The Cloud of Witnesses

The first man, formed of the dust. Named the animals, ate the fruit, watched his firstborn kill his second. Father of Cain, Abel, and Seth.

Mother of all living. Spoke with the serpent, ate, gave to Adam. Bore Cain, Abel, and Seth. Watched what came of them.

Firstborn of Adam and Eve. Killed his brother Abel out of jealousy. Marked and exiled, founded the first city.

Walked with God and "was not, for God took him." Subject of an extensive extracanonical literature (1 Enoch, 2 Enoch) describing heavenly journeys and angelic revelations.

Builder of the ark. Walked with God when the earth was full of violence. Survived the flood with seven others. Planted a vineyard. Cursed Canaan.

Patriarch of Israel. Called from Ur. Father of Ishmael and Isaac. Bound Isaac on Mount Moriah. Bargained with God for Sodom. Friend of God.

Wealthy patriarch of Uz, subject of a divine wager. Lost his children, wealth, and health. Demanded an audience with God and got one — though not the answers he expected.

Drawn out of the water, raised in Pharaoh’s house, called from the burning bush. Led the Exodus. Received the Law at Sinai. Spoke with God face to face. Did not enter the land.

Wife of Elkanah, barren and provoked by Peninnah. Prayed silently at Shiloh until Eli thought her drunk. Bore Samuel and gave him back when he was weaned. Sang the prototype of the Magnificat.

Shepherd, harpist, slayer of Goliath, king of Israel, psalmist. Took Bathsheba and sent her husband to die. Wrote Psalm 51. Watched his son Absalom rise against him.

Wife of Uriah the Hittite, taken by King David. Later mother of Solomon. Power broker in the succession crisis at the end of David's reign.

Son of David and Bathsheba. Asked for wisdom, built the Temple, wrote three thousand proverbs. Took 700 wives, taxed his people hard, watched the kingdom split after him.

Prophet of YHWH against Ahab and Jezebel. Called fire from heaven on Carmel. Heard the still small voice. Was taken in a chariot of fire — did not die.

Hadassah, called Esther. Jewish exile chosen for the king’s vacated throne. Fasted three days, went unsummoned to the king, exposed Haman, saved her people. The book that bears her name does not mention God.

Hebrew exile in Babylon. Interpreted Nebuchadnezzar’s dreams. Saw apocalyptic visions. Spent a night with the lions. Served four kings — Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar, Darius, Cyrus.