Character Sheets

First man

The first human, created in God's image, placed in Eden, and federal head of the human race. His fall plunged humanity into sin.

Builder of the ark, second father of humanity

A righteous man in a violent generation. God preserved him, his family, and the animals through the global flood and made a covenant with him.

Father of the faithful

Called from Ur to a land God would show him. Justified by faith. Received the covenant of land, seed, and blessing — fulfilled ultimately in Christ.

Son of promise

The son God promised to Abraham and Sarah in their old age. Married Rebekah; father of Esau and Jacob.

Father of the twelve tribes

Twin of Esau. Schemer transformed by encounter with God. Renamed Israel. Father of the twelve patriarchs.

Prime minister of Egypt

Sold by his brothers, rose from prison to second in Egypt, saved his family during famine. 'You meant evil; God meant it for good.'

Lawgiver, prophet, deliverer

Born to Levite parents, raised in Pharaoh's house, fled to Midian, called at the burning bush, led Israel out of Egypt, received the Law, and led 40 years in the wilderness.

First High Priest

Moses' older brother and spokesman; consecrated as Israel's first High Priest. Made the golden calf in a moment of weakness.

Moses' successor

One of two faithful spies (with Caleb). Led Israel into Canaan, conquered the land, divided inheritance.

Prophetess and judge

The only female judge of Israel. Summoned Barak to defeat Sisera and the Canaanites; her song (ch. 5) celebrates the victory.

Judge — defeated Midian with 300

Called while threshing in a winepit. Tested God with the fleece. Defeated Midian with 300 men and torches and trumpets.

Nazirite judge

Set apart from birth as a Nazirite. Possessed superhuman strength while loyal to his vow. Fell through Delilah and died destroying more Philistines in death than in life.

Moabite great-grandmother of David

A Moabite widow who clung to Naomi and her God. Boaz redeemed her; their son Obed was grandfather of David.

Prophet, priest, kingmaker

Dedicated to the LORD by Hannah, raised by Eli. Last judge of Israel; anointed Saul and David.

First king of Israel

Tall, handsome Benjamite chosen as Israel's first king. Disobeyed God, was rejected, descended into jealous madness pursuing David, and died in battle on Gilboa.

King of Israel, 'man after God's own heart'

Shepherd boy who killed Goliath, anointed king, united Israel, made Jerusalem the capital, received the Davidic Covenant. Sinned with Bathsheba; repented.

King — wisdom and the Temple

David's son; asked for wisdom and received wealth and fame. Built the First Temple. Many foreign wives turned his heart away.

Prophet to northern Israel

Confronted Ahab and Jezebel, called down fire on Mt. Carmel, fed by ravens, and was taken to heaven in a whirlwind.

Successor of Elijah

Received a double portion of Elijah's spirit. Performed many miracles paralleling Christ's ministry.

Major prophet to Judah

Called in the year King Uzziah died. Prophesied during reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, Hezekiah. Most quoted prophet in the NT.

Weeping prophet

Called from his mother's womb. Prophesied through the fall of Jerusalem. Promised the New Covenant.

Priest-prophet in Babylon

Deported to Babylon in 597 BC. Used elaborate visions and sign-acts. Saw the glory depart and return.

Statesman-prophet in Babylon and Persia

Exiled as a youth, served under Babylonian and Persian kings. Faithful witness; received apocalyptic visions.

Forerunner of the Messiah

Son of Zechariah and Elizabeth, cousin of Jesus. Preached repentance in the wilderness and baptized Jesus. Beheaded by Herod Antipas.

Mother of the Messiah

A young virgin from Nazareth, betrothed to Joseph. Conceived Jesus by the Holy Spirit. Faithful disciple to the cross and Pentecost.

Son of God, Messiah, Savior

Eternal Son of God, incarnate of the Virgin Mary, lived sinlessly, died for sins, rose bodily, ascended, and reigns as Lord of all. He will return to judge and reign.

Apostle to the Jews

Fisherman called by Jesus. Confessed Jesus as the Christ. Denied Him three times, was restored, preached at Pentecost, opened the door to the Gentiles (Cornelius).

Apostle to the Gentiles

Pharisee who persecuted the church until Christ confronted him on the Damascus road. Three missionary journeys; wrote 13 NT letters; martyred in Rome.

Apostle of love

Son of Zebedee, brother of James. 'The disciple whom Jesus loved.' Cared for Mary after the cross. Exiled to Patmos.

First Christian martyr

One of the seven deacons. Preached a sweeping sermon tracing Israel's history and was stoned by the Sanhedrin. Saul approved.

First woman, mother of all living

Formed from Adam's side as his helper. Deceived by the serpent, she ate the forbidden fruit and shared it with Adam, bringing sin into the world.

First murderer

Firstborn of Adam and Eve. His offering was rejected; in jealousy he murdered Abel and was cursed to wander, yet marked for protection.

Righteous shepherd, first martyr

Shepherd whose blood offering was accepted by faith. Murdered by Cain.

Appointed seed

Third son of Adam, born after Abel's death; through his line the godly remnant and ultimately Christ descended.

Prophet who walked with God

Seventh from Adam; walked with God 300 years and was taken without dying. Prophesied the Lord's coming in judgment.

Longest-lived man

Son of Enoch, grandfather of Noah; lived 969 years and died the year of the Flood.

Son of Noah, ancestor of Israel

Blessed son of Noah from whom the Semitic peoples and the line of Abraham descend.

Son of Noah

Son of Noah whose dishonor of his father led to the curse on his son Canaan.

Son of Noah

Eldest son of Noah; ancestor of the Indo-European peoples. Blessed to dwell in the tents of Shem.

Wife of Abraham, mother of Isaac

Barren until age 90, she bore Isaac through God's promise. Originally Sarai; renamed Sarah ('princess').

Egyptian maidservant, mother of Ishmael

Sarah's servant given to Abraham; bore Ishmael. Met by the Angel of the LORD in the wilderness.

Firstborn of Abraham by Hagar

Son of Abraham and Hagar; father of twelve princes and the Arab peoples.

Nephew of Abraham

Traveled with Abraham; chose the Jordan plain and settled in Sodom. Rescued from the city's destruction.

Wife of Isaac

Found at the well by Abraham's servant; mother of Jacob and Esau. Helped Jacob obtain the blessing.

Firstborn twin of Isaac

Sold his birthright for stew; lost the blessing. Father of the Edomites.

First wife of Jacob

Tender-eyed daughter of Laban substituted for Rachel. Mother of six tribes including Judah and Levi.

Beloved wife of Jacob

Younger daughter of Laban; mother of Joseph and Benjamin. Died bearing Benjamin.

Son of Jacob, lion of the tribe

Fourth son of Leah. Pledged his life for Benjamin and received the messianic blessing: 'The scepter shall not depart from Judah.'

Prophetess, sister of Moses

Watched baby Moses in the Nile; led Israel's women in song after the Red Sea. Struck with leprosy for opposing Moses.

Midianite priest, Moses' father-in-law

Sheltered Moses for 40 years; advised him to delegate judging Israel.

Faithful spy and warrior

One of two faithful spies; at 85 he still asked for the hill country and drove out the Anakim.

Canaanite harlot turned believer

Hid Israel's spies in Jericho; spared with her household for her faith. Ancestress of David and Christ.

Kinsman-redeemer of Ruth

Wealthy Bethlehemite who redeemed Ruth and the land of Elimelech; great-grandfather of David.

Mother-in-law of Ruth

Lost husband and sons in Moab; returned to Bethlehem and arranged Ruth's redemption.

Mother of Samuel

Barren wife of Elkanah who vowed her son to the LORD; gave Samuel to Eli at Shiloh.

High priest at Shiloh

Aged priest who mentored Samuel but failed to restrain his wicked sons; died hearing the ark was captured.

Prince, friend of David

Saul's heir who loved David as his own soul, defended him from his father, and died with Saul at Gilboa.

Rebellious son of David

Avenged Tamar by killing Amnon, then led a coup against David. Caught by his hair in a tree and slain by Joab.

Wife of Uriah, then David; mother of Solomon

Object of David's adultery; later secured the throne for her son Solomon through Nathan.

Court prophet to David

Delivered the Davidic covenant; confronted David with 'You are the man!' Anointed Solomon king.

David's general

David's loyal but ruthless commander. Killed Abner, Absalom, and Amasa; executed by Solomon.

First king of Judah

Son of Solomon whose harshness split the kingdom; reigned over Judah and Benjamin.

First king of northern Israel

Led the northern revolt and set up golden calves at Bethel and Dan, becoming the archetypal idolater.

Wicked king of Israel

Married Jezebel and promoted Baal worship; opposed by Elijah; died at Ramoth-Gilead.

Phoenician queen, persecutor of prophets

Sidonian princess who brought Baal worship to Israel and killed the LORD's prophets. Thrown from a window and eaten by dogs.

Syrian commander healed of leprosy

Aramean general cleansed by dipping seven times in the Jordan at Elisha's word.

Reforming king of Judah

Tore down high places, withstood Assyria's Sennacherib, and was granted 15 added years after prayer.

Reforming king of Judah

Began to seek the LORD at 16; rediscovered the Book of the Law and launched Judah's last great reform. Died at Megiddo.

Wicked yet repentant king of Judah

Reigned 55 years in unprecedented evil; captured by Assyria, humbled himself, and was restored.

Last king of Judah

Puppet king who rebelled against Babylon; watched his sons killed, was blinded, and taken in chains.

King of Babylon

Destroyed Jerusalem and the temple; humbled to live like a beast for seven years until he praised the Most High.

Last Babylonian co-regent

Hosted a sacrilegious feast using temple vessels; saw the handwriting on the wall and was slain that night.

Persian-era ruler over Babylon

Set Daniel over the realm; tricked into casting him to the lions' den; honored Daniel's God afterward.

Persian king, restorer of Israel

Named by Isaiah 150 years in advance; decreed the return of exiles and rebuilding of the temple in 538 BC.

Priest and scribe

Led a second wave home in 458 BC; reformed mixed marriages and re-established the Law.

Governor and wall-builder

Cupbearer to Artaxerxes who rebuilt Jerusalem's walls in 52 days and led civil-spiritual reform.

Jewish queen of Persia

Hadassah, raised by Mordecai, became queen and risked her life to save the Jews from Haman's genocide; origin of Purim.

Esther's cousin and guardian

Exposed an assassination plot, refused to bow to Haman, and was promoted to second in the kingdom.

Suffering servant of God

A blameless man of Uz tested by Satan; lost everything yet held fast to God; restored double after God answered from the whirlwind.

Reluctant prophet to Nineveh

Fled God's call, was swallowed by a great fish, preached to Nineveh, and pouted when they repented.

Prophet to the northern kingdom

Commanded to marry the unfaithful Gomer as a living parable of Israel's spiritual adultery and God's redeeming love.

Shepherd-prophet of justice

A herdsman from Tekoa sent to Bethel; thundered against Israel's social injustice and false worship.

Prophet who dialogues with God

Asked why God tolerates evil; learned that Babylon would judge Judah and that 'the righteous shall live by faith.'

Post-exilic prophet

Encouraged the rebuilding of the temple with eight night visions and rich messianic prophecies.

Last OT prophet

Rebuked priestly corruption, divorce, and tithing failures; promised the messenger and the Sun of Righteousness.

Daniel's three friends

Hebrew youths exiled with Daniel who refused to bow to Nebuchadnezzar's image and were preserved in the fiery furnace.

Legal father of Jesus

Righteous carpenter of David's line who took Mary as his wife after the angel's word and protected the child Jesus.

Father of John the Baptist

Priest of the division of Abijah who was struck mute for unbelief; sang the Benedictus at John's birth.

Mother of John the Baptist

Aged kinswoman of Mary; her unborn son leaped at Mary's greeting. She called Mary 'mother of my Lord.'

King of Judea

Idumean client-king who rebuilt the temple and slaughtered the children of Bethlehem to kill the infant Messiah.

Tetrarch of Galilee

Beheaded John the Baptist; questioned Jesus on the night of His trial.

Roman prefect of Judea

Sentenced Jesus to crucifixion despite finding no fault; washed his hands as a sign of innocence.

High priest at Jesus' trial

Prophesied unwittingly that 'one man should die for the people'; led the Sanhedrin condemnation of Jesus.

Betrayer of Jesus

Treasurer of the Twelve who sold Jesus for thirty pieces of silver and hanged himself in remorse.

Apostle, brother of Peter

First-called disciple of John the Baptist who brought Peter to Jesus and the boy with loaves to the feeding of the 5,000.

Apostle, brother of John

One of the inner three; first apostolic martyr, beheaded by Herod Agrippa I in AD 44.

Apostle nicknamed 'the Twin'

Willing to die with Jesus; doubted the resurrection until he saw the wounds, then confessed 'My Lord and my God!'

Apostle and Gospel writer

Tax collector called by Jesus from his booth; wrote the first Gospel to show Jesus as the Jewish Messiah.

One of the Twelve

Brought Nathanael to Jesus; tested at the feeding of the 5,000; asked to 'see the Father.'

Apostle

Skeptical Israelite 'in whom is no deceit'; confessed Jesus Son of God and King of Israel.

Witness of the resurrection

Delivered from seven demons; supported Jesus' ministry; first to see the risen Christ and announce Him to the apostles.

Sister of Mary and Lazarus

Hostess in Bethany; confessed Jesus as the Christ before Lazarus was raised.

Devoted disciple

Sat at Jesus' feet to learn; anointed Him with costly nard for His burial.

Friend whom Jesus raised

Brother of Mary and Martha; raised after four days in the tomb, prompting the plot to kill Jesus.

Pharisee and secret disciple

Came to Jesus by night and heard of new birth; later defended Him in the Sanhedrin and helped bury Him.

Chief tax collector of Jericho

Climbed a sycamore to see Jesus; received Him joyfully and made fourfold restitution.

Gentile man of faith

Asked Jesus to heal his servant 'only with a word'; commended for greater faith than any in Israel.

Apostle chosen to replace Judas

Witness of Jesus from John's baptism to the ascension; chosen by lot over Joseph called Barsabbas.

First Gentile convert

Roman centurion of the Italian Cohort whose household received the Spirit while Peter preached; gateway to the Gentile mission.

'Son of encouragement,' missionary

Levite from Cyprus who sold a field for the church, vouched for Saul, and partnered with Paul on the first missionary journey.

Missionary companion of Paul

Leading man among the brethren who delivered the Jerusalem decree, sang in Philippi's jail, and later served Peter.

Paul's son in the faith

Son of Eunice and grandson of Lois of Lystra; pastored in Ephesus and received Paul's pastoral letters.

Paul's troubleshooter on Crete

Greek convert and test case for Gentile freedom; organized churches on Crete and carried Paul's Corinthian correspondence.

Eloquent Alexandrian teacher

Learned Jew taught by Priscilla and Aquila; powerful preacher in Achaia who refuted Jews from the Scriptures.

Tentmaking ministry couple

Jewish exiles from Rome who hosted Paul, instructed Apollos, and risked their necks for him.

First European convert

Seller of purple from Thyatira whose heart the Lord opened by the river at Philippi; her home became the first European church.

Colossian slave-owner

Hosted a house church in Colossae; urged by Paul to receive his runaway slave Onesimus as a brother.

Runaway slave turned brother

Once 'useless,' converted under Paul in Rome and sent back to Philemon as a beloved brother and useful minister.

Leader of the Jerusalem church

Skeptical during Jesus' ministry; convinced by a resurrection appearance; presided at the Jerusalem council and wrote the epistle of James.

Author of the epistle of Jude

Brother of James and half-brother of Jesus; wrote to contend for the faith against intrusive false teachers.

Beloved physician and historian

Gentile companion of Paul who authored Luke and Acts — over a quarter of the NT.

Author of the Gospel of Mark

Cousin of Barnabas; abandoned the first mission, was later restored, and recorded Peter's preaching as the Gospel of Mark.