500 surprising facts from Scripture — hidden details, numbers and little-known stories, one at a time.
Dorcas, also known as Tabitha, was known for her charitable works before being raised from the dead by Peter.
Her acts of charity, particularly making clothing for widows, are described in Acts 9:36-39, and her resurrection is recorded in Acts 9:40-41. This miracle contributed significantly to the spread of belief in the surrounding region (Acts 9:42).
Rahab, a former resident of Jericho, is listed among the examples of faith in the New Testament book of Hebrews.
Her faith and actions in protecting the Israelite spies are commended in Hebrews 11:31, despite her earlier background as a prostitute in Jericho (Joshua 2:1). This inclusion highlights a broader biblical theme of grace extending to unexpected individuals.
Jochebed, the mother of Moses, hid her infant son to protect him from Pharaoh's decree of death for Hebrew boys.
Her actions, including placing baby Moses in a basket on the Nile, are recorded in Exodus 2:1-4. She is later explicitly named in Exodus 6:20 and Numbers 26:59, and is commended for her faith in Hebrews 11:23.
Zipporah, Moses' wife, was the daughter of Jethro, a Midianite priest.
Their meeting and marriage are described in Exodus 2:16-21, following Moses' flight from Egypt after killing an Egyptian overseer. Zipporah plays a notably mysterious role in a brief, difficult-to-interpret episode involving circumcision in Exodus 4:24-26.
Tamar, a woman in the lineage of Judah, took drastic measures to secure justice within her family line.
Her story, recorded in Genesis 38, involves disguising herself to conceive children by her father-in-law Judah after being denied her rightful marriage rights. Tamar is later listed in the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew 1:3.
Jesus was born in Bethlehem, fulfilling an earlier Old Testament prophecy.
His birth is recorded in Luke 2:4-7 and Matthew 2:1, connecting to the earlier prophecy in Micah 5:2 about a ruler coming from Bethlehem. Bethlehem, meaning 'house of bread' in Hebrew, was also notably David's hometown.
According to Luke, Jesus was born and laid in a manger because there was no room in the inn.
This account is recorded in Luke 2:7, describing a humble beginning despite Jesus' later theological significance. This detail has become a central image in traditional Christmas narratives and nativity depictions.
An angel announced Jesus' birth to shepherds watching their flocks by night.
This announcement, recorded in Luke 2:8-14, includes the declaration of 'good tidings of great joy' and a multitude of the heavenly host praising God. The shepherds then went to see the newborn child themselves (Luke 2:15-16).
Wise men, sometimes called Magi, followed a star to find and worship the young Jesus.
Their visit, along with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, is recorded in Matthew 2:1-11. The Bible does not specify the exact number of wise men, though tradition, based on the three gifts mentioned, often assumes there were three.
King Herod, fearing a rival king, ordered the killing of male infants in Bethlehem after Jesus' birth.
This event, known as the Massacre of the Innocents, is recorded in Matthew 2:16. Jesus' family fled to Egypt beforehand, having been warned in a dream (Matthew 2:13-14).
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