Wisdom Literature Quiz

Question 1

The book of Proverbs begins by stating the beginning of wisdom is what?

Accepted Answer

The fear of the LORD

Answer

The study of God's law

Answer

Listening to your parents

Answer

Seeking knowledge and understanding

Question 2

The book of Job begins with a conversation between God and whom about Job's righteousness?

Accepted Answer

Satan

Answer

An angel

Answer

Job's wife

Answer

Eliphaz

Question 3

Ecclesiastes uses a repeated phrase to describe the emptiness of worldly pursuits. What is it?

Accepted Answer

'Vanity of vanities, all is vanity'

Answer

'All is shadow and darkness'

Answer

'There is nothing new under the sun'

Answer

'The wind blows south and turns to the north'

Question 4

Job had three friends who came to comfort him. Which of the following was NOT one of Job's three friends?

Accepted Answer

Elihu the Buzite

Answer

Eliphaz the Temanite

Answer

Bildad the Shuhite

Answer

Zophar the Naamathite

Question 5

The Song of Solomon (Song of Songs) is unique in the Bible because:

Accepted Answer

It is entirely written as poetry in the form of a love song between a bridegroom and bride

Answer

It is the only book with no mention of God

Answer

It is the only book attributed to two different authors

Answer

It contains the only direct quotation of God's own words in poetry form

Question 6

How many chapters does the book of Psalms have, making it the longest book in the Bible?

Accepted Answer

150

Answer

100

Answer

120

Answer

175

Question 7

Proverbs 31 contains a famous description of what?

Accepted Answer

The excellent wife of noble character

Answer

The ideal king who rules with justice and wisdom

Answer

The foolish youth who rejects wisdom

Answer

The wise elder who counsels the community

Question 8

In the book of Job, God's answer to Job comes from what?

Accepted Answer

A whirlwind

Answer

A burning bush as with Moses

Answer

A still small voice as with Elijah

Answer

An angelic messenger

Question 9

Ecclesiastes 3 contains a famous poem beginning with 'There is a time for everything.' Which of these pairings does NOT appear in it?

Accepted Answer

A time to build and a time to pray

Answer

A time to be born and a time to die

Answer

A time to plant and a time to uproot

Answer

A time to laugh and a time to weep

Question 10

The 23rd Psalm, one of the most beloved in the Bible, was written by whom?

Accepted Answer

David

Answer

Solomon

Answer

Moses

Answer

Asaph

Question 11

What is the main theological question the book of Job wrestles with?

Accepted Answer

Why the righteous suffer — can a good person suffer for reasons other than their own sin?

Answer

Whether God exists and can be known

Answer

Whether God's commands in the law can be kept

Answer

How to maintain faith during periods of national exile

Question 12

Proverbs is often associated with Solomon. According to 1 Kings 4:32, how many proverbs did Solomon speak?

Accepted Answer

3000

Answer

300

Answer

1000

Answer

10000

Question 13

The book of Ecclesiastes opens with 'The words of the Teacher, son of David, king in Jerusalem.' Who is traditionally identified as the Teacher (Qohelet)?

Accepted Answer

Both 'Solomon' and 'an unknown author' are widely held views

Answer

David himself

Answer

Solomon

Answer

A later unknown author writing in Solomon's voice

Question 14

Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the entire Bible. It is structured as an acrostic around what?

Accepted Answer

The 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet — each section of 8 verses begins with successive letters

Answer

The names of the twelve tribes of Israel

Answer

The 10 commandments, with each section addressing a different commandment

Answer

The 7 days of creation, with each section meditating on a day

Question 15

God restored Job's fortunes after his suffering. How did God describe the amount He restored to Job?

Accepted Answer

Twice as much as he had before

Answer

The same amount as before — exactly restored

Answer

Half as much again as he had before

Answer

Ten times as much as he had before

Question 16

Proverbs personifies Wisdom as a woman calling in the streets. She is contrasted with which opposing figure?

Accepted Answer

The adulteress woman / Folly

Answer

The wicked king

Answer

The lazy man

Answer

The false prophet

Question 17

The 'penitential psalms' are a group of psalms expressing repentance. The most famous, Psalm 51, was written by David after what event?

Accepted Answer

His sin with Bathsheba and the death of Uriah

Answer

His flight from his son Absalom's rebellion

Answer

His census of Israel that brought a plague

Answer

His years of running from King Saul

Question 18

Song of Solomon 8:6 contains a powerful statement about love. What does it say?

Accepted Answer

Both 'love is as strong as death' and 'many waters cannot quench love' appear in 8:6-7

Answer

Love is patient and kind, bearing all things

Answer

Love is as strong as death; its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire

Answer

Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot sweep it away

Question 19

Which Psalm begins 'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?' — words later quoted by Jesus on the cross?

Accepted Answer

Psalm 22

Answer

Psalm 23

Answer

Psalm 69

Answer

Psalm 88

Question 20

What is the conclusion and ultimate message of the book of Ecclesiastes?

Accepted Answer

Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man

Answer

Seek wisdom and knowledge above all things for they give lasting meaning

Answer

Life is ultimately meaningless and death makes everything equal

Answer

Enjoy whatever pleasures you can, for they are God's gifts to the living