Ruth and Esther Quiz

Question 1

The book of Ruth is set during what period of Israelite history?

Accepted Answer

The period of the Judges

Answer

The time of the patriarchs

Answer

The reign of King David

Answer

The Babylonian exile

Question 2

Why did Naomi and her family originally leave Bethlehem and go to Moab?

Accepted Answer

Because of a famine in the land

Answer

To find a better king to serve under

Answer

They were exiled by the elders of Bethlehem

Answer

To trade with the Moabite merchants

Question 3

What was the name of Naomi's husband who died in Moab?

Accepted Answer

Elimelech

Answer

Boaz

Answer

Chilion

Answer

Mahlon

Question 4

Orpah and Ruth were both Moabite daughters-in-law of Naomi. What did Orpah do when Naomi urged them to return to their families?

Accepted Answer

She kissed Naomi goodbye and returned to Moab

Answer

She refused and followed Naomi to Bethlehem

Answer

She stayed but later returned after a year

Answer

She travelled with them as far as the Jordan River

Question 5

What Mosaic law did Ruth take advantage of to gather food in Boaz's field?

Accepted Answer

The law of gleaning — that harvesters must leave the edges of fields for the poor

Answer

The law of firstfruits

Answer

The law of the Sabbath rest for workers

Answer

The law of hospitality to foreigners

Question 6

What is a 'kinsman-redeemer' (goel) in the context of the book of Ruth?

Accepted Answer

A close relative who had the right and responsibility to redeem a family member in need

Answer

A judge appointed to settle family disputes

Answer

A priest who performed redemption rituals

Answer

A military commander who protected the clan

Question 7

How did Ruth propose to Boaz at the threshing floor?

Accepted Answer

She uncovered his feet and lay at them, asking him to spread his garment over her

Answer

She sang a traditional Moabite wedding song

Answer

She gave him a gift of bread and wine

Answer

She asked Naomi to speak to him on her behalf

Question 8

There was a closer kinsman-redeemer than Boaz who had first right to Ruth. How did this man waive his right?

Accepted Answer

He removed his sandal and gave it to Boaz at the city gate before witnesses

Answer

He gave Boaz a written document at the city gates

Answer

He publically renounced his claim in the synagogue

Answer

He left the city permanently

Question 9

Ruth and Boaz had a son named Obed. What was Obed's significance in Israel's history?

Accepted Answer

He was the grandfather of King David

Answer

He became a great judge of Israel

Answer

He became the high priest of Israel

Answer

He led the armies of Israel against the Philistines

Question 10

The book of Esther is unique in the Bible for what reason?

Accepted Answer

It is the only book that never explicitly mentions the name of God

Answer

It is the only book written entirely in Aramaic

Answer

It is the only book written by a woman

Answer

It is the only book set entirely outside of the Promised Land and Mesopotamia

Question 11

Why was Queen Vashti removed from her position by King Ahasuerus (Xerxes)?

Accepted Answer

She refused the king's command to appear before his guests

Answer

She was caught in an act of treason

Answer

She had secretly converted to Judaism

Answer

She failed to produce an heir for the king

Question 12

Who was Esther's older cousin who raised her as his own daughter?

Accepted Answer

Mordecai

Answer

Haman

Answer

Hegai

Answer

Memucan

Question 13

Why did Haman plot to destroy all the Jews in the Persian Empire?

Accepted Answer

Mordecai refused to bow down or pay homage to Haman

Answer

The Jews had refused to pay taxes to the king

Answer

Esther had publicly humiliated Haman at a royal banquet

Answer

The Jews were accused of plotting against the king

Question 14

Mordecai's famous challenge to Esther when she hesitated to approach the king included what famous phrase?

Accepted Answer

'Who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?'

Answer

'Fear not, for God has not forsaken his people'

Answer

'Rise up, Esther, for the Lord has chosen you for this hour'

Answer

'Do not be silent when your people cry out'

Question 15

Esther asked the Jewish people to fast for her before she approached the king. For how long?

Accepted Answer

Three days and three nights

Answer

One day and one night

Answer

Seven days

Answer

Forty days

Question 16

Instead of immediately revealing Haman's plot to the king, what did Esther do at her first banquet?

Accepted Answer

She invited the king and Haman to a second banquet the next day

Answer

She accused Haman publicly before all the guests

Answer

She wept before the king and he demanded to know why

Answer

She showed the king Mordecai's scroll recording his loyalty

Question 17

Haman had built a gallows 50 cubits (approximately 23 metres) high. Who ended up being hanged on it?

Accepted Answer

Haman himself

Answer

Mordecai, as Haman planned

Answer

The ten sons of Haman

Answer

The king's advisers who sided with Haman

Question 18

What position did Mordecai receive after Haman's fall?

Accepted Answer

Chief adviser and second-in-command to King Ahasuerus

Answer

Commander-in-chief of the Persian army

Answer

Governor of the Jewish province

Answer

High priest of the Jewish community

Question 19

What is the Hebrew name of Queen Esther, used among her own people?

Accepted Answer

Hadassah

Answer

Deborah

Answer

Miriam

Answer

Abigail

Question 20

Both Ruth and Esther appear in the genealogy of Jesus in the New Testament. Where does Ruth's name appear?

Accepted Answer

In Matthew's genealogy at the beginning of the New Testament

Answer

In Luke's genealogy only

Answer

In both Matthew and Luke's genealogies

Answer

She is not named but referenced in Hebrews 11