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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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?
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?
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?
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.
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?
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.
Why does Leviticus 12 say a new mother is unclean for 7 days after the birth of a son but she is unclean for 14 days after the birth of a daughter? Why the difference?
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.
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?
Was there a difference between the ministries of male and female prophets in the Bible? Did male prophets minister publicly and female prophets privately?
Though it sounds harsh and heartless, even preposterous, to modern westerners, the Deuteronomy 22:28-29 law, for a rapist to marry his victim, was for the benefit of the raped woman. Here’s why.
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.
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?
Bathsheba has been described as a seductress and as a conniving political opportunist. Who was she really? What does the Bible say?
Why are some women not named in the Bible? Weren’t these women important enough to be identified? Or are they, in fact, identified?
Here is a list of 25+ biblical roles of Bible women. These roles and activities were approved by God and helped God’s people in some way.
Bible women were involved in the life of their community, some as wailing women and celebrants. What was the purpose of these public roles?
Ever heard of Sera, Aksah or Sheerah? Here’s a little something about these three influential Bible women.
Abigail was a smart, strong, prophetic woman who wisely intervened between two rash and angry men.
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.
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.
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.
Deborah in the Bible is described as a prophet and leader of Israel. Did God choose her because there were no suitable men available?
There are differences between the Old and New Testaments in how women are described, especially in regard to beauty, marriage, motherhood, and ministry.
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.
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© 2022 Marg Mowczko