Grayson West
Some names shine bright in Sunday school, while others slip through the cracks of memory. Yet history’s “side characters” often carried the real weight of faith, leadership, and courage. Their voices may be faint, but their impact lingers. Ready to meet the Bible’s forgotten legends? Let’s dust them off together!
Shiphrah And Puah
Shiphrah and Puah, Hebrew midwives in Egypt, defied Pharaoh’s brutal order to kill newborn Hebrew boys. Instead, they preserved the lives of Israelite sons, including the infant Moses, who would later guide his people to freedom. And for their bravery, God blessed them with families by honoring their quiet heroism.
Miriam
Just imagine being a young girl entrusted with protecting a future leader. That was Miriam, the sister of Moses, who would become Israel’s deliverer. From safeguarding Moses in the Nile to leading Israel in song after the Red Sea, she showed courage and led her people like a true leader.
Hur
Hur, a respected Israelite leader, joined Aaron, Moses’ brother and Israel’s first high priest, to hold up Moses’ arms during battle against Amalek. And their support ensured victory. Later, Hur’s family helped build the sacred tabernacle, Israel’s portable temple. His story shows how quiet, behind-the-scenes strength can also shape history.
Ehud
Here’s a story you might not know: Ehud, a left-handed Israelite judge chosen to save Israel, turned the tables on King Eglon of Moab, the Moabite king oppressing the Israelites. By using a hidden dagger, Ehud slew Eglon and delivered his people. Israel then enjoyed 80 years of peace, the longest under any Judge.
Bezalel
Bezalel, grandson of Hur, was the first person in the Bible described as filled with God’s Spirit. He led the design of the tabernacle, a portable sanctuary where God’s presence dwelt, and even crafted consecrated items for worship, including the Ark that held God’s presence. His name means “in the shadow of God,” which also reflects his divine purpose.
Jethro
Moses was stressed, handling all the people’s problems by himself. Then Jethro, his father-in-law, drops a simple idea: share the load with judges. Genius, right? This small suggestion reshaped leadership in Israel for generations. Jethro might have been an outsider, but he got it; he welcomed Moses and respected God at the same time.
Deborah
Deborah wasn’t just a prophetess—she was also Israel’s judge and a fearless leader. When Sisera’s Canaanite forces threatened her people, she called on Barak to fight. Their victory became legendary, and Deborah’s triumph echoed in the stirring song she sang with Barak, earning her the title “mother in Israel.”
Shamgar
It’s easy to overlook Shamgar, an Israelite judge mentioned only briefly in the Bible. Yet with a farmer’s ox goad, he killed 600 Philistines, freeing Israel. Unlike Samson, the more famous Israelite judge known for his incredible strength, Shamgar reminds us that courage and resourcefulness matter more than fame.
Barak
Barak, the Israelite commander, might not have seemed heroic at first. Deborah, a prophetess and judge, advised him to lead Israel’s army against Sisera, commander of the Canaanite forces oppressing Israel. Though nervous, Barak obeyed and proved that courage grows with guidance. His extraordinary faith also earned him a place in Hebrews 11’s “Hall of Faith.”
Jephthah’s Daughter
Faith sometimes asks for unimaginable sacrifices, as it did from Jephthah’s daughter, an Israelite judge. She accepted her father’s vow to God, even though it meant losing her future. This is why Israelite women remembered her every year. And her story shows the importance of thinking before making promises.
Jael
Jael, an Israelite woman, surprised everyone with her boldness. When Sisera, the Canaanite army commander oppressing Israel, hid in her tent, she drove a tent peg through him. Even Deborah, Israel’s prophetess and judge, praised her above all women—illustrating that courage usually comes from the most unexpected places.
Gideon’s 300
Sometimes faith calls for bold action. Gideon, an Israelite judge, led only 300 men against the Midianites, a powerful nomadic army oppressing Israel. They carried no swords, just torches and trumpets. And they won! Their names aren’t in the Bible, but their faith speaks louder than armies.
Ebed-Melech
You’ve probably never heard of Ebed-Melech, a Cushite man serving in King Zedekiah’s palace in Judah. When Jeremiah, the Hebrew prophet chosen by God to warn Judah, got trapped in a cistern, Ebed-Melech didn’t wait. He grabbed some old rags and pulled him out. And God also promised to protect Ebed-Melech during Jerusalem’s fall.
Phoebe
Phoebe, the Christian woman serving as a deacon in the city of Cenchreae, reminds us that faith includes action. Even Paul, the apostle, praised her for her work. She likely delivered his letter to the Romans and generously helped the church with her own resources. Her name, “brightness,” reflects the light she brought to others.
Huldah
When Josiah’s officials discovered the Book of the Law, they carried it to a prophetess named Huldah. In a city where Jeremiah warned of destruction and Zephaniah called for repentance, Huldah’s words stood out. Her fearless prophecy even pushed the king toward reform, and revival swept through Jerusalem.
Baruch
Baruch, son of Neriah, faced the difficult task of writing down Jeremiah’s prophecies on scrolls while facing opposition from the people. Coming from a respected family, he chose the harder path. His steadfast dedication preserved Jeremiah’s ministry, and his name, meaning “Blessed,” reflects a faith that impacted generations.
Onesiphorus
Visiting Paul, the apostle from Tarsus, in prison wasn’t easy, yet Onesiphorus, a faithful Christian from Ephesus, didn’t hesitate. He offered comfort instead of shame (2 Timothy 1:16–18), even when it was risky. Paul also prayed blessings over his household and highlighted how much Onesiphorus’ loyalty mattered.
Tabitha (Dorcas)
Meet Tabitha—better known as Dorcas—in the seaside town of Joppa. She was the kind of disciple everyone loved, always sewing clothes for widows and helping anyone in need. So, when Peter prayed and raised her back to life, the miracle drew crowds, and many came to believe in Jesus and the blessings of honest work.
Lydia
Have you heard of Lydia? She was a businesswoman from Thyatira, a city in Asia Minor known for its trade and commerce, and the daughter of a local merchant. She sold rare purple cloth, became Paul’s first convert in Philippi, and even opened her home as the city’s first church by supporting early believers.
Tychicus
The church often remembers Paul’s bold preaching, yet behind him stood Tychicus—the messenger who carried truth across cities. He delivered letters like Ephesians and Colossians, strengthening weary believers. His very name, “fortunate,” echoed the gift of his steady faithfulness in shaping early Christianity.