Women of the Bible

Scripture's women appear at almost every hinge of its story, often at the moment when the men around them have run out of options. Sarah laughed at the promise of a son at ninety and then bore Isaac (Genesis 18:12; Genesis 21:2). Hagar sent away into the wilderness, was met by the angel of the LORD and called Him "a God of seeing" (Genesis 16:13). Rebekah drew water for a stranger's camels and became the mother of Jacob and Esau (Genesis 24:19; Genesis 25:26). Rachel and Leah built the house of Israel between them, along with Bilhah and Zilpah (Genesis 29–30; Ruth 4:11).

Others acted at national scale. Miriam watched the basket in the reeds and later led the women with tambourines after the sea (Exodus 2:4; Exodus 15:20–21). Deborah judged Israel under her palm tree and went with Barak to Kedesh (Judges 4:4–9). Jael drove the tent peg (Judges 4:21). Naomi returned from Moab empty and Ruth refused to leave her, saying, "Your people shall be my people" (Ruth 1:16–21). Hannah prayed at Shiloh until Eli thought she was drunk, and gave her son Samuel to the LORD (1 Samuel 1:12–28). Abigail intercepted David with loaves and wine and kept him from bloodguilt (1 Samuel 25:18–33). The Wise Woman of Tekoa was sent by Joab with a parable for the king (2 Samuel 14:1–20). Esther went in to the king unsummoned, saying, "If I perish, I perish" (Esther 4:16).

Not all are commended. Potiphar's Wife accused Joseph after he fled and left his garment behind (Genesis 39:12–18). Jezebel wrote letters in Ahab's name to have Naboth killed (1 Kings 21:8–14). Athaliah destroyed the royal family to seize the throne (2 Kings 11:1). Michal despised David in her heart when she saw him dancing before the ark (2 Samuel 6:16). The Medium of Endor was consulted by Saul on the night before his death (1 Samuel 28:7–8).

In the Gospels women are present at every stage. Elizabeth greeted Mary, with a loud cry, and Mary answered with the song that begins, "My soul magnifies the Lord" (Luke 1:41–46). Anna, a widow of eighty-four who did not depart from the temple, spoke of the child to all who were waiting for redemption (Luke 2:36–38). The Samaritan Woman at the Well left her water jar and told the town (John 4:28–29). Martha said, "I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God" (John 11:27). The Sinful Woman Who Anointed Jesus' Feet wet them with her tears and wiped them with her hair (Luke 7:37–38). The Widow of Zarephath and The Shunammite Woman both received a son back from death (1 Kings 17:22–23; 2 Kings 4:35–37), and The Syrophoenician Woman would not be turned away (Mark 7:28).

Women followed Him from Galilee and provided for the group out of their means, among them Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Susanna (Luke 8:2–3). They stood at a distance at the cross when the disciples had scattered, saw where He was laid, and came at early dawn with spices (Mark 15:40–47; Luke 24:1). Mary Magdalene stood weeping outside the tomb and was the first to be sent with the news (John 20:11–18). Later, Priscilla with her husband Aquila explained the way of God more accurately to Apollos (Acts 18:26), Lydia opened her house at Philippi (Acts 16:14–15), and Phoebe carried a letter to Rome (Romans 16:1–2).