Can You Give Us the Biblical Pair If We Give You a Hint?

By: Brittany Rowland
Estimated Completion Time
6 min
Can You Give Us the Biblical Pair If We Give You a Hint?
Image: duncan1890/ DigitalVision Vectors/ Getty Images

About This Quiz

There's an old Chinese saying, "Good things come in pairs," and that rule seems to apply to the Bible, too. Many of the most memorable figures in the Bible appear in pairs. After all, you can't talk about Adam without bringing up his wife, Eve! And Samson's story isn't complete if Delilah isn't in there, too!

Many biblical pairs are related in some way, either as spouses, siblings or parent and child. That's because the Bible is as much about the relationships between people as it is about the relationship between God and humankind. And relationships between people are often flawed or tested by adversity. Take Joseph and his brothers, for example. Joseph was his father's favorite son, and his brothers despised him for it — so much so that they sold Joseph into slavery and told their father he was dead. If that's not a troubling story of sibling rivalry, we don't know what is! And yet, Joseph forgave his brothers, showing that redemption is always possible, even in the unlikeliest of situations. 

So, let's see how well you fare at identifying these pairs. We'll be mightily impressed if you can get more than 20 correct! 

Question 2 - Cain and Abel
Wikicommons by Andrey Mironov
They were brothers, until one murdered the other. Do you remember this pair?
Jacob and Esau
James and John
Peter and Andrew
Cain and Abel
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The first brother relationship in the Bible didn't turn out so well! Cain killed Abel out of jealousy and gave God an insolent reply: "Am I my brother's keeper?" His punishment was a lifetime of wandering.

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Question 3 - Jacob and Esau
Wikicommons by Andrey Mironov
These twins had their differences. Then one stole the birthright from the other. What are their names?
Jacob and Esau
Peter and Paul
David and Goliath
Moses and Aaron
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Jacob was born second, but he used some deceptive tactics to steal his brother's birthright as the firstborn son. He put lamb's skin on his arms to trick his blind father, Isaac, into thinking he was Esau!

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Question 4 - Samson and Delilah
Wikicommons by Anthony van Dyck
This married couple could have used some counseling! The wife betrayed her husband by revealing the source of his power. Who are they?
Abraham and Sarah
Samson and Delilah
Isaac and Rebekah
Joseph and Potiphar's wife
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

According to the Book of Judges, Samson was a judge who possessed superhuman strength as long as he never cut his hair. But he told Delilah his secret, and she promptly betrayed him to the Philistines.

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Question 5 - Joseph and Mary
wynnter/ E+/ Getty Images
This married couple raised Jesus to be a carpenter before he went on to other things. What are their names?
Ahab and Jezebel
Esther and Ahasuerus
Mary and Joseph
King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Joseph and Mary were engaged when Mary had a visit from an angel who told her she would bear the son of God. Joseph had his own heavenly messenger tell him not to abandon Mary, but to take care of her and Jesus.

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Question 6 - James and John
Wikicommons by Walters Art Museum Illuminated Manuscripts
These two disciples of Jesus were brothers nicknamed the "sons of thunder." Who are they?
David and Jonathan
James and John
Peter and Paul
Ishmael and Isaac
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

When Jesus recruited James and John to be among his disciples, he nicknamed them the "sons of thunder" ⁠— suggesting something about their personalities! Yes, they could be brazen, but they were faithful, too.

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Question 7 - Isaac and Ishmael
Wikicommons by Rijksmuseum
These brothers had the same father (Abraham) but different mothers (Sarah and Hagar). Can you name them?
Isaac and Ishmael
Cain and Abel
Elijah and Elisha
Simeon and Levi
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

At Sarah's urging, Abraham had a son with Hagar, Sarah's servant. But when Ishmael was a teenager, Sarah had her own son, Isaac, and told Abraham to send Hagar and Ishmael away. Talk about family drama!

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Question 8 - Zechariah and Elizabeth
Wikicommons by Utilisateur:Djampa
Can you name this couple, the parents of John the Baptist?
Nabal and Abigail
Moses and Zipporah
Sisera and Jael
Zechariah and Elizabeth
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

When an angel told Zechariah that he and his wife Elizabeth would have a son, Zechariah couldn't believe it ⁠— they were both old! Because Zechariah doubted the angel's message, God rendered him mute until his son was born. Zechariah named him John.

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Question 9 - David and Goliath
ZU_09/ DigitalVision Vectors/ Getty Images
Everyone expected the Philistine giant to win, not the shepherd boy ⁠— but they were in for a surprise! Who is this pair?
Joseph and Benjamin
Michael and Gabriel
David and Goliath
Daniel and Nebuchadnezzar
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

When David volunteered to fight Goliath, a fearsome giant in the Philistine army, no one thought he had a chance. But the boy, armed only with a slingshot, took down the giant thanks to his faith in God.

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Question 10 - Gabriel and Michael
Wikicommons by unknown, Serbian
Hark! These two angels of God have a lot to do in the Bible ⁠— one as a messenger and one as a warrior. Can you name them?
Cherubim and Seraphim
Gabriel and Michael
Saul and Samuel
Elijah and Elisha
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Although angels appear throughout the Bible, Gabriel and Michael are two primary ones who have names. Gabriel is the messenger who tells Mary she will bear Jesus, and Michael fights for God with his flaming sword.

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Question 11 - Ruth and Naomi
ivan-96/ DigitalVision Vectors/ Getty Images
This widow and her mother-in-law kept a special bond. Who are they?
Leah and Rachel
Ruth and Naomi
Mary and Martha
Esther and Abigail
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

After Ruth's husband died, she refused to leave her mother-in-law, Naomi, insisting that Naomi's people and God would become her own. For her faithfulness, God protected her and helped her find a new husband.

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Question 12 - Saul and David
Wikicommons by Rembrandt or workshop
Although this king enjoys the harp player's music, he throws a spear at the man three times! Can you name this pair?
Saul and David
Simeon and Levi
Daniel and Nebuchadnezzar
Moses and Aaron
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

King Saul and David had a complicated relationship! While David served faithfully in Saul's army and won the hand of Saul's daughter, Saul kept attempting to kill him, apparently jealous of his power.

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Question 13 - Rachel and Leah
Wikicommons by Marie Spartali Stillman
Can you name these two sisters, who both married Jacob?
Bilhah and Zilpah
Rachel and Leah
Ruth and Orpah
Mary and Elizabeth
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Jacob, who tricked his brother Esau out of his birthright, gets his comeuppance. Laban tricks Jacob into marrying Leah instead of Rachel and then offers Rachel, too, if Jacob will work for him.

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Question 1 - Adam and Eve
ZU_09/ E+/ Getty Images
This pair had it good in the Garden of Eden until they got kicked out! Can you name them?
Cain and Abel
Ruth and Naomi
Adam and Eve
David and Goliath
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

God created Adam and Eve, the first man and woman, in the Book of Genesis and gave them dominion over the Garden of Eden. But, of course, they couldn't resist eating that forbidden fruit!

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Question 14 - Miriam and Aaron
Wikicommons by illustrators of "The Bible and Its Story Taught by One Thousand Picture Lessons, vol. 2", edited by Charles F. Horne and Julius A. Bewer, published by Francis R. Niglutsch, New York, 1908.
Moses had two siblings. Can you identify them?
Miriam and Aaron
Zipporah and Jethro
Isaac and Rebekah
Hosea and Gomer
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Although Moses is a central figure in the Book of Exodus, his siblings, Aaron and Miriam, also had their special roles. Aaron was a high priest who helped Moses lead his people, and Miriam was a prophetess.

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Question 15 - Mary and Martha
Wikicommons by DeFacto
These two sisters of Lazarus had different ideas when it came to hosting Jesus. Who are they?
Anne and Elizabeth
Sarah and Rebekah
Mary and Martha
Esther and Ruth
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

When Jesus came to stay at Mary and Martha's house, Martha stayed busy cleaning and cooking, while Mary just sat and listened to Jesus' words. Martha scolded her sister, but Jesus gently defended Mary.

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Question 16 - Abraham and Sarah
ZU_09/ DigitalVision Vectors/ Getty Images
God promised this married couple a son, even though they were both advanced in age. Can you name them?
Abraham and Sarah
Isaac and Rebekah
Adam and Eve
Samson and Delilah
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Sarah laughed in disbelief when she overheard a man tell Abraham that they would have a son. And lo and behold, when she did give birth to a son, they named him Isaac, which means "laughter."

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Question 17 - Isaac and Rebekah
Nastasic/ DigitalVision Vectors/ Getty Images
Which married couple had twin sons?
Ahab and Jezebel
David and Bathsheba
Isaac and Rebekah
Mary and Joseph
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Abraham sent out a servant to find a woman worthy of his son, Isaac. The servant knew Rebekah was the one when she offered water to both him and his camels. She and Isaac then had twins, Jacob and Esau.

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Question 18 - Joseph and Benjamin
Grafissimo/ DigitalVision Vectors/ Getty Images
Jacob had 12 sons total, but two were with his wife, Rachel. What are their names?
Joseph and Benjamin
Dan and Naphtali
Gad and Asher
Reuben and Simeon
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Joseph and Benjamin were Jacob's two youngest sons. Joseph's older brothers sold him into slavery, but he soon became Pharaoh's right-hand man. Joseph was later reunited with his brothers, whom he forgave.

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Question 19 - Sodom and Gomorrah
Eric Thomas/ Getty Images
God destroyed this pair of cities with fire and brimstone because of their wickedness. Do you remember their names?
Hebron and Nineveh
Sodom and Gomorrah
Rehoboth and Jerusalem
Shiloh and Tanis
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Abraham asked God to spare Sodom and Gomorrah if there were at least 10 good people living there. But apparently the cities didn't pass this test because they were both destroyed.

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Question 20 - Moses and Zipporah
Wikicommons by Jacob Jordaens
One led his people to freedom, and the other was his wife. Who are they?
Adam and Eve
Aquila and Priscilla
Boaz and Ruth
Moses and Zipporah
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

After Moses fled Egypt, he wound up in Midian, where he met Jethro, a priest and shepherd. Because Moses defended Jethro's daughters from other shepherds, Jethro gave Moses his daughter Zipporah as a wife.

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Question 21 - Jael and Sisera
Wikicommons by Domenico Guidobono
A woman welcomed a Canaanite commander into her tent, but as he slept, she drove a nail into his head. Who is this pair?
Jael and Sisera
Samson and Delilah
Judith and Holofernes
Hannah and Elkanah
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

According to the Book of Judges, King Jabin of Canaan was at war with the Israelites. Sisera, the commander of Jabin's army, took refuge with Heber the Kenite, but Heber's wife, Jael, killed him in his sleep.

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Question 22 - Paul and Silas
Wikicommons by Creator:Louis Testelin
What pair of missionaries were imprisoned in Philippi ⁠— until God sent an earthquake?
Peter and John
Thomas and Jude
Simon and Andrew
Paul and Silas
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In Acts of the Apostles, Paul and Silas were falsely imprisoned in Phililppi for causing a public scene. However, at midnight, an earthquake shook the jail and broke the prisoners' chains.

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Question 23 - Simeon and Anna
Wikicommons by Rembrandt
When Jesus' parents presented him at the Temple as an infant, this pair recognized him as the Messiah. Who are they?
Elizabeth and Zechariah
Mary and Martha
Simeon and Anna
Lazarus and Joseph
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

It was Jewish tradition for parents to present their firstborn sons at the Temple. Simeon and Anna were two devout Jews, and when they saw the infant Jesus, they thanked God for showing them the Messiah.

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Question 24 - Priscilla and Aquila
Wikicommons by Jan Sadeler
This married couple served as missionaries with the Apostle Paul. Can you name them?
Tamar and Amnon
Priscilla and Aquila
Judith and Holofernes
Nabal and Abigail
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Priscilla and Aquila were mentioned as a couple several times in the New Testament. They were friends of St. Paul and appeared to hold equal status as important missionaries of Christianity.

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Question 25 - Esther and Ahasuerus
Wikicommons by After Peter Paul Rubens
A Persian king married a Jewish woman, making her queen. Who is this couple?
Esther and Ahasuerus
Ruth and Haman
Naomi and Solomon
Bathsheba and Uriah
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Esther was a Jewish woman who kept her background a secret until Haman threatened her people. Esther then appealed to her husband, Ahasuerus, to spare her people. He obliged and had Haman killed instead.

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Question 26 - Puah and Shiphrah
Wikicommons by Wellcome Images
Can you name the pair of midwives who disobeyed Pharaoh's orders to kill the Hebrews' baby boys?
Puah and Shiphrah
Rachel and Miriam
Esther and Dinah
Tamar and Osnat
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Puah and Shiphrah refused to kill newborn baby boys as Pharaoh commanded. So they concocted a lie, saying that Hebrew women delivered their babies quicker than Egyptian women, before the midwives could arrive.

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Question 27 - Joshua and Caleb
Peter Dennis/ Getty Images
These two Israelite men had faith that God would lead them into the Promised Land after their escape from slavery in Egypt. Who are they?
Moses and Aaron
Joshua and Caleb
Elijah and Elisha
David and Jonathan
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Joshua and Caleb were among the scouts who explored Canaan. While the other scouts feared that Canaan was too heavily fortified, Joshua and Caleb believed that God would bring them into the Promised Land.

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Question 28 - Bread and fish
ZU_09/ DigitalVision Vectors/ Getty Images
To feed a large crowd of followers, Jesus multiplied these two types of food. What are they?
Cheese and wine
Grapes and lamb
Milk and honey
Bread and fish
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

According to the Gospels, a multitude of 5,000 people came to hear Jesus speak. Jesus wished to feed the people but only had five loaves and two fish. After some prayers to God, though, the food was enough!

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Question 29 - Manasseh and Ephraim
Wikicommons by Benjamin West
Joseph, the son of Jacob, had two sons of his own. What are their names?
Issachar and Zebulun
Manasseh and Ephraim
Gad and Asher
Dan and Benjamin
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Joseph had two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, with his Egyptian wife, Asenath. Later, Joseph's father, Jacob, adopted Manasseh and Ephraim and shared his inheritance with them as well as with his own sons.

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Question 30 - A cup-bearer and a baker
duncan1890/ DigitalVision Vectors/ Getty Images
While imprisoned, Joseph interpreted the dreams of these two fellow prisoners. Who were they?
A cup-bearer and a baker
A soldier and a doctor
A carpenter and a missionary
A farmer and a fisherman
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Joseph had a knack for interpreting dreams. He told the cup-bearer he would be restored to his former position in three days. The baker, though, would be executed in three days. Joseph was right, as always.

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Question 31 - Noah
ZU_09/ DigitalVision Vectors/ Getty Images
After the Great Flood, Noah sent out which two types of birds?
Hawk and pigeon
Raven and dove
Eagle and sparrow
Canary and cardinal
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

After the ark rested on Mount Ararat, Noah needed to know whether the flood had subsided enough for him to leave the boat. So he sent out first a raven, then a dove, to "test the waters."

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Question 32 - Jesus and Peter
ZU_09/ DigitalVision Vectors/ Getty Images
In the Gospel of Matthew, these two people walk on water. Who are they?
Jesus and Peter
Lucifer and Judas
Pontius Pilate and Herod
Jesus and Mary
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The disciples were crossing the Sea of Galilee on a boat when it started to storm. They were afraid but then saw Jesus walking on the water toward them. Jesus even encouraged Peter to try walking himself!

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Question 33 - Manna and quail
Wikicommons by Rijksmuseum
While the Israelites wandered the desert, God provided them with which two types of food?
Milk and honey
Goat and berries
Fish and cheese
Manna and quail
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Have you heard of the expression "manna from heaven"? The Lord heard the Israelites grumbling about being hungry, so he sent down manna and quail for them to eat. They ate that for 40 years in the desert!

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Question 34 - Moses and Elijah
ZU_09/ E+/ Getty Images
These two prophets appear with Jesus on the mountain during the Transfiguration. Do you remember who they are?
Moses and Elijah
Joshua and Samuel
Ezekiel and Jeremiah
Obadiah and Haggai
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Transfiguration is a major event in the New Testament, during which Jesus climbs a mountain to pray and becomes radiant with light. Moses and Elijah appear with him, and God calls him "Son."

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Question 35 - Elijah and Elisha
ZU_09/ DigitalVision Vectors/ Getty Images
One prophet was taken away in a chariot of fire, and the other prophet became his successor. Who are they?
Isaiah and Ezekiel
Amos and Jonah
Zephaniah and Micah
Elijah and Elisha
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The time came for Elijah to go to heaven, but Elisha didn't want to leave his side. So Elisha was there when a chariot of fire took Elijah away, and Elisha asked for Elijah's powers, which he received.

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Question 36 - Promised Land
Wikicommons by James Tissot
The Promised Land is also called the land of these two foods. What are they?
Milk and honey
Bread and wine
Fish and lamb
Juice and crackers
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

When God appeared to Moses in the form of a burning bush, he promised to lead the Hebrews to a land flowing with milk and honey. This was the Promised Land that God had first promised to Abraham.

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Question 37 - Ananias and Sapphira
Wikicommons by Ambrosius Francken the Elder
This married couple withheld money from the apostles and were struck down dead. What are their names?
Samson and Delilah
Hosea and Gomer
Nabal and Abigail
Ananias and Sapphira
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In Acts of the Apostles, Ananias and Sapphira sold their land to give the money to the apostles. However, they secretly withheld a portion for themselves. Peter called them on it, and God struck them down dead.

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Question 38 - Water and wine
ZU_09/ DigitalVision Vectors/ Getty Images
Jesus performs his first miracle at a wedding, turning this substance into another substance. Can you name them?
Sugar and salt
Nectar and honey
Water and wine
Fish and lamb
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Jesus, his mother and his disciples were at a wedding in Cana when Mary told Jesus that the host was out of wine. So Jesus performed his first miracle, changing water into a fine wine.

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Question 39 - David and Bathsheba
Peter Dennis/ Getty Images
This king had an affair with a married woman and later marries her. Can you identify them?
David and Bathsheba
Solomon and the Queen of Sheba
Saul and Ahinoam
Josiah and Zebidah
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

David impregnated a married woman, Bathsheba, and then conspired to have her husband, Uriah, killed in battle. David's sins came back to haunt him when his favorite son, Absalom, was killed.

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Question 40 - Ruth and Esther
Wikicommons by Wolfgang Sauber
There are dozens of books in the Bible, but only two are named after women. Can you identify them?
Sarah and Rachel
Ruth and Esther
Mary and Leah
Rebekah and Zilpah
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Protestant Bible features many notable women, but only two had books named after them in the Old Testament: Ruth and Esther. The Catholic Bible, however, also features the Book of Judith.

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You Got:
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