Who's ? Right: Top Ten Biblical Mysteries

While there are many enigmatic passages scattered throughout the Holy Books of the Abrahamic religions, the following Top Ten list was created, compiled and presented by the Who's ? Right Blog.

 10   Biblical Giants    

While the Tanakh, Old Testament and Qur'an suggest that giants were produced as a result of the "Sons of God and the Daughters of Men" intermingling, there is no definite proof of such a claim, therefore making this one the Bible's most interesting, if not gigantic, mysteries. And, while it is written that giants came about in such a celestial way before the great Flood of Noah, it does not go into detail where the Philistine giants came from in the Post-Flood world.

For more information, please visit: The Nephilim (Biblical Giants)

  9    10 Lost Tribes of Israel  

The 10 Lost Tribes of Israel refers to the ancient Israelites that formed the Kingdom of Israel and eventually 'disappeared' from Biblical and Talmudic history after the kingdom was destroyed by ancient Assyria around 720 BC. Many speculations have been given over many centuries of the possible whereabouts of this ancient kingdom's people, but it has mysteriously remained a secret even unto our modern times. 

For more information, please visit: 10 Lost Tribes of Israel

  8    Manna From Heaven    

The word "manna" appears only twice in the Tanakh/Old Testament and three times in the Qur'an . The Bible descriptions vary as well - Exodus describes the substance as "a fine, flake-like thing" that had the taste of honey wafers; Numbers adds that it had the "appearance of bdellium", which was ground and made into a cake-like treat. The Sahih Muslim narrates in the hadith that the prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, "Truffles are part of the 'mana' which Allah, sent to the people of Israel through Moses, and its juice is a medicine for the eye." Nor could the heavenly substance be stored for the next day. A mystery within the mystery...

For more information, please visit: Manna (a heavenly substance) 

  7    Witch of Endor     

From ancient tales to modern Hebrew poetry, the biblical story of the witch of Endor (who purportedly raised the spirit of Samuel) has many interpretations. In the 2nd century A.D., the Septuagint describes her as a ventriloquist, the Yalkut Shimoni (11th century A. D.) suggests that the witch is the mother of Abner, and modern Christian denominations, such as the Seventh-Day Adventists, imply that the story is an example of ancient witchcraft or sorcery in the Bible. Another spellbinding mystery that remains obscure.

For more information, please visit: Witch of Endor

  6    Pharaoh of the Exodus  

    

The book of Exodus relates how the Israelites were enslaved in Egypt and the eventual escape led by Moses, yet the scriptures do not enlighten who the pharaoh was during that time. Some scholars believe there were two Egyptian rulers involved: "the pharaoh of the oppression" and "the pharaoh of the exodus", which neither are named in the Holy Books. Suggestions as to which of Egypt's many rulers was involved spans from Thitmose I to Merneptah. This reigning mystery remains a regal puzzle in our modern times.

For more information, please visit: Pharaoh of the Exodus

  5     Melchezidek 

Melchizedek is listed in the Holy Bibles as being the King of Salem, in the land of Mesopotamia, who anoints and blesses Abram (Abraham) after the Battle of the Vale Siddim. He was the first person mentioned in the Torah/Pentateuch as being titled a priest (preceding Adam in the priesthood). According to the Dead Sea Scrolls, he is described as a 'divine being'. Melchizedek is not mentioned in the Qur'an, but there are a few Islamic scholars who suggest a link between him and Khidr, a holy servant of Allah. Few mysteries of the Hebrew and Christian Bibles have attracted more interest than the enigmatic identity of Melchizedek. 

For more information, please visit: Melchizedek: The Mystery Man

  4    Noah's Ark           
     

Noah's Ark refers to the vessel in the Genesis flood narrative, which God saves Noah, his family and a remnant of all the world's animals from the destruction of the great flood. Detailed instructions on the construction of the ark can be found outlined in the Holy Books, and it is purported that it [the ark] came to rest on Mount Ararat, yet it's actual location remains cloaked in obscurity. The search for Noah's Ark has been ongoing since the time of Eusebius (c/275-339 A.D.)

For more information, please visit: Noah's Ark

  3    Garden of Eden       

The Garden of Eden was a biblical "garden of God" described in the canonical books of Genesis, Ezekiel and Isaiah and discussed indirectly in other sections of the the Tanakh/Old Testament. There are many stories, myths, epics and poems attributed to the Garden of Eden, but none have satisfied the curiosity of mankind as to its actual location. Most scholars agree that it was located near present-day Iraq where the Tigris and Euphrates rivers meet, but it would seem that the 'land of plenty' will continue to remain hidden from the curious seekers who are determined to unlock its enigmatic location. 

For more information, please visit: Garden of Eden

  2    Ark of the Covenant    

The Ark of the Covenant was a special 'chest' described in the Book of Exodus. According to tradition, the Ark contained the Tablets of Stone [on which the 10 Commandments was inscribed]; other scholars of religion deem that Aaron's 'budding' rod, a jar of manna and the first Torah scroll [written by Moses] was also inside the holy chest.   However, during the reign of King Solomon, it was recorded in Melachim I (I Kings) that the Ark only contained the two stone tablets. Some theologians believe the Ark was carried off to Babylon after that empire conquered Jerusalem in 586 B.C., other scholars claim it was hidden by the prophet Jeremiah during this same time period. What really happened to the Ark of the Covenant remains a perplexing enigma today.

For more information, please visit: Ark of the Covenant

  1    Origins of Mankind         

The origins of mankind is one of the most controversial subjects in our modern world. The "Creation verses Evolution" theory has been an ongoing debate for at least 200 years. While 'creation' is based upon faith and individual opinion, 'evolution' is a comprehensive study embraced through scientific supposition. And, while the "evolution theory" took form before 'creation', the "creation theory" is more commonly accepted because it is a documented religion-based history concerning mankind's beginnings. The knowledge of where the human race originally came from continues to remain the greatest mystery of mankind.

For more information, please visit: Origins of Mankind; Concept of Evolution

The Definition of Religion

It is estimated there are over 4,200 different religions in the world today; some Christians believe there are as many as 30,000 different Christian Protestant branches alone! 

With such an extensive figure, it would literally take decades, if not centuries, to thoroughly research such vast information!      

The mere problem in defining what "religion" means has produced a large ordination of scholarly works that are oftentimes in conflict with one another. 

Some believe religion is merely a man-made vocation, brought about by the politics of mankind; while others think religion is a necessary means of connecting with a higher power.    

However, the essence of religion can be understood only by following the history of various religions of mankind and comparing them. In doing so, one may find the common denominator of them all. 

The difference between religion and theology is that religion is something subjective (personal) and limited through the thoughts of the individual about one or many supreme beings. Theology, on the other hand, represents an objective (impersonal) system in which beliefs and ideas are defined.

The common element contained within any religion is based upon the belief in one god, many gods, or no god at all. Such elements fall into the following categories:

1. Monotheism - belief in one god.
2. Polytheism - belief in many gods.
3. Henotheism - belief in one god superior to all others.
4. Deism - belief in one god, but believes in the rejection of God's supernatural powers and being indifferent to mankind.
5. Atheism - belief there is no god or gods.

It has been suggested by many scholars and theologians, that all forms of religion are historically connected and related to each other; however, this aspect has not been appropriately proven. In this respect, the popular meaning of the word "religion" would be better defined as a "religious creed".

In the United States of America, according to the First Amendment of the U. S. Constitution, it states: 

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." 

Unlike some countries around the world, it is a 'Right' of the American to choose and freely practice the religion of their choice.

In researching, the author has found that various religions of the world could be considered the backbone of mankind's strength and power. Religion, in this sense, is a man-made ordinance for the self-preservation of humankind. Some believe religion is the embodiment of survival; in this respect, others feel it is wrong to identify religion with the expression of mere emotions.

For others, religion could be the testament of mankind's need for the recognition of the existence of a supreme being, regardless of its form and powers. This aspect reflects mankind's tendency to feel dependent on one or more superior beings, which is the common aspect accepted by the majority of the human race.

According to some theologians, the essence of religion can best be described as sharing a common belief in one Superior Being; a Creator who is all-knowing and all-powerful. 

Many will agree this is the common denominator of most all religions in the world today. 

Any way one wishes to look at or examine religion, it has definitely gone through a process of development over the thousands of years of mankind's existence, and has continued gradually from antecessor factors and pre-existing conditions. 

The definition of religion according to Merriam-Webster Dictionary is as follows...

re·li·gion

noun\ri-ˈli-jən/

• the belief in a god or in a group of gods
• an organized system of beliefs, ceremonies, and rules used to worship a god or a group of gods           
• an interest, a belief, or an activity that is very important to a person or group 

When it comes to religion, and its many definitions, the only question that remains is... Who's ? Right