Characters

---
name: characters
description: Retrieve dictionary data, relations, paternal ancestry, and biographical details of Bible characters.
---

# Characters Retrieval Skill

## Overview
This skill allows the agent to retrieve detailed dictionary entries, relations, paternal ancestry, and biographical data of characters mentioned in the Bible from the local SQLite database.

## Guidelines & Objectives
When executing this skill:
- Always run the python retriever script located at `.claude/skills/characters/characters_query.py` to retrieve character data.
- Execute the script using: `python3 .claude/skills/characters/characters_query.py "<query>"` where `<query>` is the name of the character/person.
- The script automatically handles exact matches, slash-separated spelling variations (e.g. `Meshech/Mesech`), substring lookups, and fuzzy spelling matching (Levenshtein distance).
- It retrieves both the biographical dictionary data and the visual family/relationship tree from `biblePeople.data`.
- Present the exact output of the script to the user, including the formatted markdown relationship tree.
- All study outputs generated by the `/characters` command must be saved to the `biblemate/` folder with a timestamp prefix under the Universal Study Output Saving Rule (handled automatically by the query script).

## Detailed Biography & Study Analysis
After presenting the retrieved details from the script, expand upon the character's significance by addressing:
1. **Etymology & Translation**: Analysis of the name's meaning in Hebrew, Aramaic, or Greek.
2. **Biographical Timeline & Context**: Chronology of major events, relationships, and settings in the character's life. Fully incorporate and reference the relationships depicted in the retrieved Family & Relationship Tree.
3. **Theological & Redemptive Significance**: The character's role in redemptive history, the covenants, and how they fit into the organic storyline of scripture from Genesis to Revelation.
4. **Spiritual Audit & Character Analysis**: An honest analysis of their faith, obedience, failures, repentance, virtues, strengths, and weaknesses.
5. **Christocentric Typology**: How their life, office (prophet, priest, king, etc.), or narrative points to Jesus Christ and His redemptive work.
6. **Pastoral Takeaways**: Ethical and spiritual lessons for modern readers.