(IV) Characters in Bible Stories

How does Moses look like? Is he tall or short?

(don’t know, leh)

How about Saul?

I know, tall and handsome.

Why does the narrator describe to us about Saul’s features but not Moses’?

Ya, lah! Not fair one.


The second characteristic that makes a Bible genre as a narrative is that it must have a character. It’s like in a movie, there must be actors, real or cartoons. But unlike movies, Bible stories do not tell us how the characters look like if they are not related to the plot of the story. So we are not told how Moses look like because his appearance has no relation to the story. As for Saul, his appearance is important because the narrator want us to know how God chooses leaders in contrast to how human choose leaders (1Sam 16:7).

Description of Characters
1. Physical description of character: by narrator or other characters
For example, in 2Sam 11:2, the narrator told us that the woman David saw is very beautiful. This is part of the plot of the story and we understand why a good man like David can fall into sin.

2. Inner qualities described by narrator or other characters
For example: In Job 1:8, God tell Satan the characters of Job – blameless, upright, fear God, turn away from evil. Right at the beginning of the Book of Job, the reader is informed of the character of Job so that he knows that the suffering of Job is not due his own doings.

3. Speech of characters – can be evasive, lying, politeness, remorseful…
For example: In Judges 8:22, the Israelites asked Gideon to be their ruler.

But Gideon told them, "I will not rule over you, nor will my son rule over you. The LORD will rule over you."

This speech sound very honorable. But is it really so? The narrator later told us in verse 31 that Gideon named one of his sons Abimelech, which means “my father is king”. You could imagine each time some one calling your son, “my father is king”.

4. Actions and motives (especially repeated actions)
Reading through 1Sam 16 onwards and see the many repeated actions of Saul trying to kill David. Contrast this with the many action of David not wanting to take his hand on the Lord’s anointed. These repeated actions and motives show how the narrator ties his plot of leadership transition of God rejecting Saul and choosing David.

Important points about Characters
- Main characters are usually round/not flat, i.e. complex
Their behaviors can change. Example: Sarah may seem demure and submissive to Abram (Gen 12), but later her character is revealed more (Gen 16 – suggesting to Abram to get a concubine), and more (Gen 21:10 – drive away Hagar)

- God is an important Character in the Bible.
(Pay special attention what is said of God)

- Comparison to archetypes can be made without explicit mention.
E.g. first born son – Cain, Ishmael, Esau, … all have the same characteristics of first born.

Types of characters
Just like a movie where actors play different roles, each character in the story also has different role.

1. Main focus of narrative:
2. Agent to carry the theme: e.g. Cornelius in Acts (theme is salvation for Gentiles)
3. Foil: shed light on another character by contrast and comparison e.g. Abraham versus Lot; Isaac versus Ishmael; Jacob versus Esau; Abel versus Cain, etc
4. Plot carriers: carry the plot forward. E.g. Uriah 2Sam 11 on David’s adultery & murder
5. Setting Providers: People as part of the story to provide the setting of the story.

Example: In the Book of Jonah
- Main focus = Jonah
- Agent to carry the theme = Ninevah king (theme of the book is redemption)
- Foil = the sailors (they fear God) as contrast to Jonah
- Plot carrier = God, fish, Gourd
- Setting Providers = Ninevites


In Summary, when reading about individual characters, pay attention to what is being said. All information given to us is important, otherwise it will not be told.

Related to characters are dialogues, where characters speak to one another … (to be continued)