Aaron
The elder brother of Moses and the first High Priest of Israel. He served as Moses’ spokesman to Pharaoh because of Moses’ reluctance to speak.
Abednego
The Babylonian name given to Azariah, a faithful Jewish companion of Daniel who was thrown into a fiery furnace for refusing to worship a golden idol.
Abel
The second son of Adam and Eve, a shepherd who was murdered by his older brother Cain out of jealousy because God accepted Abel’s offering but rejected Cain’s.
Abiathar
The son of Ahimelech, a high priest who escaped the massacre of the priests of Nob by King Saul and became a loyal supporter of David.
Abigail
An intelligent and beautiful woman who prevented David from taking revenge on her foolish husband, Nabal, and later became one of David’s wives.
Abijah
A king of Judah (also known as Abijam) who reigned for three years and was known for his war against Jeroboam of Israel.
Abimelech
A son of Gideon (Jerubbaal) who murdered his seventy brothers to become the first self-declared king of Israel.
Abraham (Originally Abram)
The founding patriarch of Israel, the Hebrews, and the Arab nations, chosen by God to be the father of a multitude of nations through a covenant.
Absalom
The third son of King David, famous for his handsome appearance, long hair, and for leading a revolt against his father that split the kingdom.
Achan
An Israelite from the tribe of Judah who disobeyed God’s command not to take plunder from Jericho, causing Israel to lose a subsequent battle at Ai.
Achish
The Philistine king of Gath with whom David sought refuge twice while fleeing from King Saul.
Adam
The first human being created by God, formed from the dust of the ground, and the progenitor of all humanity.
Adonijah
The fourth son of King David who attempted to seize the throne of Israel while his father was old and dying.
Agabus
Agabus is a New Testament prophet who appears twice in the Book of Acts. He prophesied a worldwide famine during the reign of Claudius Caesar, prompting the Antioch church to send relief to Judea. Later, he delivered a symbolic prophecy that Paul would be bound and handed over to the Gentiles — a prophecy that was fulfilled in Jerusalem. He is a faithful, Spirit-filled messenger who speaks with clarity and courage.
Agrippa (Herod Agrippa II)
The last of the Herodian dynasty, a king before whom the Apostle Paul defended himself and made his famous “almost thou persuadest me” speech.
Agur
The son of Jakeh, a sage or prophet who authored the sayings recorded in Proverbs 30.
Ahab
The seventh king of Israel, who reigned for 22 years and is considered the most wicked king of the northern kingdom due to his marriage to Jezebel and promotion of Baal worship.
Ahaz
The 12th king of Judah, who reigned for 16 years and is remembered for his deep idolatry and for making an alliance with Assyria against God’s command.
Ahijah the Shilonite
A prophet from Shiloh who foretold the division of Solomon’s kingdom and the rise of Jeroboam as king over the northern ten tribes.
Ahithophel
David’s most trusted counselor who betrayed him by joining Absalom’s rebellion, known for the absolute wisdom of his advice.
Alexander (the Coppersmith)
A metalworker in Ephesus who did great harm to the Apostle Paul and opposed his preaching of the gospel.
Amalek
The grandson of Esau (Edom) and a chieftain whose descendants, the Amalekites, became the perpetual and archetypal enemy of Israel.
Amasa
A nephew of King David (son of David’s sister Abigail) who served as commander of Absalom’s rebel army and was later reappointed by David, only to be murdered by Joab.
Amaziah
The ninth king of Judah (son of Joash), who initially obeyed God but later turned to idolatry and was assassinated in a conspiracy.
Amittai
The father of the prophet Jonah, mentioned only briefly but providing the only genealogical identification of the reluctant missionary to Nineveh.
Amminadab
A Levite from the tribe of Judah, the father of Nahshon (prince of Judah), and an ancestor of King David and Jesus Christ.
Amnon
The firstborn son of King David, who committed a heinous crime against his half-sister Tamar and was later murdered by her full brother Absalom.
Amon (King of Judah)
The 14th king of Judah, a son of Manasseh, who reigned only two years and was assassinated by his own servants for his extreme wickedness.
Amos (the Prophet)
A shepherd and sycamore-fig farmer from Tekoa (Judah) whom God called to prophesy judgment against Israel (the northern kingdom) during a time of prosperity.
Amram
A Levite from the Kohathite clan, the father of Moses, Aaron, and Miriam, and the husband of Jochebed (his aunt).