Biblical Beginnings & Sacred Scripture
What is the total number of books in the Holy Bible, and how many are in the Old Testament and New Testament?
There are 73 books total, with 46 in the Old Testament and 27 in the New Testament.
Where was Abram born, and where was his family living when God first called him at the age of 75?
He was born in Ur (in Southern Mesopotamia) and was living in Haran when God called him.
Which twin brother was a skillful hunter favored by Isaac, and which brother was a quiet man living in tents favored by Rebekah?
Esau was the skillful hunter favored by Isaac, and Jacob was the quiet man favored by Rebekah.
What was the meaning of the name "Moses," and who gave him that name?
It means "taken from water," and it was given to him by Pharaoh’s daughter.
Why did Joseph's brothers go to Egypt the first time, and what fertility-rich region of Egypt were Jacob and his family given to live in?
They went to buy grain to survive the famine; they were given the region of Ramses.
What does the Greek word "Pentateuch" mean, and what do the first five books of the Old Testament deal with?
"Pentateuch" means five books. They deal with the creation of the universe, the election of Israel as God's own people, the liberation of Israel from slavery, the entry into the Promised Land, and the laws given as guidance for life.
What does the name "Abraham" mean, and what name did Sarai receive from God?
Abraham means "the father of a great people" (or father of a multitude of nations), and Sarai was renamed Sarah.
How did Esau lose his birthright to his younger brother Jacob?
Esau came in from the field tired and famished, and sold his birthright to Jacob in exchange for bread and a dish of cooked stew.
What happened during Jacob's night at Bethel, and what does the name "Bethel" mean?
Jacob had a dream/vision of God standing near him, promising land, protection, and countless descendants. "Bethel" means "the house of God."
Why did Moses flee from Egypt to Midian, who did he work for, and who did he marry?
He fled because he killed an Egyptian overseer who was beating a Hebrew and Pharaoh tried to punish him. He worked as a shepherd for Jethro, the priest of Midian, and married Jethro’s daughter.
What are the three general categories into which the books of the Old Testament are divided?
Historical, Prophetic, and Instructional.
What were the three main promises God made to Abraham through His covenant?
Abraham shall be the father of many nations.
Abraham and his descendants shall have a special relationship with God.
Abraham and his descendants shall inherit the whole land of Canaan.
How did Jacob trick his father Isaac into giving him the blessing meant for Esau?
Rebekah cooked lamb meat the way Isaac liked it and dressed Jacob so that he would feel like his hairy brother Esau when his blind father touched him.
Describe the two dreams Joseph shared with his family that made his brothers hate him even more.
1. His brothers' sheaves of grain bowed down to Joseph's upright sheaf.
2. The sun, moon, and eleven stars bowed down to Joseph.
What were the two sons of Joseph born in Egypt named, and how many total years did Israel live in Egypt before their oppression began?
Joseph's sons were Manasseh and Ephraim. Israel lived in Egypt for 4 centuries (400 years).
According to Psalm 119:105, how is the Word of God described as a guide to our life?
"Your word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."
What were the two specific messages God gave Moses to deliver—one to the Israelites and one to Pharaoh?
To Israel: God will save them from slavery in Egypt and lead them to a land flowing with milk and honey.
To Pharaoh: Release the people of Israel so they can take a three-day journey into the wilderness to offer sacrifice to the Lord God.
Where was Abraham instructed to take Isaac to offer him as a burnt offering, and what did God provide as a replacement sacrifice?
In the land of Moriah; God provided a ram caught in a thicket by its horns.
Where was Jacob when he wrestled with a mysterious stranger all night, and what new name was he given after prevailing?
On the bank of the stream Yabok; he was given the name Israel, which means "one who wrestles with God."
What three miraculous signs did God give Moses to convince the Israelites that God had appeared to him?
His staff turned into a snake when thrown down and back into a staff when caught by the tail.
His hand turned white with leprosy when placed on his chest and was restored when put back.
Water taken from the Nile and poured on dry land turned into blood.
According to the Church teachings in the textbook, why is the Bible free from error regarding our salvation, even though the human authors shared the cultural views and limitations of their time?
Because the human authors were inspired by the Holy Spirit, and God Himself is the principal author of Sacred Scripture who acts in and through them to teach His saving truth without error.
How old were Abraham and Sarah when God promised them a son, and what were the names of Abraham’s two sons mentioned in the text?
Abraham was 100 years old and Sarah was 90 years old. His two sons mentioned are Ishmael and Isaac.
Why did Jacob flee to his uncle Laban in Haran, how long did he live there, and who did he marry while there?
He fled because Esau was furious and planned to kill him for stealing his blessing; he stayed for 14 years and married his cousins Leah and Rachel.
What were Pharaoh’s two dreams about the cows and ears of grain, and what was Joseph's interpretation of them?
Seven thin, ugly cows ate seven fat cows, and seven thin ears of grain swallowed seven plump ears. Joseph interpreted this as seven years of great abundance in Egypt followed by seven years of severe famine.
Who did God assign to help Moses speak because Moses was "slow of speech," and what was Pharaoh's reaction when they first asked him to free Israel?
God assigned his brother Aaron. Pharaoh refused, saying "Who is the LORD, that I should obey him?", accused the Israelites of being lazy, and increased their workload.