by Jeffrey Kranz | Jun 13, 2020 | Bible characters, Bible facts
The 12 Tribes of Israel in the Bible: a Quick, Illustrated Guide The nation of Israel was made up of tribes—the families descended from Jacob’s sons (and grandsons). To the earliest readers of the Old Testament, these names were common knowledge. Which... by Ryan Nelson | Apr 21, 2020 | Bible characters
The Pharisees were an ancient Jewish group who laid the foundation for what would become rabbinic Judaism. The name, “Pharisee,” likely comes from the Hebrew word prushim, meaning “separated ones,” but it’s unclear what exactly this label signified. Some of the... by Ryan Nelson | Mar 2, 2020 | Bible characters
Before Israel had a king, it had a series of tribal leaders called judges. God used these men and women to save the Israelites from their enemies and lead them back to him. The Book of Judges records this dark chapter in ancient Jewish history, noting each judge’s... by Ryan Nelson | Jan 8, 2020 | Bible characters
Nebuchadnezzar (also called Nebuchadrezzar) was king of Babylon from around 605 BC to 562 BC. He was the most important ruler of the Neo-Babylonian Empire and a renowned builder. The Hanging Gardens of Babylon, which he constructed for his wife, was one of the seven... by Ryan Nelson | Dec 17, 2019 | Bible characters
Sometime around 33 AD, Jesus Christ was crucified for claiming to be the son of God. Shortly after, his followers said he had been resurrected, and they began preaching the gospel. This simultaneously sparked the movement that became Christianity and made them targets... by Ryan Nelson | Sep 11, 2019 | Bible characters
James son of Alphaeus was one of the twelve main disciples of Jesus Christ. The New Testament only mentions him in the four lists of disciples, and always toward the end, indicating he was less important than the others. James son of Alphaeus is traditionally...
