Bible Quiz: Who Are They? With Answers Across Judaism, Christianity, and Islam

In Jewish tradition, 'who are they?' questions appear throughout the Torah as moments of recognition, blessing, and covenantal identity. When Jacob — also called Israel — saw Joseph's sons, he asked directly, 'Who are these?' before bestowing his blessing upon them Genesis 48:8. This scene is a classic quiz-style moment: identity must be declared before inheritance can be granted.

The names of the children of Israel entering Egypt are carefully catalogued, beginning with Reuben, Jacob's firstborn Genesis 46:8. These genealogical lists form the backbone of Jewish identity quizzes, helping students of Torah memorize the twelve tribes and their significance. Exodus opens with precisely this roll call Exodus 1:1, anchoring Jewish collective memory in named individuals.

Leadership identity also matters deeply. Moses commanded Eleazar the priest and Joshua son of Nun as the men responsible for dividing the Promised Land Numbers 34:17, and their names appear repeatedly in Torah quizzes as foundational figures. Rabbi Akiva (c. 50–135 CE) and later Maimonides both emphasized memorizing these figures as essential Torah study.

Christian Bible quizzes on 'who are they?' naturally span both Testaments, drawing on the same Hebrew figures while interpreting them through a Christological lens. The children of Israel, whose names open Exodus Exodus 1:1, are understood in Christian theology as prefiguring the Church — a people called out of bondage into freedom. Augustine of Hippo (354–430 CE) wrote extensively on how these Old Testament identities foreshadow New Testament realities.

Paul's letter to the Corinthians offers a distinctly Christian answer to identity questions: those who are 'called' — whether Jews or Greeks — find their defining identity in Christ, described as 'the power of God, and the wisdom of God' 1 Corinthians 1:24. This reframes the quiz question from ethnic lineage to spiritual calling.

Christian quiz resources frequently test knowledge of figures like Joshua son of Nun Numbers 34:17, Eleazar the priest Numbers 32:28, and the patriarchs, while also asking students to identify New Testament apostles and their roles. The question 'who are those with thee?' asked by Esau of Jacob Genesis 33:5 is often used in children's Bible quizzes to teach about family, grace, and reconciliation — themes central to Christian ethics.

Islamic tradition honors the same patriarchs and prophets found in the Hebrew Bible, referring to them by Arabicized names: Yaqub (Jacob), Yusuf (Joseph), Musa (Moses), and Yusha (Joshua). The identity questions embedded in Torah narratives — such as God asking Balaam 'What men are these with thee?' Numbers 22:9 — resonate with the Quranic emphasis on accountability before God, where every soul must identify itself and account for its companions and deeds.

The Quran (Surah 2:40 and surrounding verses) addresses the children of Israel directly, reminding them of God's covenant — a theme echoed in the declaration that 'unto me the children of Israel are servants' Leviticus 25:55. Islamic scholars such as Ibn Kathir (1301–1373 CE) used parallel Biblical genealogies to contextualize Quranic narratives, making 'who are they?' a cross-scriptural study exercise.

Islamic religious education (madrasa tradition) includes quizzes on the prophets — their names, lineages, and missions — drawing heavily on the same figures tested in Jewish and Christian Bible quizzes. The names of Israel's children entering Egypt Genesis 46:8 are recognized in Islamic tradition as ancestors of the Israelite prophets, all of whom Muslims are required to believe in without distinction.