The Woman of Samaria Her character: Looked down upon by the Jews because she was a Samaritan and disdained because of her many romantic liaisons, she would not have been most people’s first choice to advance the gospel in a region where it had not yet been heard. Her sorrow:Read More …

Anna Her name means: “Favor” or “Grace” Her character: Married for only seven years, she spent the long years of her widowhood fasting and praying in the temple, abandoning herself entirely to God. A prophetess, she was one of the first to bear witness to Jesus. Her sorrow: As aRead More …

Mary, The Mother of Jesus Her name means: “Bitterness” Her character: She was a virgin from a poor family in an obscure village in Galilee. Her response to Gabriel reveals a young woman of unusual faith and humility. Her unqualified yes to God’s plan for her life entailed great personalRead More …

Elizabeth Her name means: “God is my oath” Her character: A descendant of Aaron, Elizabeth was a woman the Bible calls “upright in the sight of God.” Like few others, male or female, she is praised for observing all the Lord’s commandments and regulations without blame. She is the firstRead More …

Gomer Her name means: “Completion” Her character: Though a married woman, she carried on numerous love affairs, crediting her lovers for the gifts her husband had given her. Her sorrow: To have become the symbol of spiritual adultery—a picture of Israel’s unfaithfulness to God. Her joy: That her husband continuedRead More …

The Shulammite Woman Her character: Hers is the only female voice that speaks directly and extensively to us in Scripture. Ruth’s, Esther’s, Hannah’s, and Mary’s voices, for instance, are all mediated through narration. The Shulammite woman boldly declares her longing and desire to be united to her lover in marriage.Read More …

The Woman of Proverbs 31 Her character: She represents the fulfillment of a life lived in wisdom. Her joy: To be praised by her husband and children as a woman who surpasses all others. Key Scriptures: Proverbs 31:10-31 Her Story Proverbs brims with less-than-glowing descriptions of women. There are waywardRead More …

Esther Her name means: “Ishtar,” the Babylonian Goddess of Love, or from the Persian Word for “Star.” Her Hebrew Name, “Hadassah,” Means “Myrtle” Her character: An orphan in a foreign land, she was willing to conceal her Jewish identity in a bid for a pagan king’s affection. Esther seemed willingRead More …

Huldah Her name means: “Weasel” Her character: Trusted by the king with a matter of great importance, she was a prophetess whose word ignited a significant religious reform. Her sorrow: That God’s people refused to respond to him with loving obedience, ignoring repeated warnings about the consequences of their unfaithfulness.Read More …

Athaliah and Jehosheba ATHALIAH Her name means: “The Lord Is Great” Her character: Granddaughter of Omri, one of Israel’s most idolatrous and evil kings, she was the daughter of Ahab and most likely of Jezebel as well. She was the only woman to rule over Judah. While Ahab and JezebelRead More …