Index of People themes.

  • Abraham

    Regarded as the father of the Hebrew nation, Abraham is a central figure in the Book of Genesis. God made a covenant with him, promising that his descendants would become a great nation. Known for his faith, Abraham was tested when God asked him to sacrifice his son Isaac, but his obedience established him as a model of faithfulness in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

  • Cain-and-Abel

    The two sons of Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel are known for the first act of murder in the Bible. Both offered sacrifices to God, but when Abel’s was accepted and Cain’s was not, Cain grew jealous and killed his brother. Their story in Genesis symbolizes the consequences of envy, sin, and the loss of innocence.

  • Esther

    A central figure in the Hebrew Bible’s Book of Esther, Esther is a Jewish woman who becomes queen of Persia and courageously intervenes to save her people from genocide.

  • Hannah

    The mother of the prophet Samuel, Hannah is remembered for her deep faith and heartfelt prayer for a child after years of barrenness. When her prayer was answered, she dedicated Samuel to the service of God. Her story in the First Book of Samuel symbolizes devotion, perseverance, and gratitude.

  • Isaac

    Son of Abraham and Sarah, Isaac is one of the patriarchs of Israel. He was the child of promise, born to his parents in their old age. Known for his near-sacrifice by Abraham as a test of faith, Isaac later became the father of Jacob and Esau, continuing God’s covenant with Abraham’s descendants.

  • Jacob

    Son of Isaac and grandson of Abraham, Jacob is a key patriarch in the Book of Genesis. He is said to have received his father’s blessing through deceit and later wrestled with an angel, after which his name was changed to Israel. Jacob became the father of twelve sons, who founded the twelve tribes of Israel.

  • Jeremiah

    A major prophet of the Old Testament, Jeremiah warned the people of Judah about the coming destruction of Jerusalem due to their unfaithfulness to God. Known as the “weeping prophet” for his sorrow over his nation’s sins, he urged repentance and faithfulness, and his writings emphasize both divine judgment and hope for renewal.

  • Joseph

    Son of Jacob and Rachel, Joseph is known for his coat of many colors and his rise from slavery to power in Egypt. Betrayed by his brothers and sold into slavery, he eventually became Pharaoh’s advisor after interpreting dreams. His story in Genesis highlights themes of forgiveness, providence, and reconciliation.

  • Joshua

    A central figure in the Hebrew Bible, Joshua (Yehoshua, meaning “Yahweh is salvation”) is Moses’ successor and the military leader who leads the Israelites into the Promised Land.

  • Judas

    One of the twelve apostles of Jesus, Judas Iscariot is known for betraying Jesus to the authorities in exchange for thirty pieces of silver. His betrayal led to Jesus’ arrest and crucifixion. Overcome with remorse, Judas later took his own life, making him a symbol of treachery and repentance in Christian tradition.

  • Judith

    Considered the Mother of Israel, the story of Judith is included in the Old Testament of Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches. Judith is supposed to have defeated the army of Nebuchadrezzar that was besieging the city of Bethulia, by gaining the trust of the general Holofernes and then cutting off his head whilst he was drunk. With their general dead the Babylonian army fled from the city.

  • King-David

    The second king of Israel, David is celebrated as a warrior, poet, and unifier of the tribes of Israel. He is said to have defeated the giant Goliath as a youth and later established Jerusalem as his capital. Traditionally credited with composing many of the Psalms, David’s reign is remembered as a golden age in Israel’s history, though marked by both triumph and personal failings.

  • Mary-of-Bethany

    A prominent female figure in the New Testament, Mary of Bethany is known for her close relationship with Jesus and her contemplative, devotional role. She is the sister of Martha and Lazarus, and appears in the Gospels of Luke and John.

  • Moses

    A legendary figure who is supposed to have lead the Israelites from Egypt into Canaan, and received the Ten Commandments from God.

  • Noah

    The last of the antediluvian patriachs. Noah was instructed to build an ark in order to save all the animals and his family from a flood.

  • Rachel

    The beloved wife of Jacob and mother of Joseph and Benjamin, Rachel is remembered for her beauty and her long struggle with barrenness. Her deep love for Jacob and eventual motherhood made her a symbol of devotion and perseverance. She is revered as one of the matriarchs of Israel in the Book of Genesis.

  • Rebecca

    Wife of Isaac and mother of Jacob and Esau, Rebecca is known for her kindness and decisive faith. Chosen by Abraham’s servant as a wife for Isaac, she later helped her younger son Jacob receive his father’s blessing. Her story in Genesis highlights divine guidance and the fulfillment of God’s promises through human action.

  • Ruth

    A Moabite woman and central figure in the biblical Book of Ruth. Known for her loyalty to her mother-in-law Naomi, she becomes the great-grandmother of King David, symbolizing faithfulness, inclusion, and divine providence in the Hebrew Bible.

  • Sarah

    Wife of Abraham and mother of Isaac, Sarah is regarded as the matriarch of the Hebrew people. Though she was childless for many years, God promised that she would bear a son in her old age. Her story in the Book of Genesis symbolizes faith, covenant, and the fulfillment of divine promise.

  • Saul

    The first king of Israel, Saul was anointed by the prophet Samuel. Initially a strong and capable leader, he later fell out of favor with God due to disobedience and jealousy toward David, his successor. His story in the First Book of Samuel illustrates the dangers of pride and the importance of obedience to divine will.

  • Simeon

    According to the Gospel of St Luke when Jesus was presented to the temple Simeon who had received a promise that we would not die before he had seen the Messiah, took Jesus into his arms and called him a Light to the World.

  • Solomon

    King of Israel and builder of the first temple in Jerusalem, and noted for his wisdom. Supposed to have controlled a rich empire but no archeological evidence has been found.

  • Tobias

    The son of Tobit in the Book of Tobit, Tobias is guided by the angel Raphael on a journey to recover his father’s money and to find a wife. Along the way, he marries Sarah, who had been plagued by a demon, and through Raphael’s help, frees her. His story emphasizes faith, filial duty, and divine guidance.

  • Zechariah

    Father of John the Baptist, Zechariah was a priest who served in the Temple at Jerusalem. According to the Gospel of Luke, he was visited by the angel Gabriel, who foretold the birth of his son. Because he doubted the message, he was struck mute until John’s birth, after which he praised God in the Benedictus.