Old Testament Women Archives

Sarah’s or Abraham’s Faith in Hebrews 11:11?

Different translations focus on either Sarah’s faith or Abraham’s faith in Hebrews 11:11. Who is the subject of this verse?

January 7, 2025 14 Comments

Berenice Phernophorus, king of the south, Daniel

The Daughter of the King of the South (Daniel 11:6)

In Daniel 11:6 it says that “the daughter of the king of the South will go to the king of the North to seal the agreement.” Who was this daughter? What do we know about her?

July 5, 2023 No Comments

3 Formidable Bible Women with Strange Stories

Rahab, Tamar, and Rizpah were in precarious social situations. They each took matters into their own hands, and the consequences of their daring, unorthodox actions were life-changing.

June 25, 2023 22 Comments

David's ten concubine 2 Samuel 16, Absalom

The Disturbing Story of David’s Ten Concubines

The story of David’s ten concubines, especially when linked with God’s words in 2 Samuel 12:11, is a deeply troubling story. Warning: sexual violence.

August 21, 2021 77 Comments

Jael (3): Jael, Mary, and Jesus’ Crucifixion

Part 3 looks at what Jael’s story and the accounts of Jesus’ crucifixion have in common, and at why some early and medieval theologians used Jael as a type of Mary the mother of Jesus.

April 6, 2021 7 Comments

Jael (2): Sexual and Maternal Imagery in Jael’s Story

In part 2 I look at the sexual and maternal imagery in Jael’s story, and the deadly determination in her actions. What was motivating her? *This article mentions rape.

March 21, 2021 11 Comments

Jael (1): The Lord will hand over Sisera to a woman

Jael is a popular Bible figure, famous for her brutal act of violence against Israel’s enemy. In part 1 (of 3), I look at her story as recorded in Judges 4.

March 19, 2021 13 Comments

Did Miriam the prophetess only minister to women?

Miriam is identified as a prophet and leader in the Bible, but some say her ministry was only to women. Was this the case? What does the Bible say?

December 24, 2020 17 Comments

The Women in Matthew’s Genealogy of Jesus

Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Uriah’s wife are the only women mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew 1. Why only these four women?

December 12, 2020 30 Comments

Esther’s Story (2): For Such a Time as This

Young Esther is taken to the harem in the palace and later taken to the king’s bed. What does the Bible reveal about her thoughts and actions?

February 27, 2020 9 Comments

Esther’s Story (1): Setting the Scene

In this 3-part series, I provide commentary on the book of Esther, focussing on the heroine at the centre. What kind of story is Esther’s story?

February 25, 2020 19 Comments

4 obscure passages sometimes used to diminish women

In this article, I look at 4 passages from the Hebrew Bible (Leviticus 27, Numbers 30, Ecclesiastes 7:28, Isaiah 3:12) which are sometimes used to diminish women.

October 23, 2019 48 Comments

women at the entrance of the tent of meeting or tabernacle

Women who served at the entrance of the tent of meeting

Who were the women who served at the entrance of the tent of meeting and what did they do? Did their service involve religious rituals?

July 20, 2019 27 Comments

adultery unfaithful wife jealous husband

Jealousy and Bitter Water (Numbers 5:11-31)

Numbers 5:11-31 outlines the ordeal of bitter water which was designed to test, or prove, the fidelity of a wife suspected by her jealous husband of being unfaithful.

February 18, 2019 33 Comments

Periods of Purification after Childbirth (Leviticus 12:1–8)

Why does Leviticus 12 say a mother is unclean for 7 days after the birth of a son but is unclean for 14 days after the birth of a daughter? Why the difference?

December 18, 2018 52 Comments

gender roles, submission, old testament, papéis de gênero

Gender Roles & Gendered Activities in the Old Testament

Does the Old Testament teach that husbands are to be the leaders of their wives, or that men have authority over women? Are some roles forbidden to women? This is part 1 of a series on gender roles in the Bible.

May 24, 2018 16 Comments

The Witch of Endor, the Dead Prophet, the Doomed King

It is remarkable that the witch of Endor, who dealt in the occult, is portrayed in a sympathetic light in 1 Samuel 28. What’s going on here?

April 19, 2018 30 Comments

Huldah’s Public Prophetic Ministry

Was there a difference between the ministries of male and female prophets in the Bible? Did male prophets minister publicly and female prophets privately?

February 19, 2018 38 Comments

Deuteronomy 22:28–29 and Marrying your Rapist

Though it sounds heartless, even preposterous, to modern Westerners, the Deut. 22:28-29 law, for a rapist to marry his victim, may have benefitted the raped woman. Here’s why.

January 15, 2018 46 Comments

Two Brave Women in 2 Samuel 17

This post is about two brave unnamed women mentioned in 2 Samuel 17 who each risked their lives to help King David’s, and God’s, cause.

June 28, 2016 11 Comments

What’s in a Name? Deborah, Woman of Lappidoth

Was Deborah the wife of Lappidoth or from a town called Lappidoth? Or does “lappidoth” signify something quite different? And where does the name “Deborah” come from?

November 28, 2015 18 Comments

david and bathsheba, rape, adultery, David a Betsabé

A Sympathetic Look at Bathsheba

Bathsheba has been described as a seductress and as a conniving political opportunist. Who was she really? What does the Bible say?

December 2, 2014 76 Comments

The “Shame” of the Unnamed Women of the Old Testament

Why are some women not named in the Bible? Weren’t these women important enough to be identified? Or are they, in fact, identified?

September 12, 2013 14 Comments

25+ Biblical Roles for Biblical Women

Here is a list of more than 25 roles of Bible women. These roles, or activities, helped God’s people and the women are not criticised in any way.

September 7, 2013 74 Comments

Bible Women who Led Celebrations and Lamentations

Bible women were involved in the life of their community, some as wailing women and as celebrants (cf. Psalm 68). What was the purpose of this public role?

August 1, 2013 7 Comments

3 Obscure Old Testament Women With Clout

Ever heard of Sera, Aksah or Sheerah? Here’s a little something about these three influential Bible women.

June 17, 2013 14 Comments

Abigail: A Bible Woman with Beauty and Brains

Abigail was a smart, strong, prophetic woman who wisely intervened between two rash and angry men.

March 8, 2013 56 Comments

women apostles prophets evangelists pastors teachers

The Portrayal of Women in the Bible and Biblical Inspiration

One of the reasons I trust the unique inspiration of the Bible is because of what it says about women, or, more to the point, what it doesn’t say about women.

September 7, 2012 20 Comments

King Lemuel's mother, Proverbs 31 woman, eshet chayil

King Lemuel’s Mother: The Other Proverbs 31 Woman

King Lemuel’s mother is one of two women mentioned in Proverbs 31. These Bible women, and others, serve as inspiration for godly women who teach.

July 19, 2012 39 Comments

Rahab and Lydia: Two Faith-filled Bible Women

Rahab in the Old Testament, and Lydia in the New, are separated by 1000s of years and 1000s of miles, yet there are intriguing similarities between the two women.

July 13, 2012 12 Comments

God wants women to be happy in marriage

A woman recently told me that it was God’s will she suffer in her marriage. Today I read a verse that shows God wants women to be happy in marriage.

July 9, 2012 16 Comments

Deborah and the No-Available-Men Argument

Deborah in the Bible is described as a prophet and leader of Israel. Did God choose her because there were no suitable men available?

June 28, 2012 65 Comments

Beauty, Marriage, Motherhood and Ministry

There are differences between the Old and New Testaments in how women are described, especially in regard to beauty, marriage, motherhood, and ministry.

April 1, 2012 49 Comments

6 Women who Protected and Rescued Moses

Moses, one of Israel’s greatest leaders, would have perished on several occasions if it had not been for the courage, wisdom, and enterprise of six brave women.

August 24, 2011 8 Comments

Exploring the biblical theology of Christian egalitarianism

Tag: Old Testament Women

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