Quiz on the New American Bible

All answers are based on the Old Testament of the New American Bible, Revised Edition.

1. Which of the following is NOT a son of Jacob?
   1. Asher
   2. Josiah
   3. Benjamin
   4. Gad
   
   
2. The Songs of the Suffering Servant are found in the book written by which prophet?
   1. Ezekiel
   2. Micah
   3. Isaiah
   4. Jeremiah
   
   
3. How many books are there in the Old Testament?
   1. 46
   2. 39
   3. 25
   4. 73
   
   
4. What is another name for the Pentateuch?
   1. Septuagint
   2. Vulgate
   3. Torah
   4. Tanakh
   
   
5. Which prophet uses his marriage as a metaphor for the relationship between God and his people?
   1. Isaiah
   2. Hosea
   3. Habbakuk
   4. Joel
   
   
6. What city’s destruction is described in Chapter 6 of the Book of Joshua? (Hint: The children of Israel marched around the city walls for six days and on the seventh day, the walls collapsed.)
   1. Gilgal
   2. Jerusalem
   3. Babylon
   4. Jericho
   
   
7. This queen of Persia saved the Jewish people from a plot to destroy them:
   1. Deborah
   2. Esther
   3. Ruth
   4. Miriam
   
   
8. How many plagues did the Lord bring upon the Egyptians so that they would let the Israelites depart?
   1. 10
   2. 7
   3. 14
   4. 1
   
   
9. The story of Samson and Delilah is found in which book of the Bible?
   1. I Kings
   2. II Maccabees
   3. Judges
   4. Ezra
   
   
10. The first three kings of Israel, in order, were:
    1. David, Solomon, Saul
    2. Solomon, Saul, David
    3. David, Ahaz, Solomon
    4. Saul, David, Solomon
    
    
11. Which king of Israel was renowned for his wisdom?
    1. Hezekiah
    2. Solomon
    3. Isaiah
    4. David
    
    
12.  Elijah defended the Lord against the prophets of which pagan god?
    1. Baal
    2. Zeus
    3. Astarte
    4. Isis
    
    
13.  Judith is known for what action?
    1. Prophesying in the court of Nebuchadnazzar
    2. Saving the Jewish people by killing Holofernes
    3. Giving birth to Solomon
    4. Writing a book of religious poetry
    
    
14. Whose fidelity to the Lord did Satan test by a series of trials?
    1. Abraham
    2. Job
    3. Moses
    4. David
    
    
15. The Book of Proverbs advises its readers to seek what thing of value?
    1. Popularity
    2. Riches
    3. Wisdom
    4. Serenity
    
    
16. The Song of Songs includes poetic dialogue between what two people?
    1. A mother and a daughter
    2. A father and a son
    3. A prophet and a king
    4. A bride and a groom
    
    
17. Which prophet resists his call because he thinks he is too young?
    1. Jeremiah
    2. Jonah
    3. Joel
    4. Jehosaphat
    
    
18.  To avoid God’s call to preach repentance, Jonah does which of the following?
    1. Hides in a mountain cave
    2. Boards a ship sailing to a different city
    3. Pretends he has laryngitis
    4. Moves to Egypt
    
    
19.  From which book of the Bible does the phrase “seeing the handwriting on the wall” come?
    1. Isaiah
    2. Jeremiah
    3. Ezekiel
    4. Daniel
    
    
20.  Which book of the Old Testament is shortest?
    1. Zephaniah
    2. Obadiah
    3. Nehemiah
    4. Zechariah

Scoring Guide:

Less than 5 correct:  It’s time to brush up on your Bible knowledge. 

It is not by bread alone that people live, but by all that comes forth from the mouth of the Lord. (Dt 8:3)

6-10 correct:  Try setting aside some time each week for spiritual reading.

Every word of God is tested; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. (Prv 30:5)

11-15 correct:  Not bad, but could be better. 

For the Lord’s word is upright; all his works are trustworthy. (Ps 33:4)

16-19 correct: Looking good! 

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light for my path. (Ps 119:105)

20 correct:  Wow!  Have you considered volunteering to assist your parish as a catechist or other minister of the Word?

So shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth;
It shall not return to me empty, but shall do what pleases me,
achieving the end for which I sent it. (Is 55:11) 

Answers

1.b, 2.c, 3.a, 4.c, 5.b, 6.d, 7.b, 8.a, 9.c, 10.d, 11.b, 12.a, 13.b, 14.b, 15.c, 16.d, 17.a, 18.b, 19.d, 20.b