Who Is Mentioned Most in the Bible?
The people named in the most verses, the most named women, and who leads each book.
BibleVerse research
Famous but silent
Some well-known biblical figures are named many times but are never quoted speaking. This page compares how often 100 frequently named people appear with how often the text records their words.
The counts remain based on the Berean Standard Bible. The switcher changes the displayed verses, not the analysis; when an edition lacks a book or verse, the BSB text remains visible.
The short answer
15of the 100 most-named people in the Bible are never heard speaking
40verses name Zadok the priest, the most-named person who never speaks
18verses in which Aaron speaks, of the 333 that name him
Of the 100 people the Bible names most often, 15 are never quoted saying anything. The most named of them is Zadok the priest, who anoints Solomon king and returns the ark to Jerusalem at David's word: named in 40 verses, he never speaks. Another 11 speak in fewer than one verse for every ten that name them, among them Aaron, the brother appointed to speak for Moses, and Mordecai, whose two recorded verses end “who knows if perhaps you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14).
Outside the 100, some familiar figures are never quoted speaking. Joseph, the husband of Mary, is named in 16 verses without any recorded words. The same is true of Lazarus, Abel, Methuselah and Barabbas, as well as Matthew, Mark and Luke, whose names are traditionally associated with the Gospels.
Never heard
Most of the 15 are kings, priests and parents whose names recur in the histories: Uzziah and Manasseh reign for decades, Nun is named in 30 verses as Joshua's father, and Zeruiah, the only woman among them, in 25 as the mother of Joab, Abishai and Asahel. Timothy, to whom two letters are written, is not quoted speaking in the Bible. Manasseh's prayer from captivity is mentioned but not given (2 Chronicles 33:12–13 and 18–19). The Prayer of Manasseh, received as scripture in some Christian traditions and printed among the Apocrypha in some other editions, presents a prayer in his name; it is outside this page's 66-book scope.
- Zadok the priest named in 40 verses, rank 51
- Jehoiakim named in 36 verses, rank 55
- Sihon named in 34 verses, rank 58
- Asaph the musician named in 33 verses, rank 60Twelve psalms carry his name; they are not counted.
- Uzziah, king of Judah named in 33 verses, rank 61
- Nun named in 30 verses, rank 68
- Abiathar named in 29 verses, rank 69
- Timothy named in 28 verses, rank 72
- Ahaziah, king of Judah named in 26 verses, rank 75
- Baasha named in 26 verses, rank 78
- Zeruiah named in 25 verses, rank 81
- Nebat named in 25 verses, rank 82
- Manasseh, king of Judah named in 24 verses, rank 852 Chronicles 33 says he prayed in captivity and that the prayer was written down elsewhere, without giving the words; the Prayer of Manasseh, a short book outside the 66-book Bible, supplies one in his name and is not counted.
- Jehoiachin named in 22 verses, rank 96
- Og named in 22 verses, rank 98
Only 6 of the 100 most-named people are women: Sarah, Rachel, Esther, Leah, Rebekah and Zeruiah. Zeruiah is the only one never heard.
The quietest
Of the 85 who do speak, these are heard least for how often they are named. Aaron is named in 333 verses and speaks in 18, 10 of them together with Moses or Miriam, though God appoints him as Moses's spokesman: “He will speak to the people for you” (Exodus 4:16). Noah is named in 47 verses, and his only recorded words, after the flood, are three verses of curse and blessing on his sons (Genesis 9:25–27).
Verses that name themVerses in which they speak
- Korah, son of Izhar
- Mordecai, Esther's cousin
- Zerubbabel the governor
- Aaron
- Uriah the Hittite
- Baruch, son of Neriah
- Noah, son of Lamech
- Jesse
- Eleazar, son of Aaron
- Asa, king of Judah
- Abimelech, son of Gideon
- Ahaz, king of Judah
- Adam
- Jeroboam son of Nebat
- Amaziah, king of Judah
- Benaiah, son of Jehoiada
- Sarah
- Gedaliah, son of Ahikam
- Abishai
- Abraham
Korah and Zerubbabel are heard only speaking together with others.
Everything they say
Every verse in which one of the 100 most-named people speaks, for those heard in five verses or fewer.
Every verse in which they speak, for the 20 heard in 5 verses or fewer
Eleazar, son of Aaron 5
- “Take a census of the men twenty years of age or older, as the LORD has commanded Moses.” And these were the Israelites who came out of the land of Egypt: Numbers 26:4
- Then Eleazar the priest said to the soldiers who had gone into battle, “This is the statute of the law which the LORD has commanded Moses: Numbers 31:21
- Only the gold, silver, bronze, iron, tin, and lead— Numbers 31:22
- everything that can withstand the fire—must be put through the fire, and it will be clean. But it must still be purified with the water of purification. And everything that cannot withstand the fire must pass through the water. Numbers 31:23
- On the seventh day you are to wash your clothes, and you will be clean. After that you may enter the camp.” Numbers 31:24
Asa, king of Judah 4
- “Let there be a treaty between me and you as there was between my father and your father. See, I have sent you a gift of silver and gold. Now go and break your treaty with Baasha king of Israel, so that he will withdraw from me.” 1 Kings 15:19
- So he said to the people of Judah, “Let us build these cities and surround them with walls and towers, with doors and bars. The land is still ours because we have sought the LORD our God. We have sought Him, and He has given us rest on every side.” So they built and prospered. 2 Chronicles 14:7
- Then Asa cried out to the LORD his God: “O LORD, there is no one besides You to help the powerless against the mighty. Help us, O LORD our God, for we rely on You, and in Your name we have come against this multitude. O LORD, You are our God. Do not let a mere mortal prevail against You.” 2 Chronicles 14:11
- “Let there be a treaty between me and you as there was between my father and your father. See, I have sent you silver and gold. Now go and break your treaty with Baasha king of Israel, so that he will withdraw from me.” 2 Chronicles 16:3
Mordecai, Esther's cousin 2
- he sent back to her this reply: “Do not imagine that because you are in the king’s palace you alone will escape the fate of all the Jews. Esther 4:13
- For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows if perhaps you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14
Noah, son of Lamech 3
- he said, “Cursed be Canaan! A servant of servants shall he be to his brothers.” Genesis 9:25
- He also declared: “Blessed be the LORD, the God of Shem! May Canaan be the servant of Shem. Genesis 9:26
- May God expand the territory of Japheth; may he dwell in the tents of Shem, and may Canaan be his servant.” Genesis 9:27
Jesse 3
- And Samuel asked him, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse replied, “but he is tending the sheep.” “Send for him,” Samuel replied. “For we will not sit down to eat until he arrives.” 1 Samuel 16:11
- One day Jesse said to his son David, “Take this ephah of roasted grain and these ten loaves of bread for your brothers and hurry to their camp. 1 Samuel 17:17
- Take also these ten portions of cheese to the commander of their unit. Check on the welfare of your brothers and bring back an assurance from them. 1 Samuel 17:18
Abimelech, son of Gideon 3
- “Please ask all the leaders of Shechem, ‘Is it better for you that seventy men, all the sons of Jerubbaal, rule over you, or just one man?’ Remember that I am your own flesh and blood.” Judges 9:2
- he and all his men went up to Mount Zalmon. Abimelech took his axe in his hand and cut a branch from the trees, which he lifted to his shoulder, saying to his men, “Hurry and do what you have seen me do.” Judges 9:48
- He quickly called his armor-bearer, saying, “Draw your sword and kill me, lest they say of me, ‘A woman killed him.’” So Abimelech’s armor-bearer ran his sword through him, and he died. Judges 9:54
Ahaz, king of Judah 4
- So Ahaz sent messengers to Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria, saying, “I am your servant and your son. Come up and save me from the hands of the kings of Aram and Israel, who are rising up against me.” 2 Kings 16:7
- Then King Ahaz commanded Uriah the priest, “Offer on the great altar the morning burnt offering, the evening grain offering, and the king’s burnt offering and grain offering, as well as the burnt offerings, grain offerings, and drink offerings of all the people of the land. Splatter on the altar all the blood of the burnt offerings and sacrifices. But I will use the bronze altar to seek guidance.” 2 Kings 16:15
- He sacrificed to the gods of Damascus, who had defeated him, and he said, “Because the gods of the kings of Aram have helped them, I will sacrifice to them that they may help me.” But these gods were the downfall of Ahaz and of all Israel. 2 Chronicles 28:23
- But Ahaz replied, “I will not ask; I will not test the LORD.” Isaiah 7:12
Amaziah, king of Judah 4
- Then Amaziah sent messengers to the king of Israel Jehoash son of Jehoahaz, the son of Jehu. “Come, let us meet face to face,” he said. 2 Kings 14:8
- Amaziah asked the man of God, “What should I do about the hundred talents I have given to the troops of Israel?” And the man of God replied, “The LORD is able to give you much more than this.” 2 Chronicles 25:9
- While he was still speaking, the king asked, “Have we made you the counselor to the king? Stop! Why be struck down?” So the prophet stopped, but he said, “I know that God has determined to destroy you, because you have done this and have not heeded my advice.” 2 Chronicles 25:16
- Then Amaziah king of Judah took counsel and sent word to the king of Israel Jehoash son of Jehoahaz, the son of Jehu. “Come, let us meet face to face,” he said. 2 Chronicles 25:17
Korah, son of Izhar 1
- They came together against Moses and Aaron and told them, “You have taken too much upon yourselves! For everyone in the entire congregation is holy, and the LORD is in their midst. Why then do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the LORD?” Numbers 16:3
Adam 3
- And the man said: “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called ‘woman,’ for out of man she was taken.” Genesis 2:23
- “I heard Your voice in the garden,” he replied, “and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid myself.” Genesis 3:10
- And the man answered, “The woman whom You gave me, she gave me fruit from the tree, and I ate it.” Genesis 3:12
Zerubbabel the governor 1
- But Zerubbabel, Jeshua, and the other heads of the families of Israel replied, “You have no part with us in building a house for our God, since we alone must build it for the LORD, the God of Israel, as Cyrus king of Persia has commanded us.” Ezra 4:3
Gedaliah, son of Ahikam 4
- And Gedaliah took an oath before them and their men, assuring them, “Do not be afraid of the servants of the Chaldeans. Live in the land and serve the king of Babylon, and it will be well with you.” 2 Kings 25:24
- Gedaliah son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, swore an oath to them and their men, assuring them, “Do not be afraid to serve the Chaldeans. Live in the land and serve the king of Babylon, and it will go well with you. Jeremiah 40:9
- As for me, I will stay in Mizpah to represent you before the Chaldeans who come to us. As for you, gather wine grapes, summer fruit, and oil, place them in your storage jars, and live in the cities you have taken.” Jeremiah 40:10
- But Gedaliah son of Ahikam said to Johanan son of Kareah, “Do not do such a thing! What you are saying about Ishmael is a lie.” Jeremiah 40:16
Joash, king of Judah 5
- Then Joash said to the priests, “Collect all the money brought as sacred gifts into the house of the LORD—the census money, the money from vows, and the money brought voluntarily into the house of the LORD. 2 Kings 12:4
- Let every priest receive it from his constituency, and let it be used to repair any damage found in the temple.” 2 Kings 12:5
- So King Joash called Jehoiada and the other priests and said, “Why have you not repaired the damage to the temple? Now, therefore, take no more money from your constituency, but hand it over for the repair of the temple.” 2 Kings 12:7
- So he gathered the priests and Levites and said, “Go out to the cities of Judah and collect the money due annually from all Israel, to repair the house of your God. Do it quickly.” The Levites, however, did not make haste. 2 Chronicles 24:5
- So the king called Jehoiada the high priest and said, “Why have you not required the Levites to bring from Judah and Jerusalem the tax imposed by Moses the servant of the LORD and by the assembly of Israel for the Tent of the Testimony?” 2 Chronicles 24:6
Abishai 4
- And David asked Ahimelech the Hittite and Abishai son of Zeruiah, Joab’s brother, “Who will go down with me to Saul in the camp?” “I will go with you,” answered Abishai. 1 Samuel 26:6
- Abishai said to David, “Today God has delivered your enemy into your hand. Now, therefore, please let me thrust the spear through him into the ground with one stroke. I will not need to strike him twice!” 1 Samuel 26:8
- Then Abishai son of Zeruiah said to the king, “Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me go over and cut off his head!” 2 Samuel 16:9
- But Abishai son of Zeruiah said, “Shouldn’t Shimei be put to death for this, because he cursed the LORD’s anointed?” 2 Samuel 19:21
Shaphan the scribe 5
- And Shaphan the scribe went to the king and reported, “Your servants have paid out the money that was found in the temple and have put it into the hands of the workers and supervisors of the house of the LORD.” 2 Kings 22:9
- Moreover, Shaphan the scribe told the king, “Hilkiah the priest has given me a book.” And Shaphan read it in the presence of the king. 2 Kings 22:10
- Then Shaphan brought the book to the king and reported, “Your servants are doing all that has been placed in their hands. 2 Chronicles 34:16
- They have paid out the money that was found in the house of the LORD and have put it into the hands of the supervisors and workers.” 2 Chronicles 34:17
- Moreover, Shaphan the scribe told the king, “Hilkiah the priest has given me a book.” And Shaphan read it in the presence of the king. 2 Chronicles 34:18
Joash, king of Israel 5
- When Elisha had fallen sick with the illness from which he would die, Jehoash king of Israel came down to him and wept over him, saying, “My father, my father, the chariots and horsemen of Israel!” 2 Kings 13:14
- But Jehoash king of Israel replied to Amaziah king of Judah: “A thistle in Lebanon sent a message to a cedar in Lebanon, saying, ‘Give your daughter to my son in marriage.’ Then a wild beast in Lebanon came along and trampled the thistle. 2 Kings 14:9
- You have indeed defeated Edom, and your heart has become proud. Glory in that and stay at home. Why should you stir up trouble so that you fall—you and Judah with you?” 2 Kings 14:10
- But Jehoash king of Israel replied to Amaziah king of Judah: “A thistle in Lebanon sent a message to a cedar in Lebanon, saying, ‘Give your daughter to my son in marriage.’ Then a wild beast in Lebanon came along and trampled the thistle. 2 Chronicles 25:18
- You have said, ‘Look, I have defeated Edom,’ and your heart has become proud and boastful. Now stay at home. Why should you stir up trouble so that you fall—you and Judah with you?” 2 Chronicles 25:19
Benaiah, son of Jehoiada 3
- “Amen,” replied Benaiah son of Jehoiada. “May the LORD, the God of my lord the king, so declare it. 1 Kings 1:36
- Just as the LORD was with my lord the king, so may He be with Solomon and make his throne even greater than that of my lord King David.” 1 Kings 1:37
- And Benaiah entered the tent of the LORD and said to Joab, “The king says, ‘Come out!’” But Joab replied, “No, I will die here.” So Benaiah relayed the message to the king, saying, “This is how Joab answered me.” 1 Kings 2:30
Uriah the Hittite 1
- Uriah answered, “The ark and Israel and Judah are dwelling in tents, and my master Joab and his soldiers are camped in the open field. How can I go to my house to eat and drink and sleep with my wife? As surely as you live, and as your soul lives, I will not do such a thing!” 2 Samuel 11:11
Ezra the scribe 5
- Then Ezra the priest stood up and said to them, “You have been unfaithful by marrying foreign women, adding to the guilt of Israel. Ezra 10:10
- Now, therefore, make a confession to the LORD, the God of your fathers, and do His will. Separate yourselves from the people of the land and from your foreign wives.” Ezra 10:11
- Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to all of them, “This day is holy to the LORD your God. Do not mourn or weep.” For all the people were weeping as they heard the words of the Law. Nehemiah 8:9
- Then Nehemiah told them, “Go and eat what is rich, drink what is sweet, and send out portions to those who have nothing prepared, since today is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10
- and that they should proclaim this message and spread it throughout their towns and in Jerusalem, saying, “Go out to the hill country and bring back branches of olive, wild olive, myrtle, palm, and other leafy trees, to make booths, as it is written.” Nehemiah 8:15
Baruch, son of Neriah 1
- “It was at his dictation,” Baruch replied. “He recited all these words to me and I wrote them in ink on the scroll.” Jeremiah 36:18
Quoted more than named
8 of the 100 are heard in more verses than name them. Job leads by far: named in 53 verses, he speaks in 511, nearly ten for every one, because nearly half of his book is his own speech. Moses speaks in 1,166 verses, most of them the long address of Deuteronomy, and Jesus in 2,003. The prophets Jeremiah, Isaiah, Daniel and Elisha are heard more than they are named, and so is Boaz, in the book of Ruth.
Verses that name themVerses in which they speak
- Job
- Jesus
- Moses
- Jeremiah the prophet
- Elisha
- Isaiah
- Daniel the prophet
- Boaz
- Peter
- Paul
- Balaam
- John, son of Zebedee
Well known, rarely named
Many of the Bible's most familiar people are named too rarely to reach the 100. These 30 were chosen by an editor because they are widely known; the list is not a measurement. 9 of them are never heard. Mary, the mother of Jesus, speaks in 15 verses, 10 of them the Magnificat, and her last recorded words are “Do whatever He tells you” (John 2:5). Eve is heard in more verses than name her, and Stephen, named in 7, speaks in 55, all of them in Acts 7, most of them his defense before the council.
| Person | Named | Speaks | First heard |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eve | 4 | 5 | Genesis 3:2 |
| Cain | 16 | 4 | Genesis 4:8 |
| Abel | 9 | 0 | Never heard |
| Enoch (Genesis 5:18) | 10 | 0 | Never heard Words of theirs quoted by someone else or reported: Jude 1:14, Jude 1:15. |
| Methuselah | 7 | 0 | Never heard |
| Melchizedek | 11 | 2 | Genesis 14:19 |
| Hagar | 12 | 3 | Genesis 16:8 |
| Miriam, sister of Moses | 12 | 2 | Exodus 15:21 |
| Rahab | 8 | 9 | Joshua 2:4 |
| Deborah the judge | 9 | 34 | Judges 4:6 |
| Delilah | 6 | 9 | Judges 16:6 |
| Ruth | 13 | 11 | Ruth 1:10 |
| Naomi | 20 | 18 | Ruth 1:8 |
| Hannah | 11 | 19 | 1 Samuel 1:11 |
| Goliath | 6 | 5 | 1 Samuel 17:8 |
| Bathsheba | 12 | 13 | 2 Samuel 11:5 |
| Mary, mother of Jesus | 20 | 15 | Luke 1:34 |
| Joseph, husband of Mary | 16 | 0 | Never heard Verses some translations could set as their speech, which the audio list marks as uncertain: Matthew 1:19, Luke 2:33, Luke 2:44. |
| Elizabeth | 8 | 6 | Luke 1:25 |
| Zechariah (Luke 1:5) | 9 | 13 | Luke 1:18 |
| Mary Magdalene | 14 | 5 | Mark 16:3 |
| Martha | 12 | 9 | Luke 10:40 |
| Lazarus (John 11:1) | 11 | 0 | Never heard |
| Thomas | 12 | 6 | John 11:16 |
| Nicodemus | 5 | 4 | John 3:2 |
| Stephen | 7 | 55 | Acts 7:2 |
| Matthew | 8 | 0 | Never heard The Gospel that carries his name is linked with him by tradition; he is never quoted in it. |
| Mark | 10 | 0 | Never heard The Gospel that carries his name is linked with him by tradition; he is never quoted in it. |
| Luke | 5 | 0 | Never heard Luke's Gospel and Acts are linked with him by tradition; he is never quoted in either. |
| Barabbas | 10 | 0 | Never heard |
Everything they say
Every verse in which they speak, for the 8 heard in 5 verses or fewer
Eve 5
- The woman answered the serpent, “We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden, Genesis 3:2
- but about the fruit of the tree in the middle of the garden, God has said, ‘You must not eat of it or touch it, or you will die.’” Genesis 3:3
- Then the LORD God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” “The serpent deceived me,” she replied, “and I ate.” Genesis 3:13
- And Adam had relations with his wife Eve, and she conceived and gave birth to Cain. “With the help of the LORD I have brought forth a man,” she said. Genesis 4:1
- And Adam again had relations with his wife, and she gave birth to a son and named him Seth, saying, “God has granted me another seed in place of Abel, since Cain killed him.” Genesis 4:25
Cain 4
- Then Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let us go out to the field.” And while they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him. Genesis 4:8
- And the LORD said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?” “I do not know!” he answered. “Am I my brother’s keeper?” Genesis 4:9
- But Cain said to the LORD, “My punishment is greater than I can bear. Genesis 4:13
- Behold, this day You have driven me from the face of the earth, and from Your face I will be hidden; I will be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me.” Genesis 4:14
Melchizedek 2
- and he blessed Abram and said: “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, Genesis 14:19
- and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand.” Then Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of everything. Genesis 14:20
Hagar 3
- “Hagar, servant of Sarai,” he said, “where have you come from, and where are you going?” “I am running away from my mistress Sarai,” she replied. Genesis 16:8
- So Hagar gave this name to the LORD who had spoken to her: “You are the God who sees me, ” for she said, “Here I have seen the One who sees me!” Genesis 16:13
- Then she went off and sat down nearby, about a bowshot away, for she said, “I cannot bear to watch the boy die!” And as she sat nearby, she lifted up her voice and wept. Genesis 21:16
Miriam, sister of Moses 2
- And Miriam sang back to them: “Sing to the LORD, for He is highly exalted; the horse and rider He has thrown into the sea.” Exodus 15:21
- “Does the LORD speak only through Moses?” they said. “Does He not also speak through us?” And the LORD heard this. Numbers 12:2
Goliath 5
- And Goliath stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, “Why do you come out and array yourselves for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not servants of Saul? Choose one of your men and have him come down against me. 1 Samuel 17:8
- If he is able to fight me and kill me, then we will be your servants. But if I prevail against him and kill him, then you shall be our servants and work for us.” 1 Samuel 17:9
- Then the Philistine said, “I defy the ranks of Israel this day! Give me a man to fight!” 1 Samuel 17:10
- “Am I a dog,” he said to David, “that you come at me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. 1 Samuel 17:43
- “Come here,” he called to David, “and I will give your flesh to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field!” 1 Samuel 17:44
Mary Magdalene 5
- They were asking one another, “Who will roll away the stone from the entrance of the tomb?” Mark 16:3
- So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved. “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb,” she said, “and we do not know where they have put Him!” John 20:2
- “Woman, why are you weeping?” they asked. “Because they have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I do not know where they have put Him.” John 20:13
- “Woman, why are you weeping?” Jesus asked. “Whom are you seeking?” Thinking He was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried Him off, tell me where you have put Him, and I will get Him.” John 20:15
- Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to Him in Hebrew, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”). John 20:16
Nicodemus 4
- He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs You are doing if God were not with him.” John 3:2
- “How can a man be born when he is old?” Nicodemus asked. “Can he enter his mother’s womb a second time to be born?” John 3:4
- “How can this be?” Nicodemus asked. John 3:9
- “Does our law convict a man without first hearing from him to determine what he has done?” John 7:51
All 100
The 100 most-named people, in the order of Most-mentioned people in the Bible, with the verses that name them and the verses in which they speak. Jacob, whose other name Israel is also the nation's, is set apart there and here.
All 100, with the verses that name them and the verses in which they speak
| Rank | Person | Named | Speaks | Speaks per verse named | First heard |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jesus | 1157 | 2003 | 1.73 | Matthew 3:15 |
| 2 | David | 964 | 400 | 0.41 | 1 Samuel 17:26 |
| 3 | Moses | 786 | 1166 | 1.48 | Exodus 2:13 |
| 4 | Aaron | 333 | 18 | 0.05 | Exodus 5:1 |
| 5 | King Saul | 327 | 89 | 0.27 | 1 Samuel 9:5 |
| 6 | Abraham | 275 | 49 | 0.18 | Genesis 12:11 |
| 7 | Solomon | 272 | 126 | 0.46 | 1 Kings 1:52 |
| 8 | Joseph, son of Jacob | 197 | 80 | 0.41 | Genesis 37:6 |
| 9 | Joshua, son of Nun | 190 | 104 | 0.55 | Exodus 32:17 |
| 10 | Paul | 182 | 167 | 0.92 | Acts 9:5 |
| 11 | Peter | 179 | 171 | 0.96 | Matthew 14:28 |
| 12 | Jeremiah the prophet | 124 | 183 | 1.48 | Jeremiah 7:28 |
| 13 | Isaac | 123 | 29 | 0.24 | Genesis 22:7 |
| 14 | Samuel | 121 | 88 | 0.73 | 1 Samuel 3:4 |
| 15 | Joab, David's commander | 120 | 34 | 0.28 | 2 Samuel 2:14 |
| 16 | Hezekiah, king of Judah | 116 | 51 | 0.44 | 2 Kings 18:14 |
| 17 | Pharaoh of the exodus | 111 | 24 | 0.22 | Exodus 5:2 |
| 18 | Absalom | 92 | 18 | 0.20 | 2 Samuel 13:20 |
| 19 | Elijah the prophet | 92 | 49 | 0.53 | 1 Kings 17:1 |
| 20 | John the Baptist | 89 | 38 | 0.43 | Matthew 3:2 |
| 21 | Nebuchadnezzar | 88 | 39 | 0.44 | Jeremiah 39:12 |
| 22 | Jonathan, son of Saul | 82 | 37 | 0.45 | 1 Samuel 14:1 |
| 23 | Jeroboam son of Nebat | 81 | 10 | 0.12 | 1 Kings 12:4 |
| 24 | Ahab, king of Israel | 79 | 37 | 0.47 | 1 Kings 18:5 |
| 25 | Daniel the prophet | 72 | 80 | 1.11 | Daniel 1:12 |
| 26 | Pharaoh of Joseph's time | 70 | 24 | 0.34 | Genesis 41:15 |
| 27 | Esau | 70 | 14 | 0.20 | Genesis 25:30 |
| 28 | Jehoshaphat, king of Judah | 67 | 25 | 0.37 | 1 Kings 22:4 |
| 29 | Eleazar, son of Aaron | 61 | 5 | 0.08 | Numbers 26:4 |
| 30 | Balaam | 59 | 48 | 0.81 | Numbers 22:8 |
| 31 | Zedekiah, king of Judah | 54 | 12 | 0.22 | Jeremiah 32:3 |
| 32 | Isaiah | 54 | 62 | 1.15 | 2 Kings 19:6 |
| 33 | Abner | 53 | 15 | 0.28 | 1 Samuel 17:55 |
| 34 | Asa, king of Judah | 53 | 4 | 0.08 | 1 Kings 15:19 |
| 35 | Elisha | 53 | 71 | 1.34 | 1 Kings 19:20 |
| 36 | Pilate | 53 | 34 | 0.64 | Matthew 27:11 |
| 37 | Job | 53 | 511 | 9.64 | Job 1:5 |
| 38 | Mordecai, Esther's cousin | 50 | 2 | 0.04 | Esther 4:13 |
| 39 | Gideon | 50 | 23 | 0.46 | Judges 6:13 |
| 40 | Josiah, king of Judah | 49 | 14 | 0.29 | 2 Kings 22:4 |
| 41 | Sarah | 48 | 7 | 0.15 | Genesis 16:2 |
| 42 | Noah, son of Lamech | 47 | 3 | 0.06 | Genesis 9:25 |
| 43 | Laban | 46 | 30 | 0.65 | Genesis 24:31 |
| 44 | Jehu, king of Israel | 46 | 32 | 0.70 | 2 Kings 9:5 |
| 45 | Esther | 45 | 11 | 0.24 | Esther 4:11 |
| 46 | Haman | 45 | 9 | 0.20 | Esther 3:8 |
| 47 | Rachel | 45 | 12 | 0.27 | Genesis 30:1 |
| 48 | Jesse | 44 | 3 | 0.07 | 1 Samuel 16:11 |
| 49 | Rehoboam | 42 | 9 | 0.21 | 1 Kings 12:5 |
| 50 | Balak | 41 | 10 | 0.24 | Numbers 22:5 |
| 51 | Zadok the priest | 40 | 0 | 0.00 | Never heard |
| 52 | Samson | 38 | 22 | 0.58 | Judges 14:2 |
| 53 | Abimelech, son of Gideon | 37 | 3 | 0.08 | Judges 9:2 |
| 54 | Ahaz, king of Judah | 37 | 4 | 0.11 | 2 Kings 16:7 |
| 55 | Jehoiakim | 36 | 0 | 0.00 | Never heard |
| 56 | John, son of Zebedee | 35 | 28 | 0.80 | Matthew 17:10 |
| 57 | Lot | 34 | 7 | 0.21 | Genesis 19:2 |
| 58 | Sihon | 34 | 0 | 0.00 | Never heard |
| 59 | Amaziah, king of Judah | 34 | 4 | 0.12 | 2 Kings 14:8 |
| 60 | Asaph the musician | 33 | 0 | 0.00 | Never heard |
| 61 | Uzziah, king of Judah | 33 | 0 | 0.00 | Never heard |
| 62 | Leah | 32 | 13 | 0.41 | Genesis 29:32 |
| 63 | Korah, son of Izhar | 32 | 1 | 0.03 | Numbers 16:3 |
| 64 | Eli | 30 | 14 | 0.47 | 1 Samuel 1:14 |
| 65 | Nathan the prophet | 30 | 22 | 0.73 | 2 Samuel 7:3 |
| 66 | Ahasuerus | 30 | 17 | 0.57 | Esther 1:15 |
| 67 | Rebekah | 30 | 18 | 0.60 | Genesis 24:18 |
| 68 | Nun | 30 | 0 | 0.00 | Never heard |
| 69 | Abiathar | 29 | 0 | 0.00 | Never heard |
| 70 | Barnabas | 28 | 6 | 0.21 | Acts 13:46 |
| 71 | Caleb, son of Jephunneh | 28 | 15 | 0.54 | Numbers 13:30 |
| 72 | Timothy | 28 | 0 | 0.00 | Never heard |
| 73 | Adam | 27 | 3 | 0.11 | Genesis 2:23 |
| 74 | Zerubbabel the governor | 27 | 1 | 0.04 | Ezra 4:3 |
| 75 | Ahaziah, king of Judah | 26 | 0 | 0.00 | Never heard |
| 76 | Jephthah | 26 | 8 | 0.31 | Judges 11:7 |
| 77 | Jehoiada the priest | 26 | 12 | 0.46 | 2 Kings 11:5 |
| 78 | Baasha | 26 | 0 | 0.00 | Never heard |
| 79 | Gedaliah, son of Ahikam | 26 | 4 | 0.15 | 2 Kings 25:24 |
| 80 | Joash, king of Judah | 26 | 5 | 0.19 | 2 Kings 12:4 |
| 81 | Zeruiah | 25 | 0 | 0.00 | Never heard |
| 82 | Nebat | 25 | 0 | 0.00 | Never heard |
| 83 | Jonah | 24 | 15 | 0.63 | Jonah 1:9 |
| 84 | Herod the tetrarch | 24 | 6 | 0.25 | Matthew 14:2 |
| 85 | Manasseh, king of Judah | 24 | 0 | 0.00 | Never heard |
| 86 | Abishai | 24 | 4 | 0.17 | 1 Samuel 26:6 |
| 87 | Adonijah, son of David | 24 | 7 | 0.29 | 1 Kings 1:5 |
| 88 | Judas Iscariot | 23 | 8 | 0.35 | Matthew 26:15 |
| 89 | Shaphan the scribe | 23 | 5 | 0.22 | 2 Kings 22:9 |
| 90 | Hiram, king of Tyre | 23 | 10 | 0.43 | 1 Kings 5:7 |
| 91 | Joash, king of Israel | 23 | 5 | 0.22 | 2 Kings 13:14 |
| 92 | Abimelech, king of Gerar | 23 | 16 | 0.70 | Genesis 20:4 |
| 93 | Benaiah, son of Jehoiada | 23 | 3 | 0.13 | 1 Kings 1:36 |
| 94 | Uriah the Hittite | 22 | 1 | 0.05 | 2 Samuel 11:11 |
| 95 | Boaz | 22 | 23 | 1.05 | Ruth 2:4 |
| 96 | Jehoiachin | 22 | 0 | 0.00 | Never heard |
| 97 | Ezra the scribe | 22 | 5 | 0.23 | Ezra 10:10 |
| 98 | Og | 22 | 0 | 0.00 | Never heard |
| 99 | Amnon, son of David | 21 | 7 | 0.33 | 2 Samuel 13:4 |
| 100 | Baruch, son of Neriah | 21 | 1 | 0.05 | Jeremiah 36:18 |
How this was made
Named. The verses in which TIPNR1 finds a person's name in the Hebrew and Greek, as on Most-mentioned people in the Bible, which also sets the 100 and sets apart Jacob and the names shared with tribes.
Heard. Faith Comes By Hearing prepares dramatized audio Bibles, and its verse-by-verse list of who speaks, published with SIL's Glyssen project under the MIT licence2, marks every verse in which a character speaks. A person is heard in a verse when that list is sure of it, alone or speaking with others (“Moses and Aaron said”). Words someone quotes from them later, reports of what they said, and speakers the list marks as possible are not counted; for people never heard, the page notes any such verses.
Who is who. The two sources name people differently, so each of the 130 people was matched by hand to the audio list's characters, with a verse range where the list uses one name for two people (the Pharaoh of the oppression and the Pharaoh of the exodus). Every person listed as never heard was checked against the Berean Standard Bible3 for any verse that has them speak. This page was made with AI assistance and human review.
The data. Every person, with the verses that name them and every verse in which they speak, is in famous-silent.json.
Corrections are welcome through the contact page, especially a verse where someone listed as silent speaks.
Sources
- TIPNR, Translators Individualised Proper Names with all References, STEPBible.org, based on work at Tyndale House Cambridge, licensed CC BY 4.0. Changes made here: counts derived from its reference lists; no entry was altered.
- Glyssen character data (CharacterVerse.txt), SIL and Faith Comes By Hearing, MIT licence, copyright 2014 to 2020 SIL LSDev and Faith Comes By Hearing.
- The Berean Standard Bible, released into the public domain, read on this site at /bible/bsb/.
Questions people ask
Which famous Bible characters are never quoted speaking?
Of the 100 people named most often in the Bible, 15 are never quoted speaking. The most named of them is Zadok the priest, named in 40 verses. Among well-known figures named less often, Joseph the husband of Mary, Lazarus, Abel and Methuselah are not quoted speaking either. Nor are Matthew, Mark and Luke, whose names are traditionally associated with the Gospels.
Does Joseph, the husband of Mary, ever speak in the Bible?
No. Joseph is named in 16 verses and acts on four dreams in Matthew, but the Bible never quotes a word he says.
How many times does Mary, the mother of Jesus, speak?
She speaks in 15 verses: to the angel Gabriel, to Elizabeth in the Magnificat, to the boy Jesus in the temple, and at the wedding at Cana. Her last recorded words are "Do whatever He tells you" (John 2:5).
Who speaks the most in the Bible?
After God, Jesus speaks in the most verses, 2,003, then Moses, 1,166, most of them in Deuteronomy. Job speaks in 511 verses though he is named in only 53.
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