Biblical figures who really existed ?

[Guest]

Is there evidence, outside of the Bible, for the actual existence of any of the major figures in the Bible? Who do we know existed (like Jesus?) and who do we think is a combination of writers (like Isaiah?).

Thanks

[_Sophocles]

Nebuchadnezzar, Darius, Cyrus, Xerxes, Caesar, Herod...

Lots of real historical figures in the Bible.

Or were you referring to the good guys?

[Guest]

Nebuchadnezzar, Darius, Cyrus, Xerxes, Caesar, Herod...

Lots of real historical figures in the Bible.

Or were you referring to the good guys?

Well mostly. I realize that a lot of the figures, like those you list, would be easy to establish, but mostly I am curious about the names on the tabs, people who get a book named after them or , like you say, the good guys.

While I am interested in all of them, I would really like to hear what the evidence is for the existence of Abraham. How far back do records of him start?

But if you know of any others for whom we have good evidence of their existence, New or Old Testament, that would also be interesting.

Sort of a general question, feel free to bring up whomever.

[_Kishkumen]

Anakin Skywalker.

[_Sophocles]

I recall reading once that Hugh Nibley remarked, in an unguarded moment of exasperation, that he was being asked to meet an impossible standard of proof regarding the Book of Abraham, given that there was no real evidence that the man ever existed in the first place.

I'll see if I can find the reference.

[_Bret Ripley]

There's no extra-biblical evidence for Abraham or, If I recall correctly, any biblical character prior to the first millennium bce. There is extra-biblical evidence for several of the kings (Hezekiah is a good example).

There are some interesting inscriptions that may or may not be relevant to biblical history. The Merneptah Stele (late 13th century bce) refers to 'Israel', but as inscription describes Egypt utterly destroying Israel, it isn't clear that this is a reference to the Bible's nation of Israel. The Tel Dan Stele (late 9th century bce) mentions 'bytdwd', which may be translated as 'House of David'.

[_just me]

Anakin Skywalker.

Is he a bad guy or a good guy? I get confused.

[_moksha]

I recall reading once that Hugh Nibley remarked, in an unguarded moment of exasperation, that he was being asked to meet an impossible standard of proof regarding the Book of Abraham, given that there was no real evidence that the man ever existed in the first place.

He was forgetting the famous expression of B. Smoot Smith from the BYU Department of Dance & Apologetics, who said, "I tithe therefore I am".

[_Madison54]

What about John the Baptist....didn't Josephus write about him?

[_Cicero]

Is he a bad guy or a good guy? I get confused.

Me too, but I think our mutual confusion generally stems from bad acting and just plain-old awful writing