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Home›Browse by Type›Character Profiles

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Character Profiles

125 illustrations — In-depth profiles of biblical characters and figures

Browse Character Profiles by Book

Genesis (18)Acts (11)1 Samuel (8)John (7)Daniel (7)2 Kings (7)1 Kings (7)Matthew (7)2 Samuel (6)2 Chronicles (4)Judges (4)Exodus (4)Joshua (3)Luke (3)Mark (3)Romans (3)

Character Profile

Biblical Profile: Pharaoh

Pharaoh “Pharaoh” is an Egyptian word meaning “great house.” It refers to the royal palace and is also used as a title for the king of Egypt. During the time of Joseph, the Israelites were looked upon favorably by the pharaoh.

Exodus 1:8-1:22Universalbiblical_peoplegrace

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Character Profile

Biblical Profile: The Church

The Church The church is the community of those who recognize the lordship of Christ and submit to him (Eph 5:21-24).

Ephesians 1:22-1:23Universalbiblical_peoplesalvation

Character Profile

Biblical Profile: The Sadducees

The Sadducees The Sadducees were made up of the priestly class (in contrast to the lay movement of the Pharisees). The Sadducees probably lived in the vicinity of Jerusalem and controlled the Temple system (Acts 4:1-2; 5:17).

Matthew 16:1-16:12Universalbiblical_peoplefaith

Character Profile

Biblical Profile: Samaritans

Samaritans Samaria was a geographic region north of Judea centered around the ancient city of Shechem (Sychar in the New Testament was located at or near the site of Shechem).

John 4:7-4:9Universalbiblical_peoplefaith

Character Profile

Biblical Profile: Leah

Leah Leah was Laban’s first daughter, Jacob’s unloved first wife, and Rachel’s older sister. After Jacob deceived his father Isaac into giving him the blessing intended for Esau (Gen 27:1-40), Jacob went to his uncle Laban in Mesopotamia to escape...

Genesis 29:16-30:21Universalbiblical_peoplefaith

Character Profile

Biblical Profile: Ruth

Ruth The story of Ruth tells of a kind and loyal woman and of the hidden providence of God, who makes all things work together for the good of those who love him (Rom 8:28).

Ruth 1:1-4:22Universalbiblical_peoplesalvation

Character Profile

Biblical Profile: Caleb

Caleb Caleb stands as an inspiring example of faith in God. He was the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite (Josh 14:6; Num 32:12). The Kenizzites lived in the Negev, the southern desert region of Canaan (see Gen 15:18-21).

Joshua 14:6-14:15Universalbiblical_peoplefaith

Character Profile

Biblical Profile: Jewish Leaders

Jewish Leaders Jesus experienced numerous conflicts with Jewish leaders throughout his public ministry. These opponents viewed themselves as defending the Temple and its sacrifices or the synagogue and its teachings. In Jesus’ final week in Jerusalem, these debates intensified (see...

John 5:9-5:18Universalbiblical_peopleworship

Character Profile

Biblical Profile: Maccabees

Maccabees The Maccabees (meaning, “hammers”) successfully led a revolt against Antiochus IV in response to his persecution of the Jews. They and their descendants (called Hasmoneans) ruled Judea for nearly a hundred years and helped form Jewish society as we...

Daniel 11:32-11:35Universalbiblical_peoplecovenant

Character Profile

Biblical Profile: James, Brother of Jesus

James, Brother of Jesus James, one of Jesus’ brothers (Matt 13:55; Mark 6:3; Gal 1:19; cp. Jude 1:1), became the recognized leader of the church in Jerusalem shortly after Jesus’ resurrection. He is traditionally recognized as the author of the book of James.

Acts 15:13-15:21Universalbiblical_peoplesalvation

Character Profile

Biblical Profile: Zadok

Zadok Zadok was an important transitional figure in the history of Israel’s priesthood. Since he seemingly appears out of nowhere in the narrative of 2 Samuel (8:17), some scholars suggest that he was not really born into a priestly family.

2 Samuel 8:17Universalbiblical_peoplefaith

Character Profile

Biblical Profile: Paul (Saul)

Paul (Saul) Paul was a leading persecutor of the early Christians who later became an apostle of Jesus Christ, the most illustrious of the early Christian missionaries, and the great apostle to the Gentiles. He has done more to shape...

Acts 9:1-9:31Universalbiblical_peoplesalvation

Character Profile

Biblical Profile: Zerubbabel

Zerubbabel Zerubbabel, a Babylonian-born Jew, relocated to Judea in 538 BC as governor of Jerusalem under Persian rule. Cyrus, the king of Persia, had declared that Jews captured and exiled from Judah might return to their homeland; Zerubbabel led one...

Hagg 1:1Universalbiblical_peopleholiness

Character Profile

Biblical Profile: Jonathan

Jonathan Jonathan, the oldest son of King Saul, was in line to be the next king. Yet when God rejected Saul and chose David, Jonathan welcomed and supported David’s rise to power (1 Sam 18:1-4; 19:1-7). Jonathan was a magnificent military leader.

1 Samuel 13:2-14:49Universalbiblical_peoplecovenant

Character Profile

Biblical Profile: Michal

Michal Michal was King Saul’s younger daughter (1 Sam 14:49) and David’s first wife (18:17-27). She played a significant role in the transition from Saul’s reign to David’s. In the ancient Near East, marriages of leading families were often politically motivated.

1 Samuel 14:49Universalbiblical_peoplecovenant

Character Profile

Biblical Profile: Nero

Nero Nero became emperor of Rome in AD 54 at the age of 17 after his mother poisoned her husband, the emperor Claudius. Nero enjoyed performing in the limelight and was a sexually depraved and profligate man.

Romans 13:1-13:7Universalbiblical_peoplefaith

Character Profile

Biblical Profile: Jeremiah

Jeremiah Jeremiah, a prophet in Jerusalem before its destruction in 586 BC, is sometimes called the “weeping prophet” because he shared his personal struggles and sorrows as he delivered God’s messages. Jeremiah was born in Anathoth, near Jerusalem, during Manasseh’s reign.

Jeremiah 1:1-52:34Universalbiblical_peoplegrace

Character Profile

Biblical Profile: Moab and Ammon

Moab and Ammon The Moabites were descended from Moab, the son of Lot and his oldest daughter (Gen 19:36-38). They settled on the high plateau immediately east of the Dead Sea. Most of Moab is gently rolling tableland divided by ravines.

Deuteronomy 23:3-23:6Universalbiblical_peoplekingdom

Character Profile

Biblical Profile: Corinth

Corinth Corinth was one of the oldest cities of Greece, with evidence of settlement going back to at least 3000 BC.

1 Corinthians 1:1-16:24Universalbiblical_peopleworship

Character Profile

Biblical Profile: Isaac

Isaac The name Isaac means “he laughs,” reflecting the circumstances of his birth. When God promised that Isaac would be born, both Abraham and Sarah first laughed in disbelief (Gen 17:15-19; 18:9-15).

Genesis 21:1-21:12Universalbiblical_peoplefaith

Character Profile

Biblical Profile: Jezebel

Jezebel Jezebel, daughter of Ethbaal, king of Sidon (1 Kgs 16:31), married King Ahab of Israel, probably to confirm a political alliance between their countries. Jezebel promoted Baal worship and demanded absolute rights for the monarchy.

1 Kings 16:31Universalbiblical_peopleworship

Character Profile

Biblical Profile: Herod Antipas

Herod Antipas Herod Antipas, sixth son of Herod the Great, was ruler of Galilee and Perea from 4 BC to AD 39, during the life of Jesus. His jurisdiction included the regions where Jesus and John the Baptist concentrated their ministries.

Mark 6:14-6:29Universalbiblical_peoplecovenant

Character Profile

Biblical Profile: Luke

Luke Luke, a Gentile medical doctor who became a convert and trusted assistant of Paul in his missionary work, wrote both the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles—roughly one-quarter of the New Testament.

Acts 16:10Universalbiblical_peoplefaith

Character Profile

Biblical Profile: Daniel

Daniel Daniel provides a stirring example of faith, wisdom, and endurance under difficulty and oppression. His life and prophecies affirm that God is in control and will have the final victory despite apparently dominant evil forces.

Daniel 1:6-1:21Universalbiblical_peoplefaith