Bible Study Guides

Bible Overview – by Thematics (Contents)

Bible Overview – by Thematics

Contents – Religion, Holy Bible

1: Creation, Fall, and Redemption 2: Covenant and Promise 3: Law and Grace 4: Faith and Works 5: Kingdom of God 6: Priesthood and Temple 7: Sacrifice and Atonement 8: Prophecy and Fulfilment 9: Messiah and Salvation 10: Exile and Restoration 11: Justice and Mercy 12: Holiness and Sanctification 13:…
1: Creation, Fall, and Redemption

Bible Overview – by Thematics

Creation, Salvation

1. Theme Overview This theme explores God’s initial act of creating the world, humanity’s fall into sin, and God’s ongoing plan to redeem creation. It frames the biblical narrative from Genesis through Revelation, showing God’s faithfulness despite human rebellion. Key Concept: Core Theological Insight:God’s redemptive plan spans history, demonstrating that…
2: Covenant and Promise

Bible Overview – by Thematics

Covenant

1. Theme Overview This theme focuses on God’s covenants with humanity and His promises to redeem and bless. It highlights the relational framework through which God unfolds His plan, emphasising faith, obedience, and divine faithfulness. Key Concept: Core Theological Insight:God’s covenants reveal His faithfulness and plan across generations. They are…
3: Law and Grace

Bible Overview – by Thematics

Biblical Law, Grace

1. Theme Overview This theme explores the relationship between God’s law and His grace, showing how obedience, moral instruction, and covenantal law point to the ultimate grace found in Christ. It highlights God’s justice, mercy, and the transformational role of His Spirit. Key Concept: Core Theological Insight:Law exposes human sinfulness…
4: Faith and Works

Bible Overview – by Thematics

Faith

1. Theme Overview This theme examines the relationship between faith and works in God’s redemptive plan. It explores how genuine faith in God produces obedience, good deeds, and ethical living, while false or inactive faith is spiritually dead. It highlights the continuity from the Old Testament covenant to New Testament…
5: Kingdom of God

Bible Overview – by Thematics

God’s Kingdom

1. Theme Overview This theme focuses on God’s sovereign rule, both present and future, over all creation. It examines the spiritual, ethical, and eschatological dimensions of His kingdom, highlighting the inauguration through Christ, its growth through the Church, and ultimate fulfillment in the new creation. Key Concept: Core Theological Insight:The…
6: Priesthood and Temple

Bible Overview – by Thematics

Priest

1. Theme Overview This theme examines God’s appointed mediators (priests) and sacred spaces (temples) as the means through which humanity approaches Him. It highlights the role of the priesthood in offering sacrifices, teaching the law, interceding for the people, and maintaining covenantal worship, with the ultimate fulfilment in Christ as…
7: Sacrifice and Atonement

Bible Overview – by Thematics

Sacrifice

1. Theme Overview This theme explores the ways in which God provides reconciliation between Himself and humanity through sacrifice and atonement. It encompasses the sacrificial system in the Old Testament, the ultimate sacrifice of Christ in the New Testament, and the theological principle that life is restored through substitutionary and…
8: Prophecy and Fulfilment

Bible Overview – by Thematics

Prophecy

1. Theme Overview This theme examines God’s revelation through prophetic messages and their ultimate fulfilment in history, especially in Christ. Prophecy encompasses predictions, warnings, and calls for repentance, while fulfilment demonstrates God’s sovereign plan, faithfulness, and the reliability of His Word. Key Concept: Core Theological Insight:Prophecy demonstrates God’s sovereignty and…
9: Messiah and Salvation

Bible Overview – by Thematics

Messiah, Salvation

1. Theme Overview This theme explores God’s plan for redemption through the Messiah, culminating in the salvation of humanity. The Messiah is the anointed one promised in the Old Testament, whose life, death, and resurrection bring spiritual restoration, forgiveness of sins, and reconciliation with God. Key Concept: Core Theological Insight:Salvation…
10: Exile and Restoration

Bible Overview – by Thematics

1. Theme Overview This theme addresses the consequences of sin, rebellion, and disobedience—manifested in exile—and God’s promise of restoration. It spans the personal, communal, and national dimensions of spiritual and physical displacement, highlighting God’s mercy and faithfulness to bring redemption and renewal. Key Concept: Core Theological Insight:Exile shows the consequences…
11: Justice and Mercy

Bible Overview – by Thematics

Justice, Mercy

1. Theme Overview This theme explores God’s dual attributes of justice and mercy, highlighting His righteous judgment against sin and His compassionate forgiveness toward repentant sinners. It examines how these attributes shape human ethics, leadership, and societal structures, and how believers are called to reflect them. Key Concept: Core Theological…
12: Holiness and Sanctification

Bible Overview – by Thematics

1. Theme Overview This theme explores God’s call for His people to be holy, set apart, and transformed by His Spirit. Holiness reflects God’s own character, and sanctification is the ongoing process of becoming more like Him in thought, word, and deed. It encompasses moral purity, spiritual growth, and covenantal…
13: Suffering and Hope

Bible Overview – by Thematics

Hope, Suffering

1. Theme Overview This theme examines the reality of human suffering and God’s provision of hope through His promises, presence, and redemptive plan. Suffering in the Bible is often a consequence of sin, spiritual opposition, or the testing of faith, yet God provides hope, comfort, and ultimate restoration. Key Concept:…
14: Spiritual Warfare

Bible Overview – by Thematics

Spiritual

1. Theme Overview This theme examines the ongoing conflict between divine and evil spiritual forces, highlighting the believer’s participation in God’s kingdom struggle through faith, prayer, obedience, and the armour of God. Spiritual warfare is both cosmic—God versus Satan—and personal, affecting human life and choices. Key Concept: Core Theological Insight:Spiritual…
15: Wisdom and Fear of the Lord

Bible Overview – by Thematics

Fear, Wisdom

1. Theme Overview This theme focuses on the pursuit of God-given wisdom and the reverent fear of the Lord as the foundation for ethical living, righteous judgment, and spiritual maturity. Wisdom in the Bible is both practical and moral, guiding decisions in alignment with God’s will. The fear of the…
16: The Nations and Mission

Bible Overview – by Thematics

Mission

1. Theme Overview This theme explores God’s intention for all nations and peoples to come under His redemptive plan. Mission in the Bible is the calling of God’s people to witness, bless, and proclaim His glory beyond Israel to the entire world. The theme highlights both divine sovereignty over nations…
17: Resurrection and Eternal Life

Bible Overview – by Thematics

Eternal Life, Resurrection

1. Theme Overview This theme examines the biblical teaching on life beyond death, the resurrection of the dead, and the hope of eternal life through Christ. It encompasses both the general resurrection of humanity and the specific promise of believers’ eternal fellowship with God. Key Concept: Core Theological Insight:Resurrection and…
18: The Holy Spirit and New Covenant

Bible Overview – by Thematics

Covenant, Heaven

1. Theme Overview This theme focuses on the role of the Holy Spirit in guiding, empowering, and sanctifying God’s people, and the establishment of the New Covenant through Jesus Christ. The New Covenant replaces the old Mosaic covenant, fulfilling God’s promise to write His law on hearts and to bring…
19: Church and Community

Bible Overview – by Thematics

Church, Heaven

1. Theme Overview This theme focuses on the biblical vision of the Church as God’s people, living in communal fellowship, worship, service, and mission. It emphasizes the importance of unity, accountability, and mutual edification, portraying the Church as both local congregations and the universal body of Christ. Key Concept: Core…
20: New Heaven and New Earth

Bible Overview – by Thematics

Heaven

1. Theme Overview This theme explores the biblical vision of the renewed creation at the end of history, where God restores all things, removes sin and suffering, and establishes eternal fellowship with His people. It encompasses eschatological hope, justice, and the fullness of God’s kingdom. Key Concept: Core Theological Insight:The…
Torah Insights: Judaism vs Christianity (Contents)

Torah Insights: Judaism vs Christianity, Torah Insights: Judaism vs Christianity

Contents – Religion

Genesis: Creation, Covenant, and the Promise of Blessing – A Doctrinal Comparison between Judaism and Christianity Exodus: Deliverance, Covenant, and Divine Presence – A Doctrinal Comparison between Judaism and Christianity Leviticus: Holiness, Sacrifice, and Priestly Mediation – A Doctrinal Comparison between Judaism and Christianity Numbers: Wilderness Journey, Covenant Faithfulness, and…
Genesis: Creation, Covenant, and the Promise of Blessing – A Doctrinal Comparison between Judaism and Christianity

Torah Insights: Judaism vs Christianity, Torah Insights: Judaism vs Christianity

1. Genesis, Christian, Covenant, Judaism

1. Introduction Genesis, the first book of the Torah/Pentateuch, serves as the foundational narrative for both Judaism and Christianity. It details the origins of the cosmos, humanity, sin, and God’s covenant with Abraham—the progenitor of Israel. While both religions revere Genesis as sacred Scripture, their doctrinal emphases diverge, especially concerning…
Exodus: Deliverance, Covenant, and Divine Presence – A Doctrinal Comparison between Judaism and Christianity

Torah Insights: Judaism vs Christianity, Torah Insights: Judaism vs Christianity

2. Exodus, Christian, Covenant, Deliverance, Judaism

1. Introduction The book of Exodus is pivotal in both Judaism and Christianity, recounting Israel’s deliverance from Egyptian bondage and the establishment of the Sinai covenant. This narrative and legal corpus shapes foundational doctrines about God’s saving acts, lawgiving, and presence among His people. While Judaism emphasises national identity and…
Leviticus: Holiness, Sacrifice, and Priestly Mediation – A Doctrinal Comparison between Judaism and Christianity

Torah Insights: Judaism vs Christianity, Torah Insights: Judaism vs Christianity

3. Leviticus, Christian, Holiness, Judaism, Priest, Torah

1. Introduction Leviticus, the third book of the Torah/Pentateuch, is primarily concerned with laws governing holiness, ritual purity, sacrifices, and the priesthood. It is foundational for Jewish religious life, prescribing detailed commandments for worship and ethical conduct. Christianity acknowledges Leviticus’ importance but interprets its sacrificial and priestly system as fulfilled…
Numbers: Wilderness Journey, Covenant Faithfulness, and Divine Provision – A Doctrinal Comparison between Judaism and Christianity

Torah Insights: Judaism vs Christianity, Torah Insights: Judaism vs Christianity

4. Numbers, Christian, Covenant, Faithful, Judaism, Torah

1. Introduction Numbers, the fourth book of the Torah/Pentateuch, narrates Israel’s wilderness journey from Sinai to the borders of the Promised Land. It emphasizes God’s faithfulness amid Israel’s testing, the organisation of the community, and covenant obedience. Judaism views Numbers as a testament to God’s steadfast covenantal relationship and disciplinary…
Deuteronomy: Covenant Renewal, Law, and Love – A Doctrinal Comparison between Judaism and Christianity

Torah Insights: Judaism vs Christianity, Torah Insights: Judaism vs Christianity

5. Deuteronomy, Biblical Law, Christian, Covenant, Judaism, Love, Torah

1. Introduction Deuteronomy, the fifth and final book of the Torah/Pentateuch, functions as a covenant renewal document. It restates and expands the law originally given at Sinai, emphasising faithfulness, obedience, and the exclusive worship of Yahweh. Judaism regards Deuteronomy as a crucial text for covenant loyalty and ethical monotheism, while…
Comparative Overview of Core Doctrines in Judaism and Christianity Based on the Torah/Pentateuch

Torah Insights: Judaism vs Christianity, Torah Insights: Judaism vs Christianity

Christian, Judaism, Torah

1. Introduction The Torah, consisting of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy, forms the doctrinal and narrative foundation for both Judaism and Christianity. Despite shared reverence for these texts, the two faiths have developed distinctive theological interpretations and doctrinal emphases. This article provides a systematic comparison of the main core…
Biblical Background of Roles & Realms (Contents)

Biblical Background of Roles & Realms, Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Contents – Religion

Pharisees Sadducees Priests Prophets Levites Disciples Apostles Scribes Teachers of the Law Nazirites False Prophets King Queen Prince / Princess Shepherds Beggars / Poor Tax Collectors Fishermen Slaves / Servants Merchants / Traders Farmers / Vinedressers Builders / Craftsmen Widows / Orphans Foreigners / Sojourners Roman Officials Centurions Herodians Judges…
Pharisees

Biblical Background of Roles & Realms, Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Biblical Culture, Biblical Social Perception, Pharisee, Religious Leaders

1. Name / Role Pharisees 2. Category Religious Roles 3. Time Period / Biblical Context Second Temple period (circa 2nd century BC to 1st century AD); especially prominent during the New Testament era, appearing frequently in the Gospels and Acts. 4. Origin / Background The Pharisees emerged during the intertestamental…
Sadducees

Biblical Background of Roles & Realms, Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Biblical Culture, Biblical Social Perception, Religious Leaders, Sadducee

1. Name / Role Sadducees 2. Category Religious Roles 3. Time Period / Biblical Context Prominent during the Second Temple period, especially in the first century BC and first century AD. They feature frequently in the Gospels and Acts as a leading religious and political faction in Jewish society. 4.…
Priests

Biblical Background of Roles & Realms, Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Biblical Culture, Biblical Social Perception, Priest, Religious Leaders

1. Name / Role Priests 2. Category Religious Roles 3. Time Period / Biblical Context Spanning from the time of Moses and the establishment of the Tabernacle (circa 15th century BC) through the Temple periods in Jerusalem. Priests were central figures in both Old Testament Israel and Second Temple Judaism,…
Prophets

Biblical Background of Roles & Realms, Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Biblical Culture, Biblical Social Perception, Prophet, Religious Leaders

1. Name / Role Prophets 2. Category Religious Roles 3. Time Period / Biblical Context Prophets appear throughout both the Old and New Testaments, with their primary prominence during the time of the kings of Israel and Judah (approximately 1050–400 BC). They also appear in the New Testament in the…
Levites

Biblical Background of Roles & Realms, Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Biblical Culture, Biblical Social Perception, Levites, Religious Leaders

1. Name / Role Levites 2. Category Religious Roles 3. Time Period / Biblical Context Old Testament to Second Temple period. The Levites appear from the time of the Exodus (circa 15th century BC) and continue to serve through Israel’s wilderness journey, conquest, monarchy, exile, and return. Their presence is…
Disciples

Biblical Background of Roles & Realms, Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Biblical Culture, Biblical Social Perception, Discipleship, Religious Leaders

1. Name / Role Disciples 2. Category Religious Roles 3. Time Period / Biblical Context Primarily New Testament period, especially in the Gospels and Acts. The term is used during Jesus’ earthly ministry and continues into the early Church era. Discipleship remains a defining concept for Christian life across all…
Apostles

Biblical Background of Roles & Realms, Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Apostle, Biblical Culture, Biblical Social Perception, Religious Leaders

1. Name / Role Apostles 2. Category Religious Roles 3. Time Period / Biblical Context New Testament period, particularly during the earthly ministry of Jesus, the post-resurrection era, and the early Church as recorded in Acts and the Epistles. The apostolic role is foundational to early Christian theology and church…
Scribes

Biblical Background of Roles & Realms, Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Biblical Culture, Biblical Social Perception, Religious Leaders

1. Name / Role Scribes 2. Category Religious Roles 3. Time Period / Biblical Context Active from the post-exilic period (circa 5th century BC) through the Second Temple era and into the New Testament period. Scribes feature prominently in the Gospels as experts in the Jewish Law and are often…
Teachers of the Law

Biblical Background of Roles & Realms, Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Biblical Culture, Biblical Law, Biblical Social Perception, Leadership

1. Name / Role Teachers of the Law (also referred to as “lawyers” or “experts in the Law”) 2. Category Religious Roles 3. Time Period / Biblical Context Primarily featured in the New Testament period, especially in the Gospels. They were key figures within Second Temple Judaism, often mentioned alongside…
Nazirites

Biblical Background of Roles & Realms, Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Biblical Culture, Biblical Social Perception, Religious Leaders

1. Name / Role Nazirites 2. Category Religious Roles 3. Time Period / Biblical Context Old Testament period, particularly during the wilderness wanderings and the time of the Judges. The Nazirite vow is detailed in the Pentateuch and appears in narratives through the early monarchy. It is referenced symbolically in…
False Prophets

Biblical Background of Roles & Realms, Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Biblical Culture, Biblical Social Perception, Prophet, Religious Leaders

1. Name / Role False Prophets 2. Category Religious Roles 3. Time Period / Biblical Context Found throughout both the Old and New Testaments, from the time of Israel’s wilderness wanderings through the monarchy, exile, and into the New Testament Church era. They were present in times of national crisis,…
King

Biblical Background of Roles & Realms, Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Biblical Culture, Biblical Social Perception

1. Name / Role King 2. Category Royal & Noble Roles 3. Time Period / Biblical Context Kings appear throughout the Old Testament—from the time of Israel’s monarchy beginning with Saul (circa 1050 BC) through the divided kingdoms of Israel and Judah, the exile, and prophetic literature. The New Testament…
Queen

Biblical Background of Roles & Realms, Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Biblical Culture, Biblical Social Perception

1. Name / Role Queen 2. Category Royal & Noble Roles 3. Time Period / Biblical Context Queens appear throughout both the Old and New Testaments, particularly in narratives concerning Israel, Judah, and foreign nations such as Egypt, Babylon, Persia, and Ethiopia. While Israel’s monarchy was patriarchal, the role of…
Prince / Princess

Biblical Background of Roles & Realms, Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Biblical Culture, Biblical Social Perception

1. Name / Role Prince / Princess 2. Category Royal & Noble Roles 3. Time Period / Biblical Context Throughout both the Old and New Testaments, princes and princesses appear within royal families of Israel, Judah, and surrounding nations. The term prince (Hebrew: sar, nagid) can denote a ruler, leader,…
Shepherds

Biblical Background of Roles & Realms, Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Biblical Culture, Biblical Social Perception, Shepherd

1. Name / Role Shepherds 2. Category Common People 3. Time Period / Biblical Context Shepherds appear from the earliest narratives in Genesis and continue throughout the Old and New Testaments. The role is both literal and metaphorical, with significant theological implications. Prominent biblical figures—such as Abel, Abraham, Moses, David,…
Beggars / Poor

Biblical Background of Roles & Realms, Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Biblical Culture, Biblical Social Perception

1. Name / Role Beggars / Poor 2. Category Common People 3. Time Period / Biblical Context Beggars and the economically poor are found throughout the Bible—from the Law of Moses to the Prophets, Psalms, Gospels, and Epistles. Their presence is often highlighted in both social justice teachings and spiritual…
Tax Collectors

Biblical Background of Roles & Realms, Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Biblical Culture, Biblical Social Perception

1. Name / Role Tax Collectors 2. Category Common People 3. Time Period / Biblical Context Tax collectors feature prominently in the New Testament, especially during the time of Jesus’ public ministry. Under Roman rule, taxes were collected through a system of subcontractors known as publicani, often involving local Jews…
Fishermen

Biblical Background of Roles & Realms, Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Biblical Culture, Biblical Social Perception

1. Name / Role Fishermen 2. Category Common People 3. Time Period / Biblical Context Fishermen appear throughout the New Testament, especially in the Gospels. Many of Jesus’ early disciples, including Peter, James, and John, were fishermen by trade. Fishing was also a key economic activity in Galilee and served…
Slaves / Servants

Biblical Background of Roles & Realms, Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Biblical Culture, Biblical Social Perception

1. Name / Role Slaves / Servants 2. Category Common People 3. Time Period / Biblical Context Slavery and servanthood appear throughout the Old and New Testaments, from patriarchal times through the Roman Empire. While the institution varied across cultures, both voluntary and involuntary servitude were part of ancient economic…
Merchants / Traders

Biblical Background of Roles & Realms, Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Biblical Culture, Biblical Social Perception

1. Name / Role Merchants / Traders 2. Category Common People 3. Time Period / Biblical Context Merchants and traders are referenced throughout both the Old and New Testaments. They appear in historical, prophetic, and parabolic passages, particularly in urban centres, international dealings, and symbolic visions (e.g., Revelation). Trade was…
Farmers / Vinedressers

Biblical Background of Roles & Realms, Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Biblical Culture, Biblical Social Perception

1. Name / Role Farmers / Vinedressers 2. Category Common People 3. Time Period / Biblical Context Farmers and vinedressers are present throughout the Bible, from Genesis to the Gospels. As ancient Israel was an agrarian society, agricultural workers played a foundational role in daily life and national identity. Many…
Builders / Craftsmen

Biblical Background of Roles & Realms, Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Biblical Culture, Biblical Social Perception

1. Name / Role Builders / Craftsmen 2. Category Common People 3. Time Period / Biblical Context Builders and craftsmen are seen throughout the Bible, particularly in the construction of the Tabernacle (Exodus), the Temple (1 Kings, 2 Chronicles), and in various prophetic and parabolic illustrations. They are also present…
Widows / Orphans

Biblical Background of Roles & Realms, Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Biblical Culture, Biblical Social Perception

1. Name / Role Widows / Orphans 2. Category Vulnerable and Marginalised Groups 3. Time Period / Biblical Context Widows and orphans are consistently mentioned throughout the Bible—from the Pentateuch through the Prophets, Psalms, and into the New Testament. Their presence in both legal codes and prophetic declarations highlights their…
Foreigners / Sojourners

Biblical Background of Roles & Realms, Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Biblical Culture, Biblical Social Perception

1. Name / Role Foreigners / Sojourners (also referred to as strangers, aliens, or resident foreigners) 2. Category Vulnerable and Marginalised Groups 3. Time Period / Biblical Context Foreigners and sojourners are present throughout the Bible, from the patriarchal period through to the New Testament. The concept is particularly prominent…
Roman Officials

Biblical Background of Roles & Realms, Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Biblical Culture, Biblical Social Perception, Roman Empire

1. Name / Role Roman Officials 2. Category Government and Political Roles 3. Time Period / Biblical Context Roman officials are present primarily in the New Testament, during the period of Roman occupation of Judea and the broader eastern Mediterranean (1st century BC to 1st century AD). They appear in…
Centurions

Biblical Background of Roles & Realms, Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Biblical Culture, Biblical Government, Biblical Social Perception

1. Name / Role Centurions 2. Category Government Roles 3. Time Period / Biblical Context Centurions appear in the New Testament during the Roman occupation of Judea and surrounding regions. They are mentioned in the Gospels, Acts, and occasionally referenced in the Epistles. Their presence reflects the military structure and…
Herodians

Biblical Background of Roles & Realms, Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Biblical Culture, Biblical Government, Biblical Social Perception

1. Name / Role Herodians 2. Category Government Roles 3. Time Period / Biblical Context Herodians appear in the New Testament, primarily during the time of Jesus’ public ministry. They are mentioned in the Synoptic Gospels, particularly in connection with plots against Jesus and political-religious discussions involving taxation and Roman…
Judges (Old Testament)

Biblical Background of Roles & Realms, Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Biblical Culture, Biblical Government, Biblical Social Perception

1. Name / Role Judges (Old Testament) 2. Category Government Roles 3. Time Period / Biblical Context The judges governed Israel during the period between the death of Joshua and the rise of the monarchy, approximately from the late 14th to early 11th century BC. This era is chronicled primarily…
Elders

Biblical Background of Roles & Realms, Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Biblical Culture, Biblical Government, Biblical Social Perception

1. Name / Role Elders 2. Category Government Roles 3. Time Period / Biblical Context Elders are mentioned throughout the Bible, from the patriarchal period in the Old Testament through to the formation of the early Church in the New Testament. They appear in legal, social, and religious contexts as…
Sanhedrin

Biblical Background of Roles & Realms, Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Biblical Culture, Biblical Government, Biblical Social Perception

1. Name / Role Sanhedrin 2. Category Government Roles 3. Time Period / Biblical Context The Sanhedrin is mentioned in the New Testament during the Second Temple period, particularly in the Gospels and Acts. While its formal origins trace back to post-exilic Jewish governance, its most prominent role was during…
Spies / Scouts

Biblical Background of Roles & Realms, Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Biblical Culture, Biblical Government, Biblical Social Perception

1. Name / Role Spies / Scouts 2. Category Government Roles 3. Time Period / Biblical Context Spies and scouts appear predominantly in the Old Testament during Israel’s wilderness journey, conquest of Canaan, and in certain strategic military accounts. Their roles are especially noted in the books of Numbers, Joshua,…
Watchmen

Biblical Background of Roles & Realms, Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Biblical Culture, Biblical Government, Biblical Social Perception

1. Name / Role Watchmen 2. Category Government Roles 3. Time Period / Biblical Context Watchmen appear throughout the Old Testament, particularly in the historical books, Psalms, and prophetic writings. While some served literal security roles on city walls, others were prophetic figures tasked with spiritual alertness and warning. 4.…
Soldiers / Warriors

Biblical Background of Roles & Realms, Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Biblical Culture, Biblical Government, Biblical Social Perception

1. Name / Role Soldiers / Warriors 2. Category Government Roles 3. Time Period / Biblical Context Soldiers and warriors are found throughout both the Old and New Testaments, from the tribal battles of early Israel to the standing armies of monarchic, imperial, and Roman periods. They play major roles…
Babylon

Biblical Background of Roles & Realms, Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Babylon, Biblical Culture, Biblical Social Perception

1. Name / Role Babylon 2. Category Nations / Peoples 3. Time Period / Biblical Context Babylon appears throughout the Bible—from early references in Genesis to major prominence in the prophetic books and Revelation. Its historical significance peaks during the Babylonian Empire’s conquest of Judah and the subsequent exile in…
Assyria

Biblical Background of Roles & Realms, Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Assyria, Biblical Culture, Biblical Social Perception

1. Name / Role Assyria 2. Category Nations / Peoples 3. Time Period / Biblical Context Assyria appears throughout the Old Testament, particularly from the 9th to the 7th centuries BC. It plays a major role in the prophetic books, historical narratives, and theological reflections on divine judgement and sovereignty.…
Persia

Biblical Background of Roles & Realms, Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Biblical Culture, Biblical Social Perception, Persia

1. Name / Role Persia 2. Category Nations / Peoples 3. Time Period / Biblical Context Persia features prominently in the post-exilic period of the Old Testament, especially in books such as Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Daniel, and Isaiah. It succeeded Babylon as the dominant empire in the ancient Near East…
Philistines

Biblical Background of Roles & Realms, Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Biblical Culture, Biblical Social Perception, Philistine

1. Name / Role Philistines 2. Category Nations / Peoples 3. Time Period / Biblical Context The Philistines appear extensively in the Old Testament, particularly from the time of the Judges through the early monarchy of Israel (circa 12th–10th century BC). They were one of Israel’s primary antagonists during the…
Canaanites

Biblical Background of Roles & Realms, Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Biblical Culture, Biblical Social Perception, Canaan

1. Name / Role Canaanites 2. Category Nations / Peoples 3. Time Period / Biblical Context The Canaanites appear throughout the Pentateuch, Joshua, Judges, and various prophetic books. They were the inhabitants of the land of Canaan prior to and during Israel’s conquest of the Promised Land. Their presence and…
Moabites / Ammonites

Biblical Background of Roles & Realms, Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Biblical Culture, Biblical Social Perception

1. Name / Role Moabites / Ammonites 2. Category Nations / Peoples 3. Time Period / Biblical Context The Moabites and Ammonites appear across the Old Testament—from the time of Abraham and Lot through the monarchy and prophetic periods. These two nations were frequent neighbours and adversaries of Israel and…
Edomites

Biblical Background of Roles & Realms, Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Biblical Culture, Biblical Social Perception

1. Name / Role Edomites 2. Category Nations / Peoples 3. Time Period / Biblical Context The Edomites appear throughout the Old Testament, from the patriarchal narratives to the prophetic books. They are regularly mentioned during Israel’s wilderness journey, the monarchy period, and in prophetic oracles of judgement. Their conflict…
Medes

Biblical Background of Roles & Realms, Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Biblical Culture, Biblical Social Perception

1. Name / Role Medes 2. Category Nations / Peoples 3. Time Period / Biblical Context The Medes are mentioned in both historical and prophetic books of the Old Testament and briefly referenced in the New Testament. They appear prominently in the 7th and 6th centuries BC, especially in relation…
Chaldeans

Biblical Background of Roles & Realms, Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Biblical Culture, Biblical Social Perception

1. Name / Role Chaldeans 2. Category Nations / Peoples 3. Time Period / Biblical Context The Chaldeans appear in the Old Testament, especially during the prophetic and exilic periods (7th–6th centuries BC). They are often used interchangeably with the Babylonians due to their rise to power under the Neo-Babylonian…
Syrians / Arameans

Biblical Background of Roles & Realms, Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Biblical Culture, Biblical Social Perception, Syria

1. Name / Role Syrians / Arameans 2. Category Nations / Peoples 3. Time Period / Biblical Context The Arameans (later referred to as Syrians) appear throughout the Old Testament, from the patriarchal era to the time of the kings. They are especially prominent during the period of the divided…
Cretans / Islanders

Biblical Background of Roles & Realms, Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Biblical Culture, Biblical Social Perception

1. Name / Role Cretans / Islanders 2. Category Nations / Peoples 3. Time Period / Biblical Context Cretans are mentioned in both the Old and New Testaments, though more explicitly in the New Testament. They are referenced at Pentecost (Acts 2) and in Paul’s Epistle to Titus, which addresses…
Egyptians

Biblical Background of Roles & Realms, Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Biblical Culture, Biblical Social Perception, Egypt

1. Name / Role Egyptians 2. Category Nations / Peoples 3. Time Period / Biblical Context Egyptians appear throughout the Bible, from the time of Abraham (Genesis) through the Exodus, the monarchy period, the prophets, and into the New Testament. Egypt was one of the most significant foreign nations in…
Greeks / Hellenists

Biblical Background of Roles & Realms, Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Biblical Culture, Biblical Social Perception, Greek

1. Name / Role Greeks / Hellenists 2. Category Nations / Peoples 3. Time Period / Biblical Context Greeks and Hellenists appear primarily in the intertestamental period, the Gospels, Acts, and the Epistles. Though the Old Testament contains prophecies about the rise of Greek powers (notably in Daniel), their full…
Samaritans

Biblical Background of Roles & Realms, Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Biblical Culture, Biblical Social Perception, Samaria

1. Name / Role Samaritans 2. Category Nations / Peoples 3. Time Period / Biblical Context The Samaritans appear primarily in the New Testament, particularly in the Gospels and Acts, but their origins and significance are rooted in Old Testament history. Their distinct identity emerged after the Assyrian conquest of…
Jews / Israelites

Biblical Background of Roles & Realms, Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Biblical Culture, Biblical Social Perception, Israel, Jews

1. Name / Role Jews / Israelites 2. Category Nations / Peoples 3. Time Period / Biblical Context The Jews (originally known as Israelites) are central throughout the entire Bible, from Genesis to Revelation. Their story begins with Abraham in Genesis, continues through the patriarchs, the Exodus, the monarchy, the…
Proselytes / God-fearers

Biblical Background of Roles & Realms, Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Biblical Culture, Biblical Social Perception

1. Name / Role Proselytes / God-fearers 2. Category Nations / Peoples 3. Time Period / Biblical Context Proselytes and God-fearers are primarily found in the New Testament, particularly in the Gospels, Acts, and the Epistles. Their emergence follows the Jewish diaspora and the spread of synagogue communities across the…
God (Yahweh)

Biblical Background of Roles & Realms, Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Biblical Culture, Biblical Social Perception, Divine and Supernatural Beings, God

1. Name / Role God (Yahweh) 2. Category Supernatural Beings 3. Time Period / Biblical Context Yahweh is present from the very beginning of the biblical narrative in Genesis and remains central throughout all 66 books of the Bible. He is the eternal, self-existent Creator, Redeemer, Judge, and Sustainer, revealed…
Jesus (Yahshua)

Biblical Background of Roles & Realms, Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Biblical Culture, Biblical Social Perception, Divine and Supernatural Beings, Jesus Christ

1. Name / Role Jesus (Jesus Christ / Yeshua / Messiah) 2. Category Supernatural Beings 3. Time Period / Biblical Context Jesus appears in the New Testament as the central figure of Christianity and is foreshadowed throughout the Old Testament. His earthly life spans the early first century AD, but…
Holy Spirit

Biblical Background of Roles & Realms, Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Biblical Culture, Biblical Social Perception, Divine and Supernatural Beings, Holy Spirit

1. Name / Role Holy Spirit (Ruach HaKodesh / Pneuma / Spirit of God) 2. Category Supernatural Beings 3. Time Period / Biblical Context The Holy Spirit is present throughout the entire Bible, from Genesis to Revelation. He is active in creation, prophecy, regeneration, and empowerment. In the Old Testament,…
Angels

Biblical Background of Roles & Realms, Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Angel, Biblical Culture, Biblical Social Perception, Divine and Supernatural Beings

1. Name / Role Angels (Malakhim / Angeloi – “Messengers”) 2. Category Supernatural Beings 3. Time Period / Biblical Context Angels appear throughout both the Old and New Testaments, from Genesis to Revelation. They are active in the Patriarchal narratives, the Exodus, the Prophets, the life of Jesus, and the…
Demons

Biblical Background of Roles & Realms, Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Biblical Culture, Biblical Social Perception, Divine and Supernatural Beings

1. Name / Role Demons (Evil spirits / Unclean spirits / Fallen angels) 2. Category Supernatural Beings 3. Time Period / Biblical Context Demons appear throughout the Bible, particularly in the Gospels, Acts, and apocalyptic literature. Their activity is especially visible during Jesus’ earthly ministry, where exorcisms are a frequent…
Satan / Devil

Biblical Background of Roles & Realms, Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Biblical Culture, Biblical Social Perception, Divine and Supernatural Beings, Satan

1. Name / Role Satan / Devil (Hebrew: Satan – “Adversary”; Greek: Diabolos – “Slanderer”) 2. Category Supernatural Beings 3. Time Period / Biblical Context Satan appears across the biblical narrative, from Genesis to Revelation. He is first introduced as the tempter in the Garden of Eden and reappears as…
Seraphim / Cherubim

Biblical Background of Roles & Realms, Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Biblical Culture, Biblical Social Perception

1. Name / Role Seraphim / Cherubim 2. Category Supernatural Beings 3. Time Period / Biblical Context Seraphim and Cherubim appear in key Old and New Testament passages, particularly in the context of divine presence, temple worship, and heavenly visions. Cherubim are first mentioned in Genesis and are prominent in…
Antichrist / Beast

Biblical Background of Roles & Realms, Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Antichrist, Beast, Biblical Culture, Biblical Social Perception

1. Name / Role Antichrist / Beast 2. Category Supernatural Beings 3. Time Period / Biblical Context The Antichrist and the Beast appear predominantly in the New Testament, particularly in the Johannine Epistles (1 & 2 John), Paul’s letters (2 Thessalonians), and apocalyptic visions in Revelation. These figures are associated…
Beasts of Daniel / Revelation

Biblical Background of Roles & Realms, Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Beast, Biblical Culture, Biblical Social Perception

1. Name / Role Beasts of Daniel / Revelation 2. Category Supernatural Beings 3. Time Period / Biblical Context These symbolic beasts appear primarily in the prophetic and apocalyptic visions of Daniel (chapters 7–8) and Revelation (chapters 13, 17). They are central to end-time imagery and serve as representations of…
Ten Virgins

Biblical Background of Roles & Realms, Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Biblical Culture, Biblical Social Perception

1. Name / Role Ten Virgins 2. Category Parables / Symbolic Figures 3. Time Period / Biblical Context This parable is found in the New Testament, within Jesus’ Olivet Discourse in the Gospel of Matthew. It is recorded in Matthew 25:1–13 and forms part of Jesus’ eschatological teachings about the…
Prodigal Son / Elder Brother

Biblical Background of Roles & Realms, Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Biblical Culture, Biblical Social Perception

1. Name / Role Prodigal Son / Elder Brother 2. Category Parables / Symbolic Figures 3. Time Period / Biblical Context This parable is found in the New Testament, within the Gospel of Luke. It is part of a trio of parables in Luke 15 (Lost Sheep, Lost Coin, Lost…
Rich Man / Lazarus

Biblical Background of Roles & Realms, Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Biblical Culture, Biblical Social Perception

1. Name / Role Rich Man / Lazarus 2. Category Parables / Symbolic Figures 3. Time Period / Biblical Context This parable is found in the New Testament, in Luke 16:19–31, as part of Jesus’ teachings on wealth, justice, and the eternal consequences of one’s life choices. It immediately follows…
Good Samaritan

Biblical Background of Roles & Realms, Biblical Background of Roles & Realms

Biblical Culture, Biblical Social Perception, Samaria

1. Name / Role Good Samaritan 2. Category Parables / Symbolic Figures 3. Time Period / Biblical Context The Parable of the Good Samaritan is found in Luke 10:25–37. It is spoken by Jesus in response to a lawyer’s question, “Who is my neighbour?” within a discussion about inheriting eternal…
Mystics and Cultural Outsiders (Contents)

Biblical Background of Roles & Realms, Biblical Background of Roles & Realms, Mystics and Cultural Outsiders

Contents – Religion

Wise Men (Magi) Magicians / Sorcerers Nazarenes / Galileans Cretans / Islanders
Wise Men (Magi)

Biblical Background of Roles & Realms, Biblical Background of Roles & Realms, Mystics and Cultural Outsiders

Biblical Culture, Biblical Social Perception

1. Name / Role Wise Men (Magi) 2. Category Other 3. Time Period / Biblical Context The Wise Men, or Magi, appear in the New Testament, specifically in Matthew 2:1–12, during the infancy narrative of Jesus. They arrive in Jerusalem shortly after Christ’s birth, guided by a star, seeking the…
Magicians / Sorcerers

Biblical Background of Roles & Realms, Biblical Background of Roles & Realms, Mystics and Cultural Outsiders

Biblical Culture, Biblical Social Perception

1. Name / Role Magicians / Sorcerers 2. Category Mystics and Cultural Outsiders 3. Time Period / Biblical Context Magicians and sorcerers appear in both the Old and New Testaments. They are most prominent in Pharaoh’s court (Exodus), Babylon (Daniel), and in the early Church’s missionary encounters in Acts. They…
Nazarenes / Galileans

Biblical Background of Roles & Realms, Biblical Background of Roles & Realms, Mystics and Cultural Outsiders

Biblical Culture, Biblical Social Perception

1. Name / Role Nazarenes / Galileans 2. Category Mystics and Cultural Outsiders 3. Time Period / Biblical Context Nazarenes and Galileans appear primarily in the New Testament, especially in the Gospels and Acts. These terms refer to individuals associated with Jesus’ regional identity—Nazareth being His hometown, and Galilee the…
Cretans / Islanders

Biblical Background of Roles & Realms, Biblical Background of Roles & Realms, Mystics and Cultural Outsiders

Biblical Culture

1. Name / Role Cretans / Islanders 2. Category Mystics and Cultural Outsiders 3. Time Period / Biblical Context Cretans are mentioned in both the Old and New Testaments, with particular focus in the Book of Acts and Paul’s Epistle to Titus. They were inhabitants of the island of Crete,…
Wise Men (Magi)

Biblical Background of Roles & Realms, Biblical Background of Roles & Realms, Messianic Witnesses from the Nations

Christmas, Jesus Christ

1. Name / Role Wise Men (Magi) 2. Category God-Fearing Outsiders or Messianic Witnesses 3. Time Period / Biblical Context The Wise Men appear in the New Testament, specifically in Matthew 2:1–12, shortly after Jesus’ birth. They are central to the infancy narrative, arriving in Bethlehem to worship the Christ…
Roman Centurion of Great Faith

Biblical Background of Roles & Realms, Biblical Background of Roles & Realms, Messianic Witnesses from the Nations

Jesus Christ

1. Name / Role Roman Centurion of Great Faith 2. Category God-Fearing Outsiders or Messianic Witnesses 3. Time Period / Biblical Context This centurion appears in Matthew 8:5–13 and Luke 7:1–10, during the early part of Jesus’ public ministry in Galilee. He is a Gentile military officer serving under Roman…
Ethiopian Eunuch

Biblical Background of Roles & Realms, Biblical Background of Roles & Realms, Messianic Witnesses from the Nations

Jesus Christ

1. Name / Role Ethiopian Eunuch 2. Category God-Fearing Outsiders or Messianic Witnesses 3. Time Period / Biblical Context The Ethiopian Eunuch appears in Acts 8:26–40, during the early expansion of the Church following the persecution in Jerusalem. His story marks a major turning point in the spread of the…
Cornelius the Centurion

Biblical Background of Roles & Realms, Biblical Background of Roles & Realms, Messianic Witnesses from the Nations

Jesus Christ

1. Name / Role Cornelius the Centurion 2. Category God-Fearing Outsiders or Messianic Witnesses 3. Time Period / Biblical Context Cornelius appears in Acts 10–11, during the early growth of the Church. His story marks the first recorded Gentile conversion initiated by divine revelation and affirmed by the outpouring of…