ABOUT OLD TESTAMENT PEOPLE (4)

1. Important people in the Old Testament

a) Eli

i) High Priest who judged Israel 40 years after death of Samson. Taught a very young Samuel who eventually became one of God's prophets.

b) Elijah

i) Prophet who warned King Ahab for his sins. Raised widow's son from the dead. Had confrontation with Israel's false prophets which ended in their death. After fleeing death threats from Jezebel is told to anoint 2 kings and make Elisha his successor. Chariot of fire miraculously takes him to a location away from Elisha.

c) Elisha

i) Elijah's successor as prophet of Israel. Received a double portion' of Elijah's spirit after seeing him leave by chariot of fire. Brought back to life child who died in farming accident.

d) Enoch

i) Eldest son of Cain and father of Methuselah, the oldest person who ever lived (969 years). Was 365 years old when God "translated" him, meaning moved him miraculously to another place on earth (and not to heaven as many teach) to likely avoid being killed.

e) Esau

i) Also called Edom. Son of Isaac and older twin brother of Jacob. Sold his birthright for bowl of lentil soup. Founder of the Edomites.

f) Esther

i) Jewish wife of Persian king. Told by Mordecai of plot to destroy all the Jews in the kingdom. Foils plot by Haman to kill Mordecai and all the Jews. Jewish festival of Purim celebrates events in Book of Esther and the delivery of the Jews through the Queen.

g) Eve

i) First woman created by God. Made from one of Adam's ribs (Genesis 2:21-22). Her name means "life." Sinned by eating from tree of good and evil (Genesis 3) and was thrown out of Eden with Adam. Gave birth to Cain, Abel, Seth and many other children.