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 […]
'women in the bible' Tagged Posts (Page 2)
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 […]
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 […]
Tamar Her name means: “Date Tree” or “Palm Tree” Her character: Driven by one overwhelming need, she sacrificed her reputation and nearly her life to achieve her goals. Her sorrow: That the men in her life failed to fulfill their responsibility, leaving her a childless widow. Her joy: That her daring behavior resulted, not in […]
Potiphar’s Wife Her character: The wife of a prosperous and influential Egyptian, she was unfaithful and vindictive, ready to lie in order to protect herself and ruin an innocent man. Her sorrow: To be rejected by a slave. Key Scriptures: Genesis 39 Her Story We don’t even know her name. She is merely presented as the […]
Rachel Her name means: “Ewe” (female sheep or lamb) Her character: Manipulated by her father, she had little say over her own life circumstances and relationships. But rather than dealing creatively with a difficult situation, Rachel behaved like a perpetual victim, responding to sin with yet more sin, making things worse by competing with her […]
Rebekah Her name means: “Loop” or “Tie” Her character: Hardworking and generous, her faith was so great that she left her home forever to marry a man she had never seen or met. Yet she played favorites with her sons and failed to trust Yehovah God fully for the promise he had made. Her sorrow: […]
Lot’s Wife Her character: She was a prosperous woman who may have been more attached to the good life than was good for her. Though there is no indication she participated in the sin of Sodom, her story implies she had learned to tolerate it and that her heart had become divided as a result. […]