Ruth and Esther Quiz

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

1. The Babylonian exile
2. The period of the Judges
3. The reign of King David
4. The time of the patriarchs

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

1. Because of a famine in the land
2. They were exiled by the elders of Bethlehem
3. To find a better king to serve under
4. To trade with the Moabite merchants

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

1. Boaz
2. Chilion
3. Elimelech
4. Mahlon

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?

1. She kissed Naomi goodbye and returned to Moab
2. She refused and followed Naomi to Bethlehem
3. She stayed but later returned after a year
4. She travelled with them as far as the Jordan River

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

1. The law of firstfruits
2. The law of gleaning — that harvesters must leave the edges of fields for the poor
3. The law of hospitality to foreigners
4. The law of the Sabbath rest for workers

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

1. A close relative who had the right and responsibility to redeem a family member in need
2. A judge appointed to settle family disputes
3. A military commander who protected the clan
4. A priest who performed redemption rituals

7. How did Ruth propose to Boaz at the threshing floor?

1. She asked Naomi to speak to him on her behalf
2. She gave him a gift of bread and wine
3. She sang a traditional Moabite wedding song
4. She uncovered his feet and lay at them, asking him to spread his garment over her

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

1. He gave Boaz a written document at the city gates
2. He left the city permanently
3. He publically renounced his claim in the synagogue
4. He removed his sandal and gave it to Boaz at the city gate before witnesses

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

1. He became a great judge of Israel
2. He became the high priest of Israel
3. He led the armies of Israel against the Philistines
4. He was the grandfather of King David

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

1. It is the only book set entirely outside of the Promised Land and Mesopotamia
2. It is the only book that never explicitly mentions the name of God
3. It is the only book written by a woman
4. It is the only book written entirely in Aramaic

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

1. She failed to produce an heir for the king
2. She had secretly converted to Judaism
3. She refused the king's command to appear before his guests
4. She was caught in an act of treason

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

1. Haman
2. Hegai
3. Memucan
4. Mordecai

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

1. Esther had publicly humiliated Haman at a royal banquet
2. Mordecai refused to bow down or pay homage to Haman
3. The Jews had refused to pay taxes to the king
4. The Jews were accused of plotting against the king

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

1. 'Do not be silent when your people cry out'
2. 'Fear not, for God has not forsaken his people'
3. 'Rise up, Esther, for the Lord has chosen you for this hour'
4. 'Who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?'

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

1. Forty days
2. One day and one night
3. Seven days
4. Three days and three nights

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

1. She accused Haman publicly before all the guests
2. She invited the king and Haman to a second banquet the next day
3. She showed the king Mordecai's scroll recording his loyalty
4. She wept before the king and he demanded to know why

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

1. Haman himself
2. Mordecai, as Haman planned
3. The king's advisers who sided with Haman
4. The ten sons of Haman

18. What position did Mordecai receive after Haman's fall?

1. Chief adviser and second-in-command to King Ahasuerus
2. Commander-in-chief of the Persian army
3. Governor of the Jewish province
4. High priest of the Jewish community

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

1. Abigail
2. Deborah
3. Hadassah
4. Miriam

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

1. In both Matthew and Luke's genealogies
2. In Luke's genealogy only
3. In Matthew's genealogy at the beginning of the New Testament
4. She is not named but referenced in Hebrews 11