3 friends, the heroes of Daniel 3

In Daniel 3:8-30 DAniel's three friends are singled out 11 times

At this time some astrologers came forward and denounced the Jews. They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, "May the king live forever! Your Majesty has issued a decree that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music must fall down and worship the image of gold, and that whoever does not fall down and worship will be thrown into a blazing furnace. But there are some Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon - 

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego - 

who pay no attention to you, Your Majesty. They neither serve your gods nor worship the image of gold you have set up." Furious with rage, Nebuchadnezzar summoned

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.

So these men were brought before the king, and Nebuchadnezzar said to them, "Is it true,

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego,

that you do not serve my gods or worship the image of gold I have set up? Now when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, if you are ready to fall down and worship the image I made, very good. But if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?"

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego

replied to him, "King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter.. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty's hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up." Then Nebuchadnezzar was furious with

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego,

and his attitude toward them changed. He ordered the furnace heated seven times hotter than usual and commanded some of the strongest soldiers in his army to tie up

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego

and throw them into the blazing furnace. So these men, wearing their robes, trousers, turbans and other clothes, were bound and thrown into the blazing furnace. The king's command was so urgent and the furnace so hot that the flames of the fire killed the soldiers who took up

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego,

and these three men, firmly tied, fell into the blazing furnace. Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, "Weren't there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?" They replied, "Certainly, Your Majesty." He said, "Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods." Nebuchadnezzar then approached the opening of the blazing furnace and shouted,

"Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego,

servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!" So

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego

came out of the fire, and the satraps, prefects, governors and royal advisers crowded around them. They saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them. Then Nebuchadnezzar said, "Praise be to the God of

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego,

who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king's command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. Therefore I decree that the people of any nation or language who say anything against the God of 

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego

be cut into pieces and their houses be turned into piles of rubble, for no other god can save in this way." Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the province of Babylon.

6 musical instruments listed in Daniel 3

Daniel 3:4-15

Then the herald loudly proclaimed, "Nations and peoples of every language, this is what you are commanded to do: As soon as you hear the sound of

the horn,

flute,

zither,

lyre,

harp,

pipe

and all kinds of music,

you must fall down and worship the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. Whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace." Therefore, as soon as they heard the sound of

the horn,

flute,

zither,

lyre,

harp,

(pipe not mentioned the second time)

and all kinds of music,

all the nations and peoples of every language fell down and worshiped the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. At this time some astrologers came forward and denounced the Jews.  9  They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, "May the king live forever!  Your Majesty has issued a decree that everyone who hears the sound of

the horn,

flute,

zither,

lyre,

harp,

pipe

and all kinds of music,

must fall down and worship the image of gold,  and that whoever does not fall down and worship will be thrown into a blazing furnace.  But there are some Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon - Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego - who pay no attention to you, Your Majesty. They neither serve your gods nor worship the image of gold you have set up."  Furious with rage, Nebuchadnezzar summoned Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. So these men were brought before the king,  and Nebuchadnezzar said to them, "Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the image of gold I have set up?  Now when you hear the sound of 

the horn,

flute,

zither,

lyre,

harp,

pipe

and all kinds of music,

if you are ready to fall down and worship the image I made, very good. But if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?"

8 sorts of provincial official listed in Daniel 3

Daniel 3:1-3

King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold, sixty cubits high and six cubits wide, and set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon. He then summoned

the satraps,

prefects,

governors,

advisers,

treasurers,

judges,

magistrates

and all the other provincial officials

to come to the dedication of the image he had set up. So

the satraps,

prefects,

governors,

advisers,

treasurers,

judges,

magistrates

and all the other provincial officials

assembled for the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up, and they stood before it.
Also in verse 27 we read that

the satraps, prefects, governors and royal advisers crowded around

Shadrach, Meshach adn Abednego.

16 foreign nations referred to in Isaiah Jeremiah Ezekiel

7 nations prophesied against in Ezekiel 25-32

25:1-7
A Prophecy against Ammon
25:8-11
A Prophecy against Moab
25:12-14
A Prophecy against Edom
25:15-17
A Prophecy against Philistia
26:1-28:19
A Prophecy against Tyre
28:20-26
A Prophecy against Sidon
29-32
A Prophecy against Egypt

10 nations spoken about in Jeremiah 46-51

46
A message about Egypt
47
A message about the Philistines
48
A message about Moab
49:1-6
A message about Ammon
49:7-22
A message about Edom
49:23-27
A message about Damascus
49:28-33
A message about Kedar and Hazor
49:34-39
A message about Elam
50, 51
A message about Babylon

12 nations spoken against in Isaiah 13-23

13:1-14:23 Judgement on Babylon

14:24-27 An oracle concerning Assyria
14:28-32 An oracle concerning Philistia
15, 16 An oracle concerning Moab
17 An oracle concerning Damascus (and Samaria)
18 An oracle concerning Cush
19, 20 An oracle concerning Egypt

21:1-10 Babylon’s fall is reiterated

21:11, 12 Edom is threatened
21:13-17 Arabia is prophesied against
22 An oracle concerning Jerusalem
23 An oracle concerning Tyre and Sidon

8 judgements pronounced on Judah and her neighbours in Amos 1, 2

1:3-5 Aram

This is what the LORD says: "For three sins of Damascus, even for four, I will not relent. Because she threshed Gilead with sledges having iron teeth, I will send fire on the house of Hazael that will consume the fortresses of Ben-Hadad. I will break down the gate of Damascus; I will destroy the king who is in the Valley of Aven and the one who holds the scepter in Beth Eden. The people of Aram will go into exile to Kir," says the LORD.

1:6-8 Philistia

This is what the LORD says: "For three sins of Gaza, even for four, I will not relent. Because she took captive whole communities and sold them to Edom, I will send fire on the walls of Gaza that will consume her fortresses. I will destroy the king of Ashdod and the one who holds the sceptre in Ashkelon. I will turn my hand against Ekron, till the last of the Philistines are dead," says the Sovereign LORD.

1:9, 10 Tyre

This is what the LORD says: "For three sins of Tyre, even for four, I will not relent. Because she sold whole communities of captives to Edom, disregarding a treaty of brotherhood, I will send fire on the walls of Tyre that will consume her fortresses."

1:11, 12 Edom

This is what the LORD says: "For three sins of Edom, even for four, I will not relent. Because he pursued his brother with a sword and slaughtered the women of the land, because his anger raged continually and his fury flamed unchecked, I will send fire on Teman that will consume the fortresses of Bozrah." 

1:13-15 Ammon

This is what the LORD says: "For three sins of Ammon, even for four, I will not relent. Because he ripped open the pregnant women of Gilead in order to extend his borders, I will set fire to the walls of Rabbah that will consume her fortresses amid war cries on the day of battle, amid violent winds on a stormy day. Her king will go into exile, he and his officials together," says the LORD. 

2:1-3 Moab

This is what the LORD says: "For three sins of Moab, even for four, I will not relent. Because he burned to ashes the bones of Edom's king, I will send fire on Moab that will consume the fortresses of Kerioth. Moab will go down in great tumult amid war cries and the blast of the trumpet. I will destroy her ruler and kill all her officials with him," says the LORD.

2:4, 5 Judah

This is what the LORD says: "For three sins of Judah, even for four, I will not relent. Because they have rejected the law of the LORD and have not kept his decrees, because they have been led astray by false gods, the gods their ancestors followed, I will send fire on Judah that will consume the fortresses of Jerusalem."

2:6-16 Israel

This is what the LORD says: "For three sins of Israel, even for four, I will not relent. They sell the innocent for silver, and the needy for a pair of sandals. They trample on the heads of the poor as on the dust of the ground and deny justice to the oppressed. Father and son use the same girl and so profane my holy name. They lie down beside every altar on garments taken in pledge. In the house of their god they drink wine taken as fines. "Yet I destroyed the Amorites before them, though they were tall as the cedars and strong as the oaks. I destroyed their fruit above and their roots below. I brought you up out of Egypt and led you forty years in the wilderness to give you the land of the Amorites. "I also raised up prophets from among your children and Nazirites from among your youths. Is this not true, people of Israel?" declares the LORD. "But you made the Nazirites drink wine and commanded the prophets not to prophesy. "Now then, I will crush you as a cart crushes when loaded with grain. The swift will not escape, the strong will not muster their strength, and the warrior will not save his life. The archer will not stand his ground, the fleet-footed soldier will not get away, and the horseman will not save his life. Even the bravest warriors will flee naked on that day," declares the LORD.

5 men called John in the New Testament

1. John, father of Simon Peter (Matthew 16:17 GNB)
2. John the Baptist (Matthew 3:1, etc)
3. John the Apostle (Matthew 10:2, etc)
4. John of the high-priestly family (Acts 4:6)
5. John Mark (Acts 12:12, etc)

5 women at the cross

Matthew tells us that there were many women at the cross ... women who had followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to him. Among them he says were (See Matthew 27:55–56)

1. Mary Magdalene

2. Mary the mother of James and Joseph

3. The mother of the sons of Zebedee (identified as Salome in Mark 15:45 and as the sister of Mary Jesus's mother in John 19:25)

John Mentions

4. Jesus's mother also

5. Mary the wife of Clopas

5 or 6 women called Mary in the New Testament

The name Mary appears some 46 times in the NewTestament.

These references concern some different women.

1. Mary the mother of Jesus (Matthew 1:16, etc)

2. Mary Magdalene, who, according to John Wenham (The Easter Enigma) is the same woman as Mary of Bethany, the sister of Martha and Lazarus (Matthew 27:56, 61, 28:1, etc inc Luke 8:2 Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out and Luke 10:39, 42).

The idea is that rich Mary left the family home in Bethany and went to Magdala where she became a prostitute but was wonderfully restored.

The woman of John 12:3 is again then the same person.

3. Mary the wife of Clopas (John 19:25). She is probably the other Mary of Matthew 28:1 and the same woman that Mark identifies as Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joseph (Mark 15:40; see also Matthew 27:56, Luke 24:10).

4. Mary the mother of John Mark (Acts 12:12)

5. Mary of Rome (Romans 16:6). This could be one of the other Marys, such as John Mark's mother.

12 precious stones in the foundation of the Holy City in Revelation 21

Revelation 21:18-21

The wall was made of jasper, and the city of pure gold, as pure as glass. The foundations of the city walls were decorated with every kind of precious stone.

The first foundation was jasper,

the second sapphire,

the third agate,

the fourth emerald,

the fifth onyx

the sixth ruby

the seventh chrysolite,

the eighth beryl,

the ninth topaz,

the tenth turquoise,

the eleventh jacinth, and

the twelfth amethyst.

The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl. The great street of the city was of gold, as pure as transparent glass.

8 sorts destined for the fiery lake or second death Revelation 21

Revelation 21:7, 8

Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children. But

the cowardly,

the unbelieving,

the vile,

the murderers,

the sexually immoral,

those who practice magic arts,

the idolaters and

all liars

 - they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulphur. This is the second death.

5 men who served King David

1 Chronicles 27:32-34

Jonathan, David’s uncle, was a counselor, a man of insight and a scribe.

Jehiel son of Hakmoni took care of the king’s sons.

Ahithophel was the king’s counselor.

Hushai the Arkite was the king’s confidant.

Ahithophel was succeeded by Jehoiada son of Benaiah and by Abiathar.

Joab was the commander of the royal army.

12 officials in charge of King David's property

1 Chronicles 27:25-31

Azmaveth son of Adiel was in charge of the royal storehouses.

Jonathan son of Uzziah was in charge of the storehouses in the outlying districts, in the towns, the villages and the watchtowers. 

Ezri son of Kelub was in charge of the workers who farmed the land.

Shimei the Ramathite was in charge of the vineyards.

Zabdi the Shiphmite was in charge of the produce of the vineyards for the wine vats.

Baal-Hanan the Gederite was in charge of the olive and sycamore-fig trees in the western foothills.

Joash was in charge of the supplies of olive oil.

Shitrai the Sharonite was in charge of the herds grazing in Sharon.

Shaphat son of Adlai was in charge of the herds in the valleys.

Obil the Ishmaelite was in charge of the camels.

Jehdeiah the Meronothite was in charge of the donkeys. 

Jaziz the Hagrite was in charge of the flocks.

All these were the officials in charge of King David’s property.

12 army officers in charge of monthly divisions in King David's time

1 Chronicles 27:1-15

This is the list of the Israelites — heads of families, commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds, and their officers, who served the king in all that concerned the army divisions that were on duty month by month throughout the year. Each division consisted of 24,000 men.

In charge of the first division, for the first month, was Jashobeam son of Zabdiel. There were 24,000 men in his division. He was a descendant of Perez and chief of all the army officers for the first month.

In charge of the division for the second month was Dodai the Ahohite; Mikloth was the leader of his division. There were 24,000 men in his division.

The third army commander, for the third month, was Benaiah son of Jehoiada the priest. He was chief and there were 24,000 men in his division. This was the Benaiah who was a mighty warrior among the Thirty and was over the Thirty. His son Ammizabad was in charge of his division.

The fourth, for the fourth month, was Asahel the brother of Joab; his son Zebadiah was his successor. There were 24,000 men in his division.

The fifth, for the fifth month, was the commander Shamhuth the Izrahite. There were 24,000 men in his division.

The sixth, for the sixth month, was Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite. There were 24,000 men in his division.

The seventh, for the seventh month, was Helez the Pelonite, an Ephraimite. There were 24,000 men in his division.

The eighth, for the eighth month, was Sibbekai the Hushathite, a Zerahite. There were 24,000 men in his division.

The ninth, for the ninth month, was Abiezer the Anathothite, a Benjamite. There were 24,000 men in his division.

The tenth, for the tenth month, was Maharai the Netophathite, a Zerahite. There were 24,000 men in his division.

The eleventh, for the eleventh month, was Benaiah the Pirathonite, an Ephraimite. There were 24,000 men in his division.

The twelfth, for the twelfth month, was Heldai the Netophathite, from the family of Othniel. There were 24,000 men in his division.

4 Pauline things to put into practice as listed in Philippians 4:9

Philippians 4:9
Whatever you have learned
or received
or heard from me,
or seen in me - 

put it into practice.
And the God of peace will be with you.

8 sorts of things to think about in Philippians 4:8

Philippians 4:8

Finally, brothers and sisters,

whatever is true,
whatever is noble,
whatever is right,
whatever is pure,
whatever is lovely,
whatever is admirable - 
if anything is excellent
or praiseworthy - 

think about such things.

6 Qualites Paul was once proud of as found in Philippians

Philippians 3:4b-7

If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more:

circumcised on the eighth day,

of the people of Israel,

of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews;

in regard to the law, a Pharisee;

as for zeal, persecuting the church;

as for righteousness based on the law, faultless.

But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.

4 Types of work for Levites as set out by King David

1 Chronicles 23:1-5

When David was old and full of years, he made his son Solomon king over Israel. He also gathered together all the leaders of Israel, as well as the priests and Levites. The Levites thirty years old or more were counted, and the total number of men was thirty-eight thousand. David said,

"Of these, twenty-four thousand are to be in charge of the work of the temple of the Lord

and six thousand are to be officials and judges.

Four thousand are to be gatekeepers

and four thousand are to praise the Lord with the musical instruments I have provided for that purpose."

5 and more officials in the time of King David

1 Chronicles 18:14-17

David reigned over all Israel, doing what was just and right for all his people.

Joab son of Zeruiah was over the army;

Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was recorder;

Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelek son of Abiathar were priests;

Shavsha (or Seraiah) was secretary;

Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Kerethites and Pelethites;

and David’s sons were chief officials at the king’s side.

2 Samuel 8:15-18 reads the same except that it says that David's sons were priests (no doubt in the older sense of leaders or advisors)

5 stages from sending preachers to sinners believing in Romans 10

Romans 10:12-17

For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile - the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."

How, then, can they call

on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe

in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear

without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach

unless they are sent? As it is written: "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"

But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed our message?" Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.

20 Kings of Judah

In Judah the kings were

Rehoboam (c. 930–915 BC)
Abijah (r. 915–912 BC)
Asa (r. 912–870 BC)
Jehoshaphat (r. 870–849 BC)
Jehoram (r. 849–842 BC)
Ahaziah (r. 842–840 BC)
Athaliah (Queen) (r. 840–836 BC)
Jehoash (r. 836–796 BC)
Amaziah (r. 796–767 BC)
Uzziah (r. 767–750 BC)
Jotham (r. 750–735 BC)
Ahaz (r. 735–716 BC)
Hezekiah (r. 729/716 – 697/687 BC)
Manasseh (r. 697/687–643 BC)
Amon (r. 643–640 BC)
Josiah (r. 640–609 BC)
Jehoahaz (r. 609 BC)
Jehoiakim (r. 609–598 BC)
Jeconiah (r. Dec 9, 598– March 15, 597 BC)
Zedekiah (r. 597–586 BC)

19 Kings of Israel

After Saul, David and Solomon the Kingdom was divided. In the north there were 19 more kings before the nation's overthrow by the Assyrians. They were

Jeroboam

Nadab

Baasha

Elah

Zimri

Omri

Ahab

Ahaziah

Jehoram

Jehu

Jehoahaz

Jehoash

Jeroboam II

Zechariah

Shallum

Menahem

Pekahiah

Pekah

Hoshea

12 exhortations in 1 Thessalonians 5

1 Thessalonians 5:14-20

And we urge you, brothers and sisters,

warn those who are idle and disruptive,

encourage the disheartened,

help the weak,

be patient with everyone.

Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else

Rejoice always,

pray continually,

give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Do not quench the Spirit.

Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all;

hold on to what is good,

reject every kind of evil.

23 exhortations for Christians in Romans 12

Romans 12:9-21

Love must be sincere.
Hate what is evil;
cling to what is good.
Be devoted to one another in love.
Honour one another above yourselves.
Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervour, serving the Lord.
Be joyful in hope,
patient in affliction,
faithful in prayer.
Share with the Lord’s people who are in need.
Practise hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
Rejoice with those who rejoice;
mourn with those who mourn.
Live in harmony with one another.
Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.
Do not be conceited.
Do not repay anyone evil for evil.
Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.
If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord.
On the contrary: ‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.’
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

2 gifts and how to use them in 1 Peter 4:10,11

1 Peter 4:10, 11

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.

If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God.

If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.

To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

9 gifts of the Spirit in 1 Corinthians 12:7-11

1 Corinthians 12:7-11

Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.

To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom,

to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit,

to another faith by the same Spirit,

to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit,

to another miraculous powers,

to another prophecy,

to another distinguishing between spirits,

to another speaking in different kinds of tongues

and to still another the interpretation of tongues.

All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.

7 gifts and how to use them in Romans 12:6-8

Romans 12:6-8

We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us.

If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith;

if it is serving, then serve;

if it is teaching, then teach;

if it is to encourage, then give encouragement;

if it is giving, then give generously;

if it is to lead, do it diligently;

if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

10 exhortations in Psalm 105:1-6

Psalm 105:1-6

Give praise to the LORD,

proclaim his name;

make known among the nations what he has done.

Sing to him, sing praise to him;

tell of all his wonderful acts.

Glory in his holy name;

let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice.

Look to the LORD and his strength;

seek his face always.

Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced,

you his servants, the descendants of Abraham, his chosen ones, the children of Jacob.

7 things about Solomon that left the Queen of Sheba overwhelmed

1 Kings 10:4, 5
When the queen of Sheba saw

all the wisdom of Solomon
and the palace he had built,
the food on his table,
the seating of his officials,
the attending servants in their robes,
his cupbearers,
and the burnt offerings he made at the temple of the LORD,

she was overwhelmed.

12 District Governors under King Solomon

1 Kings 4:7-20 Solomon had twelve district governors over all Israel, who supplied provisions for the king and the royal household. Each one had to provide supplies for one month in the year. These are their names:

Ben-Hur - in the hill country of Ephraim;

Ben-Deker - in Makaz, Shaalbim, Beth Shemesh and Elon Bethhanan;

Ben-Hesed - in Arubboth (Sokoh and all the land of Hepher were his);

Ben-Abinadab - in Naphoth Dor (he was married to Taphath daughter of Solomon); 

Baana son of Ahilud - in Taanach and Megiddo, and in all of Beth Shan next to Zarethan below Jezreel, from Beth Shan to Abel Meholah across to Jokmeam;

Ben-Geber - in Ramoth Gilead (the settlements of Jair son of Manasseh in Gilead were his, as well as the region of Argob in Bashan and its sixty large walled cities with bronze gate bars);

Ahinadab son of Iddo - in Mahanaim;

Ahimaaz - in Naphtali (he had married Basemath daughter of Solomon);

Baana son of Hushai - in Asher and in Aloth;

Jehoshaphat son of Paruah - in Issachar;

Shimei son of Ela - in Benjamin;

Geber son of Uri - in Gilead (the country of Sihon king of the Amorites and the country of Og king of Bashan). He was the only governor over the district.

11 chief officials under King Solomon

1 Kings 4:1-6 So King Solomon ruled over all Israel. And these were his chief officials:

Azariah son of Zadok - the priest;
Elihoreph
and Ahijah, sons of Shisha - secretaries;
Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud - recorder;
Benaiah son of Jehoiada - commander in chief;
Zadok
and Abiathar - priests;
Azariah son of Nathan - in charge of the district governors;
Zabud son of Nathan - a priest and adviser to the king;
Ahishar - palace administrator;
Adoniram son of Abda - in charge of forced labour.

3 Amorites allied with Abraham in Lot's Day, Genesis 14:13

Genesis 14:13 A man who had escaped came and reported this to Abram the Hebrew. Now Abram was living near the great trees of

Mamre the Amorite,

a brother of Eshkol

and Aner,

all of whom were allied with Abram.  

6 tribes defeated by Kederlaomer and his allies in Abraham and Lot's Day, Genesis 14

Genesis 14:5-7
In the fourteenth year, Kedorlaomer and the kings allied with him went out and defeated

the Rephaites in Ashteroth Karnaim,
the Zuzites in Ham,
the Emites in Shaveh Kiriathaim
and the Horites in the hill country of Seir, as far as El Paran near the desert.

Then they turned back and went

to En Mishpat (that is, Kadesh), and they conquered the whole territory of the Amalekites,
as well as the Amorites who were living in Hazezon Tamar.

5 kings who fought four in the days of Abraham and Lot, Genesis 14

Genesis 14:2-4 ... these kings went to war against

Bera king of Sodom,
Birsha king of Gomorrah,
Shinab king of Admah,
Shemeber king of Zeboyim,
and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar).

All these latter kings joined forces in the Valley of Siddim (that is, the Dead Sea Valley). For twelve years they had been subject to Kedorlaomer, but in the thirteenth year they rebelled.
(Also see verse 8)

4 Kings who fought five in the days of Abraham and Lot, Genesis 14

Genesis 14:1 At the time when

Amraphel was king of Shinar,

Arioch king of Ellasar,

Kedorlaomer king of Elam

and Tidal king of Goyim,...

(See also verse 9 Kedorlaomer king of Elam, Tidal king of Goyim, Amraphel king of Shinar and Arioch king of Ellasar--four kings against five)

9 centurions mentioned in the New Testament

1. Unnamed man in Capernaum Matthew 8:5ff; Luke 7:1ff.

When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help.

2. Unnamed man in charge of the crucifixion of Christ Matthew 27:54, Mark 15:39-45, Luke 23:47

When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, "Surely he was the Son of God!"
3. Cornelius of the Italian Regiment Acts 10:1ff

At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment.

4. Unnamed man who is about to flog Paul when he learns he is a Roman citizen Acts 22:25ff

As they stretched him out to flog him, Paul said to the centurion standing there, "Is it legal for you to flog a Roman citizen who hasn't even been found guilty?" 

5. Unnamed man Paul asks to take his nephew to his commanding officer Acts 23:17ff

Then Paul called one of the centurions and said, "Take this young man to the commander; he has something to tell him." 

6. Unnamed men who took Paul to Caesarea Acts 23:23ff

Then he called two of his centurions and ordered them, "Get ready a detachment of two hundred soldiers, seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen to go to Caesarea at nine tonight.

7. Unnamed man told to look after Paul Acts 24:23

He ordered the centurion to keep Paul under guard but to give him some freedom and permit his friends to take care of his needs.

8. Julius of the Imperial Regiment Acts 27:1ff

When it was decided that we would sail for Italy, Paul and some other prisoners were handed over to a centurion named Julius, who belonged to the Imperial Regiment. 

4 Nations the Lord left to test Israel in the days of the Judges

Judges 3:1-3

These are the nations the Lord left to test all those Israelites who had not experienced any of the wars in Canaan (he did this only to teach warfare to the descendants of the Israelites who had not had previous battle experience):

the five rulers of the Philistines,

all the Canaanites,

the Sidonians,

and the Hivites living in the Lebanon mountains from Mount Baal Hermon to Lebo Hamath.

4 Rivers of Eden, Genesis 2

Genesis 2:10-14

A river watering the garden flowed from Eden; from there it was separated into four headwaters.

The name of the first is the Pishon; it winds through the entire land of Havilah, where there is gold.(The gold of that land is good; aromatic resin and onyx are also there.)

The name of the second river is the Gihon; it winds through the entire land of Cush.

The name of the third river is the Tigris; it runs along the east side of Ashur.

And the fourth river is the Euphrates.

5 Amorite Kings in the time of Joshua

Joshua 10:1-6 Now Adoni-Zedek king of Jerusalem heard that Joshua had taken Ai and totally destroyed[a] it, doing to Ai and its king as he had done to Jericho and its king, and that the people of Gibeon had made a treaty of peace with Israel and had become their allies. He and his people were very much alarmed at this, because Gibeon was an important city, like one of the royal cities; it was larger than Ai, and all its men were good fighters. So

Adoni-Zedek king of Jerusalem appealed to

Hoham king of Hebron,

Piram king of Jarmuth,

Japhia king of Lachish

and Debir king of Eglon.

‘Come up and help me attack Gibeon,’ he said, ‘because it has made peace with Joshua and the Israelites.’ Then the five kings of the Amorites – 

the kings of Jerusalem,

Hebron,

Jarmuth,

Lachish

and Eglon

 – joined forces. They moved up with all their troops and took up positions against Gibeon and attacked it. ... 

22, 23 Joshua said, ‘Open the mouth of the cave and bring those five kings out to me.’ So they brought the five kings out of the cave –

the kings of Jerusalem,

Hebron,

Jarmuth,

Lachish

and Eglon

4 Gibeonite Cities in the time of Joshua

Joshua 10:17
So the Israelites set out and on the third day came to their cities:

Gibeon,
Kephirah,
Beeroth
and Kiriath Jearim.

4 pairs of blessings pronounced on Joseph by Moses

Deuteronomy 33:13-17

About Joseph he said: "May the LORD bless his land

with the precious dew from heaven above

and with the deep waters that lie below;

with the best the sun brings forth

and the finest the moon can yield;

with the choicest gifts of the ancient mountains

and the fruitfulness of the everlasting hills;

with the best gifts of the earth and its fullness

and the favour of him who dwelt in the burning bush.

Let all these rest on the head of Joseph, on the brow of the prince among his brothers. In majesty he is like a firstborn bull; his horns are the horns of a wild ox. With them he will gore the nations, even those at the ends of the earth. Such are the ten thousands of Ephraim; such are the thousands of Manasseh."

The first two here are merisms and the other two parallelisms.

197 animals sacrificed as burnt offerings in Ezra's time

Ezra 8:35
Then the exiles who had returned from captivity sacrificed burnt offerings to the God of Israel:

twelve bulls for all Israel,
ninety-six rams,
seventy-seven male lambs
and, as a sin offering, twelve male goats.

All this was a burnt offering to the LORD.

12 Levites and 5 portions of treasure from the time of Ezra

Ezra 8:24-30

Then I set apart twelve of the leading priests, namely,

Sherebiah,

Hashabiah

and ten of their brothers,

I weighed out to them the offering of silver and gold and the articles that the king, his advisers, his officials and all Israel present there had donated for the house of our God. I weighed out to them

650 talents of silver,

silver articles weighing 100 talents,

100 talents of gold,

20 bowls of gold valued at 1,000 darics,

and two fine articles of polished bronze, as precious as gold.

I said to them, "You as well as these articles are consecrated to the LORD. The silver and gold are a freewill offering to the LORD, the God of your ancestors. Guard them carefully until you weigh them out in the chambers of the house of the LORD in Jerusalem before the leading priests and the Levites and the family heads of Israel." Then the priests and Levites received the silver and gold and sacred articles that had been weighed out to be taken to the house of our God in Jerusalem.

38 Levites and 220 Temple servants in the time of Ezra

Ezra 8:18-20

Because the gracious hand of our God was on us, they brought us

Sherebiah, a capable man, from the descendants of Mahli son of Levi, the son of Israel, and Sherebiah's sons and brothers, 18 in all;

and Hashabiah, together with Jeshaiah from the descendants of Merari, and his brothers and nephews, 20 in all.

They also brought 220 of the temple servants - a body that David and the officials had established to assist the Levites. All were registered by name.

11 men commissioned by Ezra to find more Levites

Ezra 8:15-17

I assembled them at the canal that flows toward Ahava, and we camped there three days. When I checked among the people and the priests, I found no Levites there. So I summoned

Eliezer,

Ariel,

Shemaiah,

Elnathan,

Jarib,

Elnathan,

Nathan,

Zechariah

and Meshullam,

who were leaders,

and Joiarib

and Elnathan,

who were men of learning,

and I ordered them to go to Iddo, the leader in Kasiphia. I told them what to say to Iddo and his fellow Levites, the temple servants in Kasiphia, so that they might bring attendants to us for the house of our God.

15 men and groups of men who returned from exile in Ezra's time

Ezra 8:1-14

These are the family heads and those registered with them who came up with me from Babylon during the reign of King Artaxerxes:

of the descendants of Phinehas, Gershom;
of the descendants of Ithamar, Daniel;
of the descendants of David, Hattush of the descendants of Shekaniah;
of the descendants of Parosh, Zechariah, and with him were registered 150 men;
of the descendants of Pahath-Moab, Eliehoenai son of Zerahiah, and with him 200 men;
of the descendants of Zattu, Shekaniah son of Jahaziel, and with him 300 men;
of the descendants of Adin, Ebed son of Jonathan, and with him 50 men;
of the descendants of Elam, Jeshaiah son of Athaliah, and with him 70 men;
of the descendants of Shephatiah, Zebadiah son of Michael, and with him 80 men;
of the descendants of Joab, Obadiah son of Jehiel, and with him 218 men;
of the descendants of Bani, Shelomith son of Josiphiah, and with him 160 men;
of the descendants of Bebai, Zechariah son of Bebai, and with him 28 men;
of the descendants of Azgad, Johanan son of Hakkatan, and with him 110 men;
of the descendants of Adonikam, the last ones, whose names were Eliphelet, Jeuel and Shemaiah, and with them 60 men;
of the descendants of Bigvai, Uthai and Zakkur, and with them 70 men.

16 generations of ancestors of Ezra the priest Ezra 7

Ezra 7:1-6

After these things, during the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Ezra

son of Seraiah,
the son of Azariah,
the son of Hilkiah,
the son of Shallum,
the son of Zadok,
the son of Ahitub,
the son of Amariah,
the son of Azariah,
the son of Meraioth,
the son of Zerahiah,
the son of Uzzi,
the son of Bukki,
the son of Abishua,
the son of Phinehas,
the son of Eleazar,
the son of Aaron the chief priest - 

this Ezra came up from Babylon. He was a teacher well versed in the Law of Moses, which the LORD, the God of Israel, had given. The king had granted him everything he asked, for the hand of the LORD his God was on him.

3 categories of gift mentioned in Ezra 2

Ezra 2:68-70

When they arrived at the house of the LORD in Jerusalem, some of the heads of the families gave freewill offerings toward the rebuilding of the house of God on its site. According to their ability they gave to the treasury for this work

61,000 darics of gold,

5,000 minas of silver

and 100 priestly garments.

The priests, the Levites, the musicians, the gatekeepers and the temple servants settled in their own towns, along with some of the other people, and the rest of the Israelites settled in their towns.

7 categories of people and animals mentioned in Ezra 2

Ezra 2:64-67

The whole company numbered 42,360,

besides their 7,337 male and female slaves;

and they also had 200 male and female singers. 

They had 736 horses,

245 mules,

435 camels

and 6,720 donkeys.

4 groups unable to show their Israelite descent mentioned in Ezra 2

Ezra 2:59-63

The following came up from the towns of Tel Melah, Tel Harsha, Kerub, Addon and Immer, but they could not show that their families were descended from Israel:

The descendants of

Delaiah,

Tobiah

and Nekoda, 652.

And from among the priests: The descendants of Hobaiah, Hakkoz and Barzillai (a man who had married a daughter of Barzillai the Gileadite and was called by that name).

These searched for their family records, but they could not find them and so were excluded from the priesthood as unclean. The governor ordered them not to eat any of the most sacred food until there was a priest ministering with the Urim and Thummim.

6 groups of Priests, Levites, etc listed in Ezra 2

Ezra 2:36-58
The priests:
the descendants of Jedaiah (through the family of Jeshua), 973;
of Immer, 1,052;
of Pashhur, 1,247;
of Harim, 1,017.

The Levites:
the descendants of Jeshua and Kadmiel (of the line of Hodaviah), 74.

The musicians:
the descendants of Asaph, 128.

The gatekeepers of the temple:
the descendants of Shallum, Ater, Talmon, Akkub, Hatita and Shobai, 139

The temple servants:
the descendants of Ziha, Hasupha, Tabbaoth, Keros, Siaha, Padon, Lebanah, Hagabah, Akkub, Hagab, Shalmai, Hanan, Giddel, Gahar, Reaiah, Rezin, Nekoda, Gazzam, Uzza, Paseah, Besai, Asnah, Meunim, Nephusim, Bakbuk, Hakupha, Harhur, Bazluth, Mehida, Harsha, Barkos, Sisera, Temah, Neziah and Hatipha

The descendants of the servants of Solomon:
the descendants of Sotai, Hassophereth, Peruda, Jaala, Darkon, Giddel, Shephatiah, Hattil, Pokereth-Hazzebaim and Ami
The temple servants and the descendants of the servants of Solomon, 392.

33 groups of people listed in Ezra 2

Ezra 2:2b-35

The list of the men of the people of Israel:

the descendants of Parosh, 2,172;
of Shephatiah, 372;
of Arah, 775;
of Pahath-Moab (through the line of Jeshua and Joab), 2,812;
of Elam, 1,254;
of Zattu, 945;
of Zakkai, 760;
of Bani, 642;
of Bebai, 623;
of Azgad, 1,222;
of Adonikam, 666;
of Bigvai, 2,056;
of Adin, 454;
of Ater (through Hezekiah), 98;
of Bezai, 323;
of Jorah, 112;
of Hashum, 223;
of Gibbar, 95;
the men of Bethlehem, 123;
of Netophah, 56;
of Anathoth, 128;
of Azmaveth, 42;
of KiriathJearim, Kephirah and Beeroth, 743;
of Ramah and Geba, 621;
of Mikmash, 122;
of Bethel and Ai, 223;
of Nebo, 52
of Magbish, 156;
of the other Elam, 1,254;
of Harim, 320;
of Lod, Hadid and Ono, 725;
of Jericho, 345;
of Senaah, 3,630.

11 Leaders listed in Ezra 2

Ezra 2:1-2b

Now these are the people of the province who came up from the captivity of the exiles, whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had taken captive to Babylon (they returned to Jerusalem and Judah, each to their own town, in company with

Zerubbabel,
Joshua,
Nehemiah,
Seraiah,
Reelaiah,
Mordecai,
Bilshan,
Mispar,
Bigvai,
Rehum
and Baanah):

6 Items in the inventory of Temple articles in Ezra

Ezra 1:7-11

... Moreover, King Cyrus brought out the articles belonging to the temple of the LORD, which Nebuchadnezzar had carried away from Jerusalem and had placed in the temple of his god. Cyrus king of Persia had them brought by Mithredath the treasurer, who counted them out to Sheshbazzar the prince of Judah. This was the inventory:

gold dishes, 30;

silver dishes, 1,000;

silver pans, 29;

gold bowls, 30;

matching silver bowls, 410;

other articles, 1,000.

In all, there were 5,400 articles of gold and of silver. Sheshbazzar brought all these along with the exiles when they came up from Babylon to Jerusalem.

8 Unclean animals that move along the ground from Leviticus

Leviticus 11:29ff

"'Of the animals that move along the ground, these are unclean for you:

the weasel,

the rat,

any kind of great lizard,

the gecko,

the monitor lizard,

the wall lizard,

the skink

and the chameleon.

Of all those that move along the ground, these are unclean for you. Whoever touches them when they are dead will be unclean till evening. When one of them dies and falls on something, that article, whatever its use, will be unclean, whether it is made of wood, cloth, hide or sackcloth. Put it in water; it will be unclean till evening, and then it will be clean. ….

4 Types of Clean insect listed in Leviticus

Leviticus 11:20-29

"'All flying insects that walk on all fours are to be regarded as unclean by you. There are, however, some flying insects that walk on all fours that you may eat: those that have jointed legs for hopping on the ground. Of these you may eat

any kind of locust,

katydid,

cricket

or grasshopper.

But all other flying insects that have four legs you are to regard as unclean.

"'You will make yourselves unclean by these; whoever touches their carcasses will be unclean till evening. Whoever picks up one of their carcasses must wash their clothes, and they will be unclean till evening.

"'Every animal that does not have a divided hoof or that does not chew the cud is unclean for you; whoever touches the carcass of any of them will be unclean. Of all the animals that walk on all fours, those that walk on their paws are unclean for you; whoever touches their carcasses will be unclean till evening. Anyone who picks up their carcasses must wash their clothes, and they will be unclean till evening. These animals are unclean for you.

20 Unclean birds

Leviticus 11:13-19

"'These are the birds you are to regard as unclean and not eat because they are unclean:

the eagle,
the vulture,
the black vulture,
the red kite,
any kind of black kite,
any kind of raven,
the horned owl,
the screech owl,
the gull,
any kind of hawk,
the little owl,
the cormorant,
the great owl,
the white owl,
the desert owl,
the osprey,
the stork,
any kind of heron,
the hoopoe
and the bat.

Deuteronomy 14:11-18

You may eat any clean bird. But these you may not eat:

the eagle,
the vulture, the black vulture,
the red kite,
the black kite,
any kind of falcon,
any kind of raven,
the horned owl,
the screech owl,
the gull,
any kind of hawk,
the little owl,
the great owl,
the white owl,
the desert owl,
the osprey
the cormorant,
the stork,
any kind of heron,
the hoopoe
and the bat.