Joshua
Joshua was of the tribe of Ephraim, a descendant of Jacob’s son Joseph (who had two sons: Ephraim and Manasseh). Joshua was among the 12 spies sent into Canaan to spy out the Land before the Israelites entered. Though Israel...
Saul
Saul means “asked for.” Despite historically being led by God through human leaders and judges, the tribes of Israel “asked for” for a king to be the other nations around. God then commanded the judge Samuel to anoint Saul as...
David
David may mean “beloved.” David was in the lineage of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Judah. Living in Bethlehem within the territory of Judah, Jesse’s youngest son, David, was described as “ruddy, bright eyed, and good-looking” in appearance. Having proclaimed that...
Solomon
Solomon may mean “restoration” or “peace.” The prophet Nathan called Solomon, Jedidiah meaning “beloved of Yahweh”. Solomon was born in Jerusalem, the eighth son of King David and second son of Bathsheba. Overcoming contention, Solomon succeeded David as king over...
Isaac
Isaac means “he laughs.” Isaac was named by God, and he was the son of promise miraculously born to Abraham and Sarah in their old age. Isaac grew up in Mamre or Hebron and was a joy to his parents....
Jacob
Jacob means “heel-catcher” or “supplanter,” because at delivery, he clutched the heel of his twin brother Esau in an apparent attempt to be the firstborn. Jacob’s name is changed to Israel by God. Israel means “struggles with God” or “God...
Rebekah
Rebekah probably means “capturing (by beauty)”. In pursuit of a wife for his son Isaac, Abraham sent his trusted servant to the area where Abraham’s family lived outside of Canaan. The faithful servant prayed in his heart to God for...
Ishmael
Ishmael means “wild man”. Ishmael is the first born son of Abram/Abraham through Hagar (Sarai’s/Sarah’s maid-servant). Ishmael was not the son of promise to Abram, and God’s covenant would not be fulfilled through Ishmael’s line. God proclaimed that Ishmael would...
Esther
Hebrew name “Hadassah” meaning “bride”. Persian name “Esther” meaning unknown. This may be a play-on-words with the Hebrew “astir” meaning “I will hide”. God is verbally hidden/absent from the whole story of Esther recorded in the Bible. Esther was of...
Aaron
Aaron was the older brother of Moses. Aaron was in the lineage of Abraham, Issac, Jacob and Levi. He was recognized by God to be articulate, and God called Aaron to be the public voice and assistant to Moses. Aaron...
