AARON ■
אהרן – "Strength"
AARON II
אהרן – "Strength"
Israelite: Levite: Kohanim / Born in Egypt (probably Goshen) / Died on Mt. Hor
Family Tree / Son of Amram & Jochebed / Brother of Miriam & Moses (Ex. 4:14) / Husband of Elisheba / Father of Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, & Ithamar / Ancestor of the High Priests and Kohanim
-
Called to be Moses' spokesman and helper
-
Made first high priest of Israel around 1440 BC; his sons and descendants also called to serve as high priests
-
Made a golden calf
-
Lived to 123 years old (Num. 20:24–29; 33:39)
Missionary & Prince
≈ 92 BC
Family Tree / Son of Mosiah II / Brother of Ammon, Omner, & Himni
-
Tried to destroy the Church with brothers and Alma II before an angel appeared and they were converted (Mosiah 27)
-
Refused kingship to be a missionary to the Lamanites (Mosiah 27)
-
Taught and converted Lamanite king and his people (Alma 21–22)
.
ABED-NEGO (AZARIAH)
עבד נגו – "Work of Light"
Prince of Judah
≈ 605 BC
Israelite: Judahite / From Jerusalem / Taken to Babylon
Family Tree / Descendant of Royal Judahites
-
Jewish name was Azariah
-
One of the young royals carried away to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar (Dan. 1:3–4)
-
Refused the king's meat and wine (Dan. 1:5–17)
-
Thrown with friends in fiery furnace for not worshiping idol (Dan. 3)
-
Wikipedia / Bible Dictionary / Guide to Scriptures
.
ABEL
הבל – "Breath"
.
ABIATHAR ■
אביתר – "Father of Plenty"
Family Tree / Son of Ahijah or Ahimelech / Descendant of Ithamar
-
Escaped Saul's wrath (1 Sam. 22:20)
-
Served as priest (possibly High Priest) during David's reign; brought ark of the covenant to Jerusalem (2 Sam 15)
-
Supported Adonijah to be king after David (1 Kgs 1:7); Solomon removed him from being a high priest and the office returned to descendants of Eleazar (1 Kgs. 2:27)
.
+ ABIGAIL
אביג ל – "Father of Rejoicing"
≈ 1005 BC
Israelite: Judahite? / From Carmel
Family Tree / Wife of Nabal & David / Mother of Chileab-Daniel
-
Prevented a battle between her husband Nabal and David; after Nabal's death, married David (1 Sam. 25)
-
Wikipedia / Bible Dictionary-1
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ABIJAM (ABIJAH II, ABIA) †♦
אבים – "Father of the Sea"
King of Judah
≈ b. 950 – d. 911 BC (reigned 913 – 911 BC)
Family Tree / Son of Rehoboam & Maachah III (1 Kgs. 14:31) / Husband of 14 wives / Father of Asa & 37 others (2 Chr. 13:21) / Ancestor of Jesus (Matt. 1:7)
-
Wicked king (1 Kgs. 15:3)
-
Went to war against Jeroboam; tried unsuccessfully to reunite with the Northern Kingdom; Lord protected the Southern Kingdom (2 Chr. 13)
-
Wikipedia / Jewish Encyclopedia-3
.
King of Gerar
≈ 1893 BC
Canaanite: Philistine / From Gerar
-
Desired to have Sarah to wife; warned by God in a dream that she was Abraham's wife; the Lord blessed his household (Gen. 20)
-
According to tradition, he built Jerusalem for Melchizedek
Family Tree / Son of Gideon
-
Killed his 70 brothers so he could be King of Israel; only Jotham escaped who cursed him (Judg. 9:5–21, 57)
-
Almost killed by woman; asked armour bearer to finish him off instead (Judg. 9:53–55)
.
ABINADI Ω
אבינדי – "My Father is With You"
-
Called to preach repentance to King Noah II's people; imprisoned and eventually burned to death by Noah II (Mosiah 11–17)
-
Alma converted because of his teachings (Mosiah 17:2)
.
ABISHUA ■
אבישוע – "Father of Salvation"
.
ABNER
אבנר – "Father of Light"
-
Introduced David to Saul (1 Sam. 17:55–58)
-
Made Ish-bosheth king of Israel (2 Sam. 2:8–9)
-
Defeated by Joab; later killed by him (2 Sam 3:27); David mourned for him
.
ABRAHAM (ABRAM) †Ω
אברהם – "Father of Nations"
Ancestor of Israelites / Born in Ur of Chaldees / Lived in Haran / Died in Hebron
Family Tree / Son of Terah / Brother of Haran & Nahor II / Husband of Sarah, Hagar, & Keturah / Father of Ishmael, Isaac, Midian & others (Gen. 16:15–16; 21:2–3; 25:1–5) / Ancestor of Jesus (Matt. 1:1)
-
Birth name was Abram (Gen. 11:26)
-
Promised all nations of earth would be blessed through his descendants (Gen. 12:2–3)
-
Famine drove him to Egypt where Pharaoh desired Sarah (Gen. 12)
-
Rescued nephew Lot (Gen. 14)
-
Paid tithes to Melchizedek and received priesthood (Gen. 14:18–20; D&C 84:14)
-
Offered Isaac as a sacrifice (Gen. 22:1–19)
-
Wikipedia / Bible Dictionary / Guide to Scriptures
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ABSALOM ♦
אבשלם – "Father of Peace"
Prince & possibly King of Israel
≈ 998 BC
Israelite: Judahite / Born in Hebron / Lived in Jerusalem
Family Tree / Son of David & Maacah II (2 Sam. 3:3)
-
Hated his older brother Amnon for raping his sister Tamar II; hated David for not punishing him; killed Amnon for it (2 Sam 13); conspired against David; fled to his maternal grandfather Talmai of Geshur
-
Killed by Joab; mourned by David (2 Sam 15–18)
.
ACHISH (AKISH) ♦
אכיש – "Angry"
-
Sheltered David from Saul for over a year (1 Sam. 21:10–15)
-
Wikipedia / Bible Dictionary
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ADAM (MICHAEL, ANCIENT OF DAYS) †Ω
אדם – "Man/Humanity"
Family Tree / Created by God (Gen. 1:26-28) / Husband of Eve / Father of Cain, Abel, & Seth / Ancestor of all mankind (Gen. 4) / Ancestor of Jesus
-
Lived with Eve in the Garden of Eden before the Fall; then lived in fallen world (Gen. 2-3)
-
Called righteous posterity together before his death (D&C 107:53–57)
- Lived to 930 years old (Gen. 5:5)
-
Called the Ancient of Days or Michael (Dan. 7:9; 10:13; Rev. 12:7; D&C 27:11)
-
He will return to earth before the Second Coming to gather the human family (Dan. 7:9-14; D&C 29:26; 116)
-
Wikipedia / Bible Dictionary / Guide to Scriptures
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ADONIJAH
אדניה – "My Lord is Jehovah"
Prince of Israel
≈ 980 BC
Israelite: Judahite / Born in Hebron
Family Tree / Son of David & Haggith (2 Sam. 3:4)
-
Tried to take the throne during David's illness; eventually ceded the throne to Solomon (1 Kgs. 1)
-
Solomon eventually had him killed (1 Kgs 2:13–25)
.
AGAG ♦
אגג – "Warlike"
-
Saul spared him while killing rest of the people; Samuel reproved Saul (1 Sam. 15:8)
-
Killed by Samuel (1 Sam. 15:33)
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Wikipedia / Bible Dictionary
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AHAB †♦
אחאב – "Father's Brother"
Israelite: Ephraimite / From Samaria
Family Tree / Son of Omri (1 Kgs. 16:29) / Husband of Jezebel & others / Father of Ahaziah, Jehoram, & Athaliah / Ancestor of Jesus
-
Reigned over the Northern Kingdom for twenty-two years in wickedness
-
Elijah showed God's power against his 450 priests of Baal (1 Kgs 18)
-
Hadadezer of Syria besieged Samaria; defeated him; freed him against the will of the Lord (1 Kgs 20)
-
Killed in a battle after he and Jehoshaphat of Judah tried to recapture Ramoth-Gilead from Hadadezer (1 Chr. 18)
Archeology: The Mesha Stele describes how Mesha of Moab's god Chemosh helped him throw off the yoke of bondage to the Kingdom of Israel and the "House of Omri"; mention's Omri's son and contains one of the earliest extrabiblical references to the Israelite God Jehovah/Yahweh; The Kurkh Shalmaneser III Monolith describes the Battle of Qarqar and mentions Ahab sent 2,000 chariots and 10,000 soldiers
.
AHASUERUS ♦
אחשורוש – "Ruler Among Kings"
-
Banished his first wife Vashti when she refused to appear at his banquet (Esther 1); looked for new wife
-
Chose Esther to be new queen without realizing she was a Jew
-
Tricked by Haman to put all Jews to death; Esther convinced him not to
-
Made Mordecai second in command
-
Probably same as Xerxes I or Artaxerxes I or II
.
AHAZ (ACHAZ) †♦
אחז – "Possessor"
≈ b. 752 – d. 716 BC (reigned 732 – 716 BC)
Israelite: Judahite / From Jerusalem
Family Tree / Son of Jotham II (2 Kgs. 16:1) / Husband of Abijah III / Father of Hezekiah / Ancestor of Jesus (Matt. 1:9)
-
Wicked king who offered his son in pagan sacrifice (2 Kgs 16:3)
-
Made an alliance with Tiglath-pileser III of Assyria to fight off Syria and the Northern Kingdom; paid tribute with temple treasures; changed temple worship (2 Kgs 16)
.
AHAZIAH ♦
אחזיה – "The Lord Holds"
AHAZIAH II (JEHOAHAZ I) † ♦
אחזיה – "The Lord Holds"
Family Tree / Son of Ahab & Jezebel / Brother of Jehoram & Athaliah (1 Kgs. 22:40)
-
Joined with Jehoshaphat of Judah to build a feet of trading ships (2 Chr. 20:35–37)
-
Moab rebelled against him (2 Kgs. 3:5–7); see Mesha stele
-
Fell from a roof and consulted Baal-zebub, god of Ekron, about his recovery; Elijah prophesied he would not recover; he died (1 Kgs 22:51)
≈ b. 863 – 841 BC (reigned 842 – 841 BC)
Israelite: Judahite / Born in Jerusalem / Died in Megiddo
Family Tree / Youngest son of Jehoram II & Athaliah (2 Kgs. 8:25–29; 2 Chr. 21:17) / Husband of Zibiah / Father of Jehoash of Judah / Ancestor of Jesus (Matt. 1:8)
-
Wicked king who introduced pagan worship in Judea he learned from his mother
-
Aligned with his uncle Jehoram of Israel against Hazael the Aramean (2 Kgs. 8:28–29)
-
Jehu II, general of Jehoram I, plotted to take over Northern Kingdom; both Ahaziah II and his uncle Jehoram were killed (2 Kgs. 9:27)
.
AHIAH (AHIJAH) ■
אחיה – "Brother of Jehovah"
AHIJAH II Ω
אחיה – "Brother of Jehovah"
≈ 1020 BC
Family Tree / Son of Ahitub / Descendant of Ithamar
-
The Lord's priest in Nob and Shiloh (1 Sam. 14:3)
-
Saul asked him to bring the ark of God during war with Philistines (1 Sam. 14:18–19, 36)
-
Wikipedia
Israelite: Levite / From Shiloh
-
Prophesied to Jeroboam the separation of the northern and southern tribes because of wickedness (1 Kgs. 11:29–39)
-
Prophesied to Jeroboam's wife the death of their child Abijah II and the downfall of the House of Jeroboam (1 Kgs. 14)
-
Wikipedia / Bible Dictionary
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AHIMAAZ ■
אחימעץ – "Brother of Anger"
≈ 970 BC
Family Tree / Son of Zadok / Husband of Basemath / Son-in-law of Solomon
-
Messenger for David; a swift runner
-
Remained loyal to David during Absalom's rebellion along with Jonathan ben Abiathar, but couldn't deliver the news of Absalom's death (2 Sam. 17–18)
-
Became high priest under Solomon's reign (1 Chr. 6:8)
-
Wikipedia / Bible Dictionary-2
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AHIMELECH ■
אחימלך – "My Brother is King"
High Priest
≈ 1012 BC
Family Tree / Son of Ahitub / Descendant of Ithamar / Father of Abiathar
-
Priest at Nob
-
Gave David and his companions five loaves of holy shewbread when they fled from Saul (1 Sam. 21:1–6)
-
Saul ordered his death with eighty-five other priests for helping David (1 Sam. 22:9)
-
Story referenced by Jesus (Luke 6:3–5)
-
Wikipedia / Bible Dictionary-1
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AHITUB ■
אחיטוב – "My Brother is Goodness"
≈ 1040 BC
Family Tree / Son of Phinehas II / Grandson of Eli / Descendant of Ithamar / Father of Ahiah & Ahimelech (1 Sam. 14:3)
.
ALCIMUS ■
אליקום / Ἄλκιμος – "God Will Rise"
-
Hellenizer who opposed Maccabees (1 Macc. 7:4)
-
Ordered the execution of 60 Jews/Hasideans
-
His last act was to remove the wall of the Temple dividing the Gentiles and Jews
-
Wikipedia / Jewish Encyclopedia
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ALEXANDER THE GREAT ♦
Αλεξανδρος – "Defender of Mankind"
King of Macedonia
≈ b. 356 – d. 323 BC (reigned 336 – 323 BC)
Greek: Macedonian / Born in Pella / Died in Babylon
Family Tree / Son of Philip II of Macedonia / Husband of Roxana, Stateira, & Parysatis II / Father of Alexander IV & Heracles
-
Ruled over a wide empire; considered one of history's greatest military commanders (1 Macc. 1)
-
According to Josephus, the High Priest Jaddua visited him in a dream and showed him Jerusalem; Jaddua assured him victory over the Persians
-
He conquered Jerusalem and Judea in 332 BC but honored the city and its practices, allowing Jews to retain their customs, even offering a sacrifice to Jehovah at the Temple according to Jaddua's direction
-
Daniel prophesied of his empire (Dan. 8:20–22; 11:4)
-
His death marked the beginning of the Hellenistic period
.
ALMA THE ELDER Ω
אלמע – "Youth"
ALMA II THE YOUNGER Ω○
אלמע – "Youth"
Israelite: Manassite: Nephite
Family Tree / Direct descendant of Nephi (Mosiah 17:2) / Father of Alma II
-
Wicked priest of Noah II; converted by Abinadi's teachings (Mosiah 17)
-
Baptized a group of believers at the Waters of Mormon (Mosiah 18)
-
Served as High Priest and established a church (Mosiah 23:16)
-
Persecuted by Amulon and Lamanites; escaped to Zarahemla to reunite with Mosiah II's people (Mosiah 23–24); organized the church for all the Nephites
-
Wikipedia / Guide to Scriptures
Prophet, High Priest, & First Chief Judge
Israelite: Manassite: Nephite
Family Tree / Son of Alma the Elder / Father of Helaman II, Shiblon, & Corianton
-
Tried to destroy the church with the four sons of Mosiah II; an angel appeared and they were converted (Mosiah 27)
-
Devoted his life to sharing the gospel
-
Gave up his position as chief judge to preach the gospel full time (Alma 4:11–20)
-
Consecrated as high priest (Alma 4:4)
-
Preached with Amulek in Ammonihah; cast into prison and freed (Alma 9–14)
-
Healed and baptized Zeezrom and many others (Alma 15)
-
Testified to Korihor and the Zoramites (Alma 30–35)
-
Taught his sons (Alma 36–42)
-
Possibly translated like Moses (Alma 45:19)
-
Wikipedia / Guide to Scriptures
.
AMALEKI
עמלקי – "One Who Wrings"
AMALEKITES
עמלק – "One Who Wrings"
Record Keeper
≈ 270 BC
Israelite: Manassite: Nephite
Family Tree / Son of Abinadom (Omni 1:12)
-
Wrote of Mosiah I and Benjamin II's reign
-
Had no children; gave records to Benjamin
-
Wikipedia
≈ 1500 BC
Family Tree / Descendants of Amalek & Esau / Famous people include Agag
-
Lived in the desert of Negev and the Sinai Peninsula
-
Often at war with Israelites (Ex. 17:8; 1 Sam. 14:48–15:33)
-
Balaam son of Beor prophesied against them (Num. 24:20–24)
.
AMAZIAH †♦
אמציה – "Strength of Jehovah"
≈ b. 822 – d. 767 BC (reigned 796 – 767 BC)
Israelite: Judahite / From Jerusalem
Family Tree / Son of Jehoash & Jehoaddan (2 Kgs. 12:21) / Husband of Jecoliah / Father of Uzziah / Ancestor of Jesus
-
Executed his father's murderers (2 Kgs. 14:5)
-
Worshipped false gods
-
Defeated by Jehoash II of Israel and the Northern Kingdom who looted the Temple
-
Killed by assassins (2 Chr. 25)
.
AMEL-MARDUK (EVIL-MERODACH) ♦
אויל מרדך / 𒁹𒇽𒀭𒀫𒌓 – "Man of Marduk"
-
Showed favor to Jeconiah; removed him from prison in Babylon (2 Kgs. 25:27)
-
Wikipedia / Bible Dictionary
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AMMARON Ω
"Bitter"
≈ 300 AD
Israelite: Manassite: Nephite
Family Tree / Son of Amos II / Brother of Amos III / Descendant of Nephi
-
Hid gold plates and all records (4 Nephi 1:48); told Mormon how to retrieve them (Mormon 1:2–4)
.
AMMON II
עמון – "Hidden One"
Freed Limhi's people
≈ 121 BC
Israelite: Judahite: Mulekite
Family Tree / Descendant of Zarahemla
-
Sent on expedition by Mosiah II to find the group of Nephites who had gone south (Mosiah 7:1-16)
.
AMMON III
עמון – "Hidden One"
AMMONITES
עמון – "Hidden Ones"
Missionary & Prince
Israelite: Manassite: Nephite
Family Tree / Son of Mosiah II; brother of Aaron II, Omner, & Himni
-
Tried to destroy the Church; angel appeared; he was converted (Mosiah 27)
-
Refused kingship to be a missionary to the Lamanites in the Land of Nephi (Mosiah 28:10)
-
Captured; taken to Lamoni; asked to be his servant; saved the king's flocks (Alma 17:20–39)
-
Taught Lamoni and his household the gospel (Alma 17–19); was offered one of Lamoni's daughters or to rule the kingdom, but refused;
-
Went with Lamoni to save brothers in Middoni; met with Lamoni's father who was hostile; helped secure release of Ammon II's brothers (Alma 20)
-
Led his people to Zarahemla; high priest over them (Alma 30:20)
-
Went on mission with Alma II to the Zoramites
Tribe from east of Jordan River
≈ 1700 BC
Ammonite
Family Tree / Descendants of Ben-Ammi & Lot (Gen. 19:38) / Worshipped Molech / Famous people include Nahash
-
Dwelt east of the Jordan River
-
Often warred against the Israelites
-
Wikipedia / Bible Dictionary
.
AMNON
אמנון – "Faithful"
Prince of Israel
≈ 1010 BC
Israelite: Judahite / Born in Hebron
Family Tree / Eldest son of David & Ahinoam; (2 Sam. 3:2)
-
Raped his half-sister Tamar II; murdered by his brother Absalom (2 Sam. 13)
-
Wikipedia / Jewish Encyclopedia-1
.
AMON †♦
אמון – "Workman"
AMOS Ω
עמוס – "To Carry" or "Burden"
≈ b. 664 – d. 641 BC (reigned 642 – 641 BC)
Israelite: Judahite / From Jerusalem
Family Tree / Son of Manasseh II & Meshullemeth / Husband of Jedidah / Father of Josiah / Ancestor of Jesus (Matt. 1:10)
-
Wicked king who worshiped pagan idols (2 Kgs. 21:18–22)
-
Assassinated by his servants (2 Kgs. 21:23)
-
Wikipedia / Jewish Encyclopedia
Israelite: Judahite? / From Tekoa
-
Shepherd
-
Prophesied during Uzziah & Jeroboam II of Israel's reigns; warned Israel to repent (Amos)
.
AMRAM
עמרם – "Exalted people"
Patriarch
Israelite: Levite / From Egypt (probably Goshen)
Family Tree / Son of Kohath / Grandson of Levi (Ex 2:1) / Husband of Jochebed / Father of Miriam, Aaron, & Moses
-
Lived to 137 years old (Ex. 6:20)
.
AMULEK
עמלך –"My King"
Missionary
Israelite: Manassite: Nephite
Son of Giddonah / Descendant of Nephi (Alma 10:2–3)
.
ANANIAS
חנניה / Ανανιας – "Gift of the Lord"
ANANIAS BEN NEDEBEUS ■
חנניה / Ανανιας – "Gift of the Lord"
≈ 34 AD
Israelite: Jewish / From Damascus
Son of Nedebeus / Brother of Hezekiah III
-
Appointed by Herod V of Chalcis
-
Served as High Priest from 47 to 59 AD
-
Known for his liberal use of violence and pro-Roman position; hated by Jewish nationalists
-
Paul described him as a "whitewashed wall"
-
Presided at the trial of Paul in Jerusalem and Caesarea: accused him before Felix (Acts 23:2–5)
-
Initially supported by Herod Agrippa II but later removed from office by him
-
Killed during 1st Jewish-Roman war by Jewish nationalists
.
ANDREW Ω
אנדראוס / Ανδρεας – "Strong"
Israelite: Jewish / From Bethsaida (John 1:44)
Family Tree / Son of Jona / Brother of Peter
.
-
Fisherman
-
Originally a disciple of John the Baptist; introduced Peter to Jesus (John 1:40)
-
Called to be a "fisher of men" (Matt. 4:18)
-
Ordained as one of the original 12 apostles (Mark 3:14–19)
-
Tradition states he was crucified in Patras around 60 AD
-
Wikipedia / Bible Dictionary / Guide to Scriptures
ANGELS
מלאכים – "Messenger"
-
Messengers of the Lord
-
Jacob saw angels ascending and descending a ladder (Gen. 28:12)
-
An angel helped Elijah (1 Kgs. 19:5–7)
-
Gabriel appeared to Mary; an angel (possibly Gabriel) appeared at least three times to Joseph III (Matt. 1–2; Luke 1–2)
-
Michael is called an archangel (D&C 107:54)
.
+ ANNA (HANNAH) Ω
ענה – "Grace"
ANNAS (ANANUS, ANANIAS) ■
חנן / Αννας – "Grace"
≈ 1 BC
Daughter of Phanuel
-
Called a prophetess (Luke 2:36)
-
Lived with husband 7 years before she was a widow for 84 years
-
Departed not from serving the Lord in the Temple with fasting and prayers
-
Saw Jesus at the Temple as an infant and "spake of him to all that looked for redemption in Jerusalem" (Luke 2:36–38)
-
Wikipedia / Bible Dictionary / Guide to Scriptures
Family Tree / Son of Seth / Father of several High Priests: Eleazar III, Caiaphas (FIL), Jonathan II, Theophilus, Matthias II, & Ananus II
-
Appointed High Priest by Quirinus in 6 AD; later deposed by Valerius Gratus in 15 AD, although he continued to influence the office through his sons and son-in-law (Luke 3:2); Acts 4:6 referred to him as High Priest several years later
-
Oversaw the trial of Jesus before crucifixion along with Caiaphas (John 18:13)
-
Peter and John stood trial before him and his kindred (Acts 4:6)
-
Wikipedia / Bible Dictionary / Guide to Scriptures
.
ANTI-NEPHI-LEHIES (PEOPLE OF AMMON)
"Those of Nephi and Lehi"
Tribe/group of Lamanite converts
≈ 80 BC
Israelite: Lamanite: Anti-Nephi-Lehite
Family Tree / Descendants of Lamanites & Ishmael II (Alma 17:21) / Famous people include Helaman's 2,000 stripling warriors, and Lamoni and family
-
Thousands converted by the sons of Mosiah II (Alma 21:23)
-
Changed name from Lamanite to Anti-Nephi-Lehies (Alma 23:16–17)
-
Called the People of Ammon (Alma 27:26)
-
Would rather die than take up weapons (Alma 43:11)
-
Sons helped defeat Lamanites without loss of life (Alma 56)
.
ANTIOCHUS IV EPIPHANES ♦
Ἀντίοχος Ἐπιφανής – "Unwavering"
King of Seleucids/Syria
≈ b. 215 – d. 164 BC (reigned 175 – 164 BC)
Son of Antiochus III the Great / Brother of Seleucus IV Philopator
-
Considered a cruel tyrant
-
Deposed Jason as High Priest and replaced with Menelaus who had bribe him and wasn't a Levite
-
Ordered the murder and enslavement of many Jews, 40,000 killed and 40,000 captured (2 Macc. 5:11–14)
-
Abolished Jewish worship, sabbaths, and festivals; plundered the Temple, offered swine on the altar, put out the lamp that burned continually, and forced the High Priest to eat swine; forced Jews to offer sacrifices to pagan idols; many consider this the Abomination of Desolation prophesied by Daniel
-
His persecution led to Maccabean revolt which gave Jews control of their government for 100 years (1 Macc. 1:11)
.
APOSTLES Ω
απόστολος – "One Sent Forth"
Special Witness of Christ
Israelite
The original twelve were Peter, James, John, Andrew, Matthew, Philip II, Bartholomew, Thomas, James II, Thaddeus, Simon the Zealot, Judas Iscariot
-
Jesus ordained them with power to preach, heal sicknesses, and cast out unclean spirits (Matt. 10:1–4)
-
Jesus ordained 12 Nephites to the same office including Nephi III
-
in 1835, 12 men were ordained in the modern church
-
Wikipedia / Bible Dictionary / Guide to Scriptures
.
APRIES (HOPHRA) ♦
"Jubilant is the Heart"
-
Marched to assist Zedekiah against Nebuchadnezzar II but withdrew quickly (Jer. 34:21; 37:5–11)
.
ARISTOBULUS MINOR
Αριστοβουλος – "Best Counselor"
-
Possibly the "Aristobulus" greeted by Paul (Rom. 16:10)
-
Wikipedia / Bible Dictionary
.
ARTAXERXES I LONGIMANUS ♦
ארתחששתא / 𐎠𐎼𐎫𐎧𐏁𐏂 – "Whose Reign is Truth"
ARTAXERXES II (AHASUERUS?) ♦
ארתחששתא / 𐎠𐎼𐎫𐎧𐏁𐏂 – "Whose Reign is Truth"
King of Achaemenid Empire
Persian / From Susa-Shushan
Family Tree / Son of Xerxes I & Amestris / Possibly husband of Esther (see Ahasuerus) / Father of Xerxes II
-
Stopped the Jews from rebuilding Jerusalem and the Temple (Ezra 4:7–23)
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Gave Ezra an edict to restore the Temple, help exiles return to Jerusalem, and to appoint government leaders (Ezra 7–10)
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Appointed Nehemiah to be governor of Judea and rebuild Jerusalem (Neh. 1)
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Wikipedia / Bible Dictionary
≈ b. 436 – d. 359 (reigned 405 – 359 BC)
Persian
Family Tree / Son of Darius II & Parysatis / Husband of Stateira and possibly Esther (see Ahasuerus) / Father of Artaxerxes III
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ASA †♦
אסא – "Healer"
King of Judah
Israelite: Judahite / From Jerusalem
Family Tree / Son of Abijam / Father of Jehoshaphat / Ancestor of Jesus (Matt. 1:7)
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Righteous king (1 Kgs. 15:8)
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Under the direction of the prophet Azariah II, rebuilt cities and removed pagan idols (2 Chr. 14–15); removed the queen-mother Maachah V (1 Kgs. 15:13)
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Made alliance with Benhadad of Syria against Baasha of Israel; paid him with silver and gold from the Temple treasury; Hanani the prophet rebuked him for relying on Syria instead of God; put Hanani in prison (2 Chr. 16:1–10)
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ASAPH
אסף – "Collector"
Musician
≈ 1000 BC
Israelite: Levite: Gershonite
Son of Berechiah
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Musician and leader of David's choir (1 Chr. 6:9)
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He and descendants set aside to worship God through music
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Wikipedia / Bible Dictionary
Matriarch
≈ 1710 BC
Egyptian / From Egypt
Family Tree / Daughter of Poti-pherah (Gen. 41:45) / Wife of Joseph / Mother of Ephraim & Manasseh
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ASHER
אשרי – "Happy"
ASHERITES (TRIBE OF ASHER)
אשרי – "Happy"
Patriarch
≈ 1743 BC
Israelite: Asherite / Born in Haran / Lived in Canaan / Died in Egypt
Family Tree / Son of Jacob & Zilpah (Gen. 30:13) / Father of Jimnah, Ishuah, Isui, Beriah, and Serah / Ancestor of Asherites
One of the Twelve Tribes
Israelite: Asherite / Territory was located north on the Mediterranean Sea and at one point included Tyre & Sidon (see map)
Family Tree / Descendants of Asher / Famous people include Anna and possibly Jonah
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Blessed by Jacob that "his bread shall be fat, and he shall yield royal dainties" (Gen. 49:20) and by Moses that he "be acceptable to his brethren, and let him dip his foot in oil. Thy shoes shall be iron and brass; and as thy days, so shall thy strength be" (Deu. 33:24–25)
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Helped Gideon defeat the Midianites (Judg. 6:35–8:21)
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Joined the Northern Kingdom of Israel
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Some worshipped at Hezekiah's Passover (2 Chr. 30:10–18)
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Majority carried away captive by Assyrians in 722 BC; one of the "Lost 10 tribes" (2 Kgs. 17)
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Wikipedia / Bible Dictionary / Guide to Scriptures
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ASHURBANIPAL (ASNAPPAR) ♦
𒀸𒋩𒆕𒀀 – "Ashur is Creator of the Heir"
≈ b. 685 – 631 BC (reigned 669 – 631 BC)
Assyrian / From Nineveh
Family Tree / Son of Esarhaddon & Esharra-hammat
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Constructed the Library of Ashurbanipal
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Collected tribute from Manasseh II of Judah which assisted his campaign against Egypt; continued fighting against Pharaoh Taharqa and installed Necho I as vassal ruler
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Considered the last great king of Assyria but also one of the most brutal
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Wikipedia
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Family Tree / Descendants of Ashur / Famous people include Ashurbanipal, Esarhaddon, Sennacherib, Tiglath-Pileser III, Shalmaneser V, and Sargon II
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Ancient empire that was often at war with neighboring Babylon; known for its brutality
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Ruled much of the Levant through Old Testament times
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Jonah preached repentance and was angered when the people actually changed (Jonah)
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Isaiah warned Israelites that the Assyrians were the "rod of God's anger"
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Conquered the Northern Kingdom in 721 BC; attacked the Southern Kingdom soon after; forced resettlement in Samaria, creating the Samaritan tribe
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The Fall of Nineveh in 612 BC and the defeat of Ashur-ubalit II in 609 BC marked the end of the empire
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Wikipedia / Bible Dictionary / Guide to Scriptures / Bible Maps
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+ ATHALIAH †♦
עתליה – "God is Exalted"
Israelite: Ephraimite / Born in Samaria / Died in Jerusalem
Family Tree / Daughter of Ahab & Jezebel (2 Kgs. 8:18, 26) / Wife of Jehoram II of Judah / Mother of Ahaziah II of Judah / Ancestor of Jesus
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Wicked queen who introduced Baal worship to Judah and the Temple (2 Chr. 24:7)
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Killed the royal heirs to solidify her position as queen; Jehoash of Judah was saved and hidden in the Temple by Jehosheba and her husband, the High Priest Jehoiada (2 Kgs. 11:1–3)
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Killed by the people (2 Kgs. 11:13–16)
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AUGUSTUS CAESAR (OCTAVIAN) ♦
Αυγουστος – "Majestic"
Emperor of Rome
≈ b. 63 BC – d. 14 AD (reigned 27 BC – 14 AD)
Son of Gaius Octavius & adopted son of Julius Caesar / Adopted father of Tiberius
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First Roman Emperor
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Defeated Marc Antony at which point Herod the Great pledged allegiance to him; confirmed Herod as King of Judea
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Herod built Caesarea in honor of him
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At Herod's death, divided up his kingdom and made Herod Archelaus ethnarch of Judea, Samaria, and Idumea (Edom); Herod Antipas tetrarch of Galilee and Perea; Philip I tetrarch of the territories east of the Jordan River; and Salome toparch of Iamnia, Azotus (Ashdod), and Phasaelis
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Sent out a decree that all the world should be taxed (Luke 2:1)
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Deposed Herod Archelaus in 6 AD and added Judea to the province of Syria
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Wikipedia / Bible Dictionary-1
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AZARIAH ■
עזריה – "Helped by God"
≈ 960 BC
Israelite: Levite: Kohanim
Family Tree / Son of Zadok or Ahimaaz
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Served in Solomon's Temple (1 Kgs. 4:2)
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Wikipedia / Bible Dictionary / Jewish Encyclopedia-1
AZARIAH II Ω
עזריה – "Helped by God"
≈ 910 BC
Israelite
Son of Oded
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Prophesied that Judah would prosper if the people were righteous
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Helped with Asa's reforms (2 Chr. 15:1)
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Wikipedia / Bible Dictionary
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AZARIAH IV ■
עזריה – "Helped by God"
≈ 790 BC
Israelite: Levite: Kohanim
Family Tree / Descendant of Johanan
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Opposed Uzziah who tried to burn incense in the Temple; Uzziah was struck with leprosy (2 Chr. 26:17)
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Wikipedia / Bible Dictionary
AZARIAH VI ■
עזריה – "Helped by God"
≈ 620 BC
Israelite: Levite: Kohanim
Family Tree / Son of Hilkiah / Father of Seraiah / Ancestor of Ezra
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Helped with Josiah's reformation (1 Chr. 6:13)
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Wikipedia / Jewish Encyclopedia-7