Abigail (Avigayil) Her name means: “My Father Is Joy” Her character: Generous, quick-witted, and wise, she is one of the Bible’s great peacemakers. Her sorrow: To have been mismatched in marriage to her first husband. Her joy: That Yehovah God used her to save lives, eventually making her the wife of David. Key Scriptures: 1 Samuel […]
Women of the Bible (Page 2)
Michal Her name means: “Who Is Like God?” Her character: A woman of strong emotions, she was unable to control the important circumstances of her life. Forcibly separated from two husbands, she lost her father and her brother, who were savaged by their enemies. Her sorrow: That she was ensnared in the drawn-out battle between […]
Hannah Her name means: “Graciousness” or “Favor” Her character: Provoked by another woman’s malice, she refused to respond in kind. Instead, she poured out her hurt and sorrow to Yehovah God, allowing him to vindicate her. Her sorrow: To be taunted and misunderstood. Her joy: To proclaim Yehovah God’s power and goodness, his habit of […]
Deborah/D’vorah Her name means: “Honey Bee” Her character: Her vision of the world was shaped not by the political situation of her day but by her relationship with Yehovah God. Though women in the ancient world did not usually become political leaders, Deborah was just the leader Israel needed—a prophet who heard God and believed […]
Naomi Her name means: “My Joy” or “Pleasant” Her character: Suffering a threefold tragedy, Naomi refused to hide Her Sorrow or bitterness. Believing in Yehovah God’s sovereignty, she attributed her suffering to his will. But her fixation on circumstances, both past and present, led to hopelessness. A kind and loving mother-in-law, she inspired unusual love […]
Delilah Her name means: “Dainty One” Her character: A prostitute whose nationality is unknown, she used her beauty to betray her lover and enrich herself. Her sorrow: That Samson lied to her, making her look foolish on three different occasion. Her joy: That she overpowered one of history’s most powerful […]
Jael/Yael Her name means: “A Wild or Mountain Goat” Her character: Decisive and courageous, she seized the opportunity to slay an enemy of Yehovah God’s people. Her sorrow: To be lauded by Deborah and Barak for her part in a decisive victory. Key Scriptures: Judges 4-5 Her Story Jael watched uneasily through the flaps of […]
Rahab/Rachav Her name means: “Storm,” “Arrogance,” “Broad,” or “Spacious” Her character: Rahab was both clever and wise. She saw judgment coming and was able to devise an escape plan for herself and her family. As soon as she heard what Yehovah God had done for the Israelites, she cast her lot with his people, risking […]
Miriam Her name means: “Bitterness” Her character: Even as a young girl, she showed fortitude and wisdom. A leader of Yehovah God’s people at a crucial moment in history, she led the celebration after crossing the Red Sea and spoke God’s word to his people, sharing their forty-year journey through the wilderness. Her sorrow: That […]
The Mothers of Moses Jochabed the Levite Her name means: “The Lord Is Glory” Her character: Her fierce love for her son, coupled with her faith, enabled her to act heroically in the midst of great oppression. Her sorrow: To live in bondage as a slave. Her joy: That God not only preserved the son […]