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Seeing Women in the Old Testament
The Old Testament includes more women than any other book of scripture. Nevertheless, sometimes we need help to see these women more clearly. The text, like most existing scripture, is written from a male perspective, and an ancient male perspective at that. Seeing women was rarely the ancient writers’ primary concern, but that doesn’t mean we can’t find the women who are there and learn from them. This book helps us do just that, broadening our perspective and helping us take in more of what the Old Testament can offer us.
In this volume, six female religion scholars employ their voices and expertise to help us more clearly see women in the Old Testament as they testify to the goodness, mercy, and graciousness of God. We will notice women we’ve never seen before, come to know elements of well-known women’s stories that we might miss on our own, and consider why these ancient stories matter to us today.
In this volume, six female religion scholars employ their voices and expertise to help us more clearly see women in the Old Testament as they testify to the goodness, mercy, and graciousness of God. We will notice women we’ve never seen before, come to know elements of well-known women’s stories that we might miss on our own, and consider why these ancient stories matter to us today.
192 pages, Paperback
Published October 27, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
January 15, 2026
There are some interesting stories and principles here about women in the Old Testament. Here are some of my favorite quotes:
"Scripture gives us stories that can help us to better see and hear God in our own lives (p. x)."
"Remarkable women sometimes do surprising things as they follow the guidance of the Lord (p. xi)."
"God carefully watches over us in our own trying times (p. xii)."
"Without moral awareness and imperfection, there is no need for a savior. In other words, if we do not understand the Fall, we cannot fully understand the glory of Christ's redemption (p. 1)."
"Our doctrine maintains that Eve should be viewed as the pinnacle of all Creation (p. 2)."
"View Eve and Adam as equal partners in Eden--both of them made a necessary choice that led to the creation of human life in a mortal sphere (p. 2)."
"Elohim clearly states that both the woman and the man should rule together (p. 5)."
"Much of Genesis 1 is made of God's commands, but this is difficult to properly translate into English because we do not have a similar grammatical form (p. 5)."
"Sometimes prophets describe potential future events, and sometimes they prescribe future events... In descriptive prophecy, a prophet describes what is coming but does not indicate that those events are what should happen or even that God wants them to happen... In prescriptive prophesy, prophets prescribe what should be done to be in accordance with God's will (p. 6)."
"'Just so you know, you will now be entering a fallen world. Things will not exist in the same type of perfect order that you have enjoyed in this garden. You will live in sorrow. Conception will be painful. Men will unrighteously dominate women. Making a living will be hard. And you will die' (p. 9)."
"Sickness, pain, death, and conflict are a part of daily life in an imperfect world (p. 10)."
"Elohim's warning against the unrighteous domination of women is something that we should take very seriously--it is one of the fundamental instructions from Eden... from the very beginning of humanity (p. 11)."
"The Hebrew language can give us new insights on the ways Eve was a leader (p. 12)."
"The wandering had purpose... that purpose was often part of the shepherds' development. It was a journey (p. 13)."
"Lambs are cared for and raised by shepherds. Christ Himself was cared for by a very special individual--His mother (p. 14)."
"Eve, like Mary, bore witness of redemption and joy and, ultimately, of Christ (p. 16)."
"If Eve--the prototypical woman--is a shepherd, then all her daughters also become shepherds. This means that each female on earth has the ability to lead to new states of being, to gain knowledge, and to guide others to greater awareness (p. 17)."
"Without Sarah the full expression of the Abrahamic covenant could not have taken place. In fact, her presence, in many cases, drives the story and leads Abraham's covenant exactly where it needs to go (p. 19)."
"Do you ever think of Sarah as a 'mother of nations'? (p. 20)"
"Sarah--who believed even when hope was gone, when her promise was given to another, and when even her husband was seemingly content with the situation--embodies a remarkable faith (p. 25)."
"Deserts can also be surprisingly revealing (p. 27)."
"It is in this wilderness that the angel of the Lord appears to Hagar and takes time to situate her identity in both time and space (p. 29)."
"Hagar exhibits resourcefulness and demonstrates trust in God and in her own wise advocacy on behalf of her deserving son. At the heart of this story is the theme of identity (p. 31)."
"Being seen by God instills within us a deep sense of worth, especially during challenging times (p. 33)."
"Could there have ever been a sense of equitable well-being within the family of Abraham? Not only does Hagar see God's hand in her preservation, but she also knows that she is not abandoned; she knows that she is under God's protection and care (p. 32)."
"We can alleviate the deep loneliness and isolation we see in others around us (p. 33)."
"Hagar's encounters with God and God's angels succor herself and Ishmael while they are in the wilderness. More than providing food, water, and shelter, God's watchfulness affirms their identity and rightful relationship with Him (p. 33)."
"In biblical literature, a well is more than just a place to draw water; it's a place of divine encounters and new relationships (p. 36)."
"Rebekah's faith isn't a quiet, wait-and-see kind of faith; it's a faith that rolls up its sleeves and gets to work... She doesn't delay or second guess. Rebekah marries Isaac and boldly commits herself to the covenant family. Rebekah's actions suggest that the covenant is not just incidental to her life but something she actively engages with (p. 40)."
"She goes directly to God, and He speaks to her directly, affirming her role--not just as Isaac's wife but as a woman called to carry forward the covenant (p. 41)."
"Rebekah's story challenges us to rethink faithful living. Faith doesn't always involve quiet waiting; sometimes, it means running, drawing, hastening, marrying, guiding, and even intervening. Her life stands as a testament to the power of decisive, courageous action when it's aligned with God's promises (p. 41)."
"These two sisters become the literal mothers of the twelve tribes of Israel... the two matriarchs of a great covenant family (p. 43)."
"'And when the Lord saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb.' Leah's injustice was noticed and addressed by heaven. It resulted in the birth of the first family son, Reuben (p. 44)."
"What did Rachel understand about Sarha, Rebekah, and the covenant? Jacob may have been hesitant... But it's worth noting that the women in both stories seem clear-sighted about their actions (p. 48)."
"The Lord compensates the faithful for every loss (p. 48)."
"The story of how Tamar continues the line of Judah, and particularly the house of David, is messy (p. 51)."
"The story of Tamar shows us very clearly how, at times, we absolutely must study context, culture, and history to understand certain aspects of the Old Testament... Tamar is a model of perseverance, tenacity, and faith within dysfunctional circumstances (p. 52)."
"The levirate obligation laid out in ancient Near Eastern and biblical laws stated that if a man dies without children, his brother must marry the widow and father a child who would be considered the deceased brother's child (p. 53)."
"The levirate was intended to not only preserve the lineage of a deceased man but also provide his widow with protection and a secure future (p. 54)."
"Judah deeply wrongs Tamar by keeping her in a limbo state for many years and preventing her from obtaining a secure future... How long did those years feel as she waited for her chance to become a mother and to be a part of her intended family? How hopeless did she feel at times as she waited? (p. 55)"
"The text presents Tamar as intelligent and daring in her plan to trick Judah into keeping the levirate (p. 57)."
"I believe that when we are willing to do the right thing--particularly when the right thing is embarrassing, awkward, or difficult--we not only satisfy our own need to do what is right but also inspire others to find and follow their own moral compass (p. 59)."
"Before Moses and Aaron... five women used the means available to them to subversively defy the pharaoh--collectively saving Moses's life and paving the way for the children of Israel's eventual exodus from Egypt. These women were Shiphrah, Puah, Jochebed, Miriam, and the daughter of the pharaoh (p. 61)."
"It is women--acting in their routine roles of midwives, mothers, sisters, and daughters--who defy the pharaoh and become the initial saviors of the book of Exodus, laying the groundwork for the children of Israel's eventual liberation (p. 63)."
"Making an independent, moral decision, the midwives defy Pharoah's order and save the lives of these newborn infants who obviously cannot help themselves (p. 63)."
"Following a strategy similar to Shiphrah and Puah, Jochebed feigns obedience to the pharaoh's decree that 'every son that is born ye shall cast into the river' (p. 63)."
"'And the daughter of Pharaoh came down to wash herself at the river... when she saw the ark.'... Her initial statement, 'This is one of the Hebrews' children,' signals to the readers that she is aware of her father's decree and will in the course of the story intentionally disobey his order in favor of her emotional, moral impulse--'she had compassion on him' (p. 64)."
"Bithya chooses to work in concert with Hebrew women in a cross-class, cross-ethnic, and cross-national act of deliverance to save Moses's life (p. 65)."
"In the face of every calamity, there are always people who are helping (p. 66)."
"'We demonstrate our love for our neighbor by working to ensure the dignity of all Heavenly Father's children' (Dale G. Renlund, p. 66)."
"'The Lord was angry with Moses, and his hand was about to fall upon him, to kill him; for he had not circumcised his son' (p. 71)."
"Moses, as Israel's chosen deliverer, needed to be in full alignment with God's covenant to lead His people (p. 72)."
"By aligning herself with God's covenant at a critical moment, Zipporah steps into this pattern of divine intervention through women. Her quick, decisive act of circumcision brings Moses and his family under God's covenant protection, ensuring he is prepared to complete his divine calling (p. 73)."
"God's covenants show up in moments where everything is on the line (p. 74)."
"God always works through covenants (p. 75)."
"Zipporah acted with urgency because Moses was in immediate, life-threatening danger... Zipporah's act was a small but pivotal moment in the grand story of redemption... Zipporah's understanding of the protecting nature of the covenant, with its token, reminds us, that we too must be urgent in obeying and understanding of the covenants of the Lord (p. 76)."
"Marriage is covenant. Circumcision is a covenant. And blood? That's the sign that seals it (p. 77)."
"When God calls us to act in faith and align ourselves with His covenant, will we have the courage to answer the call? (p. 79)"
"We want so much to believe in God's universal love, but how can God be concerned for all if He commanded the Israelites to conquer and destroy the native communities of the promised land? (p. 80)"
"Rahab's story is one of inclusion, gathering, and widespread participation in God's kingdom (p. 81)."
"Emphasizing her identity on the margins, Rahab is introduced as a harlot (p. 81)."
"Rahab opens the window so that the spies can come and go from the city and so that their lives can be spared... Truly, the outsider Rahab has become a real and astounding part of the Lord's covenant story (p. 84)."
"Rahab might have stayed 'without the camp of Israel,' eventually settling elsewhere on her own. Instead, she was welcomed into the congregation (p. 85)."
"Nowhere are the implications of Rahab's adoption made more profoundly than in Matthew 1, where her name is included in the genealogy of Jesus (p. 86)."
"We are gathered into the Lord's kingdom not just to be blessed but to bless others... The Lord will ever be our guide, and He has shown, in part through Rahab, how ready He is to embrace us all fully, gathering us as an integral and cherished part of His own covenant family (p. 88)."
"The story of Deborah tells us that motherhood might not be something a person does. Rather, it might be something a person is, regardless of whether she has children of her own. Deborah shows us that women can be mothers even if they do not ever bear children (p. 90)."
"Deborah is introduced as a 'prophet woman' (p. 92)."
"Deborah... was already a respected person who was regarded as an authority by the Israelites in her area... Deborah likely functioned more as a 'professional prognosticator,' meaning she was probably someone who saw into the future rather than a spokesperson for God (p. 95)."
"She was a person of authority--to the point that the military leader refused to go to war without her (p. 95)."
"Deborah was a mother, not by virtue of bearing children, but because she aided her people (p. 97)."
"Inherent to every woman on the earth--by virtue of being a woman--is mother-ness. It is engrained in a woman's being; it cannot be granted or taken away by any other person (p. 98)."
"The Wife of Manoah, an unnamed heroine in the book of Judges... is often overlooked, and yet [her story] shines with a quiet strength all of its own (p. 101)."
"This special Nazarite son will be Samson (p. 103)."
"Each twist reveals the spiritual heart of the story, illustrating how God's covenant unfolds in surprising, sometimes impossible ways (p. 104)."
"Manoah is 'at rest,' almost passive, while his wife is actively listening and ready to receive God's word (p. 105)."
"The story of the Wife of Manoah becomes a powerful message. It reminds us that true faith isn't passive. God calls us to be active in our obedience, to be alert and ready to hear His voice, just as she was (p. 106)."
"See that God values quiet, steady devotion just as much as He values the bold acts of Israel's more famous leaders (p. 107)."
"Real courage can look like faithful stewardship of small, everyday, responsibilities, or it can be the extraordinary courage required in pivotal moments (p. 108)."
"He loves those who listen with a heart open to His call, even when it defies logic or demands quiet sacrifice (p. 108)."
"Her life invites us into a deeper reflection: When God speaks, do we follow, or do we hold back, waiting for something more dramatic or obvious? (p. 109)"
"Acknowledging that we all need the Savior's mercy can help us withhold judgment not just about Bathsheba, but also about the stories lived out around us day to day (p. 111)."
"Most commentators believe the text sufficiently portrays Bathsheba as a tragic figure: a powerless victim of David's caprice and carelessness (p. 115)."
"Little is typically remembered about Bathsheba beyond these difficult things, but actually, her story does not end tragically... After Solomon grows... the narrative returns to Bathsheba, now shown to be a woman of action and agency (p. 116)."
"In our effort to give grace in the gaps, no one is a better example than our Savior Jesus Christ (P. 118)."
"Just as we seek the Lord's grace for ourselves in the complexity of our own lives, may we remember to grant others grace in theirs (p. 119)."
"The story of Tamar, the only named daughter of King David, is one of those terrifying stories that has the power to transform us if we are willing to engage with it carefully and openly (p. 120)."
"By defiling her and then casting her out, Amnon ruins her once grand prospects of marriage as a daughter of King David and consigns her instead to a life of 'desolation' (p. 123)."
"'Where is God in this story?'... God is with Tamar, comforting her, weeping with her, and enabling her to speak out with courage and reason (p. 127)."
"Wisdom is often interwoven into the narratives and character portrayals within the text to enhance the larger tapestry of the biblical message (p. 129)."
"Her thirst for both earthly and spiritual knowledge sets her on a path, even a pilgrimage, to find the renowned King Solomon, to find her counterpart companion and 'to prove him with hard questions' (p. 131)."
"There are many reasons why the Queen of Sheba does not always feature prominently in Christian teachings or popular theology. Her account is short, and the narrative primarily illustrates the wisdom of this woman and her keen diplomatic skills (p. 132)."
"Jesus Himself uses the Queen of Sheba in a grand analogy found in both Matthew... and Luke... when He compares her recognition of Solomon's wisdom to the lack of recognition Jesus receives from His own contemporaries... Jesus wants to be perfectly clear that the Queen of Sheba went to great lengths... to encounter wisdom (p. 133)."
"Solomon surely understood the value of cultural exchange, and the text demonstrates as much. His good leadership was dependent on acknowledging God and knowing his neighbor (p. 135)."
"They find the riches of the mind, heart, and soul (p. 136)."
"There is nothing hidden within our relationship with God (p. 137)."
"Some of the brightest moments of our lives come as we interact with other people, lifting and serving one another in meaningful ways. Yet sometimes interactions can be confusing, uncomfortable, or embarrassing (p. 138)."
"Elisha wants to bless the woman for her constant support but has to search to find the right kind of repayment (p. 139)."
"Elisha saw what he thought was a need, but was rebuffed. We can appreciate Elisha's virtues as a servant of God while acknowledging that he was still growing in his calling, as we all have to do (p. 140)."
"He struggles to know how to conduct the miracle, trying many things before the boy is finally restored (p. 142)."
"Elisha represents all of us at one point or another, when our hearts become humbled and softened through service that may feel awkward or unhelpful. Sometimes ministering is challenging because... our ability to see the true needs of others is imperfect (p. 143)."
"The Shunammite woman sustained Elisha by granting him a place of refuge, comfort, and hospitality. Sustain is a rich word with wide meaning, including 'to support, maintain, uphold' (p. 144)."
"The Lord will grant His blessings liberally to those seeking to bless the lives of others (p. 144)."
"When Jesus allowed a woman to anoint His head with expensive oil, He made it clear that receiving service is a significant element of Christlike humility (p. 145)."
"Even in our imperfect attempts, God will guide us and consecrate our service for the good of those we hope to bless (p. 145)."
"With both judgment and compassion, Huldah's prophecy sets Judah on a path of reform, marking a turning point in its history (p. 147)."
"Though Huldah was not a priest, her robe as a prophetess was recognized and respected in the royal court (p. 149)."
"Throughout Israel's history, God chose other women to stand as prophets, each playing a crucial part in the spiritual journey of the nation (p. 150)."
"In Huldah's legacy, we find a model of prophetic courage--a willingness to speak truth, even when that truth is uncomfortable. Her life reminds us that God's call is not bound by society's structures or expectations. Those who stand for truth and seek the Lord with humility are His chosen vessels, regardless of gender, position, or place (p. 151)."
"Recognize the strength of a life fully dedicated to God... True spiritual strength flows from a heart attuned to God (p. 152)."
"Scripture gives us stories that can help us to better see and hear God in our own lives (p. x)."
"Remarkable women sometimes do surprising things as they follow the guidance of the Lord (p. xi)."
"God carefully watches over us in our own trying times (p. xii)."
"Without moral awareness and imperfection, there is no need for a savior. In other words, if we do not understand the Fall, we cannot fully understand the glory of Christ's redemption (p. 1)."
"Our doctrine maintains that Eve should be viewed as the pinnacle of all Creation (p. 2)."
"View Eve and Adam as equal partners in Eden--both of them made a necessary choice that led to the creation of human life in a mortal sphere (p. 2)."
"Elohim clearly states that both the woman and the man should rule together (p. 5)."
"Much of Genesis 1 is made of God's commands, but this is difficult to properly translate into English because we do not have a similar grammatical form (p. 5)."
"Sometimes prophets describe potential future events, and sometimes they prescribe future events... In descriptive prophecy, a prophet describes what is coming but does not indicate that those events are what should happen or even that God wants them to happen... In prescriptive prophesy, prophets prescribe what should be done to be in accordance with God's will (p. 6)."
"'Just so you know, you will now be entering a fallen world. Things will not exist in the same type of perfect order that you have enjoyed in this garden. You will live in sorrow. Conception will be painful. Men will unrighteously dominate women. Making a living will be hard. And you will die' (p. 9)."
"Sickness, pain, death, and conflict are a part of daily life in an imperfect world (p. 10)."
"Elohim's warning against the unrighteous domination of women is something that we should take very seriously--it is one of the fundamental instructions from Eden... from the very beginning of humanity (p. 11)."
"The Hebrew language can give us new insights on the ways Eve was a leader (p. 12)."
"The wandering had purpose... that purpose was often part of the shepherds' development. It was a journey (p. 13)."
"Lambs are cared for and raised by shepherds. Christ Himself was cared for by a very special individual--His mother (p. 14)."
"Eve, like Mary, bore witness of redemption and joy and, ultimately, of Christ (p. 16)."
"If Eve--the prototypical woman--is a shepherd, then all her daughters also become shepherds. This means that each female on earth has the ability to lead to new states of being, to gain knowledge, and to guide others to greater awareness (p. 17)."
"Without Sarah the full expression of the Abrahamic covenant could not have taken place. In fact, her presence, in many cases, drives the story and leads Abraham's covenant exactly where it needs to go (p. 19)."
"Do you ever think of Sarah as a 'mother of nations'? (p. 20)"
"Sarah--who believed even when hope was gone, when her promise was given to another, and when even her husband was seemingly content with the situation--embodies a remarkable faith (p. 25)."
"Deserts can also be surprisingly revealing (p. 27)."
"It is in this wilderness that the angel of the Lord appears to Hagar and takes time to situate her identity in both time and space (p. 29)."
"Hagar exhibits resourcefulness and demonstrates trust in God and in her own wise advocacy on behalf of her deserving son. At the heart of this story is the theme of identity (p. 31)."
"Being seen by God instills within us a deep sense of worth, especially during challenging times (p. 33)."
"Could there have ever been a sense of equitable well-being within the family of Abraham? Not only does Hagar see God's hand in her preservation, but she also knows that she is not abandoned; she knows that she is under God's protection and care (p. 32)."
"We can alleviate the deep loneliness and isolation we see in others around us (p. 33)."
"Hagar's encounters with God and God's angels succor herself and Ishmael while they are in the wilderness. More than providing food, water, and shelter, God's watchfulness affirms their identity and rightful relationship with Him (p. 33)."
"In biblical literature, a well is more than just a place to draw water; it's a place of divine encounters and new relationships (p. 36)."
"Rebekah's faith isn't a quiet, wait-and-see kind of faith; it's a faith that rolls up its sleeves and gets to work... She doesn't delay or second guess. Rebekah marries Isaac and boldly commits herself to the covenant family. Rebekah's actions suggest that the covenant is not just incidental to her life but something she actively engages with (p. 40)."
"She goes directly to God, and He speaks to her directly, affirming her role--not just as Isaac's wife but as a woman called to carry forward the covenant (p. 41)."
"Rebekah's story challenges us to rethink faithful living. Faith doesn't always involve quiet waiting; sometimes, it means running, drawing, hastening, marrying, guiding, and even intervening. Her life stands as a testament to the power of decisive, courageous action when it's aligned with God's promises (p. 41)."
"These two sisters become the literal mothers of the twelve tribes of Israel... the two matriarchs of a great covenant family (p. 43)."
"'And when the Lord saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb.' Leah's injustice was noticed and addressed by heaven. It resulted in the birth of the first family son, Reuben (p. 44)."
"What did Rachel understand about Sarha, Rebekah, and the covenant? Jacob may have been hesitant... But it's worth noting that the women in both stories seem clear-sighted about their actions (p. 48)."
"The Lord compensates the faithful for every loss (p. 48)."
"The story of how Tamar continues the line of Judah, and particularly the house of David, is messy (p. 51)."
"The story of Tamar shows us very clearly how, at times, we absolutely must study context, culture, and history to understand certain aspects of the Old Testament... Tamar is a model of perseverance, tenacity, and faith within dysfunctional circumstances (p. 52)."
"The levirate obligation laid out in ancient Near Eastern and biblical laws stated that if a man dies without children, his brother must marry the widow and father a child who would be considered the deceased brother's child (p. 53)."
"The levirate was intended to not only preserve the lineage of a deceased man but also provide his widow with protection and a secure future (p. 54)."
"Judah deeply wrongs Tamar by keeping her in a limbo state for many years and preventing her from obtaining a secure future... How long did those years feel as she waited for her chance to become a mother and to be a part of her intended family? How hopeless did she feel at times as she waited? (p. 55)"
"The text presents Tamar as intelligent and daring in her plan to trick Judah into keeping the levirate (p. 57)."
"I believe that when we are willing to do the right thing--particularly when the right thing is embarrassing, awkward, or difficult--we not only satisfy our own need to do what is right but also inspire others to find and follow their own moral compass (p. 59)."
"Before Moses and Aaron... five women used the means available to them to subversively defy the pharaoh--collectively saving Moses's life and paving the way for the children of Israel's eventual exodus from Egypt. These women were Shiphrah, Puah, Jochebed, Miriam, and the daughter of the pharaoh (p. 61)."
"It is women--acting in their routine roles of midwives, mothers, sisters, and daughters--who defy the pharaoh and become the initial saviors of the book of Exodus, laying the groundwork for the children of Israel's eventual liberation (p. 63)."
"Making an independent, moral decision, the midwives defy Pharoah's order and save the lives of these newborn infants who obviously cannot help themselves (p. 63)."
"Following a strategy similar to Shiphrah and Puah, Jochebed feigns obedience to the pharaoh's decree that 'every son that is born ye shall cast into the river' (p. 63)."
"'And the daughter of Pharaoh came down to wash herself at the river... when she saw the ark.'... Her initial statement, 'This is one of the Hebrews' children,' signals to the readers that she is aware of her father's decree and will in the course of the story intentionally disobey his order in favor of her emotional, moral impulse--'she had compassion on him' (p. 64)."
"Bithya chooses to work in concert with Hebrew women in a cross-class, cross-ethnic, and cross-national act of deliverance to save Moses's life (p. 65)."
"In the face of every calamity, there are always people who are helping (p. 66)."
"'We demonstrate our love for our neighbor by working to ensure the dignity of all Heavenly Father's children' (Dale G. Renlund, p. 66)."
"'The Lord was angry with Moses, and his hand was about to fall upon him, to kill him; for he had not circumcised his son' (p. 71)."
"Moses, as Israel's chosen deliverer, needed to be in full alignment with God's covenant to lead His people (p. 72)."
"By aligning herself with God's covenant at a critical moment, Zipporah steps into this pattern of divine intervention through women. Her quick, decisive act of circumcision brings Moses and his family under God's covenant protection, ensuring he is prepared to complete his divine calling (p. 73)."
"God's covenants show up in moments where everything is on the line (p. 74)."
"God always works through covenants (p. 75)."
"Zipporah acted with urgency because Moses was in immediate, life-threatening danger... Zipporah's act was a small but pivotal moment in the grand story of redemption... Zipporah's understanding of the protecting nature of the covenant, with its token, reminds us, that we too must be urgent in obeying and understanding of the covenants of the Lord (p. 76)."
"Marriage is covenant. Circumcision is a covenant. And blood? That's the sign that seals it (p. 77)."
"When God calls us to act in faith and align ourselves with His covenant, will we have the courage to answer the call? (p. 79)"
"We want so much to believe in God's universal love, but how can God be concerned for all if He commanded the Israelites to conquer and destroy the native communities of the promised land? (p. 80)"
"Rahab's story is one of inclusion, gathering, and widespread participation in God's kingdom (p. 81)."
"Emphasizing her identity on the margins, Rahab is introduced as a harlot (p. 81)."
"Rahab opens the window so that the spies can come and go from the city and so that their lives can be spared... Truly, the outsider Rahab has become a real and astounding part of the Lord's covenant story (p. 84)."
"Rahab might have stayed 'without the camp of Israel,' eventually settling elsewhere on her own. Instead, she was welcomed into the congregation (p. 85)."
"Nowhere are the implications of Rahab's adoption made more profoundly than in Matthew 1, where her name is included in the genealogy of Jesus (p. 86)."
"We are gathered into the Lord's kingdom not just to be blessed but to bless others... The Lord will ever be our guide, and He has shown, in part through Rahab, how ready He is to embrace us all fully, gathering us as an integral and cherished part of His own covenant family (p. 88)."
"The story of Deborah tells us that motherhood might not be something a person does. Rather, it might be something a person is, regardless of whether she has children of her own. Deborah shows us that women can be mothers even if they do not ever bear children (p. 90)."
"Deborah is introduced as a 'prophet woman' (p. 92)."
"Deborah... was already a respected person who was regarded as an authority by the Israelites in her area... Deborah likely functioned more as a 'professional prognosticator,' meaning she was probably someone who saw into the future rather than a spokesperson for God (p. 95)."
"She was a person of authority--to the point that the military leader refused to go to war without her (p. 95)."
"Deborah was a mother, not by virtue of bearing children, but because she aided her people (p. 97)."
"Inherent to every woman on the earth--by virtue of being a woman--is mother-ness. It is engrained in a woman's being; it cannot be granted or taken away by any other person (p. 98)."
"The Wife of Manoah, an unnamed heroine in the book of Judges... is often overlooked, and yet [her story] shines with a quiet strength all of its own (p. 101)."
"This special Nazarite son will be Samson (p. 103)."
"Each twist reveals the spiritual heart of the story, illustrating how God's covenant unfolds in surprising, sometimes impossible ways (p. 104)."
"Manoah is 'at rest,' almost passive, while his wife is actively listening and ready to receive God's word (p. 105)."
"The story of the Wife of Manoah becomes a powerful message. It reminds us that true faith isn't passive. God calls us to be active in our obedience, to be alert and ready to hear His voice, just as she was (p. 106)."
"See that God values quiet, steady devotion just as much as He values the bold acts of Israel's more famous leaders (p. 107)."
"Real courage can look like faithful stewardship of small, everyday, responsibilities, or it can be the extraordinary courage required in pivotal moments (p. 108)."
"He loves those who listen with a heart open to His call, even when it defies logic or demands quiet sacrifice (p. 108)."
"Her life invites us into a deeper reflection: When God speaks, do we follow, or do we hold back, waiting for something more dramatic or obvious? (p. 109)"
"Acknowledging that we all need the Savior's mercy can help us withhold judgment not just about Bathsheba, but also about the stories lived out around us day to day (p. 111)."
"Most commentators believe the text sufficiently portrays Bathsheba as a tragic figure: a powerless victim of David's caprice and carelessness (p. 115)."
"Little is typically remembered about Bathsheba beyond these difficult things, but actually, her story does not end tragically... After Solomon grows... the narrative returns to Bathsheba, now shown to be a woman of action and agency (p. 116)."
"In our effort to give grace in the gaps, no one is a better example than our Savior Jesus Christ (P. 118)."
"Just as we seek the Lord's grace for ourselves in the complexity of our own lives, may we remember to grant others grace in theirs (p. 119)."
"The story of Tamar, the only named daughter of King David, is one of those terrifying stories that has the power to transform us if we are willing to engage with it carefully and openly (p. 120)."
"By defiling her and then casting her out, Amnon ruins her once grand prospects of marriage as a daughter of King David and consigns her instead to a life of 'desolation' (p. 123)."
"'Where is God in this story?'... God is with Tamar, comforting her, weeping with her, and enabling her to speak out with courage and reason (p. 127)."
"Wisdom is often interwoven into the narratives and character portrayals within the text to enhance the larger tapestry of the biblical message (p. 129)."
"Her thirst for both earthly and spiritual knowledge sets her on a path, even a pilgrimage, to find the renowned King Solomon, to find her counterpart companion and 'to prove him with hard questions' (p. 131)."
"There are many reasons why the Queen of Sheba does not always feature prominently in Christian teachings or popular theology. Her account is short, and the narrative primarily illustrates the wisdom of this woman and her keen diplomatic skills (p. 132)."
"Jesus Himself uses the Queen of Sheba in a grand analogy found in both Matthew... and Luke... when He compares her recognition of Solomon's wisdom to the lack of recognition Jesus receives from His own contemporaries... Jesus wants to be perfectly clear that the Queen of Sheba went to great lengths... to encounter wisdom (p. 133)."
"Solomon surely understood the value of cultural exchange, and the text demonstrates as much. His good leadership was dependent on acknowledging God and knowing his neighbor (p. 135)."
"They find the riches of the mind, heart, and soul (p. 136)."
"There is nothing hidden within our relationship with God (p. 137)."
"Some of the brightest moments of our lives come as we interact with other people, lifting and serving one another in meaningful ways. Yet sometimes interactions can be confusing, uncomfortable, or embarrassing (p. 138)."
"Elisha wants to bless the woman for her constant support but has to search to find the right kind of repayment (p. 139)."
"Elisha saw what he thought was a need, but was rebuffed. We can appreciate Elisha's virtues as a servant of God while acknowledging that he was still growing in his calling, as we all have to do (p. 140)."
"He struggles to know how to conduct the miracle, trying many things before the boy is finally restored (p. 142)."
"Elisha represents all of us at one point or another, when our hearts become humbled and softened through service that may feel awkward or unhelpful. Sometimes ministering is challenging because... our ability to see the true needs of others is imperfect (p. 143)."
"The Shunammite woman sustained Elisha by granting him a place of refuge, comfort, and hospitality. Sustain is a rich word with wide meaning, including 'to support, maintain, uphold' (p. 144)."
"The Lord will grant His blessings liberally to those seeking to bless the lives of others (p. 144)."
"When Jesus allowed a woman to anoint His head with expensive oil, He made it clear that receiving service is a significant element of Christlike humility (p. 145)."
"Even in our imperfect attempts, God will guide us and consecrate our service for the good of those we hope to bless (p. 145)."
"With both judgment and compassion, Huldah's prophecy sets Judah on a path of reform, marking a turning point in its history (p. 147)."
"Though Huldah was not a priest, her robe as a prophetess was recognized and respected in the royal court (p. 149)."
"Throughout Israel's history, God chose other women to stand as prophets, each playing a crucial part in the spiritual journey of the nation (p. 150)."
"In Huldah's legacy, we find a model of prophetic courage--a willingness to speak truth, even when that truth is uncomfortable. Her life reminds us that God's call is not bound by society's structures or expectations. Those who stand for truth and seek the Lord with humility are His chosen vessels, regardless of gender, position, or place (p. 151)."
"Recognize the strength of a life fully dedicated to God... True spiritual strength flows from a heart attuned to God (p. 152)."
January 20, 2026
I know I give a lot of 5 star ratings, but this is a 10 star. If you want to see women in the scriptures more, this is the book for you. I had never heard some of these stories and these women pointing out how important and pivotal their roles were in their story made them even more meaningful. This is definitely a book I would own!
January 19, 2026
This book was a collection of essays by various authors on women in the Old Testament. Some essays were better than others, and some insights I really liked, while others I thought were a little convoluted. I especially liked the essay about Eve.
January 7, 2026
Fantastic insights. This book made me excited to read the Old Testament.
January 4, 2026
The Old Testament is the focus of study for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 2026. To help me prepare, and as a husband and a father of four daughters, I wanted to learn more about the women in The Old Testament. I enjoyed the style incorporated in this book, with focus on individuals and the lessons and principles that can be gleaned from each of their examples.
January 11, 2026
Fantastic book on the stories of women in the Old Testament. I love reading the stories of the women from the scriptures and this one was so insightful and I learned a lot reading it. I recommend this book for anyone who wants to read about the women in the Old Testament.
January 6, 2026
I enjoyed a first listen of this and plan on using it again with my Come Follow Me studies.
January 10, 2026
I read this very quickly. A lot of the essays were done very well. I should have looked up the author's backgrounds. Some of the essays felt a little bit of a stretch of interpretation.
January 22, 2026
Great review of women in the Bible with modern application of their stories
January 27, 2026
I loved this book! This is a carefully prepared collection of essays about the important work. Women did in the Old Testament. Wonderfully written and full of exciting information.
February 3, 2026
Different chapters by different authors. Some were more impactful than others. But overall eye-opening and powerful.
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