Thematic Bible: Instances of outstanding religious persons


Thematic Bible



Then the LORD said unto Abram, "Get thee out of thy country and from thy kindred; and out of thy father's house, into a land which I will show thee. And I will make of thee a mighty people, and will bless thee, and make thy name great, that thou mayst be a blessing. And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse them that curse thee. And in thee shall be blessed all the generations of the earth." read more.
And Abram went as the LORD bade him, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy five years old, when he went out of Haran. And Abram took Sarai, his wife, and Lot, his brother's son, with all their goods which they had gotten, and souls which they had begotten in Haran. And they departed to go into the land of Canaan. And when they were come into the land of Canaan, Abram went forth into the land till he came unto a place called Shechem, and unto the oak of Moreh. And the Cananites dwelled then in the land. Then the LORD appeared unto Abram and said, "Unto thy seed will I give this land." And he built an altar there unto the LORD which appeared to him. Then departed he thence unto a mountain that lieth on the east side of Bethel and pitched his tent - Bethel being on the west side, and Ai on the east - and he built there an altar unto the LORD, and called on the name of the LORD.

And the men departed thence and went to Sodomward. But Abraham stood yet before the LORD, and drew near and said, "Wilt thou destroy the righteous with the wicked? If there be fifty righteous within the city, wilt thou destroy it and not spare the place for the sake of fifty righteous that are therein? read more.
That be far from thee, that thou shouldest do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked, and that the righteous should be as the wicked: that be far from thee. Should not the Judge of all the world do according to right?" And the LORD said, "If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, I will spare all the place for their sakes." And Abraham answered and said, "Behold, I have taken upon me to speak unto the LORD, and yet am but dust and ashes. What though there lack five of fifty righteous, wilt thou destroy all the city for lack of five?" And he said, "If I find there forty and five I will not destroy them." And he spake unto him yet again, and said, "What if there be forty found there?" And he said, "I will not do it for forty's sake." And he said, "O let not my LORD be angry, that I speak. What if there be found thirty there?" And he said, "I will not do it, if I find thirty there." And he said, "Oh, see, I have begun to speak unto my LORD, what if there be twenty found there?" And he said, "I will not destroy them for twenty's sake." And he said, "O let not my LORD be angry, that I speak yet, but even once more only. What if ten be found there?" And he said, "I will not destroy them for ten's sake." And the LORD went his way as soon as he had left communing with Abraham. And Abraham returned unto his place.

Jacob departed from Beersheba and went toward Haran, and came unto a place and tarried there all night, because the son was down. And took a stone of the place, and put it under his head, and laid him down in the same place to sleep. And he dreamed: and behold there stood a ladder upon the earth, and the top of it reached up to heaven. And see, the angels of God went up and down upon it. read more.
Yea, and the LORD stood upon it and said, "I am the LORD God of Abraham thy father and the God of Isaac: The land which thou sleepest upon will I give thee and thy seed. And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth: And thou shalt spread abroad: west, east, north and south. And through thee and thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed. And see, I am with thee, and will be thy keeper in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land: Neither will I leave thee; until I have made good all that I have promised thee." When Jacob was awaked out of his sleep, he said, "Surely the LORD is in this place, and I was not aware." And he was afraid, and said, "How fearful is this place? It is none other, but even the house of God and the gate of heaven!" And Jacob stood up early in the morning and took the stone that he had laid under his head, and pitched it up on end, and poured oil on the top of it. And he called the name of the place Bethel, for indeed the name of the city was called Luz before time. And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, "If God will be with me and will keep me in this journey which I go and will give me bread to eat, and clothes to put on, so that I come again unto my father's house in safety: then shall the LORD be my God, and this stone which I have set up on end, shall be God's house. And of all that thou shalt give me, will I give the tenth unto thee."

and tarried behind; himself alone. And there wrestled a man with him unto the breaking of the day. And when he saw that he could not prevail against him, he smote him under the thigh, and the sinew of Jacob's thigh shrank as he wrestled with him. And he said, "Let me go, for the day breaketh." And he said, "I will not let thee go, except thou bless me." read more.
And he said unto him, "What is thy name?" He answered, "Jacob." And he said, "Thou shalt be called Jacob no more, but Israel. For thou hast wrestled with God and with men and hast prevailed." And Jacob asked him, saying, "Tell me thy name." And he said, "Wherefore dost thou ask after my name?" And he blessed him there. And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel, "for I have seen God face to face, and yet is my life reserved." And as he went over Peniel, the sun rose upon him, and he halted upon his thigh. Wherefore the children of Israel eat not of the sinew that shrank under the thigh, unto this day: because that he smote Jacob under the thigh in the sinew that shrank.

When Hezekiah had received the letter of the hand of the messenger and had read it, he went into the house of the LORD and laid it abroad before the LORD. And Hezekiah prayed before the LORD, and said, "LORD God of Israel which dwellest between the Cherubs, thou art God alone over all the kingdoms of the earth, and thou hast made both heaven and earth. LORD, bow thine ears and hear; Open LORD thine eyes and see: and hear the words of Sennacherib, which hath sent to rail on the living God. read more.
But of a truth, LORD, the kings of Assyria have destroyed nations and their lands, and have set fire on their gods. For they were no gods - but the work of the hands of man; even wood and stone. And therefore they destroyed them. Now therefore LORD our God, save thou us out of his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know, that thou LORD art God alone."

and he did that pleased the LORD in all things, like to David his father. He put away the hill altars, and brake the images and cut down the groves, and all to brake the brazen serpent that Moses made - for unto those days the children of Israel did burn sacrifice to it, and called it Nehushtan. He trusted in the LORD God of Israel, so that after him came none like him among all the kings of Judah, neither among them that went before him. read more.
He clave to the LORD and departed not from him, but kept his commandments which the LORD commanded Moses. And the LORD was with him. And whatsoever he took in hand he did it wisely. And he rebelled against the king of Assyria and served him not.

And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of a bush. And he perceived that the bush burned with fire, and consumed not. Then Moses said, "I will go hence and see this great sight, how it cometh that the bush burneth not." And when the LORD saw that he came for to see, he called unto him out of the bush and said, "Moses, Moses." And he answered, "Here am I." read more.
And he said, "Come not hither, but put thy shoes off thy feet: for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground." And he said, "I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob." And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look upon God. Then the LORD said, "I have surely seen the trouble of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry, which they have of their taskmasters. For I know their sorrow, and am come down to deliver them out of the hands of the Egyptians, and to bring them out of that land unto a good land and a large, and unto a land that floweth with milk and honey: even unto the place of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and of the Jebusites. Now therefore behold, the complaint of the children of Israel is come unto me and I have also seen the oppression, wherewith the Egyptians oppress them. But come, I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring my people the children of Israel out of Egypt." And Moses said unto God, "What am I, to go to Pharaoh and to bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?" And he said, "I will be with thee. And this shall be a token unto thee that I have sent thee: after that thou hast brought the people out of Egypt, ye shall serve God upon this mountain." Then said Moses unto God, "When I come unto the children of Israel and say unto them, 'The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you,' and they say unto me, 'What is his name?' - What answer shall I give them?" Then said God unto Moses, "I Will Be What I Will Be." And he said, "This shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, 'I Will Be did send me to you.'" And God spake further unto Moses, "Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, 'the LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob hath sent me unto you': this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial throughout all generations. Go therefore and gather the elders of Israel together and say unto them, 'the LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob, appeared unto me and said: I have been and seen both you and that which is done to you in Egypt. And I have said it, that I will bring you out of the tribulation of Egypt unto the land of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites: even a land that floweth with milk and honey.' If it come to pass that they hear thy voice, then go, both thou and the elders of Israel unto the king of Egypt, and say unto him, 'The LORD God of the Hebrews hath met with us: Let us go therefore three days' journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice unto the LORD our God.' Notwithstanding, I am sure that the king of Egypt will not let you go, except it be with a mighty hand: yea and I will therefore stretch out mine hand, and smite Egypt with all my wonders which I will do therein. And after that he will let you go. And I will get this people favour in the sight of the Egyptians: so that when ye go, ye shall not go empty: but every wife shall borrow of her neighboress and of her that sojourneth in her house, jewels of silver and of gold and raiment. And ye shall put them on your sons and daughters, and shall rob the Egyptians."

And the LORD was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the old ways of his father David, and sought not Baals: But sought the LORD God of his father and walked in his commandments and not after the doings of Israel. Therefore the LORD established the kingdom in his hand and all Judah brought him presents, that he became exceeding rich and glorious. read more.
And his heart was courageous in the ways of the LORD, and he put down yet more of the hill altars and groves out of Judah. And the third year of his reign he sent, of his lords: Benhail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel and Micaiah to teach in the cities of Judah: and with them, Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah and Tobadonijah, Levites: and with them Elishama and Jehoram, priests. And they taught in Judah, and had the book of the law with them, and went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people.

By faith, Abel offered unto God a more plenteous sacrifice than Cain: by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: by which also he being dead, yet speaketh. Verse ConceptsAbelAbel and CainFaith, As Basis Of SalvationCommendationExamples Of FaithAtonement, Types OfRighteousness, As FaithWorship, Acceptable AttitudesThe Witness Of GodRighteous By ObedienceSacrificeExcellence

And Abel, he brought also of the firstlings of his sheep and of the fat of them. And the LORD looked unto Abel and to his offering: but unto Cain and unto his offering, looked he not. And Cain was wroth exceedingly, and lowered. And the LORD said unto Cain, "Why art thou angry, and why lowerest thou? Knowest thou not, if thou dost well thou shalt receive it? read more.
But and if thou dost evil, by and by thy sin lieth open in the door. Notwithstanding, let it be subdued unto thee, and see thou rule it." And Cain talked with Abel his brother. And as soon as they were in the fields, Cain fell upon Abel his brother and slew him.

"Thou knowest of David my father, how he could not build a house unto the name of the LORD his God for war which he had on every side, until the LORD had put them under his foot. But now the LORD my God hath given me rest on every side, so that there is neither adversary nor any evil plague. And therefore I am disposed to build a house unto the name of the LORD my God, as he promised David my father, saying, 'Thy son which I will put upon thy seat for thee, he shall build a house unto my name.'

And the angel said unto him, "Fear not Zacharias, for thy prayer is heard: And thy wife Elizabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John: Verse ConceptsBarren WomenAnswered PrayerChildbirthHeraldAngel, AnnouncementsBirths ForetoldGod Naming PeopleGod Answered Prayer

And his father Zacharias was filled with the holy ghost, and prophesied, saying, "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he hath visited and redeemed his people. And hath raised up a horn of salvation unto us, in the house of his servant David. read more.
Even as he promised by the mouth of his holy prophets which were since the world began. That we should be saved from our enemies: And from the hands of all that hate us: To fulfill the mercy promised to our fathers; And to remember his holy covenant; And to perform the oath, which he sware to our father Abraham, for to give us. That we, delivered out of the hands of our enemies, might serve him without fear: all the days of our life, in such holiness and righteousness that are accept before him. And thou child, shalt be called the prophet of the highest, for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord, to prepare his ways: And to give knowledge of salvation unto his people, for the remission of sins: Through the tender mercy of our God, whereby the day spring from on high hath visited us: To give light to them that sat in darkness, and in shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace."

and said, "Go with me and see the zeal I have to the LORD," and made him ride with him in his chariot. And when he came to Samaria, he slew all that remained unto Ahab in Samaria, till he had wiped him out, according to the saying of the LORD which he spake to Elijah. After that, Jehu gathered all the people together and said to them, "Ahab served Baal a little: but Jehu shall serve him a good. read more.
Now, therefore, call unto me all the Prophets of Baal and all his servants and all his priests that none be lacking. For I have a great sacrifice to do to Baal: and if any be missed, he shall not live." But Jehu did it for a subtlety, to destroy the servants of Baal. Wherefore Jehu said, "Appoint a solemn feast for Baal." And they proclaimed it. Then Jehu sent throughout all Israel. And all the servants of Baal came, that there was not a man left behind that came not. And when they were come into the temple of Baal, the temple was full from one end to another. Then he said to the keeper of the vestry, bring forth garments for the servants of Baal. And he brought them out garments. And Jehu went with Jehonadab son of Rechab into the house of Baal: and said to the servants of Baal, "Search and look that there be none here with you of the servants of the LORD, but the servants of Baal only." And they went in, to offer sacrifice and burnt offerings. But Jehu appointed him four score men without, and said, "If any of the men that I shall bring unto your hands escape, he that letteth him go shall die for him." And as soon as he had made an end of offering of burnt sacrifice, he said to them of the guard and to the lords, "Go in and slay them, let none come out." And they smote them with the edge of the sword. And the guard and the lords cast them out, and went unto the city of the house of Baal, and fetched out the image out of the house of Baal and burnt it. And they brake the image of Baal, and brake the house of Baal, and made a privy house thereof, unto this day. And so Jehu destroyed Baal out of Israel. But from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat which made Israel sin with the golden calves in Bethel and Dan, Jehu departed not. Then the LORD said to Jehu, "Because thou hast lustily done that pleaseth me, and hast done to the house of Ahab all that was in mine heart, therefore shall thy children in the fourth generation sit on the seat of Israel."

And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel of the tribe of Asher: which was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity. And she had been a widow about four score and four years of age, which went never out of the temple, but served God there with fasting and prayer night and day.

And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon. And the same man was just and feared God, and longed for the consolation of Israel, and the holy ghost was in him. And an answer was given him of the holy ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ. And he came by inspiration into the temple. And when the father and mother brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, read more.
then took he him up in his arms and said, "Lord, Now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace according to thy promise. For mine eyes have seen the saviour sent from thee: Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people. A light to lighten the gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel." And his father and mother marveled at those things, which were spoken of him: And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, "Behold, this child shall be the fall, and resurrection, of many in Israel: And a sign which shall be spoken against. And moreover, the sword shall pierce thy soul, that the thoughts of many hearts may be opened."

And Jabez was nobler than his brethren. And his mother called his name Jabez, saying, "Because I bare him with sorrow." But Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, "If thou shalt bless me, and enlarge my coasts, and shalt let thine hand be with me, and wilt keep me from evil that it vex me not." And God sent him his desire.

When he had ended all his sayings in the audience of the people, he entered into Capernaum. And the servant of a certain Centurion was sick, and ready to die, whom he made much of. And when he heard of Jesus, he sent unto him the elders of the Jews, beseeching him that he would come and heal his servant. read more.
And they came to Jesus and besought him instantly, saying, "He is worthy that thou shouldest do this for him. For he loveth our nation, and hath built us a synagogue." And Jesus went with them. And when he was not far from the house, the Centurion sent to him his friends, saying unto him, "Lord trouble not thyself, for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof. Wherefore I thought not myself worthy to come unto thee: but say the word and my servant shall be whole. For I likewise am a man under power, and have under me soldiers, and I say unto one, 'Go': and he goeth. And to another, 'Come': and he cometh. And to my servant, 'Do this': and he doeth it." When Jesus heard this, he marveled at him, and turned him about and said to the people that followed him, "I say unto you, I have not found so great faith: No, not in Israel, certainly." And they that were sent, turned back home again, and found the servant that was sick whole.

Wherefore the princes and lords sought to pick out in Daniel some quarrel against the kingdom: yet could they find none occasion nor fault upon him. For why? He was so faithful, that there was no blame nor dishonesty found in him. Then said these men, "We will get no quarrel against this Daniel, except it be in the law of his God." Upon this, went the princes and lords together unto the king, and said thus unto him, "King Darius, God save thy life forever. read more.
All the great estates of the realm - as the princes, dukes, senators and judges - are determined to put out a commandment of the king, and to make a sure statute. Namely, that whoso desireth any petition, either of any god or man within this thirty days, except it be only of thee, O king: the same person may be cast into the lions' den. Wherefore, O king, confirm thou this statute, and make a writing: that the thing which the Medes and Persians have ordained be not altered nor broken." So Darius made the writing, and confirmed it. Now when Daniel understood that the writing was made, he went into his house: and the windows of his hall toward Jerusalem stood open. There kneeled he down upon his knees, three times a day: there he made his petition, and praised his God, like as his manner was to do afore time. Then these men made search, and found Daniel making his petition and praying unto his God. So they came to the king, and spake before him concerning his commandment, saying, "O king, hast thou not subscribed the statute, that within thirty days whoso requireth his petition of any god or man, but only of thyself, O king, he shall be cast into the den of the lions?" The king answered, and said, "It is true. It must be as a law of the Medes and Persians, that may not be broken." Then answered they, and said unto the king, "Daniel one of the prisoners of Judah, O king, regardeth neither thee nor thy statute that thou hast made, but maketh his petition three times a day." When the king heard these words, he was sore grieved, and would have excused Daniel, to deliver him, and put off the matter until the sun went down, to the intent that he might save him. These men, perceiving the king's mind, said unto him, "Know this, O king: that the law of the Medes and Persians is, that the commandment and statute which the king maketh, may not be altered." Then the king had them bring Daniel, and cast him into the Lions' den. The king also spake unto Daniel, and said, "Thy God whom thou always servest, even he shall defend thee." And there was brought a stone, and laid upon the hole of the den: this the king sealed with his own ring, and with the signet of his princes: that the king's commandment concerning Daniel, should not be broken. So the king went in to his palace, and kept him sober all night, so that there was no table spread before him, neither could he take any sleep. But betimes in the morning, at the break of the day, the king arose, and went in all haste unto the den of the Lions. Now as he came nigh unto the den, he cried with a piteous voice unto Daniel: Yea, the king spake, and said to Daniel, "O Daniel, thou servant of the living God, is not thy God, whom thou alway servest, able to deliver thee from the lions?" Daniel said unto the king, "O king, God save thy life for ever. My God hath sent his angel, which hath shut the lions' mouths, so that they might not hurt me. For why? Mine unguiltiness is found out before him. And as for thee, O king, I never offended thee."

And Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, offered burnt offerings and sacrifices unto God. And Aaron and all the elders of Israel came to eat bread with Moses' father-in-law before God. Verse ConceptsAaron, Life EventsBurnt offeringSacrifice, In OtEating Before God