Old Testament: Other Figures

Absalom

Name meaning: "Father of peace"
Approximately 111 references

Third son of David who rebelled against his father and temporarily seized the throne. Handsome and charismatic, he won the people's hearts through political manipulation. His rebellion forced David to flee Jerusalem. Killed by Joab when his hair caught in an oak tree (2 Samuel 18). David's lament — "O my son Absalom, my son, my son!" — is one of the most poignant expressions of grief in Scripture.

Key references: 1 Chronicles 3:2, 1 Kings 1:6, 1 Kings 2:7, 1 Kings 2:28, 1 Kings 15:2, 1 Kings 15:10, 2 Chronicles 11:20, 2 Chronicles 11:21, 2 Samuel 3:3, 2 Samuel 13:1 (and 82 more)

Baal

Name meaning: "Lord" or "master"
Approximately 76 references

Not a personal name but the title of the Canaanite storm god, the chief rival to YHWH worship throughout Israel's history. Baal worship involved fertility rites, sacred prostitution, and sometimes child sacrifice. Elijah's contest on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18) was the decisive confrontation. Multiple local manifestations existed (Baal-Peor, Baal-Zebub, etc.).

Key references: 1 Kings 16:31, 1 Kings 16:32, 1 Kings 18:18, 1 Kings 18:19, 1 Kings 18:21, 1 Kings 18:22, 1 Kings 18:25, 1 Kings 18:26, 1 Kings 18:40, 1 Kings 19:18 (and 54 more)

Goliath

Name meaning: "Exile" or uncertain
Approximately 6 references

Philistine giant from Gath, described as over nine feet tall, who challenged Israel's army to single combat for forty days. The young shepherd David killed him with a single stone from a sling, trusting in the name of the LORD (1 Samuel 17). This victory launched David's rise to prominence.

Key references: 1 Chronicles 20:5, 1 Samuel 17:4, 1 Samuel 17:23, 1 Samuel 21:10, 1 Samuel 22:10, 2 Samuel 21:19

Joab

Name meaning: "YHWH is father"
Approximately 145 references

David's nephew and commander-in-chief of his army. A brilliant but ruthless general who killed Abner and Absalom against David's wishes. Loyal to David through most crises but supported Adonijah's bid for the throne over Solomon, leading to his execution (1 Kings 2:28-34).

Key references: 1 Chronicles 2:16, 1 Chronicles 4:14, 1 Chronicles 11:6, 1 Chronicles 11:8, 1 Chronicles 11:20, 1 Chronicles 11:26, 1 Chronicles 11:39, 1 Chronicles 18:15, 1 Chronicles 19:8, 1 Chronicles 19:10 (and 114 more)

Job

Name meaning: "Persecuted" or "where is the father?"
Approximately 58 references

A righteous and wealthy man from the land of Uz who suffered catastrophic losses — children, possessions, and health — as part of a divine test. His story explores the mystery of innocent suffering and God's sovereignty. After enduring his friends' flawed counsel, God answered Job from the whirlwind, and Job responded in humility and trust. God restored his fortunes double (Job 42:10).

Key references: Ezekiel 14:14, Ezekiel 14:20, Job 1:1, Job 1:5, Job 1:8, Job 1:9, Job 1:14, Job 1:20, Job 1:22, Job 2:3 (and 42 more)

Jonathan

Name meaning: "YHWH has given"
Approximately 80 references

Son of King Saul and David's closest friend. Their covenant friendship is one of the great relationships in Scripture (1 Samuel 18–20). A brave warrior who once attacked a Philistine garrison with only his armor-bearer (1 Samuel 14). Died alongside his father at the battle of Gilboa.

Key references: 1 Chronicles 8:33, 1 Chronicles 8:34, 1 Chronicles 9:39, 1 Chronicles 9:40, 1 Chronicles 20:7, 1 Chronicles 27:25, 1 Chronicles 27:32, 1 Samuel 14:6, 1 Samuel 14:8, 1 Samuel 18:1 (and 63 more)

Korah

Name meaning: "Baldness" or "ice"
Approximately 37 references

Levite who led a rebellion against Moses and Aaron, challenging their authority and claiming equal holiness for all the congregation. The earth opened and swallowed the rebels (Numbers 16). Despite this, the "sons of Korah" became Temple musicians who composed several psalms (Psalms 42, 44–49, 84–85, 87–88).

Key references: 1 Chronicles 1:35, 1 Chronicles 2:43, 1 Chronicles 6:7, 1 Chronicles 6:22, 1 Chronicles 9:19, Exodus 6:21, Exodus 6:24, Genesis 36:5, Genesis 36:14, Genesis 36:16 (and 27 more)

7 entries. Reference counts are approximate, based on morphological analysis of the Westminster Leningrad Codex (Hebrew) and Open Greek New Testament.