People of the Bible, A to Z

Moses' older brother and Israel's first high priest, who spoke for Moses before Pharaoh and led the people in worship.

Exodus 4–7; Leviticus 8 (BSB)

One of Daniel's three friends in Babylon who refused to bow to King Nebuchadnezzar's gold statue and was rescued from a fiery furnace.

Daniel 3 (BSB)

Adam and Eve's second son, a shepherd whose offering pleased God and who was killed by his jealous brother Cain.

Genesis 4 (BSB)

A wise woman who stopped David from making a terrible mistake and later became one of his wives.

1 Samuel 25 (BSB)

The father of God's people, who left his home country because God called him and became the great-great-grandfather of Israel.

Genesis 12–25 (BSB)

King David's handsome son with long thick hair, who tried to take his father's throne and died caught in the branches of an oak tree.

2 Samuel 13–18 (BSB)

The very first man, made by God from the dust of the ground and given the garden of Eden to care for.

Genesis 1–3 (BSB)

A wicked king of the northern kingdom of Israel who married Jezebel and opposed the prophet Elijah.

1 Kings 16–22 (BSB)

A king of Judah who refused to trust God and was given the sign of Immanuel by the prophet Isaiah.

2 Kings 16; Isaiah 7 (BSB)

A shepherd from Tekoa whom God called to be a prophet, warning Israel about injustice and idol-worship.

Amos 1; Amos 7:14–15 (BSB)

Simon Peter's brother, one of the first disciples Jesus called. He was the one who brought the boy with five loaves and two fish to Jesus.

John 1:40–42; John 6:8–9 (BSB)

An old prophetess who lived at the temple and gave thanks to God when she saw the baby Jesus.

Luke 2:36–38 (BSB)

A king of Judah who tore down idols and led the people back to God for most of his reign.

1 Kings 15; 2 Chronicles 14–16 (BSB)

One of King David's chief worship leaders and a writer of several psalms.

1 Chronicles 16:4–5; Psalms 50, 73–83 (BSB)

A wicked queen of Judah who tried to kill the whole royal family — but baby Joash was hidden and survived.

2 Kings 11 (BSB)

A prophet who was paid to curse Israel — but God made his donkey talk, and Balaam ended up blessing Israel instead.

Numbers 22–24 (BSB)

A prisoner the crowd asked Pilate to release in place of Jesus on the day Jesus was crucified.

Matthew 27:15–26 (BSB)

A leader of Israel who, with the prophetess Deborah, led God's people to victory over the army of Sisera.

Judges 4–5 (BSB)

A kind, generous early Christian whose name means 'son of encouragement.' He travelled with Paul on the first missionary journey.

Acts 4:36; Acts 13–14 (BSB)

One of Jesus' twelve apostles, often thought to be the same person as Nathanael.

Matthew 10:3; John 1:45–51 (BSB)

A blind beggar who cried out to Jesus on the road near Jericho and was given his sight.

Mark 10:46–52 (BSB)

The wife of Uriah, and later David. She became the mother of King Solomon.

2 Samuel 11–12; 1 Kings 1 (BSB)

The last king of Babylon, who saw a mysterious hand write a warning on the wall during his feast.

Daniel 5 (BSB)

Jacob's youngest son, Joseph's only full brother, and the founding father of the tribe of Benjamin.

Genesis 35:16–18; Genesis 42–45 (BSB)

A craftsman filled with the Spirit of God to design and build the tabernacle in the wilderness.

Exodus 31:1–11 (BSB)

A kind landowner from Bethlehem who married Ruth the Moabite and became great-grandfather of King David.

Ruth 2–4 (BSB)

The high priest in Jerusalem at the time of Jesus' trial.

Matthew 26:57–66; John 11:49–53 (BSB)

Adam and Eve's firstborn son, a farmer who killed his brother Abel out of jealousy.

Genesis 4 (BSB)

One of the twelve spies sent into Canaan. He and Joshua were the only two who trusted God and lived to enter the Promised Land.

Numbers 13–14; Joshua 14 (BSB)

A Roman centurion who became one of the first Gentiles to believe in Jesus after Peter visited his house.

Acts 10 (BSB)

The Persian king who let God's people return from exile in Babylon to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem.

Ezra 1; Isaiah 45:1 (BSB)

A young Judean taken to Babylon who served kings, interpreted dreams, and prayed three times a day — even when it landed him in a lions' den.

Daniel 1–6 (BSB)

The king who reluctantly threw Daniel into the lions' den and rejoiced when God rescued him.

Daniel 6 (BSB)

A shepherd boy who defeated the giant Goliath, became Israel's greatest king, and wrote many of the Psalms.

1 Samuel 16 – 1 Kings 2; Psalms (BSB)

A prophetess and judge who led Israel and sang a victory song after Barak's army defeated Sisera.

Judges 4–5 (BSB)

The woman who tricked Samson into telling her the secret of his strength.

Judges 16 (BSB)

A kind disciple in Joppa, famous for making clothes for the poor, whom God raised from the dead through Peter.

Acts 9:36–42 (BSB)

The old priest who raised the boy Samuel after his mother Hannah dedicated him to God.

1 Samuel 1–4 (BSB)

Abraham's trusted servant, sent to find a wife (Rebekah) for Isaac.

Genesis 24 (BSB)

A bold prophet who confronted King Ahab, called down fire from heaven on Mount Carmel, and was taken to heaven in a whirlwind.

1 Kings 17 – 2 Kings 2 (BSB)

Elijah's successor, a prophet who performed many miracles, including healing Naaman of leprosy.

2 Kings 2–13 (BSB)

Mary's older relative, the wife of Zechariah the priest, and the mother of John the Baptist.

Luke 1:5–80 (BSB)

A man who walked so closely with God that he was taken to heaven without dying.

Genesis 5:21–24 (BSB)

Isaac and Rebekah's older twin son, a hunter who traded his birthright to his brother Jacob for a bowl of stew.

Genesis 25–33 (BSB)

A Jewish orphan who became queen of Persia and bravely saved her people from being destroyed.

Esther 1–10 (BSB)

The very first woman, made by God from Adam's side and called 'the mother of all the living.'

Genesis 2:18 – 4:1 (BSB)

A priest and prophet exiled to Babylon, who saw God's glory and a valley of dry bones come back to life.

Ezekiel 1; 37 (BSB)

A priest and scribe who led a group of Jewish exiles back to Jerusalem and taught the people God's law.

Ezra 7–10; Nehemiah 8 (BSB)

The angel who explained visions to Daniel and later announced the births of John the Baptist and Jesus.

Daniel 8–9; Luke 1 (BSB)

Elisha's servant, who chased after Naaman to ask for a gift Elisha had refused — and was struck with leprosy.

2 Kings 5 (BSB)

A timid judge of Israel who, with only 300 men and trumpets and torches, defeated the huge army of Midian.

Judges 6–8 (BSB)

A nine-foot Philistine warrior from Gath who was defeated by young David and a sling.

1 Samuel 17 (BSB)

A prophet who asked God hard 'why?' questions and learned that the righteous live by faith.

Habakkuk 1–3; Habakkuk 2:4 (BSB)

Sarah's Egyptian servant and the mother of Ishmael, whom God met and comforted in the wilderness.

Genesis 16; 21:8–21 (BSB)

A prophet who urged the returned exiles to finish rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem.

Haggai 1–2 (BSB)

One of Noah's three sons who entered the ark with his family and survived the flood.

Genesis 6–10 (BSB)

A proud official in Persia who plotted to destroy the Jews — but Queen Esther exposed him.

Esther 3–7 (BSB)

A woman who prayed for a son and dedicated him to God — the prophet Samuel.

1 Samuel 1–2 (BSB)

Herod the Great's son, ruler of Galilee. He had John the Baptist beheaded and questioned Jesus before His crucifixion.

Mark 6:14–29; Luke 23:6–12 (BSB)

The king of Judea when Jesus was born, who tried to kill the baby Jesus by ordering the killing of the boys of Bethlehem.

Matthew 2 (BSB)

A good king of Judah who tore down idols, trusted God against the Assyrian army, and had his life extended by fifteen years.

2 Kings 18–20; Isaiah 36–39 (BSB)

A prophet whose own marriage to an unfaithful wife pictured God's faithful love for unfaithful Israel.

Hosea 1–3 (BSB)

A prophetess in Jerusalem whom King Josiah's officials consulted after a forgotten scroll of the law was found.

2 Kings 22:14–20 (BSB)

The long-promised son of Abraham and Sarah, born when his parents were very old, and father of Jacob and Esau.

Genesis 21–28 (BSB)

A great prophet in Judah who saw the Lord in the temple and foretold the coming Servant who would suffer for our sins.

Isaiah 6; 53 (BSB)

Abraham's son by Hagar, who God promised to make into a great nation.

Genesis 16; 21 (BSB)

Isaac's younger twin son who wrestled with God, was renamed Israel, and fathered the twelve tribes.

Genesis 25–35 (BSB)

A woman in the time of the judges who killed the enemy general Sisera with a tent peg.

Judges 4:17–22 (BSB)

A synagogue leader whose little daughter Jesus raised from the dead.

Mark 5:21–43 (BSB)

A half-brother of Jesus who later led the church in Jerusalem and wrote the letter of James.

Acts 15:13; James 1:1 (BSB)

One of the Twelve, brother of John, and part of Jesus' inner circle. The first apostle to be martyred.

Mark 1:19–20; Acts 12:1–2 (BSB)

One of Noah's three sons who entered the ark and survived the flood.

Genesis 5:32; 9:18–27 (BSB)

A good king of Judah who prayed when invading armies came and watched God defeat them through singing.

2 Chronicles 17–20 (BSB)

A fast-driving king of Israel anointed by Elisha's servant to wipe out the family of wicked King Ahab.

2 Kings 9–10 (BSB)

A prophet who warned Judah of coming exile and wept when Jerusalem fell. Called the 'weeping prophet.'

Jeremiah 1; Lamentations 1 (BSB)

The first king of the northern kingdom of Israel after the kingdom split, who set up two golden calves for the people to worship.

1 Kings 11:26 – 14:20 (BSB)

A man from Bethlehem, the father of David, and an ancestor of Jesus.

1 Samuel 16; Isaiah 11:1 (BSB)

The Son of God, born in Bethlehem to Mary, who lived a perfect life, died on the cross for our sins, and rose again on the third day.

Matthew, Mark, Luke, John (BSB)

Ahab's wicked Phoenician queen who promoted Baal worship and hunted the prophet Elijah.

1 Kings 16:31; 18–19; 21 (BSB)

The boy king of Judah, hidden in the temple as a baby to escape Athaliah and crowned at age seven.

2 Kings 11–12 (BSB)

A man from the land of Uz who lost everything and still trusted God, then was restored.

Job 1–2; 42 (BSB)

A prophet who described a great locust plague and promised that God would pour out His Spirit on all people.

Joel 2:28–32 (BSB)

One of Jesus' twelve apostles, brother of James, called 'the disciple Jesus loved.' He wrote the Gospel of John and Revelation.

John 13:23; Revelation 1:1 (BSB)

The cousin of Jesus, who lived in the wilderness, baptized people in the Jordan, and pointed everyone to Jesus.

Matthew 3; Luke 1; John 1 (BSB)

A prophet who ran from God's call, was swallowed by a great fish, and finally preached to Nineveh.

Jonah 1–4 (BSB)

King Saul's brave son and David's loyal best friend.

1 Samuel 14; 18–20 (BSB)

A carpenter in Nazareth, descendant of David, who took Mary as his wife and raised Jesus as his own son.

Matthew 1; 2; Luke 2 (BSB)

Jacob's favorite son, sold into slavery by his jealous brothers, who rose to be second-in-command in Egypt and saved his family from famine.

Genesis 37–50 (BSB)

A rich follower of Jesus who asked Pilate for Jesus' body and laid Him in his own new tomb.

Matthew 27:57–60 (BSB)

Moses' assistant, who became the leader of Israel and led them across the Jordan to take the Promised Land.

Joshua 1–24 (BSB)

A king of Judah crowned at age eight, who tore down idols and led a great revival when the lost scroll of the law was found.

2 Kings 22–23 (BSB)

Jacob's fourth son, ancestor of King David and of Jesus, and head of the tribe of Judah.

Genesis 29:35; 49:8–12 (BSB)

One of Jesus' twelve disciples, the keeper of the money bag, who betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver.

Matthew 26:14–16; 27:3–5 (BSB)

A half-brother of Jesus who wrote the short letter of Jude near the end of the New Testament.

Jude 1:1 (BSB)

A Levite who rebelled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness — and the ground opened up and swallowed him and his followers.

Numbers 16 (BSB)

Rebekah's brother and Jacob's uncle. He tricked Jacob into marrying Leah before Rachel.

Genesis 24; 29–31 (BSB)

Mary and Martha's brother, whom Jesus raised from the dead four days after he was buried.

John 11 (BSB)

Laban's older daughter, Jacob's first wife, and mother of six of the twelve tribes — including Judah and Levi.

Genesis 29–30 (BSB)

Jacob's third son, head of the tribe of Levi, from whom the priests of Israel descended.

Genesis 29:34; Numbers 3 (BSB)

Abraham's nephew, who was rescued from Sodom by angels just before God destroyed the city.

Genesis 13; 19 (BSB)

A doctor and friend of Paul who wrote the Gospel of Luke and the book of Acts.

Colossians 4:14; Luke 1:1–4 (BSB)

A seller of purple cloth in Philippi and the first person recorded as believing the gospel in Europe.

Acts 16:13–15 (BSB)

The last prophet of the Old Testament, who promised that God would send a messenger to prepare the way of the Lord.

Malachi 3:1; 4:5–6 (BSB)

Hezekiah's son, one of the worst kings of Judah, who later humbled himself and was restored by God.

2 Kings 21; 2 Chronicles 33 (BSB)

A young companion of Paul and Barnabas, and later of Peter. He wrote the Gospel of Mark.

Acts 12:12; 1 Peter 5:13 (BSB)

Mary and Lazarus' sister, who served Jesus a meal and confessed Him as the Christ before Lazarus was raised.

Luke 10:38–42; John 11 (BSB)

A young woman from Nazareth, engaged to Joseph, who was chosen by God to be the mother of the Lord Jesus.

Luke 1:26–56; 2 (BSB)

A woman from Magdala whom Jesus freed from seven demons. She stood at the cross and was the first person to see the risen Jesus.

Luke 8:2; John 20:11–18 (BSB)

Martha and Lazarus' sister, who sat at Jesus' feet to learn and later poured expensive perfume on Him.

Luke 10:38–42; John 12:1–8 (BSB)

A tax collector whom Jesus called to follow Him. He wrote the Gospel of Matthew.

Matthew 9:9–13 (BSB)

The disciple chosen by the apostles to take Judas Iscariot's place among the Twelve.

Acts 1:23–26 (BSB)

A mysterious priest-king of Salem who blessed Abraham. The book of Hebrews compares him to Jesus.

Genesis 14:18–20; Hebrews 7 (BSB)

Jonathan's lame son, whom King David welcomed to eat at the king's table for his father's sake.

2 Samuel 9 (BSB)

Enoch's son and the longest-living person in the Bible, who died at age 969.

Genesis 5:21–27 (BSB)

A prophet of Judah who declared that the ruler of Israel would come from little Bethlehem.

Micah 5:2; 6:8 (BSB)

The chief angel who fights for God's people and contended over the body of Moses.

Daniel 10:13; Jude 9 (BSB)

King Saul's daughter, David's first wife, who once helped David escape from her father's spear.

1 Samuel 18; 19 (BSB)

Moses and Aaron's older sister, who watched baby Moses in the river and later led the women in song after crossing the Red Sea.

Exodus 2:1–10; 15:20–21 (BSB)

Esther's older cousin who raised her, refused to bow to Haman, and was promoted in his place.

Esther 2–10 (BSB)

The man God used to free Israel from Egypt, part the Red Sea, and deliver the Ten Commandments at Mount Sinai.

Exodus 1 – Deuteronomy 34 (BSB)

A Syrian army commander healed of leprosy by dipping seven times in the Jordan River, on Elisha's word.

2 Kings 5 (BSB)

A man from Jezreel who refused to sell his family vineyard to King Ahab and was unjustly killed by Queen Jezebel.

1 Kings 21 (BSB)

A prophet whose book foretold the fall of Nineveh, the great city of Assyria.

Nahum 1–3 (BSB)

An Israelite woman who lost her husband and sons in Moab and returned to Bethlehem with her daughter-in-law Ruth.

Ruth 1 (BSB)

A prophet during the reign of David who confronted the king about his sin with Bathsheba and anointed Solomon king.

2 Samuel 7; 12; 1 Kings 1 (BSB)

The king of Babylon who carried Judah into exile, threw three Hebrews into a fiery furnace, and was humbled by God.

Daniel 1–4 (BSB)

A cupbearer to the Persian king who returned to Jerusalem and led the people to rebuild the city's broken walls in 52 days.

Nehemiah 1–6 (BSB)

A Pharisee who came to Jesus by night and was told he must be 'born again.' He helped bury Jesus.

John 3; 19:39–40 (BSB)

A righteous man who built an ark at God's command and saved his family and the animals from the great flood.

Genesis 6–9 (BSB)

A prophet whose short book pronounced God's judgment on Edom for mistreating Israel.

Obadiah 1 (BSB)

The son of Boaz and Ruth, father of Jesse, and grandfather of King David.

Ruth 4:13–22 (BSB)

A runaway slave whom Paul met in prison. Paul sent him home to Philemon as a brother in Christ.

Philemon 1:10–16 (BSB)

A Pharisee who persecuted Christians until he met the risen Jesus on the road to Damascus. He became the great missionary apostle and wrote thirteen New Testament letters.

Acts 9; Romans 1:1 (BSB)

A fisherman from Galilee whom Jesus called to follow Him. Bold, impulsive, and the first to confess Jesus as the Christ — and the one who walked on water.

Matthew 14:28–31; 16:16 (BSB)

The hard-hearted king of Egypt who refused to let God's people go until the ten plagues — and who pursued them to the Red Sea.

Exodus 5–14 (BSB)

A Christian slaveowner in Colossae to whom Paul wrote a personal letter asking him to welcome back Onesimus.

Philemon 1 (BSB)

One of the Twelve, from Bethsaida, who brought Nathanael to Jesus and who Jesus asked, 'Where shall we buy bread?'

John 1:43–46; 6:5–7 (BSB)

One of the seven deacons who preached in Samaria and explained the Scriptures to an Ethiopian official.

Acts 6:5; 8:26–40 (BSB)

Aaron's grandson, a priest whose zeal for God turned away a deadly plague in Israel.

Numbers 25 (BSB)

The Roman governor of Judea who washed his hands and handed Jesus over to be crucified.

Matthew 27:11–26 (BSB)

A tent-making teacher who, with her husband Aquila, was a friend and co-worker of Paul.

Acts 18; Romans 16:3 (BSB)

Laban's younger daughter, Jacob's beloved wife, and mother of Joseph and Benjamin.

Genesis 29–35 (BSB)

A woman in Jericho who hid Joshua's two spies and was spared when the city fell. She became an ancestor of Jesus.

Joshua 2; Matthew 1:5 (BSB)

Isaac's wife, drawn from a well by Abraham's servant, and mother of the twins Esau and Jacob.

Genesis 24; 25:21–28 (BSB)

Solomon's son, whose harshness caused the kingdom of Israel to split into north and south.

1 Kings 12 (BSB)

Jacob's firstborn son and head of the tribe of Reuben.

Genesis 29:32; 49:3–4 (BSB)

A young Moabite widow who refused to leave Naomi, married Boaz, and became great-grandmother of King David.

Ruth 1–4 (BSB)

A Nazirite judge with great strength tied to his long hair, who fought the Philistines and brought down their temple.

Judges 13–16 (BSB)

The boy God called in the temple at night, who grew up to be Israel's last judge and the prophet who anointed Saul and David.

1 Samuel 3; 16 (BSB)

Ananias' wife in the early church, who lied with him about a gift and was struck dead.

Acts 5:1–11 (BSB)

Abraham's wife, who became the mother of Isaac when she was ninety years old.

Genesis 17–18; 21 (BSB)

Israel's first king, who started well but turned from God and pursued David out of jealousy.

1 Samuel 9–31 (BSB)

The Assyrian king who threatened Jerusalem until God's angel struck down his army in one night.

2 Kings 18–19; Isaiah 36–37 (BSB)

Adam and Eve's third son, born after Abel was killed. Through Seth's line came Noah.

Genesis 4:25; 5:3–8 (BSB)

One of Daniel's three friends who refused to bow to King Nebuchadnezzar's gold statue and was rescued from the fiery furnace.

Daniel 3 (BSB)

One of Noah's three sons who entered the ark and survived the flood. Ancestor of Abraham.

Genesis 5:32; 11:10–26 (BSB)

A leader in the early church who travelled with Paul and sang hymns in prison at Philippi.

Acts 15:22; 16:25 (BSB)

A devout old man at the temple who held the baby Jesus and praised God for letting him see the Savior.

Luke 2:25–35 (BSB)

A man pulled out of the crowd to carry Jesus' cross on the way to Golgotha.

Mark 15:21 (BSB)

David and Bathsheba's son, the wise king who built the temple in Jerusalem and wrote Proverbs and Ecclesiastes.

1 Kings 1–11; Proverbs 1:1 (BSB)

A Spirit-filled deacon in the early church who spoke boldly and became the first Christian martyr.

Acts 6–7 (BSB)

One of the twelve apostles, sometimes called 'doubting Thomas,' who refused to believe in Jesus' resurrection until he saw and touched the wounds.

John 20:24–29 (BSB)

A young pastor from Lystra, taught the Scriptures by his mother and grandmother, who travelled with Paul and received two of his letters.

Acts 16:1–3; 2 Timothy 1:5 (BSB)

A Greek Christian and co-worker of Paul, sent to organize the churches on the island of Crete.

Galatians 2:1–3; Titus 1:5 (BSB)

One of David's loyal soldiers and Bathsheba's husband, whom David arranged to have killed in battle.

2 Samuel 11 (BSB)

A man who reached out to steady the ark of the covenant as it was being moved and was struck down for touching it.

2 Samuel 6:1–7 (BSB)

A long-reigning king of Judah who started well, but was struck with leprosy after proudly trying to offer incense in the temple.

2 Chronicles 26 (BSB)

The Persian queen who refused King Xerxes' command to appear at his feast and lost her crown — making room for Esther.

Esther 1 (BSB)

Travelers from the east who followed a star to find the child Jesus and gave Him gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Matthew 2:1–12 (BSB)

A short, rich tax collector in Jericho who climbed a sycamore tree to see Jesus — and welcomed Him into his house.

Luke 19:1–10 (BSB)

A priest who was struck silent for not believing the angel Gabriel — until his son John the Baptist was born.

Luke 1:5–25, 57–80 (BSB)

A post-exile prophet who encouraged the rebuilding of the temple and saw visions of God's future king on a donkey.

Zechariah 9:9 (BSB)

The last king of Judah, whose rebellion led to Jerusalem's destruction and the people's exile to Babylon.

2 Kings 24:18 – 25:7 (BSB)

A prophet during the reign of Josiah, who warned of the coming day of the Lord and promised God would rejoice over His people with singing.

Zephaniah 3:17 (BSB)

A descendant of David who led the first group of exiles back from Babylon and began rebuilding the temple.

Ezra 3; Haggai 1:14 (BSB)

Moses' wife, daughter of Jethro the priest of Midian, whom Moses met at a well.

Exodus 2:21; 18:2 (BSB)