Biblical Figure
(Early 2nd Century BCE) Biblical patriarch. He was the legendary forebear of both the Jews and the Arabs through different women. His life expressed a fervent devotion to his God and to monotheism.
Prince of Israel. The most cherished son of King David, he betrayed his father.
First man and woman in the Hebrew and Christian Bible. They combined innocence and disobedience.
Old Testament prophet. He expressed the value of monotheism, of obedience to God's Laws, and of the right to speak out against the transgressions of the powerful.
Biblical murderer.
King of Israel. In his battle with the Jewish giant Goliath, he exemplified youthful daring and courage. In his lust for the beautiful married woman, Bathsheba, he exemplified human weakness.
Biblical son of Abraham, Bedouin ancestor, Progenitor. The son of Abraham by Hagar, he is popularly described as the forebear of the Arabs.
Biblical figure. He refused to abandon his close friend David despite his father King Saul's hostility to him and the threat posed to his succession. In the end, he was killed in battle with the Philistines along with his father.
Biblical figure. His character is tested and formed as he is sold into slavery by jealous brothers and falsely accused by his owner's wife. But he becomes the vizier of Egypt, forgives his brothers, and saves both Egypt and his family from starvation.
Biblical figure. She bravely decapitated Holofernes, Nebuchadnezzar's military commander, while he slept.