Bible quiz
Hard Bible Trivia Questions
These 20 hard Bible trivia questions go past the famous stories into names, numbers and less-read chapters, from the ages in Genesis 5 to an island in Acts 28. Expect about 5 minutes of real recall. After each answer you see the verse that settles it, quoted from the Berean Standard Bible (BSB).
- Hard
- 20 questions
- About 5 min
- Answers checked against the BSB
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Hi, I’m Pip. 20 questions, about 5 minutes. Every answer comes with its verse.
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What makes these Bible trivia questions hard?
Most Bible quizzes stay with the stories everyone knows. This one goes to the details readers skim past: how long Methuselah lived, which judge was left-handed, which king of Judah came to the throne at eight, and how many years were added to Hezekiah's life. Many answers sit in genealogies, the books of Kings and the later chapters of Acts.
The wrong options are not random. Most are real names and numbers from the same passage or the same era, such as the 930 years of Adam beside the 969 of Methuselah, or the 10,000 men who stayed with Gideon before the 300 were chosen. That is what makes the quiz hard, and it is also why every miss teaches you something true.
How should I use hard trivia with a group?
Play it in teams of two or three so people can reason together; a question about Annas and Caiaphas or about Lydia's home city is more fun argued out than guessed alone. After each reveal, ask someone to read the verse aloud and say where in the Bible it sits. That habit builds the mental map the quiz is really testing.
If the group is mixed, start with the easy Bible quiz as a warm-up, then use this one as the final round.
How do I get better at hard Bible questions?
Hard questions reward wide reading more than memorising lists. Pick one book you rarely open, such as Judges, 2 Kings or Ruth, and read it through in a week. Our Bible book summaries show who and what each book is about, so you know where a name like Ehud or Mephibosheth belongs before you meet it in a quiz.
When you miss a question, note the book and chapter rather than just the answer. The next time a similar name comes up, you will know where to look. For a broader check across both Testaments, try the Bible knowledge test.
All questions and answers
Try each question first, then open the answer to see the verse it comes from (Berean Standard Bible).
1. According to Genesis 5, how many years did Methuselah live in total?Hard
- 930
- 962
- 969
- 950
Show answer
Answer: C. 969
Methuselah lived 969 years; 930 was Adam's age, 962 was Jared's and 950 was Noah's.
“So Methuselah lived a total of 969 years, and then he died.”
2. Which left-handed Benjamite did God raise up as a deliverer from Eglon king of Moab?Hard
- Ehud
- Othniel
- Shamgar
- Gideon
Show answer
Answer: A. Ehud
Ehud son of Gera, a left-handed Benjamite, was sent to Eglon king of Moab with tribute.
“And again they cried out to the LORD, and He raised up Ehud son of Gera, a left-handed Benjamite, as their deliverer. So they sent him with tribute to Eglon king of Moab.”
3. In Luke 1, which man was told by an angel that his wife Elizabeth would bear a son named John?Medium
- Simeon
- Jairus
- Cleopas
- Zechariah
Show answer
Answer: D. Zechariah
The angel told Zechariah that his prayer had been heard and that Elizabeth would bear a son to be named John.
“But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John.”
4. Which prophet married Gomer daughter of Diblaim?Hard
- Amos
- Hosea
- Joel
- Micah
Show answer
Answer: B. Hosea
Hosea married Gomer daughter of Diblaim, and she bore him a son.
“So Hosea went and married Gomer daughter of Diblaim, and she conceived and bore him a son.”
5. According to Judges 7, how many men did the LORD tell Gideon to keep for the battle against the Midianites?Medium
- 10,000
- 300
- 22,000
- 1,000
Show answer
Answer: B. 300
The LORD chose the 300 men who lapped the water; 22,000 had gone home and 10,000 had remained before that test.
“Now, therefore, proclaim in the hearing of the people: ‘Whoever is fearful and trembling may turn back and leave Mount Gilead.’” So twenty-two thousand of them turned back, but ten thousand remained. Then the LORD said to Gideon, “There are still too many people. Take them down to the water, and I will sift them for you there. If I say to you, ‘This one shall go with you,’ he shall go. But if I say, ‘This one shall not go with you,’ he shall not go.” So Gideon brought the people down to the water, and the LORD said to him, “Separate those who lap the water with their tongues like a dog from those who kneel to drink.” And the number of those who lapped the water with their hands to their mouths was three hundred men; all the others knelt to drink. Then the LORD said to Gideon, “With the three hundred men who lapped the water I will save you and deliver the Midianites into your hand. But all the others are to go home.””
6. After the lot was cast in Acts 1, who was added to the eleven apostles?Hard
- Barsabbas
- Barnabas
- Silas
- Matthias
Show answer
Answer: D. Matthias
Two men were proposed, Joseph called Barsabbas and Matthias, and the lot fell to Matthias.
“So they proposed two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. And they prayed, “Lord, You know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two You have chosen to take up this ministry and apostleship, which Judas abandoned to go to his rightful place.” Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.”
7. On which island did Paul and his companions come safely ashore after their shipwreck?Medium
- Malta
- Cyprus
- Crete
- Patmos
Show answer
Answer: A. Malta
Once they were safely ashore, they learned that the island was called Malta.
“Once we were safely ashore, we learned that the island was called Malta.”
8. Which king was holding a great feast when the fingers of a human hand wrote on the palace wall?Medium
- Nebuchadnezzar
- Darius
- Belshazzar
- Cyrus
Show answer
Answer: C. Belshazzar
King Belshazzar held a feast for a thousand nobles, and at that moment a hand appeared and wrote on the plaster of the wall.
“Later, King Belshazzar held a great feast for a thousand of his nobles, and he drank wine with them. Under the influence of the wine, Belshazzar gave orders to bring in the gold and silver vessels that Nebuchadnezzar his father had taken from the temple in Jerusalem, so that the king could drink from them, along with his nobles, his wives, and his concubines. Thus they brought in the gold vessels that had been taken from the temple, the house of God in Jerusalem, and the king drank from them, along with his nobles, his wives, and his concubines. As they drank the wine, they praised their gods of gold and silver, bronze and iron, wood and stone. At that moment the fingers of a human hand appeared and wrote on the plaster of the wall, near the lampstand in the royal palace. As the king watched the hand that was writing,”
9. What was the name of Jonathan's son who became lame in his feet at the age of five?Hard
- Ish-bosheth
- Abner
- Ziba
- Mephibosheth
Show answer
Answer: D. Mephibosheth
Jonathan's son fell as his nurse fled with him and became lame; his name was Mephibosheth.
“And Jonathan son of Saul had a son who was lame in his feet. He was five years old when the report about Saul and Jonathan came from Jezreel. His nurse picked him up and fled, but as she was hurrying to escape, he fell and became lame. His name was Mephibosheth.”
10. Which king of Judah was eight years old when he became king?Hard
- Joash
- Josiah
- Manasseh
- Hezekiah
Show answer
Answer: B. Josiah
Josiah became king at eight and reigned 31 years; Joash was seven, Manasseh twelve and Hezekiah twenty-five.
“Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem thirty-one years. His mother’s name was Jedidah daughter of Adaiah; she was from Bozkath.”
11. According to 2 Kings 20, how many years did the LORD say He would add to Hezekiah's life?Hard
- 10
- 12
- 15
- 20
Show answer
Answer: C. 15
The LORD's message to Hezekiah was that fifteen years would be added to his life.
““Go back and tell Hezekiah the leader of My people that this is what the LORD, the God of your father David, says: ‘I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. I will surely heal you. On the third day from now you will go up to the house of the LORD. I will add fifteen years to your life. And I will deliver you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria. I will defend this city for My sake and for the sake of My servant David.’””
12. What did the neighbor women name the son born to Ruth and Boaz?Hard
- Obed
- Jesse
- Perez
- Mahlon
Show answer
Answer: A. Obed
The neighbor women named him Obed, who became the father of Jesse, the father of David.
“So Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife. And when he had relations with her, the LORD enabled her to conceive, and she gave birth to a son. Then the women said to Naomi, “Blessed be the LORD, who has not left you this day without a kinsman-redeemer. May his name become famous in Israel. He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age. For your daughter-in-law, who loves you and is better to you than seven sons, has given him birth.” And Naomi took the child, placed him on her lap, and became a nurse to him. The neighbor women said, “A son has been born to Naomi,” and they named him Obed. He became the father of Jesse, the father of David.”
13. According to Revelation 2, in which city's church was Antipas, the faithful witness, killed?Hard
- Pergamum
- Smyrna
- Sardis
- Laodicea
Show answer
Answer: A. Pergamum
The message to the church in Pergamum recalls that Antipas, the faithful witness, was killed among them.
“To the angel of the church in Pergamum write: These are the words of the One who holds the sharp, double-edged sword. I know where you live, where the throne of Satan sits. Yet you have held fast to My name and have not denied your faith in Me, even in the day when My faithful witness Antipas was killed among you, where Satan dwells.”
14. Lydia, the dealer in purple cloth who listened to Paul, came from which city?Hard
- Philippi
- Corinth
- Thyatira
- Ephesus
Show answer
Answer: C. Thyatira
Lydia, a worshiper of God who listened to Paul, was a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira.
“Among those listening was a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message.”
15. According to John 18, Annas was the father-in-law of which high priest?Hard
- Ananias
- Caiaphas
- Eli
- Zadok
Show answer
Answer: B. Caiaphas
Jesus was brought first to Annas, the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year.
“They brought Him first to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year.”
16. Which prophet made a borrowed iron axe head float on the water?Hard
- Elijah
- Isaiah
- Micaiah
- Elisha
Show answer
Answer: D. Elisha
The sons of the prophets were with Elisha when the axe head fell into the water, and the man of God threw in a stick and made the iron float.
“Now the sons of the prophets said to Elisha, “Please take note that the place where we meet with you is too small for us. Please let us go to the Jordan, where each of us can get a log so we can build ourselves a place to live there.” “Go,” said Elisha. Then one of them said, “Please come with your servants.” “I will come,” he replied. So Elisha went with them, and when they came to the Jordan, they began to cut down some trees. As one of them was cutting down a tree, the iron axe head fell into the water. “Oh, my master,” he cried out, “it was borrowed!” “Where did it fall?” asked the man of God. And when he showed him the place, the man of God cut a stick, threw it there, and made the iron float.”
17. According to Joshua 7, where did Achan hide the silver and gold he took?Medium
- Under a tree outside the camp
- In the ground inside his tent
- In a cave near Jericho
- In a well beside the Jordan
Show answer
Answer: B. In the ground inside his tent
Achan confessed that the cloak, silver and gold were hidden in the ground inside his tent, with the silver underneath.
““It is true,” Achan replied, “I have sinned against the LORD, the God of Israel. This is what I did: When I saw among the spoils a beautiful cloak from Shinar, two hundred shekels of silver, and a bar of gold weighing fifty shekels, I coveted them and took them. They are hidden in the ground inside my tent, with the silver underneath.””
18. Whose bed of iron, nine cubits long, does Deuteronomy 3 mention?Hard
- Sihon king of Heshbon
- Goliath of Gath
- Eglon king of Moab
- Og king of Bashan
Show answer
Answer: D. Og king of Bashan
Og king of Bashan was the last of the Rephaim, and his iron bed was nine cubits long and four wide.
“(For only Og king of Bashan had remained of the remnant of the Rephaim. His bed of iron, nine cubits long and four cubits wide, is still in Rabbah of the Ammonites.)”
19. In Acts 8, who ran up to the Ethiopian official's chariot and asked if he understood what he was reading?Medium
- Peter
- Stephen
- Philip
- Barnabas
Show answer
Answer: C. Philip
The Spirit sent Philip to the chariot, where he heard the official reading Isaiah the prophet.
“So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official in charge of the entire treasury of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians. He had gone to Jerusalem to worship, and on his return was sitting in his chariot reading Isaiah the prophet. The Spirit said to Philip, “Go over to that chariot and stay by it.” So Philip ran up and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked.”
20. Hophni and Phinehas, priests at Shiloh, were the sons of which priest?Hard
- Eli
- Aaron
- Samuel
- Zadok
Show answer
Answer: A. Eli
Eli's two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, served as priests to the LORD at Shiloh.
“Year after year Elkanah would go up from his city to worship and sacrifice to the LORD of Hosts at Shiloh, where Eli’s two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, were priests to the LORD.”
Frequently asked questions
How hard is this Bible trivia quiz?
It is the toughest general quiz on 7 Scrolls. Questions focus on names, numbers and less-read chapters, and the wrong options are usually real details from the same passage.
Who lived the longest in the Bible?
Methuselah, who lived a total of 969 years according to Genesis 5:27. His grandson Noah lived 950 years (Genesis 9:29).
How many men did Gideon take into battle against the Midianites?
Three hundred. Of the 10,000 who remained after the fearful went home, the LORD told Gideon to keep the 300 men who lapped the water (Judges 7:3, 7).
Can I use these questions for a printed quiz night?
Yes. Each question has one clear answer and a verse reference, so a host can read the question, reveal the answer and read the verse aloud.
Which Bible translation are the answers checked against?
All answers are checked against the Berean Standard Bible (BSB), and the verse shown after each question is quoted from it.