Bible Heroines

In the Israel of Bible times, men’s and women’s roles were clearly defined, with the women’s sphere traditionally being the household and everything pertaining to it, including the care of the children, the oversight of the servants, and often the managing of the family’s finances. But throughout the Bible, God didn’t limit Himself by gender when choosing who to use to accomplish His will, speak His words, or lead His people. In some cases, the tasks God gave women would have appeared daunting even to most men, but that didn’t prevent these bold and full-of-faith women from answering His call.

Meet a few of the remarkable women in the Bible Heroines’ Hall of Fame:

Sarah, Abraham’s wife, has the honor of being the only woman in the Bible whose age (127) was recorded at death, which is an indication of the respect shown her as mother of the Hebrew people. When Abraham and Sarah were both old, God promised them a son, and she gave birth to her first and only child, Isaac, when she was 90. The apostle Peter cited Sarah as an example of the holy women who trusted in God and possessed inward spiritual beauty. (Genesis chapters 11–23; Isaiah 51:2; 1 Peter 3:4–6) Puah and Shiphrah, two Hebrew midwives during the time when the Israelites were slaves in Egypt, disobeyed the Pharaoh’s orders to kill all newborn male Israelites. (Exodus 1:15–22) Jochebed waited until her baby boy, Moses, was three months old before “obeying” the Pharaoh’s commandment to cast him into the Nile; when she did, it was in a floating baby bed. Because of her faith and ingenuity, Moses was found and adopted by the Pharaoh’s daughter, was raised and educated in the Pharaoh’s household, and later led his true people out of bondage to the Promised Land. (Exodus 1:22–2:10) Deborah was a prophetess and judge. She rallied and organized the army that freed Israel from the occupying forces of Jabin, a Canaanite king. (Judges chapter 4) Jael, another woman, ended that war by slaying Sisera, Jabin’s general. (Judges chapter 4) Ruth left her homeland of Moab and all she knew when she chose to follow God, and He blessed her greatly. She settled in Bethlehem and became an ancestor of both King David and Jesus. (Book of Ruth; Matthew 1:5) Hannah was a childless woman who promised God that if He gave her a son, she would dedicate him to the Lord’s service. God answered her prayer, and she became the mother of the prophet Samuel. (1 Samuel 1) Abigail saved the lives of her servants and family, as well as her own, after her surly husband offended the future King David. Abigail rode out to meet David with a message from God, and David was dissuaded from exacting revenge. David also recognized Abigail’s wisdom and good character, and after her husband’s death he married her himself. (1 Samuel chapter 25) The widow of Zarephath believed and obeyed the prophet Elijah, and saved three lives in the process—his, her son’s, and her own. Through nearly three years of famine, her previously nearly empty supplies of flour and oil never ran out. (1 Kings 17:1–16) Huldah, a prophetess and contemporary of the prophet Jeremiah, was consulted by King Josiah as to the authenticity of some scrolls that were found in the rundown Temple. Through her testimony, the kingdom of Judah was brought back to faith in God. (2 Kings 22:13–20)

Esther was a young Jewish girl named Hadassah when she caught the eye of the heathen Persian king, Xerxes, also known as Ahasuerus. After becoming his queen, in a chilling episode of court intrigue, Esther risked her life to save her people when the king’s corrupt minister, Haman, ordered all the Jews in the kingdom to be put to death. (Book of Esther) Mary, the mother of Jesus, conceived by the Holy Spirit when she was a virgin and faced the prospect of being stoned to death until an angel persuaded her fiancé, Joseph, to marry her. For her role as mother of the Savior of the world, she was called “blessed among women.” (Luke 1:26–55; Matthew 1:18 25) Mary and Martha were close friends of Jesus and often put Him and His disciples up in their home. Mary was commended by Jesus for listening intently to His teachings (Luke 10:38–42), and Martha was one of the first to identify Jesus as the Messiah and Son of God. (John 11:20–27) The woman at the well was both a Samaritan—a people hated by the Jews—and of ill repute even among her own. But after Jesus revealed Himself to her, she immediately led many of her townspeople to know Jesus. (John 4:3–30) Mary Magdalene was a close disciple of Jesus, stood near Him during the crucifixion to try to comfort Him, and was the first person to whom He appeared after His resurrection. (Mark chapter 16; John chapter 20)

Lydia, a seller of cloth in the Greek port of Philippi, was the first recorded person on the Euro­pean mainland to embrace Christianity. She also hosted the disciples in her house. (Acts 16:14–15) Lois and Eunice were the grandmother and mother of Timothy, an early Christian leader, whom they trained from the time he was young in the knowledge of the Scriptures. They were renowned for their faith. (2 Timothy 1:5)

These women and countless others since rose to the callings God had for them, defied the odds, and manifested faith, courage, and love that continue to inspire us today.

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2 Timothy 1:5 (ESV) I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.

Isaiah 51:2 (ESV) Look to Abraham your father and to Sarah who bore you; for he was but one when I called him, that I might bless him and multiply him.

1 Peter 3:4-6 (ESV) but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious. For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands, as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening.