In the context of biblical studies, the term "contemporaries" refers to individuals or groups who lived during the same time period as a particular biblical figure or event. Understanding the contemporaries of biblical characters can provide valuable insights into the historical, cultural, and social dynamics of the biblical narrative.

Old Testament Contemporaries

1. Abraham and Melchizedek: Abraham, the patriarch of the Israelites, had a notable encounter with Melchizedek, the king of Salem and priest of God Most High. This meeting is recorded in Genesis 14:18-20, where Melchizedek blesses Abraham and receives a tithe from him. The presence of Melchizedek as a contemporary highlights the existence of monotheistic worship outside of Abraham's immediate family.

2. Moses and Pharaoh: During the time of the Exodus, Moses and Pharaoh were contemporaries. The interactions between Moses, the leader of the Israelites, and Pharaoh, the ruler of Egypt, are central to the narrative of Israel's liberation from slavery. The hardening of Pharaoh's heart and the subsequent plagues demonstrate the power of God over the gods of Egypt (Exodus 7-12).

3. David and Saul: King David and King Saul were contemporaries, with their relationship marked by tension and conflict. Saul, the first king of Israel, became envious of David's success and popularity, leading to a prolonged period of pursuit and hostility (1 Samuel 18-31). Despite this, David respected Saul as the Lord's anointed and refrained from harming him.

4. Elijah and Ahab: The prophet Elijah and King Ahab of Israel were contemporaries during a time of significant apostasy in Israel. Elijah's ministry was marked by his confrontation with Ahab and the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, where God demonstrated His supremacy (1 Kings 18:16-40). Ahab's reign is characterized by idolatry and the influence of his wife, Jezebel.

New Testament Contemporaries

1. Jesus and John the Baptist: John the Baptist was a contemporary of Jesus Christ, serving as the forerunner who prepared the way for the Messiah. John's ministry of baptism and repentance set the stage for Jesus' public ministry. In John 1:29, John identifies Jesus as "the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world."

2. Paul and the Apostles: The Apostle Paul, formerly known as Saul of Tarsus, was a contemporary of the original apostles of Jesus. After his dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1-19), Paul became a leading figure in the early church, spreading the gospel to the Gentiles. His interactions with Peter, James, and other apostles are documented in the Acts of the Apostles and his epistles.

3. Herod the Great and Jesus: Herod the Great was the ruling king of Judea at the time of Jesus' birth. Known for his architectural projects and ruthless rule, Herod's fear of losing his throne led to the massacre of the innocents in Bethlehem, as he sought to kill the newborn "King of the Jews" (Matthew 2:1-18).

4. Pilate and Jesus: Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea, was a contemporary of Jesus during His trial and crucifixion. Pilate's role in the trial of Jesus is significant, as he ultimately authorized the crucifixion despite finding no fault in Him (John 19:1-16). Pilate's interactions with Jesus highlight the tension between Roman authority and Jewish leadership.

Understanding the contemporaries of biblical figures helps to illuminate the historical and cultural context of the Scriptures, providing a deeper appreciation for the unfolding of God's redemptive plan throughout history.(n.) Plural of Contemporary.4915. sunelikiotes -- one of the same age
... the same age. Word Origin from sun and helikia Definition one of the same
age NASB Word Usage contemporaries (1). equal. From sun ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4915.htm - 6k2586. Chanun -- "favored," two contemporaries of Nehemiah, also an ...
... Chanun. 2587 . "favored," two contemporaries of Nehemiah, also an Ammonite king.
Transliteration: Chanun Phonetic Spelling: (khaw-noon') Short Definition: Hanun ...
/hebrew/2586.htm - 6k

Their Contemporaries, Therefore, did not Look on them as Gods.
... Homily VI. Chapter XXII."Their Contemporaries, Therefore, Did Not Look
on Them as Gods. "Thus, to right-thinking men, it is clear ...
/.../the clementine homilies/chapter xxii their contemporaries therefore did.htm

Paul Gerhardt and his Contemporaries. AD 1620-1680. Cpaul Gerhardt
... CHAPTER IX. PAUL GERHARDT AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES. AD 1620-1680. cPaul Gerhardt.
As the seventeenth century passed on to its zenith ...
/.../winkworth/christian singers of germany/chapter ix paul gerhardt and.htm

The Worship of the Church. The Religion of the Primitive ...
... CHAPTER I. THE WORSHIP OF THE CHURCH. The religion of the primitive Christians must
have appeared exceedingly strange to their pagan contemporaries. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/killen/the ancient church/chapter i the worship of.htm

Christ Shows the Relation of his Contemporaries to the Baptist and ...
... CHAPTER VII. CHRIST'S FIRST GENERAL MINISTRY IN GALILEE. Section 136. Christ shows
the Relation of his Contemporaries to the Baptist and to Himself. ...
/.../section 136 christ shows the.htm

Kingo's Later Years
... envision him as a knight in full armor leading a troop in the charge." With the
exception of his active enemies, most of his contemporaries agree, however ...
/.../aaberg/hymns and hymnwriters of denmark/chapter seven kingos later years.htm

John the Baptist
... searching, something at home in every-day life, about John's announcement of the
coming kingdom that is quite absent from the visions of his contemporaries. ...
/.../rhees/the life of jesus of nazareth/vi john the baptist.htm

The Wyclif of the East --Bible Translation
... This is true alike of the moral and the physical forces of history, of contemporaries
so apparently opposite in character and aims as Carey and Clarkson on the ...
/.../smith/the life of william carey/chapter x the wyclif of.htm

'The Prince of Life'
... Peter's words here, thus boldly addressed to the people, are a strong testimony
to the impression which the character of Christ had made on His contemporaries. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/the prince of life.htm

Relation of Miracles to History.
... according to the accounts that remain, how Christ himself wished these phenomena
to be regarded, and what impression they made upon his contemporaries. ...
/.../section 89 relation of miracles.htm

The Messianic Call
... emphasized the spiritual phases of their promises, but it is not likely that he
had done much criticising of the ideas held by his contemporaries before he ...
/.../rhees/the life of jesus of nazareth/vii the messianic call.htm

Contemporaries (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) Plural of Contemporary. Multi-Version
Concordance Contemporaries (2 Occurrences). Luke 16:8 "And the ...
/c/contemporaries.htm - 7k

Benhadad (24 Occurrences)
... BENHADAD III 1. His Contemporaries 2. The Assyrians in the West 3. Downfall of Damascus
before Ramman-Nirari III 4. Breathing Space for Israel The Name: The ...
/b/benhadad.htm - 28k

Ezekiel (4 Occurrences)
... occurs with such frequency (compare 2:5; 3:9, 27, etc.) induces to the consideration
of the reception which the prophet met at the hand of his contemporaries. ...
/e/ezekiel.htm - 45k

Jonah (30 Occurrences)
... The men of Nineveh repented at the preaching of Jonah, while the
contemporaries of Jesus for the most part rejected His message. ...
/j/jonah.htm - 35k

Education (4 Occurrences)
... It is no lesser personage than King Solomon who, both by his contemporaries and
later generations as well, was regarded as the greatest representative of this ...
/e/education.htm - 40k

Zephaniah (11 Occurrences)
... Chronicles 15:5, 11). (3) Judean father or fathers of various contemporaries
of Zechariah, the prophet (Zechariah 6:10, 14). (4) A priest ...
/z/zephaniah.htm - 32k

Longevity
... The biographic sketches of Biblical persons other than those in Genesis showed
that their longevity did not exceed that of our contemporaries. ...
/l/longevity.htm - 9k

Lips (199 Occurrences)
... least a possible explanation. The prophet calls on his contemporaries to
return in penitence to Yahweh. Their worship should consist ...
/l/lips.htm - 37k

Gallio (3 Occurrences)
... Achaia was a senatorial province under Claudius, and the governor of such a province
was called a "proconsul." He is spoken of by his contemporaries as "sweet ...
/g/gallio.htm - 10k

Tiglathpileser (3 Occurrences)
... Along with them are mentioned their contemporaries Rezin of Damascus, Hiram of Tyre,
and two queens of Arabia otherwise unknown, Zabibi and Samsi. ...
/t/tiglathpileser.htm - 11k

What are Y-Chromosomal Adam and Mitochondrial Eve? | GotQuestions.org

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Contemporaries: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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