Women of the Bible
Women always played a vital role throughout the events told in the bible. Some of these women were prophetesses, others were deaconesses or teachers. Some were queens, princesses, judges, and even heroins. Still, others were faithful wives, mothers, and daughters with not much said of their lives other than the example of respect and legacy that they left behind. Whether or not the names of these noticeable women were mentioned in scripture, what remains is the fact that women steered the course of history just as much as their male counterparts did. Without their faith, their actions, and their character the world as we know it would be completely different. See also: Prophetesses of the Bible
Galatians 3:28
There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Joel 2:28-29
“And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on my servants, both men and women,
I will pour out my Spirit in those days.
Priscilla
Acts 18:2-26
Romans 16:3
1 Corinthians 16:19
Priscillla was married to Aquila
Priscilla was well aquainted with Paul and became a vital member of the early church alongside her husband, Aquila.
Priscilla is more often times mentioned first a nd her husband second, which makes some scholars think she was the leader of their joint efforts.
Paul befriended Priscilla and Aquila after they were kicked out of Rome by Emperor Claudius after his declaration to remove all Jews from Rome.
Priscilla was responsible, along with Aquila, Paul, and other leaders for starting churches in Rome, Corinth, and Ephesus.
Claudia
2 Timothy 4:21
Claudia was a Roman Christian who is listed by Paul in his letter as one of the believer's who wished to greet Timothy.
Euodia and Syntyche
Philippians 4:2
Paul and Timothy pleaded with these women in their letter to the philippians to agree with eachother in the Lord
Paul or Timothy also ask all the saints , deacons, and overseers to help these two women who contended at his side for the cause of the gospel.
Tryphena, Tryphosa, and Persis
Romans 16:12-13
In Paul's letter to the believers in Rome, he sends his personal greetings to Tryphena and Tryphosa: "those women who work hard in the Lord." Paul also greets his friend Persiswho was another woman who worked hard in the Lord.
Phoebe the Deaconess
Romans 16:1-2
Paul greets Phoebe in his letter to the Roman believers
Phoebe is considered a Deaconess at the church of Cenchrea and is very respected among the brothers and sisters there.
Paul asks that Phoebe is received to the church in a way "worthy of the saints." He also asks them to give her any help she needs.
Chloe
1 Corinthians 1:11
Paul mentions "Chloe's household." From her household some of the believers reported to Paul that there had been quarells among the Corinthian believers.
Joanna
Luke 8:3
Luke 24:10
Joanna was the wife o Cuza who was the manager of Herod's household.
Joanna was a follower of Jesus lterally and spiritually. She traveled with the 12 apostles, Mary of Magdalene and other women as support.
Joanna was one of the women who witnessed the empty tomb and the two angels.
Eunice
2 Timothy 1:5
Eunice was the mother of Timothy
Lois
2 Timothy 1:5
Lois was the grandmother of Timothy
Paul speaks of Lois as having a sincere faith
Jael
Judges 4:17-5:24
Jael was the wife o Heber the Kenite
After Sisera the Commander of the Canaanite army abandoned his chariot and fled on foot, he arrived at the tent of Jael.
Jael went out to meet Sisera and falsely reassured him to not be afraid and that she would take care of him. After she gave him some milk and a blanket, he fell asleep. Jael then picked up a tent peg and a hammer and quietlt went over to him and drove a peg through his temple into the ground and he died.
Princess Abigail
1 Samuel 25:3-42
Abigail was married to a wealthy farmer named Nabal.
The bible says that she was an intelligent and beautiful woman, but that her husband was surly and mean in his dealings.
When approached by David and his men for some food for him and his men, Nabal refused his request and even hurled insults at David's men despite the fact that they had been protecting Nabal's livestock and property. David then conspired to kill Nabal and his sons.
After hearing of this confrontation from one of her servants, Abigail quickly loaded up some donkeys with bread, wine, roasted grain, raisens, and figs and set out to meet David in order to intervene for Nabal and begged for forgiveness.
Abigail convinced David that he was a better man than that and he would be better off not having the guilt of needless bloodshed on his hands by killing Nabal and his sons.
After hearing of the death of Nabal from a heart attack , David sent word to Abigail asking her to be his wife. After this, Abigail quickly got on a donkey, attended by her five maids and David's messengers and became his wife.
Queen Bathsheba
1 Kings 2:19
Susanna
Luke 8:3
Susanna is only mentioned once in the New Testament in the book of Luke. She is included in a group of men and women who followed Jesus. She helped support the mission out of her own means.
Lydia
Acts 16:14-40
Lydia was a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira.
Lydia was a worshipper of God, whose heart was opened to Paul's message of Messiah Jesus. She and the members of her household were baptized.
After befriending Paul, Timothy, and Silas her household became a refuge for believers.
Damaris
Acts 17:34
Damaris was an Athenian woman who became a christian convert after hearing Paul's message about the resurrection when he spoke at the meeting of the Areopagus.
Tabitha (Dorcas)
Acts 9:36-42
Tabitha was known by the widows of Joppa for the robes and other clothing that she made
Tabitha was a woman from Joppa that was always known for doing good and helping the poor. One day she became sick and died. During this time, some disciples were in the same town and they heard about her death. At once, they sent for Peter who was in another town a few miles away.
Paul came to the house and sent everyone away. He got on his hands and knees and prayed, then told Tabitha to get up. She opened her eyes and got up and Peter presented her to the people. This event converted many people.
Martha
Luke 10:38-39
John 11:5-25
Martha was the sister of Lazarus and Mary (who may be Mary Magdalene)
Martha welcomed Jesus into her household at Bethany. During this occasion, Jesus gently rebuked her for her complaint that her sister Mary wasn't helping with the household duties.
In the Gospel of John, Martha was present on the occasion of the raising of Lazarus.
It is recorded also that Martha served the Messiah Jesus for six days before the passover.
Mary, mother of Jesus
Isaiah 7:14
Matthew 1:16, 13:55
Mark 6:3
Luke 1:46
Mary was a descendant of the tribe of Levi
Mary was married to Joseph, and was the mother of God's son, the Messiah and the light to the world. By the Holy Spirit she was conceived.
The archangel Gabriel appeared o her to announce that she would conceive the Savior and she was to name him Jesus.
Mary is mentioned numerous times in the New Testament such as her visitation to her cousin Elizabeth's home at the time of her pregnancy. She flees her home and went to Egypt because of Herod the Great's decree to execute all young male children in the village of Bethlahem, so as to avoid the loss of his throne to the soon to be king of the Jews, whose birth had been announced by the Magi.
Julia and Nereus' sister
Romans 16:15
Paul wishes to greet them
Mary
Romans 16:6
Paul greets Mary and says that she worked very hard for the Roman believers
Rufus' mother
Romans 16:13
Paul greets Rufus' mother and says that she had been a mother to him too.
Princess Jehosheba
2 Kings 11:2
2 Chronicles 22:11
Jehosheba was the daughter of king Jehoram
Jehosheba rescued her nephew Joash from being slaughtered by Queen Athalia and hid him away with her and his nurse at the temple of God for six years while Athalia reigned.
Puah and Shiprah
Exodus 1:15
Puah and Shiprah were Hebrew midwives that were told to kill all the male babies born to the Hebrews after Pharoah became fearful that the Israelites were multiplying to rapidly. The midwives feared God and reefused to act act out what the king of Egypt told them to do. When Pharoah found out that they had disobeyed him he questioned them about their disobedience. They replied, "Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women, they are vigorous and give birth before the midwives arrive."
Since Puah and Shiprah did the right thing and acted in goodness, God was kind to the midwives and gave them families of their own. Not only that, but God increased the population of the Israelites and they became even more numerous.
Sheerah
1 Chronicles 7:24
Sheerah was the daighter or grand-daughter of Ephraim. She oversaw the building of three major cities: Lower Beth Horon, Upper Beth Horon, and Uzzen-sheerah.
Ruth
Book of Ruth
Esther (Hadassah)
Book of Esther
Sarah (Sarai)
Genesis 17:15
Hebrews 11:11
Hannah
1 Samuel 1:20
Eve
Genesis 3:13
Noteworthy women not named
Phillipians 4:3
Rebekah
Genesis 22:23
Genesis 24:42-48
Genesis 49:30-31
Rachael
Genesis 1:9-12
Genesis 30:1-24
Genesis 49:30-31
1 Samuel 10:2
Jeremiah 31:15-16
Rahab
Joshua 2:1-3
Joshua 6:17-25
Mary of Magdalene (7 devils)
Matthew 27:55
Mark 16:1-10
John 19:25-20:18
Mary (sister of Martha and Lazarus)
Matthew 26:7-13
Luke 10:38-42
Mary (mother of John)
Mark 14:13-16
Acts 1:12-14
Notable Evil Women of the Bible
Delilah
Judges 16:4-18
Delilah was coaxed by the Philistines to lure Samson into showing her the secret of his great strength so that they could overpower, tie up, and subdue him.
What drove Delilah in her persistance to find out his strength was the promise of about 28 lbs of silver from each of the leaders of the Philistines.
Delilah was the woman that Samson was in love with
Delilah was from the valley of Sorek
Queen Jezebel
1 Kings 16:31-21:25
2 Kings 9:7-37
Jezebel was the wife of King Ahab
Jezebel was the daughter of King Ethbaal of the Sidonians
Jezebel was in charge of killing off the LORD's prophets
Jezebel tried to kill Elijah after he ordered the slaughter of the false prophets of Baal who were killed after it was proven that their god was false.
Herodias
Matthew 14:3-12
Mark 6:14-29
Luke 3:19
Herodias was the wife of Herod Antipas, ruler of Galilee. She was also the ex-wife of Philip, Herod's brother.
Herodias was mad at John the Baptist for his outspoken disapproval of her marriage to Herod.
While John was imprisoned, Herodias's daughter performed a dance for Herod that greatly pleased him. In turn for her performance, Herod granted his wife's daughter anything she wanted, up to half the kingdom. Herodius took advantage of this opportunity by telling her daughter to ask for the head of John the Baptist.
Herod could not go back on his word and sent for the executioner who promptly went to John who was in prison and beheaded him. The girl came back with his head on a platter and gave it to her mother, Herodias.
Sapphira
Acts 5:1-11
Sapphira was the wife of Ananias
They sold their property, kept a portion of the money from the sale and went and presented the money at the apostles feet.
What they did wrong was try to convince the apostles that they gave them all the money from the sale and kept none. This was to get a name for themselves only and was a dishonest lie to the Holy Spirit.
After Ananias dropped dead at Peter's feet, Sapphira came in not knowing of her husbands death. She was questioned by Peter and informed of the death of Ananias. She dropped dead at that moment and was buried with her husband.
Queen Athalia
2 Kings 8:26- 11:20
2 Chronicles 22:2-24:7
Athalia was the granddaughter of Omri, King of Israel
Athalia ruled from 841-835 BC
Upon learning of her son Ahaziah's death, Queen Athalia set out to slaughter any royal member of the House of Judah who might succeed her son.
She failed to kill Joash, who was hidden from Athalia by the daughter of king Jehoram. After six years of hiding, Joash was presented as king in front of the people. The people shouted, "Long live the king"! When Athalia heard the noise of the people shouting, she ran to the crowd that was gathered at the temple and shouted "Treason!" After this, she was promptly put to death.
Cozbi
Noahdiah
Nehemiah 6:14
Noahdiah, along with other prophets were trying to intimidate Nehemiah when he was trying to rebuild the temple of the LORD.
Jezebel of Revelation
Revelation 2:20
This Jezebel lived during the time of John the Prophet
Jesus spoke of her when he was speaking to the church of Thyatira. Supposedly, she was leading astray early believers with sexual immorality and idol worship.
She called herself a prophetess
God punished her severely and killed her children.
Galatians 3:28
There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Joel 2:28-29
“And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on my servants, both men and women,
I will pour out my Spirit in those days.
Priscilla
Acts 18:2-26
Romans 16:3
1 Corinthians 16:19
Priscillla was married to Aquila
Priscilla was well aquainted with Paul and became a vital member of the early church alongside her husband, Aquila.
Priscilla is more often times mentioned first a nd her husband second, which makes some scholars think she was the leader of their joint efforts.
Paul befriended Priscilla and Aquila after they were kicked out of Rome by Emperor Claudius after his declaration to remove all Jews from Rome.
Priscilla was responsible, along with Aquila, Paul, and other leaders for starting churches in Rome, Corinth, and Ephesus.
Claudia
2 Timothy 4:21
Claudia was a Roman Christian who is listed by Paul in his letter as one of the believer's who wished to greet Timothy.
Euodia and Syntyche
Philippians 4:2
Paul and Timothy pleaded with these women in their letter to the philippians to agree with eachother in the Lord
Paul or Timothy also ask all the saints , deacons, and overseers to help these two women who contended at his side for the cause of the gospel.
Tryphena, Tryphosa, and Persis
Romans 16:12-13
In Paul's letter to the believers in Rome, he sends his personal greetings to Tryphena and Tryphosa: "those women who work hard in the Lord." Paul also greets his friend Persiswho was another woman who worked hard in the Lord.
Phoebe the Deaconess
Romans 16:1-2
Paul greets Phoebe in his letter to the Roman believers
Phoebe is considered a Deaconess at the church of Cenchrea and is very respected among the brothers and sisters there.
Paul asks that Phoebe is received to the church in a way "worthy of the saints." He also asks them to give her any help she needs.
Chloe
1 Corinthians 1:11
Paul mentions "Chloe's household." From her household some of the believers reported to Paul that there had been quarells among the Corinthian believers.
Joanna
Luke 8:3
Luke 24:10
Joanna was the wife o Cuza who was the manager of Herod's household.
Joanna was a follower of Jesus lterally and spiritually. She traveled with the 12 apostles, Mary of Magdalene and other women as support.
Joanna was one of the women who witnessed the empty tomb and the two angels.
Eunice
2 Timothy 1:5
Eunice was the mother of Timothy
Lois
2 Timothy 1:5
Lois was the grandmother of Timothy
Paul speaks of Lois as having a sincere faith
Jael
Judges 4:17-5:24
Jael was the wife o Heber the Kenite
After Sisera the Commander of the Canaanite army abandoned his chariot and fled on foot, he arrived at the tent of Jael.
Jael went out to meet Sisera and falsely reassured him to not be afraid and that she would take care of him. After she gave him some milk and a blanket, he fell asleep. Jael then picked up a tent peg and a hammer and quietlt went over to him and drove a peg through his temple into the ground and he died.
Princess Abigail
1 Samuel 25:3-42
Abigail was married to a wealthy farmer named Nabal.
The bible says that she was an intelligent and beautiful woman, but that her husband was surly and mean in his dealings.
When approached by David and his men for some food for him and his men, Nabal refused his request and even hurled insults at David's men despite the fact that they had been protecting Nabal's livestock and property. David then conspired to kill Nabal and his sons.
After hearing of this confrontation from one of her servants, Abigail quickly loaded up some donkeys with bread, wine, roasted grain, raisens, and figs and set out to meet David in order to intervene for Nabal and begged for forgiveness.
Abigail convinced David that he was a better man than that and he would be better off not having the guilt of needless bloodshed on his hands by killing Nabal and his sons.
After hearing of the death of Nabal from a heart attack , David sent word to Abigail asking her to be his wife. After this, Abigail quickly got on a donkey, attended by her five maids and David's messengers and became his wife.
Queen Bathsheba
1 Kings 2:19
Susanna
Luke 8:3
Susanna is only mentioned once in the New Testament in the book of Luke. She is included in a group of men and women who followed Jesus. She helped support the mission out of her own means.
Lydia
Acts 16:14-40
Lydia was a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira.
Lydia was a worshipper of God, whose heart was opened to Paul's message of Messiah Jesus. She and the members of her household were baptized.
After befriending Paul, Timothy, and Silas her household became a refuge for believers.
Damaris
Acts 17:34
Damaris was an Athenian woman who became a christian convert after hearing Paul's message about the resurrection when he spoke at the meeting of the Areopagus.
Tabitha (Dorcas)
Acts 9:36-42
Tabitha was known by the widows of Joppa for the robes and other clothing that she made
Tabitha was a woman from Joppa that was always known for doing good and helping the poor. One day she became sick and died. During this time, some disciples were in the same town and they heard about her death. At once, they sent for Peter who was in another town a few miles away.
Paul came to the house and sent everyone away. He got on his hands and knees and prayed, then told Tabitha to get up. She opened her eyes and got up and Peter presented her to the people. This event converted many people.
Martha
Luke 10:38-39
John 11:5-25
Martha was the sister of Lazarus and Mary (who may be Mary Magdalene)
Martha welcomed Jesus into her household at Bethany. During this occasion, Jesus gently rebuked her for her complaint that her sister Mary wasn't helping with the household duties.
In the Gospel of John, Martha was present on the occasion of the raising of Lazarus.
It is recorded also that Martha served the Messiah Jesus for six days before the passover.
Mary, mother of Jesus
Isaiah 7:14
Matthew 1:16, 13:55
Mark 6:3
Luke 1:46
Mary was a descendant of the tribe of Levi
Mary was married to Joseph, and was the mother of God's son, the Messiah and the light to the world. By the Holy Spirit she was conceived.
The archangel Gabriel appeared o her to announce that she would conceive the Savior and she was to name him Jesus.
Mary is mentioned numerous times in the New Testament such as her visitation to her cousin Elizabeth's home at the time of her pregnancy. She flees her home and went to Egypt because of Herod the Great's decree to execute all young male children in the village of Bethlahem, so as to avoid the loss of his throne to the soon to be king of the Jews, whose birth had been announced by the Magi.
Julia and Nereus' sister
Romans 16:15
Paul wishes to greet them
Mary
Romans 16:6
Paul greets Mary and says that she worked very hard for the Roman believers
Rufus' mother
Romans 16:13
Paul greets Rufus' mother and says that she had been a mother to him too.
Princess Jehosheba
2 Kings 11:2
2 Chronicles 22:11
Jehosheba was the daughter of king Jehoram
Jehosheba rescued her nephew Joash from being slaughtered by Queen Athalia and hid him away with her and his nurse at the temple of God for six years while Athalia reigned.
Puah and Shiprah
Exodus 1:15
Puah and Shiprah were Hebrew midwives that were told to kill all the male babies born to the Hebrews after Pharoah became fearful that the Israelites were multiplying to rapidly. The midwives feared God and reefused to act act out what the king of Egypt told them to do. When Pharoah found out that they had disobeyed him he questioned them about their disobedience. They replied, "Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women, they are vigorous and give birth before the midwives arrive."
Since Puah and Shiprah did the right thing and acted in goodness, God was kind to the midwives and gave them families of their own. Not only that, but God increased the population of the Israelites and they became even more numerous.
Sheerah
1 Chronicles 7:24
Sheerah was the daighter or grand-daughter of Ephraim. She oversaw the building of three major cities: Lower Beth Horon, Upper Beth Horon, and Uzzen-sheerah.
Ruth
Book of Ruth
Esther (Hadassah)
Book of Esther
Sarah (Sarai)
Genesis 17:15
Hebrews 11:11
Hannah
1 Samuel 1:20
Eve
Genesis 3:13
Noteworthy women not named
Phillipians 4:3
Rebekah
Genesis 22:23
Genesis 24:42-48
Genesis 49:30-31
Rachael
Genesis 1:9-12
Genesis 30:1-24
Genesis 49:30-31
1 Samuel 10:2
Jeremiah 31:15-16
Rahab
Joshua 2:1-3
Joshua 6:17-25
Mary of Magdalene (7 devils)
Matthew 27:55
Mark 16:1-10
John 19:25-20:18
Mary (sister of Martha and Lazarus)
Matthew 26:7-13
Luke 10:38-42
Mary (mother of John)
Mark 14:13-16
Acts 1:12-14
Notable Evil Women of the Bible
Delilah
Judges 16:4-18
Delilah was coaxed by the Philistines to lure Samson into showing her the secret of his great strength so that they could overpower, tie up, and subdue him.
What drove Delilah in her persistance to find out his strength was the promise of about 28 lbs of silver from each of the leaders of the Philistines.
Delilah was the woman that Samson was in love with
Delilah was from the valley of Sorek
Queen Jezebel
1 Kings 16:31-21:25
2 Kings 9:7-37
Jezebel was the wife of King Ahab
Jezebel was the daughter of King Ethbaal of the Sidonians
Jezebel was in charge of killing off the LORD's prophets
Jezebel tried to kill Elijah after he ordered the slaughter of the false prophets of Baal who were killed after it was proven that their god was false.
Herodias
Matthew 14:3-12
Mark 6:14-29
Luke 3:19
Herodias was the wife of Herod Antipas, ruler of Galilee. She was also the ex-wife of Philip, Herod's brother.
Herodias was mad at John the Baptist for his outspoken disapproval of her marriage to Herod.
While John was imprisoned, Herodias's daughter performed a dance for Herod that greatly pleased him. In turn for her performance, Herod granted his wife's daughter anything she wanted, up to half the kingdom. Herodius took advantage of this opportunity by telling her daughter to ask for the head of John the Baptist.
Herod could not go back on his word and sent for the executioner who promptly went to John who was in prison and beheaded him. The girl came back with his head on a platter and gave it to her mother, Herodias.
Sapphira
Acts 5:1-11
Sapphira was the wife of Ananias
They sold their property, kept a portion of the money from the sale and went and presented the money at the apostles feet.
What they did wrong was try to convince the apostles that they gave them all the money from the sale and kept none. This was to get a name for themselves only and was a dishonest lie to the Holy Spirit.
After Ananias dropped dead at Peter's feet, Sapphira came in not knowing of her husbands death. She was questioned by Peter and informed of the death of Ananias. She dropped dead at that moment and was buried with her husband.
Queen Athalia
2 Kings 8:26- 11:20
2 Chronicles 22:2-24:7
Athalia was the granddaughter of Omri, King of Israel
Athalia ruled from 841-835 BC
Upon learning of her son Ahaziah's death, Queen Athalia set out to slaughter any royal member of the House of Judah who might succeed her son.
She failed to kill Joash, who was hidden from Athalia by the daughter of king Jehoram. After six years of hiding, Joash was presented as king in front of the people. The people shouted, "Long live the king"! When Athalia heard the noise of the people shouting, she ran to the crowd that was gathered at the temple and shouted "Treason!" After this, she was promptly put to death.
Cozbi
Noahdiah
Nehemiah 6:14
Noahdiah, along with other prophets were trying to intimidate Nehemiah when he was trying to rebuild the temple of the LORD.
Jezebel of Revelation
Revelation 2:20
This Jezebel lived during the time of John the Prophet
Jesus spoke of her when he was speaking to the church of Thyatira. Supposedly, she was leading astray early believers with sexual immorality and idol worship.
She called herself a prophetess
God punished her severely and killed her children.