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Biblical Profile: Manasseh
Manasseh Manasseh, the thirteenth king of Judah (697–642 BC), had a long but notoriously wicked reign (2 Kgs 21:1-18; 2 Chr 33:1-9)—even though his father was the godly king Hezekiah (2 Kgs 20:21).
Biblical Profile: Ezra
Ezra Ezra was a priest and scribe of the high-priestly line of Zadok (Ezra 7:1-5, 11-12; cp. Neh 8:2, 9). He was a leader in Judah following the Jews’ return from exile. As a scribe, Ezra was not jus
Biblical Profile: Nebuchadnezzar II
Nebuchadnezzar II King Nebuchadnezzar II reigned over Babylon from 605 to 562 BC. He secured and extended the empire of his father, Nabopolassar (626–605 BC). Beyond the scriptural record, many ancie
Biblical Profile: Martha, Mary, and Lazarus
Martha, Mary, and Lazarus The sisters Martha and Mary lived with their brother Lazarus in Bethany, near Jerusalem; Jesus loved and spent time with this family. Martha and Mary are mentioned only in t
Biblical Profile: Mary, Mother of Jesus
Mary, Mother of Jesus Mary, the wife of Joseph, was the virgin mother of Jesus. Luke tells us that as a young girl in Nazareth, Mary was betrothed to Joseph, a local carpenter. Before the marriage to
Biblical Profile: The Church
The Church The church is the community of those who recognize the lordship of Christ and submit to him (Eph 5:21-24). In the Greek world, the word translated “church” (Greek ekklēsia) designated an “
Biblical Profile: Matthew (Levi)
Matthew (Levi) Matthew was a tax collector for the Romans and became one of Jesus’ twelve apostles. According to early tradition, he was the author of the Gospel of Matthew. Though he is called Matt
Biblical Profile: Pontius Pilate
Pontius Pilate Pontius Pilate was the Roman governor of Judea from AD 26 to 36, including the time of Jesus’ death in AD 30 or 33. Pilate gave the official order for Jesus to be crucified. As the go
Biblical Profile: Titus
Titus Titus was a Gentile convert who served as one of Paul’s trusted assistants. One of Paul’s last letters was addressed to him, when Titus was helping to consolidate the church at Crete. Titus is
Biblical Profile: Roman Emperors
Roman Emperors (27 BC–AD 96) Augustus (Octavian) (27 BC–AD 14) Became the first Roman emperor after defeating Marc Antony at the battle of Actium (31 BC); ruled with wisdom and good administration; g
Biblical Profile: Gideon
Gideon Gideon, an Israelite judge, was the son of Joash, from the tribe of Manasseh. Gideon described his clan as the least powerful in Manasseh and himself as the least important in the clan. His st
Biblical Profile: Manasseh
Manasseh Manasseh, the thirteenth king of Judah (697–642 BC), had a long but notoriously wicked reign (2 Kgs 21:1-18; 2 Chr 33:1-9)—even though his father was the godly king Hezekiah (2 Kgs 20:21).
Biblical Profile: Balaam
Balaam Balaam was a diviner—a person who read signs and omens to determine the future and performed rituals to change future events (see study note on Num 22:5-6; cp. Josh 13:22). He was a diviner fo
Biblical Profile: Samson
Samson Samson is a prime illustration of God’s using a person for good in spite of that person’s indifference and sin. Samson was a rescuer of Israel without even trying or caring. He did not seem to
Biblical Profile: John Mark
John Mark John Mark, writer of the earliest Gospel (the Gospel of Mark), was an assistant of three early missionaries—Barnabas, Paul, and Peter. Mark was taken along as an assistant by Barnabas and
Biblical Profile: Rahab
Rahab Rahab, a prostitute and a woman of faith, remains enigmatic centuries after her brief appearance in Israel’s history. Because she placed her faith in Israel’s God and helped the two Israelite s
Biblical Profile: Joshua
Joshua Joshua, son of Nun, was Moses’ assistant and successor as Israel’s leader. Joshua brought the young nation across the Jordan River into the Promised Land of Canaan, faithfully following God’s
Biblical Profile: Joab
Joab Joab was David’s nephew, the son of David’s sister Zeruiah (1 Chr 2:13-16); his brothers were Abishai and Asahel. Joab became commander of David’s armies because of his bravery and military skil
Biblical Profile: Jezebel
Jezebel Jezebel, daughter of Ethbaal, king of Sidon (1 Kgs 16:31), married King Ahab of Israel, probably to confirm a political alliance between their countries. Jezebel promoted Baal worship and dem
Biblical Profile: Arameans
Arameans The Arameans were a Semitic group, descendants of Shem (Gen 10:22-23; cp. Gen 22:20-21). Bethuel and Laban were known as Arameans (Gen 25:20; 28:1-7). Jacob lived for some twenty years with
Biblical Profile: Jeroboam II
Jeroboam II Jeroboam II, son of Jehoash, reigned over Israel for 41 years (793–753 BC), longer than any other northern king. He followed the evil example of his (unrelated) namesake, Jeroboam I (2 Kg
Biblical Profile: Elijah
Elijah Elijah from Tishbe served as prophet of Israel during the reigns of Ahab and Ahaziah (874–852 BC). His name means “my God is Yahweh,” and his ministry involved demonstrating that the Lord is t
Biblical Profile: Hezekiah
Hezekiah Hezekiah, who reigned from 728 to 686 BC was one of Judah’s best kings. Hezekiah’s father, Ahaz, betrayed the Lord, but Hezekiah promoted true worship of God. Reversing the damage done by Ah
Biblical Profile: Eleazar
Eleazar Eleazar was the third son of Aaron, the first high priest (Exod 6:23). Eleazar’s two older brothers, Nadab and Abihu, offended God by offering incense in a different way than what God had com