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Women of the Bible: A Visual Guide to Their Lives, Loves, and Legacy
They didn’t get as much ink—but they contributed amazing things to the history of God’s people. Learn all about them in Women of the Bible, a brand-new, illustrated reference book from Barbour Publishing. Covering women’s roles and jobs, daily experiences, and interactions with Bible men, this book brings clarity to some of the strange, confusing, and forgotten stories of scripture. Also featuring lists of every named woman of scripture and most of the unnamed females, Women of the Bible is fully illustrated in color. It’s “readable reference,” equally helpful for study or pleasure.
288 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2011
5 people are currently reading
68 people want to read
About the author
Carol Smith
14 books1 followerLibrarian Note: There is more than one author with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
April 28, 2013
I really liked this book on women in the bible. If you would like to learn more about women in the bible, the good and the bad, this is a good book for you to read.
January 11, 2022
This book was an amazing book to learn about the culture and the history of the women of the Bible. It helped to teach some of the basic elements, customs, traditions and more in which the women of the Bible experienced.
April 24, 2025
This book gives you insight on the impact names and un-named women in biblical times had. Was a great book to discover them at a high level.
February 7, 2011
"Women of the Bible" is a Bible reference book on the named and unnamed women mentioned in the Bible. It also contained background information on what daily life was like for them based on ancient written resources and archeology. There were also full color pictures of paintings and sculptures done of Biblical women (not necessarily historically accurate), modern women (some doing "traditional" activities), and archaeological objects.
The sections about daily life gave an easy-to-read overview of many different topics but didn't go into great detail. The sections about specific women in the Bible primarily summarized what the Bible said about them. There was a scripture index and a proper name index in the back. Overall, I'd recommend this book to those wanting to know more about the women in the Bible with the bonus of getting an overview look at what their lives were like.
Chapter 1 talked about family; career; victimization; contraception; politics; health; relationships, dating, and men; clothing; hair and makeup; jewelry; influential women mentioned in the Bible; urban vs. country women; women's rights in the Old Testament and in the New Testament; women in Egypt, Canaan, Assyria, and Babylonia; gentile vs. Jews; Christian vs. non-Christian; Biblical laws regarding women (menstruation, childbirth, other discharges, divorce, remarriage, sex, adultery, property, clothing, vows); Jesus' treatment of women; Paul's view of women (keeping his words in historical context); slave vs free women; how women related to each other (mothers and daughters, co-wives, sisters, etc.); details about marriage (from arranging it to the marriage feast); a woman's roles throughout her life (from child to widow); pregnancy and childbirth; homemaking and marketable skills; working outside the home; and details about death, mourning, and burial.
Chapter 2 gave more information about the different stages of a woman's life, including information on child care, housekeeping duties, widowhood, and preparing for festivals. Also, slavery and prostitution.
Chapter 3 talked about the various roles women played with summaries of the lives of women mentioned in the Bible that had that role. The roles were judge, prophetess, worship leader, royalty and wealth, everyday heroines, notable mothers, symbolic women (like lady wisdom), female deities mentioned in the Bible, women mentioned in Jesus' ministry, women in Jesus' parables, and women in the early church.
Chapter 4 talked about women's interactions with men in the Bible, including women who used their influence for evil, women who were used by men, women who triumphed over men, women who were loved and respected by men, Jesus' interactions with women, and New Testament teachings about male-female interactions.
Chapter 5 was an encyclopedia of women named in the Bible with information about each.
Chapter 6 was an encyclopedia of unnamed women mentioned in the Bible with information about each.
I received an electronic review copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley.
The sections about daily life gave an easy-to-read overview of many different topics but didn't go into great detail. The sections about specific women in the Bible primarily summarized what the Bible said about them. There was a scripture index and a proper name index in the back. Overall, I'd recommend this book to those wanting to know more about the women in the Bible with the bonus of getting an overview look at what their lives were like.
Chapter 1 talked about family; career; victimization; contraception; politics; health; relationships, dating, and men; clothing; hair and makeup; jewelry; influential women mentioned in the Bible; urban vs. country women; women's rights in the Old Testament and in the New Testament; women in Egypt, Canaan, Assyria, and Babylonia; gentile vs. Jews; Christian vs. non-Christian; Biblical laws regarding women (menstruation, childbirth, other discharges, divorce, remarriage, sex, adultery, property, clothing, vows); Jesus' treatment of women; Paul's view of women (keeping his words in historical context); slave vs free women; how women related to each other (mothers and daughters, co-wives, sisters, etc.); details about marriage (from arranging it to the marriage feast); a woman's roles throughout her life (from child to widow); pregnancy and childbirth; homemaking and marketable skills; working outside the home; and details about death, mourning, and burial.
Chapter 2 gave more information about the different stages of a woman's life, including information on child care, housekeeping duties, widowhood, and preparing for festivals. Also, slavery and prostitution.
Chapter 3 talked about the various roles women played with summaries of the lives of women mentioned in the Bible that had that role. The roles were judge, prophetess, worship leader, royalty and wealth, everyday heroines, notable mothers, symbolic women (like lady wisdom), female deities mentioned in the Bible, women mentioned in Jesus' ministry, women in Jesus' parables, and women in the early church.
Chapter 4 talked about women's interactions with men in the Bible, including women who used their influence for evil, women who were used by men, women who triumphed over men, women who were loved and respected by men, Jesus' interactions with women, and New Testament teachings about male-female interactions.
Chapter 5 was an encyclopedia of women named in the Bible with information about each.
Chapter 6 was an encyclopedia of unnamed women mentioned in the Bible with information about each.
I received an electronic review copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley.
March 18, 2011
What a great biblical reference book. The first chapter describes all facets of early Christian life. It is appropriately called Women in Bible Times. There are plenty of relevant illustrations including many photos of works of art. There is a discussion regarding global context of the events taking place in biblical times. This book agrees with what I have always thought which is that Jesus' treatment of women was quite revolutionary at the time in that he had female students, he accepted women as friends and ministry supporters, and he ignored ritual impurity laws to help a woman of faith (p. 45). It discusses the relationships between women, slave women and free women, sisters, mothers and daughters and plural wives. The book explores the customs of the times. One point that I really only understood recently which this book examines on page 72 is the importance of the cup of wine in the betrothal of a couple and how that is related to Jesus' utilization of the cup in the Last Supper and the bride as a symbol of the church (p. 76). The twelve steps of an ancient Jewish marriage are listed which is very enlightening. And their is a fascinating discussion in regard to mourning and women's role in mourning.
Daily experiences in the bible are explored next, then women's jobs and roles. Every point made in this book is supported by biblical passages. Evil Old Testament Queens, everyday heroines, and mothers who made a difference, the women of the bible are divided into very interesting sections. I like Nobodies: Unnamed Women of Faith and Action. Some women are symbolic women. The women in Jesus' parables are discussed.
The women of the bible and their interactions with men is discussed. Beginning with the Garden of Eden to Christ's interactions with women, all of their interactions are discussed. Their is a good depiction of the word submit when referring to women submitting to their husbands.
There is a glossary/index of the named women of the bible of which there are 166 listed. There is also an index of the unnamed women of the bible. There is a scripture index included at the end.
Great layout and easy to read. I highly recommend this book and plan on ordering a copy for myself.
Daily experiences in the bible are explored next, then women's jobs and roles. Every point made in this book is supported by biblical passages. Evil Old Testament Queens, everyday heroines, and mothers who made a difference, the women of the bible are divided into very interesting sections. I like Nobodies: Unnamed Women of Faith and Action. Some women are symbolic women. The women in Jesus' parables are discussed.
The women of the bible and their interactions with men is discussed. Beginning with the Garden of Eden to Christ's interactions with women, all of their interactions are discussed. Their is a good depiction of the word submit when referring to women submitting to their husbands.
There is a glossary/index of the named women of the bible of which there are 166 listed. There is also an index of the unnamed women of the bible. There is a scripture index included at the end.
Great layout and easy to read. I highly recommend this book and plan on ordering a copy for myself.
January 23, 2011
Women of the Bible by Carol Smith, Rachael Phillips, and Ellyn Sanna
Barbour, 2011
267 pages
Non-fiction; Christian; Reference
4/5 stars
Source: Received a free review copy via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I wasn't entirely sure what this book would be like based on the brief description online. It seems like it is part of a series and that it is supposed to be very accessible, which it definitely is.
I was disappointed because my own expectations were looking for a more in-depth scholarly approach. Instead the book does just what is outlined on the cover touching on the minutiae of how women in the Bible might have lived their lives. Some things we know: the economic status of women, their chores, expectations about children and family while some aspects we aren't sure about. At best we're piecing together information about women who lived millennia ago but whose concerns then mirror ours now.
Family, friendship, religion, survival, and love are among the similarities between then and now. Connections are drawn and nice pictures illustrate almost every page. I especially appreciated the gorgeous artwork, mainly from Renaissance it seemed. I did not know most of those pictures and they were fascinating to see.
Also included is a list of every woman in the Bible whether or not she has a name. The more prominent women such as Eve, Sarah, and Mary receive multiple mentions and more space devoted to them.
Layout: I don't usually talk about layout because in most of the ebooks I've read, it hasn't mattered. But this one had a fantastic layout, probably the closest to the actual book as can get. It made me so glad that I have a nook color! One fault was that it didn't have chapter links like many ebooks that I've read so navigating wasn't as smooth as it could be.
Overall: Interesting reference and perspective.
Cover: I like the woman and the colors but I don't like the other pictures.
Barbour, 2011
267 pages
Non-fiction; Christian; Reference
4/5 stars
Source: Received a free review copy via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I wasn't entirely sure what this book would be like based on the brief description online. It seems like it is part of a series and that it is supposed to be very accessible, which it definitely is.
I was disappointed because my own expectations were looking for a more in-depth scholarly approach. Instead the book does just what is outlined on the cover touching on the minutiae of how women in the Bible might have lived their lives. Some things we know: the economic status of women, their chores, expectations about children and family while some aspects we aren't sure about. At best we're piecing together information about women who lived millennia ago but whose concerns then mirror ours now.
Family, friendship, religion, survival, and love are among the similarities between then and now. Connections are drawn and nice pictures illustrate almost every page. I especially appreciated the gorgeous artwork, mainly from Renaissance it seemed. I did not know most of those pictures and they were fascinating to see.
Also included is a list of every woman in the Bible whether or not she has a name. The more prominent women such as Eve, Sarah, and Mary receive multiple mentions and more space devoted to them.
Layout: I don't usually talk about layout because in most of the ebooks I've read, it hasn't mattered. But this one had a fantastic layout, probably the closest to the actual book as can get. It made me so glad that I have a nook color! One fault was that it didn't have chapter links like many ebooks that I've read so navigating wasn't as smooth as it could be.
Overall: Interesting reference and perspective.
Cover: I like the woman and the colors but I don't like the other pictures.
April 2, 2011
Review published at: Over A Cuppa Tea
Date published:6th Feb 2011
Review link: http://cleffairy.com/?p=4697
Women of The Bible by Carol Smith, Ellyn Sanna, Rachael Phillips is a reference guide on the women whose stories were immortalized in the bible. I have always been fascinated and intrigue by the stories about the women in the bible. But my comprehension on the bible is rather limited, as the bible is not exactly written in a modern, every-day language. Unless I read those are meant for little children, I don't exactly understand what the bible is trying to tell me.
This 'Women of The Bible' visual guide helps me to understand the ancient women in the bible alot. I used to have difficulties imagining how the life of women in biblical times is like, but this visual guide helped me a lot. This visual guide also points out that even though men are more highlighted in the bible, the women does not exactly serves just as a background.
Women in the bible too played important roles in creating history.Stories of strong women were portrayed very vividly in this visual guide, and I enjoyed this visual guide a lot. It doesn't feel as if I was reading something related to the bible, but I felt as if I was going though an in depth case study about the women in the bible.
Thumbs up for this book, and if I were to rate it, I'd give it a gleaming 5 stars.
I received this ARC for review from Barbour Publishing via Netgalley. I was not compensated in any way for this review.
Date published:6th Feb 2011
Review link: http://cleffairy.com/?p=4697
Women of The Bible by Carol Smith, Ellyn Sanna, Rachael Phillips is a reference guide on the women whose stories were immortalized in the bible. I have always been fascinated and intrigue by the stories about the women in the bible. But my comprehension on the bible is rather limited, as the bible is not exactly written in a modern, every-day language. Unless I read those are meant for little children, I don't exactly understand what the bible is trying to tell me.
This 'Women of The Bible' visual guide helps me to understand the ancient women in the bible alot. I used to have difficulties imagining how the life of women in biblical times is like, but this visual guide helped me a lot. This visual guide also points out that even though men are more highlighted in the bible, the women does not exactly serves just as a background.
Women in the bible too played important roles in creating history.Stories of strong women were portrayed very vividly in this visual guide, and I enjoyed this visual guide a lot. It doesn't feel as if I was reading something related to the bible, but I felt as if I was going though an in depth case study about the women in the bible.
Thumbs up for this book, and if I were to rate it, I'd give it a gleaming 5 stars.
I received this ARC for review from Barbour Publishing via Netgalley. I was not compensated in any way for this review.
October 17, 2019
This book is a great resource for any person looking to learn more about the women mentioned in the Bible! The pages are sleek and glossy, each one packed with tons of information and color photos. You’ll learn about everything the women of that time did, from divorce to death to housekeeping to roles in the church to marriage, among many other things. Towards the end, there’s a paragraph about each of the women mentioned in the Bible, named or not. There’s also a list of all the named women, complete with references. There is a lot of information in this highly valuable resource.
May 7, 2014
Beautifully illustrated borrowing centuries of artworks and photos. But I resent the bigoted opinions of the authors. A history of women should be just that in my opinion - a history. The authors seem to have a condescending, hostile attitude toward a culture, time and life they simply won't or can't appreciate and understand. And some ideas expressed are not fact but, still, author's opinion. Dangerous for a misinformed reader to read!!
I can't recommend this book for anything other than a picture book.
No wonder this was a $5 special at our book store!
Shame.
I can't recommend this book for anything other than a picture book.
No wonder this was a $5 special at our book store!
Shame.
August 6, 2012
The illustrations and paintings were beautiful, and what drew me into buying this book. However even the famous drawings couldnt save this one. It was just so... bland, and boring. In the table of contents there were a list of things this book was supposed to cover. Clearly it was mistaken because the only thing i read was all about assyrian and jewish customs which had nothing to do with anything, at least not the exciting points the book was supposed to cover.
August 2, 2011
Though somewhat appears as a feminist reading, the book discusses the enduring legacy of female characters of the Bible and what correlations/similarities do their lives and legacies hold with women of today.
October 13, 2014
it was an okay study guide. I was expecting more insight.
August 25, 2015
Brief entries on live-style and work along with women. Blog-like so can get as much online.
March 1, 2016
Lots of information but it is very repetitive, and not very in-depth. A decent overview.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews