Who's ? Right: Top 30 Men of the Tanakh (Old Testament)

The majority of the men in the Hebrew/Christian Bible were briefly mentioned, as are the stories that are attributed to them. They were men of renown and held in high esteem by the majority of mankind. While there are many different ancient scion's that appear throughout the holy book, the following 30 men were chosen by the Who's ? Right Blog to represent the top 30 biblical men of the Tanakh (also known as the Old Testament).

#30 - Sennacherib ... was the King of Assyria who led an invasion that swept through Syria, Israel, and Judah at the end of the 8th century B.C. Sennacherib destroyed all of the fortified cities of Judah except Jerusalem. He surrounded Jerusalem and would have destroyed it as well, had not Hezekiah prayed and received from the Lord a mighty deliverance--in one night an angel of the Lord struck down 185,000 soldiers of Sennacherib's army. This Assyrian king's story can be found in Malachim II (2 Kings) 18 & 19, Divrei HaYamim II (2 Chronicles) 32 and Yeshayahu (Isaiah) 36 & 37.

#29 - Cain ... was the first-born son of Adam and Eve, making him the first human child to be born in the Bible. Like his father Adam, he became a farmer and worked the soil. The Bible doesn't tell us a lot about Cain, yet we discover in a few short verses that Cain had a serious anger problem, which led to him committing the first murder in the Bible. Cain killed his brother, Abel. The story of the first born human can be found in Bereishit (Genesis) 4:1-25

#28 - Seth ... was the third [and final] son of Adam and Eve mentioned in the Bible. He is held is reverence by the Abrahamic religions. He is considered a 'holy forefather' by the Christians, Islam believes Seth was a gift bestowed upon Adam after the death of Abel and Judaism proclaims him to be the ancestor of Noah and the father of all mankind. It is through the blood lineage of Seth that Jesus Christ descends. The story of Seth can be found in Bereishit (Genesis) 4:25-26, 5:3-8

#27 - Methuselah ... like Jesus, Methuselah was a descendant of Seth and the grandfather of Noah. He is most known for being the oldest man on record to live (969 years). While not much is written about Methuselah, he was evidently an important factor in God's plan for mankind. His name meant, "at his death it will come"... meaning the Great Flood of Noah. The story of the world's oldest living man can be found in Bereishit (Genesis) 5:21-27.

#26 - Gideon ... was one of the Judges of the Israelites and descended from the tribe of Manasseh. He united the Israelites against their common enemies [the Midianites] and through God's power, defeated them. He is known for the story of the fleece and the dew, as well as God prompting him to reduce his large army down to 300 men, which still resulted in a victory for Gideon. Even though this ancient warrior was slow to believe, once convinced of God's great power, he was a loyal follower who obeyed God's instruction until his death. This loyal follower's story is told in Shoftim (Judges) 6.

#25 - Saul ... was a descendant of the tribe of Benjamin and the first king of Israel after the Judges were disassembled. According to the Bible he was chosen personally by God for this position. He was courageous in battle, a generous king and admired by the people. He was credited with uniting the scattered tribes, giving them greater strength. However, Saul was impulsive and acted unwisely when it came to David and eventually lost the people's respect. His jealousy of David drove him to madness, which led to King Saul disobeying God's instructions. Saul committed suicide on the battlefield. His story is found in Shmuel I (1 Samuel) 9-31.

#24 - Samuel ... was a renowned prophet that was born of a barren woman, Hannah, who prayed to God for a child. His mother was so thankful that God answered her prayer that when Samuel was weaned she presented him to God at Shiloh, in the care of Eli, the High Priest. Samuel was also one of the Judges of the Old Testament. He would later go on to anoint the first king of Israel (Saul the Benjaminite) and became his top advisor in prophetic matters until his death. This renowned prophet's story can be found in the first Book of Shmuel (1 Samuel) 1-31.

#23 - Elijah & Elisha ... were esteemed prophets who opposed the worship of the unholy god, Baal, in Israel. After the division of Israel into two kingdoms (Israel and Judah), Elijah and Elisha represented the last great spiritual leaders before Israel's exile. And while their campaign in the northern kingdom (Israel) against King Ahab and Jezebel to lessen the evil spreading through the northern state, they were not successful in restoring Israel's greatness. According to the Bible, Elijah did not die. God sent chariots of fire and took this ancient prophet up to Heaven in a whirlwind while Elisha stood watching this event. The story of these esteemed prophets can be located in  Malachim I (1 Kings) 19:19-21 and Malachim II (2 Kings) 2:1-15

#22 - Aaron ... was the brother of Moses and considered the first High Priest of the Israelites. He also was responsible for starting the sacrificial system. At the request of Moses, who was slow of speech, Aaron acted as Moses' spokesman to the Pharaoh in Egypt. He also became an instrument of God [concerning the Ten Plagues] that convinced Pharaoh to release the Hebrew people. Jews, Christians and Muslims respect Aaron as a key person in their religious histories. The story of this High Priest can be read in Shemot (Exodus) 4-40, Vayikra (Leviticus) 1-24 and Bamidbar (Numbers) 1-33.

#21 - Joshua ... originally named Hosea, was the successor of Moses as Israel's leader. During the 40 years the Hebrew people wandered in the wilderness, Joshua served as Moses' faithful assistant. He, along with Caleb, were the only men of the twelve spies Moses sent to scope out Canaan which had complete confidence in God's plan. Against overwhelming odds, Joshua was successful in the conquest of Canaan (aka: Promised Land), which included the battle of Jericho. This ancient scion apportioned the land to the twelve tribes of Israel and governed them for a time. Story of this Israeli leader is found in the books of Shemot (Exodus) 17:9-14; 24:13; 32:17; 33:11, Bamidbar (Numbers) 11:28; 13:16; 14:6-38; 26-34, D'varim (Deuteronomy) 31:1-34 and the Book of Yehoshua (Joshua) 1-24.

#20 - King Nebuchadnezzer ... was king of Babylonia from approximately 605 BC until 562 BC. He is considered the greatest king of the Babylonian Empire and is mentioned by name around 90 times in the Bible, in both the historical and prophetic literature of the Hebrew Scriptures. In biblical history, Nebuchadnezzar is most famous for the conquering of Judah and the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC. In this, Nebuchadnezzar served as God’s instrument of judgment on Judah for its idolatry, unfaithfulness, and disobedience. The story of the Babylonian king is outlined in Malachim II (2 Kings) 24:1-13; 25:1, 8, 22 and Divrei HaYamim II (2 Chronicles) 36:6-17.

#19 - Jeremiah ... was the son of Hilkiah and "called by God" at a very young age to be a prophet. He prophesied during the dark history of Jerusalem and the Kingdom of Judah; he is oftentimes referred to as the "weeping prophet". His prophecies were direct and firm in which he denounced Judah for its sins and predicting its fall to Babylon and an issuing 70 year bondage. The ancient prophet lived to see his prediction come true when Nebuchadnezzar captured Jerusalem in 586 B.C., and thusly sent the Israelites into a 70 year exile. The weeping prophet's story is found in the Book of Yirmeyahu (Jeremiah) 1-52.

#18 - Isaiah ... was the son of Amoz and, according to Rabbinic literature, was a descendant of the royal house of Judah and Tamar (Sotah 10b). He was also a highly acclaimed prophet that prophesied during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, the kings of Judah. Isaiah inspired the nation of Judah to repent and return to the Lord. Although Isaiah is not mentioned in the Quran or the Hadith, Muslim sources (such as Ibn Kathir and Kisa'i) reproduced Jewish traditions and incorporated Isaiah into their writings (ie: Kathir's Story of Prophet Isaiah). The Book of Isaiah is quoted many times by the New Testament writers as well. This highly acclaimed prophet's story is found in the Book of Yeshayahu (Isaiah) 1-66.

#17 - Ezekiel ... was the son of Buzzi and born into the Kohen (priesthood) lineage of Ithamar (son of Aaron, the first High Priest). According to the Talmud and Midrash, he was a descendant of Joshua and Rehab. He was revered as a prophet among the exiles in Babylonia; he saw visions of why God destroyed Jerusalem and how the Creator would miraculously restore it. One of Ezekiel's more illustrious visions is the building of a Third [Jewish] Temple. Ezekiel is also honored as a prophet in Islamic tradition. This priestly prophet's story is detailed in the Book of Yichezkel (Ezekiel) 1-48. 

#16 - Jonah ... was considered a "reluctant" prophet from the northern Kingdom of Israel. When God ordered Jonah to warn Nineveh of its sinful ways, he tried to run away, which resulted in this fearful seer being swallowed by a whale. Praying for God to spare his life, he went on to deliver his dire message to the sinful city, after suffering in the belly of the whale for 3 days. Jonah turned out to be a very convincing preacher and his crusade helped the people of Nineveh to repent. God spared the people of this ancient city during this time period. He is acknowledged in Judaism, Christianity and Islam. This reluctant prophet's story is told in the Book of Jonah 1-4. 

#15 - Lot ... was the son of Haran, the grandson of Terah and the nephew of Abraham. He was raised in Sumeria (in Ur of the Chaldees) around 4,000 years ago. Notable episodes in his life include his travels with Abraham, his flight from the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, during which Lot's wife was turned to a pillar of salt for disobeying God, and the seduction by his daughters so that they could bear children. The older daughter bore a son named Moab (father of Moabites of today); the younger daughter bore a son named Ben-Ammi (father of the Ammonites of today). Lot's story is found in Bereishit (Genesis) 12, 13,14 and 19.

#14 - Ishmael ... was the first born son of Abraham by his wife's hand maid, Hagar. Sarah, wife of Abraham, became impatient and desperate when she remained barren and ordered her servant to bare her husband a child. This was a pagan custom that God did not approve. Nonetheless, the Creator allowed it. And while Ishmael was ostracized after the birth of Sarah's long awaited son (Isaac) and cast out of Abraham's household while still just a boy, God blessed Ishmael and he grew to be a skilled hunter, archer and a great leader to the Ishmaelites. Today, this ancient scion is considered the "father of the nomadic Arab tribes". The firstborn son of Abraham and his story is found in Bereishit (Genesis) 16, 17:15-27; 21:8-21. 

#13 -  Isaac ... was the second son of Abraham; one of the three patriarchs of the Israelites and the only one whose name was not changed by the Lord. Unlike his father and his son (Jacob), Isaac did not move out of Canaan, but remained there during the duration of his lifetime. He is best remembered for the story where Abraham was to sacrifice him to the Hebrew God, in which an angel of the Lord came and stopped him. This is one of the best illustrations of Faith in the Tanakh/Old Testament. In comparison to Abraham and Jacob, the Bible relates fewer incidents of Isaac's life. The story of this Patriarch can be found in Bereishit (Genesis) 17-35.

#12 - Samson ... was one of the last Judges of the Israelites and best known for his dalliance with Delilah and bringing down the temple with his brute strength. He was dedicated as a Nazirite, a holy man who was to honor God with his life and provide an example to others. Samson led Israel for 20 years and used his incredible physical strength to fight Israel's enemies. Yet he was considered selfish and reveled in sin, ignoring the consequences of living such standards. Towards the end of his life, he realized his mistakes, returned to God, and sacrificed himself in a great victory (bringing the temple down; in which he died). The story of this strong, holy man is related in Shoftim (Judges) 13-16.

#11 - Jacob/Israel ...was the son of Isaac, grandson of Abraham, and the last patriarch to receive a covenant with God. Jacob's name was later changed to Israel. Many stories are attributed to this patriarch, such as tricking his father into giving him the Hebrew birthright (which was actually his older brother's, Esau, birthright), fathering the 12 Tribes of Israel by two wives and two handmaids, and reuniting with his son Joseph, after his older brothers sold him into Egyptian slavery. Jacob is mentioned in a number of sacred scriptures, including the Hebrew Bible, the New Testament, the Talmud, the Quran, the Book of Mormon and Bahá'í scripture. The story about the father of the 12 tribes of Israel is told in Bereishit (Genesis) 25-49.

#10 - Joseph (son of Jacob) ... was one of the Bible's greatest heroes in the Tanakh (Old Testament). Considered the favorite son of Jacob (son of Issac), Joseph provoked the jealousy of his ten older brothers, who sold him into slavery. God blessed Joseph for such an insurrection and he went on to become a ruler of Egypt. From this position of authority, he was able to not only save his family from famine, but all of Egypt, which demonstrated to his brothers that he had forgiven them. It was Joseph's composed and charitable response to his brother's betrayal that would go on to introduce the pattern of forgiveness and redemption that characterizes the survival of the Israelite throughout the Old Testament. The story of Joseph is contained in Bereishit (Genesis) 30:22, 33, 37, 39-50.

#9 -  Daniel ... is considered a prophet in Christianity, a distinguished member of the Babylonian diaspora in Judaism and a righteous man in Islam. He was a noble Jewish youth when he was taken into captivity by Nebuchadnezzar and later went on to serve the king and his successors with loyalty and ability until the time of the Persian conqueror Cyrus. Daniel interpreted many dreams for the kings, as well as prophesied about future events. The story most associated with Daniel is being rescued from the lions den with the aid of the prophet Jeremiah. This loyal prophet's story is detailed in the Book of Daniel 1-12.

#8 - Enoch ... was the son of Jared, the father of Methuselah and the great-grandfather of Noah. He was 7th in the succession of the ten (10) Pre-Flood Patriarchs. According to the Hebrew Bible, Enoch lived 365 years before he was "taken by God"; most scholars translate this to mean he was the only person in history to be taken up to Heaven while still living. Enoch never returned to the Earth and to this day no one can explain what really happened to him. The Apocryphal Books of Enoch recount how he was appointed guardian of all celestial treasures, chief of the archangels, and the immediate attendant on God's throne. This Pre-Flood Patriarch's story is located in Bereishit (Genesis) 5:18-24.

#7 - King Solomon ... was the son of King David and Bathsheba and considered one of the wisest kings of Israel. He is described as the third and final king of the United Monarchy, which would later break into the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the Southern Kingdom of Judah after his death. Solomon is mentioned in the Talmud as being one of the 48 prophets; in the Qur'an, he is considered a major prophet, known as the son of David; and in Christianity he is revered as one of God's greatest kings of the Israelites. The Hebrew and Christian Bibles credits him as the builder of the First Temple in Jerusalem. You can learn more about this ancient king in Shmuel II (2 Samuel) 12:24 and Malachim I (1 Kings) 1-11.

#6 - Job ... is described as a righteous and blessed man who lived in the Land of Uz. The Creator's praise of Job prompted Satan to challenge Job's integrity, which led to God allowing the Devil to take Job's wealth, health and family. While this righteous man was beset with horrendous disasters and struggled to understand his situation, he never cursed God. Although he anguished over his plight, he withstood the tribulations presented to him and the Creator rewarded him with greater prosperity than before. This righteous man's story is found in the Book of Iyov (Job) 1-42.

#5 - King David ... was the son of Jesse [and Nitzevet, daughter of Adael (per the Talmud)], the second king of the United Kingdom of Israel and [according to the New Testament] an ancestor of Jesus. Many stories are attributed to this ancient king of the Israelites - he was a renowned warrior who defeated the giant, Goliath; a poet and musician credited with writing the Psalms in the Ketuvim/Old Testament; an effective king in battle and civil and criminal justice. King David cemented his relations with various political and national groups through marriage. David had eight wives: Michal, Ahinoam, Abigail, Maachah, Haggith, Abital, Eglah and Bathsheba. In his genealogies, King David is listed as having 19 sons and one daughter, Tamar. This infamous king's story is found in (1 Samuel) 16-31; (2 Samuel) 1-24; (1 Kings) 1, 2:1-:10

#4 - Abraham ... was the son of Terah and a descendant of Noah. He is the first of the three patriarchs of Judaism. His story is a center piece of all Abrahamic religions and he plays a prominent role as an example of faith in Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Considered the founding father of the Abrahamic religions, God promised through a covenant to multiply his descendants into a great nation that would be as numerous as the stars in the night sky. In Christianity, the Apostle Paul taught that Abraham's faith in God - preceding the Mosaic Law - made him the prototype of all believers. The Islamic prophet Muhammad claimed Abraham as a "believer before the fact" and undercut Jewish claims to an exclusive relationship with God and the Covenant (the Jewish nation descends from Isaac; the Islamic nation descends from Ishmael) thus retaining a birthright covenant through the firstborn son, Ishmael. This Hebrew forefather's story is outlined in Bereishit (Genesis) 11:27-32; 12-25:1-11.

#3 - Moses ... a prophet in the Abrahamic religions, he was the youngest child of Jochebed and brother of Aaron and Miriam. According to the Hebrew Bible, he was a former Egyptian prince who later in life became a religious leader and lawgiver to the Israelites, who were held in Egyptian bondage. Moses' story centers around presenting a stance to the pharaoh and requesting that he release the Hebrew slaves, helping the Israelites to escape bondage and introducing the laws of God to the people. This Abrahamic prophet is credited with the authorship of the Torah. Also called Moshe Rabbenu in Hebrew ("Moses our Teacher"), he is the most important prophet in Judaism. He is also an important and major prophet in Christianity, Islam, and the Bahá'í Faith, as well as a number of other faiths. This important prophet's story is spread out throughout the Books of Shemot (Exodus), Vayikra (Leviticus), Bamidbar (Numbers) and D'varim (Deuteronomy) 2-40; 1-27; 1-36; 1-34.

#2 - Noah ...  was the son of Lamech, the grandson of Methuselah and a direct descendant of Adam. He was the 10th of the pre-flood Patriarchs. The story most attributed to Noah is the Great Flood and the ark he built to save his family from the destruction of mankind. It is interesting to note this Patriarch was 500 years old when he begat his sons - Shem, Ham and Japheth, who would go out and repopulate the world after the flood waters receded. Noah's story can be found in many narratives such as the Abrahamic Bibles, Epic of Gilgamesh, the Dead Sea Scrolls, Book of Jubilees, Greek mythology, Hindu chronicle- Matsya Purana,  and the Gnostic text-Apocryphon of John. The story attributed to Noah can be found in Bereishit (Genesis) 6-9.

#1 - Adam ... according to the Genesis narrative, Adam was created by the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and considered the first historical human. His story is very brief, but powerful. He is revered in the Abrahamic religions, being named as the "father of mankind".  In rabbinic writings and the Dead Sea Scrolls, Adam is a perfect human before his exile from Eden, but is diminished in stature when exiled. Christians believe that because Adam disobeyed God, sin and death entered into the world resulting in the fall of man and passing original sin onto all of his descendants. Adam's sin separated man from God, but Jesus' sacrifice atoned for the sins of the world and reconciled man to God. In Islam, Âdam is believed to be the first human being and someone to whom God spoke directly, and thus viewed as the first prophet of Islam. Muslims also see Adam as the first Muslim, as the Qurʼān says that all the prophets preached the same faith of submission to God. While his story is short and brief in the Holy Books, Adam is most known for being created instead of born. His story is briefly related in Bereishit (Genesis) 1:26-31; 2-4.