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Biblical Profile: Maccabees
Maccabees The Maccabees (meaning, “hammers”) successfully led a revolt against Antiochus IV in response to his persecution of the Jews. They and their descendants (called Hasmoneans) ruled Judea for
Biblical Profile: Ruth
Ruth The story of Ruth tells of a kind and loyal woman and of the hidden providence of God, who makes all things work together for the good of those who love him (Rom 8:28). This story, part of the h
Biblical Profile: Nehemiah
Nehemiah Nehemiah was a powerful leader of God’s people living in Judea following the Exile. Nehemiah improved the morale and strength of God’s people in the midst of difficulty. Before Nehemiah ret
Biblical Profile: Egypt
Egypt Egypt was already a great and ancient civilization when Joseph rose to power (Gen 39–41) and Jacob’s family traveled there for food (chs 42–46; cp. 12:10-20). Its unique location and geography
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: Pharaoh
Pharaoh “Pharaoh” is an Egyptian word meaning “great house.” It refers to the royal palace and is also used as a title for the king of Egypt. During the time of Joseph, the Israelites were looked upo
Biblical Profile: Jethro (Reuel)
Jethro (Reuel) Jethro, also called Reuel (Exod 2:16-18; Num 10:29), was “the priest of Midian” (Exod 2:16). Moses rescued Jethro’s seven daughters from the rough treatment of other shepherds at a wel
Biblical Profile: Caleb
Caleb Caleb stands as an inspiring example of faith in God. He was the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite (Josh 14:6; Num 32:12). The Kenizzites lived in the Negev, the southern desert region of Canaan (
Biblical Profile: Judah
Judah Judah is remembered most often as the ancestor of King David and of Jesus Christ. Despite his birth as a middle child and his sins as an adult (Gen 38), God chose Judah to carry the line of Kin
Biblical Profile: Lot
Lot Lot was Abraham’s nephew and the ancestor of the Moabites and Ammonites. Like Abraham, Lot was born in Ur and accompanied Terah to Haran (Gen 11:27-32). After Terah’s death, he joined Abraham in
Biblical Profile: Zerubbabel
Zerubbabel Zerubbabel, a Babylonian-born Jew, relocated to Judea in 538 BC as governor of Jerusalem under Persian rule. Cyrus, the king of Persia, had declared that Jews captured and exiled from Juda
Biblical Profile: The Amalekites
The Amalekites The Amalekites were the descendants of Amalek, a grandson of Esau (Gen 36:12; 1 Chr 1:36). They were nomadic herdsmen; their territory in the Negev ranged from south of Beersheba to th
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: The Medes and Persians
The Medes and Persians The Medes (around 850–549 BC) The early Medes left no written records. According to an inscription from Shalmaneser III of Assyria (858–824 BC), the Medes had settled around E
Biblical Profile: David
David David is one of the monumental figures of biblical history. His reign was a high point in God’s plan for Israel, and it had great and lasting significance. David was born in Bethlehem as Jesse
Biblical Profile: Jehoshaphat
Jehoshaphat Jehoshaphat succeeded his father Asa to become the fourth king of Judah (872–848 BC). Like Hezekiah and Josiah after him, Jehoshaphat trusted the Lord throughout his life and worked to re
Biblical Profile: The Greeks
The Greeks Greek civilization played a major role in the ancient world, and Greek culture was a primary influence on the world into which Jesus was born and in which the New Testament was written. M
Biblical Profile: The Pharisees
The Pharisees The Pharisees were one of three major Jewish sects, along with the Sadducees and the Essenes. The Pharisees comprised a non-political lay movement within Judaism. They arose from the ha
Biblical Profile: Philip
Philip Philip was one of the first to take the Good News of Christ to those outside the borders of Judea. Well respected among the early Christians, he was one of seven men chosen to administer the f
Biblical Profile: Jehoshaphat
Jehoshaphat Jehoshaphat succeeded his father Asa to become the fourth king of Judah (872–848 BC). Like Hezekiah and Josiah after him, Jehoshaphat trusted the Lord throughout his life and worked to re
Biblical Profile: Herod the Great
Herod the Great Herod the Great was the Roman-appointed king of Judea (37–4 BC) at the time of Jesus’ birth (Matt 2:1; Luke 1:5). He was a strong military leader, a brilliant politician, and a cruel
Biblical Profile: Women Named Mary
Women Named Mary Four other Marys, apart from the mother of Jesus, are mentioned in the Gospels: (1) Mary Magdalene (probably from Magdala in Galilee) was freed from demon possession by Jesus (Mark
Biblical Profile: Ahaz
Ahaz Ahaz reigned in Judah during a turbulent period (743–715 BC). His father Jotham (2 Kgs 15:32-38; 2 Chr 27:1-9) and son Hezekiah (2 Kgs 18:1-8) were praised for their obedience to the Lord, but A
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