Can You Unscramble the Names of These Biblical Figures?

By: Tasha Moore
Estimated Completion Time
3 min
Can You Unscramble the Names of These Biblical Figures?
Image: LifeJourneys / E+ / Getty Images

About This Quiz

Most names of the Bible look like they're scrambled, so if you score big on this biblical challenge, you deserve major bragging rights. Here you'll be dealing with names of Hebrew, Greek and Aramaic origin, but even a certified linguist may have trouble deciphering the correct spellings of the Old and New Testament names we present.

We won't ask you to pull off the impossible, though. Tap into your Bible knowledge bank to make informed decisions. For instance, if we seek a name mentioned in one or more of Paul's epistles, the odds are that name will be Greek. The word epistle is of Greek origin — from the word "epistellein," which means to send news. Paul's epistles, among others, were sent to early churches that were spread throughout regions of the world where Greek was commonly spoken or understood. Paul performed much of his missionary work in these regions, so he would occasionally "send news" to connects with Greek-sounding names that often ended in "-us," "-is" or "-on."

Another hint for acing this challenge is to opt for long name forms. Folks in ancient times didn't have a weird affection for lots of syllables, per se. Names in those times were a person's calling card, so a good chunk of information — family origin, occupation, religious affiliation, etc. — was communicated with one (almost always long) name. 

If these major hints don't help, simply guess the answers based on the intel-rich questions we provide. We guarantee there's a whole lot of Bible facts to learn on the other side of a scroll.

Guess the name of the biblical figure who battled the Moabites and the people of Ammon: Hphheatjoas?
Quirinius
Pahath-Moab
Hadadrimmon
Jehoshaphat
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Jehoshaphat "set himself to see the Lord" after he was told that a great multitude was headed his way, according to 2 Chronicles 20. But God told him, "Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's."

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Identify "the master of ... eunuchs": Anzapesh.
Ashpenaz
Abib
Abarim
Abinoam
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Daniel 1 asserts that Ashpenaz was master of King Jehoiakim's eunuchs. The king appointed him to supply Daniel, Mishael, Azariah and Hananiah food and wine so that Daniel and his three friends would be fit to perform and "stand in the king's palace."

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Who was told to "make thy bed": Eanaes?
Ebiasaph
Salamis
Aeneas
Eladah
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

When Apostle Peter visited the saints in Lydda, he came across a man named Aeneas, "which had kept his bed eight years, and was sick of the palsy." The book of Acts also records how Aeneas was made whole after Peter told him to "arise, and make thy bed."

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Is it a challenge for you to choose the correct name of the king who was overcome with fear: Hralaszezb?
Hachaliah
Zabbai
Rabboni
Belshazzar
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Daniel 5 details how Belshazzar promised status and material wealth to whoever could decipher mysterious writings on a wall that astonished him. The writings appeared after Belshazzar used for his celebration gold and silver vessels that his father took from a temple in Jerusalem.

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Unscramble the man who was sent to look for Simon Peter in Acts: Lounrsice.
Cornelius
Lahairoi
Salamis
Idbash
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Cornelius was an Italian who was faithful to God. Acts 10:2 refers to him as "a devout man" who "prayed to God alway." While praying one day, Cornelius was visited by an angel, who confirmed that God had heard his prayers and acknowledged his almsgiving.

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He was one of the Lord's priests. Decipher this name: Airatbah.
Rabshakeh
Tabitha
Hakkatan
Abiathar
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

David had fled King Saul's wrath already, but he invited Abiathar, one of the Lord's priests whom Saul sought to kill, to stay with him. Saul decreed the death order because he suspected that David had befriended these priests.

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Who was the king that Paul almost persuaded to be a Christian: Apprgai?
Pallu
Ramah
Agrippa
Iconium
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Apostle Paul was being held prisoner in Caesarea and pleaded with King Agrippa concerning his earlier life and his life after he converted to Christianity. Agrippa responded to Paul's explanation by responding, "Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian."

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Faithful ________ was Paul's humble servant when "all they which are in Asia be turned away": Nrshooepius.
Halhul
Onesimus
Onesiphorus
Uriah
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Apostle Paul insists how Onesiphorus, who often "refreshed" him, remained faithful and "was not ashamed of [Paul's] chain," as 2 Timothy 1:16 confirms. Subsequently, Paul prayed for Onesiphorus's well-being.

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ID the Ephesian who accompanied Paul to Troas: Umorishtp.
Tabitha
Trophimus
Maadai
Ishpan
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Acts 20 recounts how Timothy and Tychicus also accompanied Apostle Paul on his missionary trip to Troas. Acts 21:29 establishes that Jews from Asia acknowledged Trophimus and assumed that Paul had brought him.

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Do you detect this king of Jerusalem: A-ekioedzdn?
Nineveh
Zeruah
Adoni-Zedek
Dibon-gad
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Joshua 10 tells how King Adoni-Zedek feared Joshua because he "had heard how Joshua had taken Ai, and had utterly destroyed it ..." and he grew anxious about Gibeon because it was a great city. The king called for the help of four other kings, yet Joshua slew them all, including Adoni-Zedek.

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Whom did Apostle Paul regard as a son in the gospel: Soismeun?
Elasah
Upharsin
Onesimus
Uzzah
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In the New Testament text of Philemon, Paul expounds that Onesimus was one whom he had "begotten in [his] bonds." Onesimus was a slave to Philemon but proved himself to be more profitable to Paul.

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Silas is another name for ________: Savuilns.
Vaniah
Silvanus
Upharsin
Lachish
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Acts 16 intimates that Paul and Silas, who is also referred to as Silvanus, were jailed for performing a miracle — casting out a supernatural spirit from a young girl. As Paul and Silas started to worship God in prison, the prison doors opened.

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How well do you know the biblical figure who did not receive John or John's brethren: Eehstoirdp?
Diotrephes
Ebronah
Ophel
Ichabod
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In his epistle 3 John, Apostle John rebukes Diotrephes, who was guilty of spewing spiteful words against John and his righteous associates. Verse 10 submits that Diotrephes did not receive John and "forbiddeth them that would ..."

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Decipher the king of the Amalekites: Gaga.
Gaal
Galal
Agag
Abba
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

King Saul spared Agag, although God had instructed that he destroy all Amalekites. Agag presented himself before the prophet Samuel in a genial manner, yet Samuel "hewed Agag in pieces before the Lord in Gilgal," as recorded in 1 Samuel 15.

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God sent Jeremiah to tell ________ exactly how he felt about the king's son: Inahco.
Nachor
Idbash
Abiram
Coniah
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Jeremiah 22:24 maintains that Coniah was the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah. Through prophet Jeremiah, God tells Coniah that Coniah was as valuable as the ring on his right hand, yet he would "pluck thee thence."

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Are you aware of this show-off king: Uessahuar?
Rabmag
Ebronah
Uzzen-sherah
Ahasuerus
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

King Ahasuerus threw a feast for his court so that he could show off his wealth and illustrious kingdom. He summoned his Queen Vashti, who "refused to come at the king's commandment ..." according to Esther 1:12, so the king eventually replaced her with Esther.

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Pick the right name of the figure who was taken to the valley of Achor: Hnaac.
Calcol
Habor
Achan
Abda
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Joshua beseeched God's guidance for reconciling the fact that King Ai had defeated Israel in a battle that Israel should have won easily. Ultimately, Achan, "son of Zerah," was brought before Joshua, and Achan was slain.

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Do you see this high priest: Acaaiphs?
Caiaphas
Abednego
Palestina
Hadlai
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The gospel of John communicates that the Jews plotted to kill Jesus after he raised Lazarus from the dead. John 11:51 chronicles that the high priest Caiaphas "prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation."

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Guess who was made "king over all Israel": Tibhshoesh.
Hadoram
Othniel
Salcah
Ishbosheth
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Second Samuel 2:10 records that Ishbosheth, who was Saul's son, "was forty years old when he began to reign over Israel, and reigned two years." When Saul died, his commander Abner made Ishbosheth king "over Benjamin, and over all Israel," while "the house of Judah followed David."

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Can you choose son of Kenaz and leader of the Israelites: Lenoiht?
Nachon
Idalah
Othniel
Eglaim
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

After Joshua died, the children of Israel engaged in unrighteous behavior in the sight of God. They "cried unto the Lord," according to Judges 3:9, and God "raised up a deliverer," Othniel, who defeated the king of Mesopotamia, their oppressor.

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Confirm that you know who reigned in Israel for nine years: Haeosh?
Hosea
Hoshea
Ehud
Samaria
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The evil King Hoshea attempted to outsmart the Assyrian King Shalmaneser, but Shalmaneser realized the trick and had Hoshea imprisoned. In Hoshea's final year as king, Israel was placed under Assyrian control, as 2 Kings 17:6 describes.

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Who desired to deliver a message to King David about his son Absalom: Aazhaim?
Hadlai
Ahimaaz
Iconium
Maarath
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Second Samuel 18 includes events concerning Ahimaaz's attempt to convince Joab that he should deliver news to King David that his son Absalom was dead. However, Ahimaaz failed to deliver the king a straightforward response concerning Absalom's welfare.

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Do you spot the biblical figure who had five daughters: Hpdahzleeo?
Pamphylia
Hadadezer
Eliada
Zelophehad
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Zelophehad did not produce any sons, and his five daughters petitioned Moses concerning the question of inheritance after Zelophehad's death. In Numbers 36, God advises Moses that the daughters would receive the inheritance, but that they must marry men of their own tribe to retain it.

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Who was deputy of Paphos: Ugsesir Uuslpa?
Sergius Paulus
Adoni-Zedek
Ishmaiah
Eliasaph
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Acts 13 describes Sergius Paulus as a "prudent man, who called for Barnabas and Saul [Paul] ..." but Elymas, a sorcerer, tried to prevent the meeting. Paul, who was led by the Holy Ghost, blinded Elymas, "child of the devil," for a season.

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How do you correctly spell the name of Paul's good friend: Tiycshuc?
Caphtor
Tychicus
Hakkatan
Uzziah
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In his epistle to the Colossians, Apostle Paul describes Tychicus as "a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord ..." Paul entrusted Tychicus to keep followers informed.

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Name the biblical figure who "was over the levy" of King Solomon: Ondairma.
Nazarite
Adoniram
Immanuel
Raamiah
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Adoniram was appointed as head of King Solomon's labor force. He was also sent to the northern tribes to collect fees under King Rehoboam's reign, and he was stoned to death for the deed.

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To whom did "the elder" John write: Saigu?
Uthai
Abagtha
Igeal
Gaius
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Apostle John authored 3 John, an epistle to the "well-beloved" Gaius. John describes Gaius as one who "walkest in the truth." The entire letter to Gaius is mostly an expression of John's admiration of his friend.

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ID a figure who prophesied unto Jeroboam: Aiajhh.
Hachmoni
Jaasu
Ahijah
Isaiah
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Prophet Ahijah delivered God's messages under the reign of king Rehoboam, son of Solomon. Ahijah advised Jeroboam that God would "tear the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon" and give it to him, save one tribe, as 1 Kings 11 stipulates.

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Unscramble this tax collector's name: Zscehucaa.
Charchemish
Eleazar
Zacchaeus
Upharsin
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Zacchaeus was a chief tax collector, and the Jews regarded him as a sinner. In Luke 19, Zacchaeus attempts to explain his riches to Jesus and assures him that he gives half of his goods to the poor.

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David was instructed to "rear an altar unto the Lord in the threshing floor of ________: Anrahau.
Araunah
Nachor
Raguel
Abiezer
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

An angel of God was at the threshing floor of Araunah "the Jebusite" destroying the people because of David's wickedness, which entailed him taking a census of Judah and Israel. In 2 Samuel 24:18, David's prophet Gad advised him to construct an altar for the Lord to remedy the crisis.

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How well do you decipher a captain of Ishbosheth's troops: Haabna?
Abana
Baali
Baanah
Nahash
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Baanah and his brother Rechab were both captains over Ishbosheth's troops. Second Samuel 4 chronicles how the brothers "smote him under the fifth rib ..." The two killed Ishbosheth as recompense for the terror that King Saul, his father, had committed against David.

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Prove that you know who was a great help to David while he was in exile: Biazllira.
Barzillai
Rabshakeh
Zacher
Lehabim
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

David fled Jerusalem to escape Absalom, his son. Second Samuel 19 describes how "Barzillai the Gileadite," who was "a very aged man," supplied the king with sustenance "while he lay at Mahanaim."

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Correct these letters to reveal the son of "a son of a valiant man": Aeiahnb.
Nahbi
Abiah
Ibneiah
Benaiah
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

According to 2 Samuel 23, son of Jehoiada, Benaiah "had the name among three mighty men." He served under David in the ranks of thirty men, yet "he was more honorable than the thirty ..."

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Who was one of four kings that went up against five, as told in the book of Genesis: Ralereodhmoc?
Chedorlaomer
Leummim
Rabshakeh
Ophrah
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Genesis 14 establishes how Chedorlaomer, with three other kings, defeated five kings who ruled principalities that included Sodom and Gomorrah. Chedorlaomer and fellow victors "took Lot, Abram's brother's son, who dwelt in Sodom, and his goods, and departed."

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Select the commander who intervened on Apostle Paul's behalf: Uicduasl Ylisas.
Shear-Jashub
Dodavah
Yehoyada
Claudius Lysias
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Acts 23 mentions that Paul's sister's son learned of an ambush by the Jews on Paul's life and informed his uncle, who sought the help of Commander Claudius Lysias. Claudius sent Paul to the governor with a letter that requested that Paul's accusers should state their accusations formally to him.

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