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Description edit see section history

Using material from Philip Yancey and Brenda Quinn’s book Meet the Bible, the NIV Student Bible takes you on a fascinating and enriching year-long tour of the entire Bible—its characters, places, times, stories, and meaning. New discoveries await you every day.

Characters/People edit see section history

  • Jesus: (New Testament) The Messiah or Savior. Son of God, born of the Virgin Mary. He was born in Bethlehem and baptized by John.
  • Joseph: Old Testament: one of 12 brothers, he was favored by his father and given a coat of many colors. He was despised by his older brothers who sold him into slavery in Egypt, where he was later able to help his family during a famine. New Testament: The man betrothed to Mary, the mother of Jesus.
  • Mary: Name given to several Biblical women:1. Mother of Jesus (New Testament)2. Sister of Martha and Lazarus who chose to sit at Jesus's feet and learn. (New Testament)3. Mary Magdalene (New Testament)
  • Noah: Old Testament: Was told by God to build an Ark to house Noah's family and animals during the flood God would send.
  • Lucifer: An angel who chose to defy God and was cast away from God's presence. A third of the angels followed Lucifer. AKA Satan, Beelzebub, the Devil
  • David: Old Testament: As a young boy, he defeated the giant Goliath. He grew up to become King.
  • Paul: An apostle who went on missionary journeys and started many churches. His letters (epistles) to some of these churches survive in the New Testament. His given name was Saul and he persecuted Christians before having an epiphany.
  • Judah: Add a description of this character.
  • Saul: Old Testament: King of Israel just prior to King DavidNew Testament: The given name of the apostle Paul before his epiphany.
  • John: New Testament: John the Baptist was a cousin of Jesus. He lived in the desert and baptized Jesus.
  • Solomon: Son of King David and king after David. He asked God for wisdom. Some of the wisdom he received is recorded in the Book of Proverbs in the Old Testament.
  • Jacob: Old Testament: younger of a set of twin boys, he tricked his father to gain the birthright that his brother had traded to him for a bowl of stew. He also wrestled with God and was renamed Israel.
  • Joshua: Old Testament: one of only two spies sent out who recommended that the Israelites follow God's plan for them to take the Promised Land.
  • Aaron: Old Testament: brother of Moses
  • Peter: New Testament: A disciple noted for his impulsiveness. He denies Jesus three times before the crucifixion. Two of his letters survive in the New Testament.
  • Samuel: Old Testament character.
  • Hezekiah
  • Abraham: Old Testament patriarch: father of Israel. He was called Abram before his covenant with God.
  • Moses: Old Testament: Born at a time when Israelite male infants were ordered slaughtered, his mother saved him by setting him adrift. He was found and raised by Pharoah's daughter. He is chosen by God to lead the Israelites out of Egypt and to the Promised Land.
  • Jonathan: Son of King Saul and friend to David in the Old Testament.
  • Manasseh
  • Isaac: Old Testament: Son of Abraham and Sarah. He is born when both are quite old.
  • Mark: Writer of the New Testament Gospel of Mark.
  • James: New Testament: Writer of the book of James.
  • Ephraim
  • Elijah: An Old Testament prophet who is caught up to heaven by a fiery chariot.
  • Matthew: Writer of the New Testament Gospel of Matthew which was written to the Jewish people.
  • Pharaoh: Leader of Egypt.
  • Aram
  • Ruth: A Moabite who marries one of Naomi's sons. After Naomi's husband and sons die, Ruth returns to Naomi's homeland with her mother-in-law and continues to care for her. Marries Boaz, a kinsman. From their line comes Jesus.
  • Isaiah: An Old Testament prophet.
  • Timothy: Recipient of two letters from Paul.
  • Rachel: Mother of Joseph (old testament) and Benjamin.
  • Levi: Head of the tribe that is chosen to be priests in God's temple.
  • Mordecai: Uncle of Esther, he advises her of the plot against her people by Haman and urges her to approach the King. Old Testament.
  • Esther: Her story can be found in the Old Testament book of Esther. She becomes Queen and must save her people from a threat by Haman, possibly risking her own life in the process.
  • Abram: The birth name of Abraham (Old Testament) before his covenant with God.
  • Josiah
  • Pontius Pilate: One of the leaders at the time of Jesus's Crucifixion.
  • Adam: First Man; created by God.(Old Testament)
  • Abner
  • Sarah: Abraham's wife (Old Testament). Her given name was Sarai until the time of their Covenant with God.
  • Benjamin: One of 12 brothers, he is the youngest (younger even than Joseph). Old Testament.
  • Micah: Old Testament prophet.
  • Haggai: Old Testament prophet.
  • Haman: He plots to destroy the Israelites and is thwarted by the shrewdness of Queen Esther. (Old Testament)
  • Amos: Old Testament prophet.
  • Samson: A very strong Nazarite judge. The secret of his strength lay in his uncut hair. He reveals this fact to Delilah and is captured. (Old Testament)
  • Herod: The name of several kings that reign during the New Testament times.
  • Simon: 1. Given name of Peter (Simon Peter)--New Testament2. The name of another disciple--New Testament
  • Jesse
  • Azariah
  • Ishmael: Isaac's half brother, his father is Abraham and his mother Sarah's maid Hagar. (Old Testament)
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First Sentence edit see section history

The Bible begins with words that have become famous: "In the beginning God created."

Authors & Contributors edit see section history

  1. Philip Yancey (Editor)
  2. New York Bible Society (Translator)

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