Bible Verse: I am a brother of jackals and a companion of ostriches. Job 30:29

8. The Canaanites and the Perizzites cut off Adonibezek’s thumbs and his big toes because he had done the same to seventy kings, whom he made to gather their food under his table. This is your Bible states, “The cutting off of the thumbs makes work with the hands impossible. The cutting off of the big toes makes walking difficult. The act reduced the king to a state of dependency on others.” 
www.thisisyourbible.com

Bible Verse:

Adoni-bezek fled, but they pursued him and caught him and cut off his thumbs and his big toes. 7 And Adoni-bezek said, “Seventy kings with their thumbs and their big toes cut off used to pick up scraps under my table. As I have done, so God has repaid me.” And they brought him to Jerusalem, and he died there. Judges 1:6-7

9. A parapet is a barrier which is an extension of the wall at the edge of a roof, balcony, or other structure.

Bible Verse: Moses was telling them, “When you build a new house, you shall make a parapet for your roof, that you may not bring the guilt of blood upon your house, if anyone should fall from it.” Deuteronomy 22:8

10. The answer is the sand on the seashore. Matthew Poole’s Commentary says, “Even as the sand that is on the sea-shore; which cannot be numbered or measured; and which, though it be so vast and comprehensive, yet consists of the smallest parts: and so it may note that Solomon’s wisdom was both vast, reaching to all things; and most accurate, searching and discerning every small thing.”

Bible Verse: And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding beyond measure, and breadth of mind like the sand on the seashore. 1 Kings 4:29

And, to continue the story from the beginning of this blog, one day when working in my high school library, I looked down and there I was — wearing a straight gray wool skirt, pumps, and black glasses. The only thing missing was the bun which I sometimes wear now as a "retired" librarian. 

So maybe, I really am a full-fledged nerd after all! If so, I love it. It's exactly how God made me! Be yourself. Be the person God intends you to be!

Be blessed,
Patti Greene

Bible Verses: See Above.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for making me in your image. I may be differently from everyone else, but it is a blessing to know I am exactly how you want me to be. Let me use my talents and gifts for your glory. Take away my fears as I pursue Your calling upon my life. I love You Lord Jesus. Amen.

Feel free to comment or share this blog. It is for you I write.

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