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Bible, History, Archaeology

Bible,
History,
Archaeology

Home > Historical figures > Figures of the TA

Figures of the TA

The great figures of the Old Testament include such iconic figures as Abraham, Moses, David and Elijah, each of whom played a crucial role in biblical history and faith.

These figures from the Bible are much more than just religious figures: they're part of Judeo-Christian culture, and therefore part of our general culture. Their knowledge is very useful for deciphering many works of religious art, and these pages will help you easily recognize the most important figures and facts from the Hebrew Bible.

Abraham is called the father of a multitude. His story is told from chapter 12 of the book of Genesis. He responds to God's call to settle in a faraway land he knows nothing about.

The word Moses means saved from the waters. He is the main character in the book of Exodus. Moses is known for his leadership and also his level of intimacy with God.

David was the youngest of his eight brothers. He grazed his father's flock. God elevated him from his status as a shepherd to reign in Saul's place as king of Israel, etc.

53 confirmed biblical characters >

Thanks to a unique system developed by a researcher, 53 characters from the Hebrew Bible have been recognized as authentic historical personalities thanks to material evidence of their existence. The system's creator, Lawrence Mykytiuk, Assistant Professor of Library Science at Purdue University (Indiana, USA), describes the system as «a means of developing historicity».

The Ammonites, Moabites and Edomites in the Bible >

Following the biblical account of Creation and the Flood on earth, the Book of Genesis relates that, at the beginning of the second millennium BC, a small group led by Abram (not yet called Abraham) left Ur and, after a stay in Harran in northern Mesopotamia, came to settle in Canaan, between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean coast. In 135 AD, following a merciless war against the Roman Empire, the ancient Jewish state disappeared. The ancient history of the Hebrews is that of an existence that stretches between these two dates, over a period of around two millennia.

The Hebrews, the language, the alphabet >

Following the biblical account of Creation and the Flood on earth, the Book of Genesis relates that, at the beginning of the second millennium BC, a small group led by Abram (not yet called Abraham) left Ur and, after a stay in Harran in northern Mesopotamia, came to settle in Canaan, between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean coast. In 135 AD, following a merciless war against the Roman Empire, the ancient Jewish state disappeared. The ancient history of the Hebrews is that of an existence that stretches between these two dates, over a period of around two millennia.