Influential Women of the Bible

Ever since God made Eve out of a rib of Adam women have had a strong influence on men. (And thereafter men developed a desire for barbecued ribs?) Eve was made as a helper, but women became much more and have led many men into greatness or evil. They most often think with their hearts and can be fierce advocates or enemies depending on where their allegiance lies and how they are treated. Women and men have been co-partners in shaping the destiny of the earth they were entrusted to manage.

Eve
Gen 3:6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasing to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make wise, she took of its fruit, and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate.
Gen 3:16 To the woman He said, I will greatly increase your sorrow and your conception. In pain you shall bear sons, and your desire shall be toward your husband, and he shall rule over you.
Gen 3:20 And Adam called his wife’s name Eve, because she was the mother of all living.

Eve’s trusting Satan over God influenced all women’s childbirth pains just as Adam’s listening to her caused weeds on the earth that we all must fight. They both lacked faith in God. If they had only done right, there would have been no death and Heaven would have been jump started from the beginning.

Rebekah
Gen 24:29 And Rebekah had a brother, and his name was Laban. And Laban ran out to the man, to the well.
Gen 24:42 And I came this day to the well, and said, O Jehovah, the God of my master Abraham, if now You prosper my way in which I go,
Gen 24:43 behold, I stand by the well of water. And it shall be when the virgin comes forth to draw water, and I say to her, Give me, please, a little water from your pitcher to drink,
Gen 24:44 and she says to me, Both you drink, and I will also draw for your camels, may she be the woman whom Jehovah has appointed for my master’s son.
Gen 24:45 And before I finished speaking in my heart, behold, Rebekah came out with her pitcher on her shoulder. And she went down to the well and drew water. And I said to her, Please let me drink.
Gen 24:46 And she hurried and let down her pitcher from her shoulder, and said, Drink, and I will give drink to your camels also. So I drank, and she made the camels drink also.
Gen 24:58 And they called Rebekah, and said to her, Will you go with this man? And she said, I will go.
Gen 25:5 And Abraham gave all that he had to Isaac.
Gen 25:20 And Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah to wife, the daughter of Bethuel the Syrian of Padan-aram, the sister of Laban the Syrian.
Gen 25:21 And Isaac prayed to Jehovah for his wife, because she was barren. And Jehovah heard him, and Rebekah his wife conceived.
Gen 25:22 And the sons struggled together within her. And she said, If it is so, why am I this way? And she went to inquire of Jehovah.
Gen 25:23 And Jehovah said to her, Two nations are in your womb, and two kinds of people shall be separated from your bowels. And the one people shall be stronger than the other people, the older shall serve the younger.
Gen 25:27 And the boys grew. And Esau was a man knowing hunting, and Jacob was a simple man, living in tents.
Gen 25:28 And Isaac loved Esau, for game was in his mouth. But Rebekah loved Jacob.
Gen 27:5 And Rebekah was listening when Isaac spoke to Esau his son. And Esau went to the field to hunt game in order to bring it.
Gen 27:6 And Rebekah spoke to her son Jacob, saying, Behold, I heard your father speak to your brother Esau, saying,
Gen 27:7 Bring me game, and make me delicious things so that I may eat and bless you before Jehovah before my death.
Gen 27:8 And now, my son, obey my voice according to what I command you.
Gen 27:9 Go now to the flock, and bring me from there two good kids of the goats. And I will make them delicious things for your father, such as he loves.
Gen 27:10 And you shall bring it to your father so that he may eat, and that he may bless you before his death.
Gen 27:11 And Jacob said to his mother Rebekah, Behold, Esau my brother is a hairy man, and I am a smooth man.
Gen 27:12 My father will perhaps feel me, and I shall seem to him as a deceiver. And I shall bring a curse upon me, and not a blessing.
Gen 27:13 And his mother said to him, Your curse be upon me, my son, only obey my voice and go bring them to me.

Rebekah did not fall in love with her husband but agreed to go with him as an older rich man. She made a mistake later to love Jacob more than her other son and deceitfully conspire to trick her husband and go against the custom of the first-born receiving the father’s blessing along with additional wealth to watch over the family. This mistake caused a rift in the family and Jacob had to flee. Her early bad influence over Jacob caused him more problems during his life. God did finally bless him though.

Sarah
Gen 16:1 Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, did not bear. And she had a female slave, an Egyptian, and her name was Hagar.
Gen 16:3 And Sarai, Abram’s wife, took Hagar her slave woman, the Egyptian, and gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife (after Abram had lived ten years in the land of Canaan).
Gen 16:4 And he went in to Hagar, and she conceived. And when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes.
Gen 16:16 And Abram was eighty-six years old when Hagar bore Ishmael to Abram.
Gen 17:14 And the uncircumcised male child whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he has broken My covenant.
Gen 17:15 And God said to Abraham, As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but her name shall be Sarah.
Gen 17:17 And Abraham fell upon his face and laughed, and said in his heart, Shall a child be born to him that is a hundred years old? And shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear?
Gen 18:12 Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After my being old, shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?
Gen 18:15 Then Sarah denied, saying, I did not laugh; for she was afraid. And He said, No, but you did laugh.
Gen 21:6 And Sarah said, God has made me laugh, so that all who hear will laugh with me.
Gen 21:9 And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian (whom she had borne to Abraham) mocking.
Gen 21:10 And she said to Abraham, Cast out this slave woman and her son. For the son of this slave woman shall not be heir with my son, with Isaac.

Sarah and Abraham did not believe God about a son to be born late in life. Sarah even tried to lie to God about her laughing. Her real mistake was in trying to bring about the prophecy on her own by sending her slave in to her husband. Then, even though she had laughed at God, she did not like Hagar mocking her and did not want Hagar’s son to be an inheritor. She had Abraham to cast out Hagar and her son into the desert to die. These actions set up future generations of strife between the two sons and their offspring generations that are still in effect today. If only Sarah had believed God and waited on His timing! Good lesson for us also.

Rachel
Gen 29:18 And Jacob loved Rachel, and said, I will serve you seven years for Rachel your younger daughter.
Gen 29:31 And when Jehovah saw that Leah was hated, even He opened her womb. But Rachel was barren.
Gen 30:1 And when Rachel saw that she bore Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister. And she said to Jacob, Give me sons, or else I will die.
Gen 30:2 And Jacob’s anger was kindled against Rachel. And he said, Am I in God’s stead, who has withheld from you the fruit of the womb?
Gen 30:3 And she said, Behold my slave woman Bilhah; go in to her, and she shall bear upon my knees, and yea, let me be built up from her, me also.
Gen 30:4 And she gave him her slave woman Bilhah to wife. And Jacob went in to her.
Gen 31:19 And Laban went to shear his sheep. And Rachel had stolen the images which were her father’s.
Gen 31:31 And Jacob answered and said to Laban, Because I was afraid, for I said, Perhaps you would take your daughters away from me by force.
Gen 31:32 With whomever you find your gods, let him not live. Before our brothers, choose what is yours with me, and take it to you. For Jacob did not know that Rachel had stolen them.
Gen 31:33 And Laban went into Jacob’s tent, and into Leah’s tent, and into the tents of the two slave women, and he did not find. And he went out of Leah’s tent, and entered into Rachel’s tent.
Gen 31:34 And Rachel had taken the images and put them into the camel’s saddle, and sat on them. And Laban searched all the tent, but did not find them.
Gen 31:36 And Jacob was angry, and rebuked Laban. And Jacob answered and said to Laban, What is my trespass? What is my sin, that you have so hotly pursued after me?
Gen 31:37 For you have searched all my stuff; what have you found of all your household stuff? Set it here before my brothers and your brothers, that they may judge between us both.

Jacob was tricked by Laban into marring Leah to get lovely Rachel. The two sisters continued to be jealous of each other as evidenced by their reactions to whom was able to have children. Rachel made the mistake of sending her slave into Jacob due to an argument with him. Her theft of the idols then caused a rift between Jacob and Laban and their families. The lesson learned is to look deeper than just the surface when choosing a mate.

Potiphar’s wife
Gen 39:1 And Joseph was brought down to Egypt. And Potiphar, a eunuch (castrated & sexually dysfunctional and one in charge of the harem of the ruler) of Pharaoh, the chief of the executioners, an Egyptian man, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had brought him down there.
Gen 39:2 And Jehovah was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man. And he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.
Gen 39:3 And his master saw that Jehovah was with him, and that Jehovah made all he did to prosper in his hand.
Gen 39:4 And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him. And he made him overseer over his house, and he put into his hand all he had.
Gen 39:6 And he left all that he had in Joseph’s hand. And he did not know anything that he had, except the bread which he ate. And Joseph was beautiful in form and beautiful in appearance.
Gen 39:7 And after these things it happened that his master’s wife cast her eyes upon Joseph. And she said, Lie with me.
Gen 39:8 But he refused and said to his master’s wife, Behold, my master does not know what is in the house with me, and he has given all that he has into my hand.
Gen 39:9 There is none greater in this house than I. Neither has he kept back anything from me except you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?
Gen 39:10 And it happened as she spoke to Joseph day by day, that he did not listen to her to lie with her, or to be with her.
Gen 39:11 And it happened about this time that he came into the house to do his work. And none of the men of the house were inside.
Gen 39:12 And she caught him by his robe, saying, Lie with me. And he left his robe in her hand and fled, and got out.
Gen 39:13 And it happened when she saw that he had left his robe in her hand, and had fled,
Gen 39:14 she called to the men of her house and spoke to them, saying, See, he has brought in a Hebrew to us to sport with us. He came in to me, to lie with me, and I cried with a loud voice.
Gen 39:15 And it happened when he heard that I lifted up my voice and cried, he left his robe with me, and fled, and got out.
Gen 39:16 And she laid up his robe beside her until his lord came home.
Gen 39:17 And she spoke to him according to these words, saying, The Hebrew servant which you have brought to us came in to me to sport with me.
Gen 39:18 And it happened as I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his robe with me and ran out.
Gen 39:19 And it happened when his master heard the words of his wife which she spoke to him, saying, Your servant did this to me, his wrath was kindled.
Gen 39:20 And Joseph’s master took him and put him in the prison, a place where the king’s prisoners were bound. And he was there in the prison.

Granted, Potiphar and his wife did not have the best of a marriage. She was drawn to a good looking Joseph. But when she was rejected, her pride and fear that Joseph might tell Potiphar about her advances caused her to lie and blame Joseph. Sometimes, lies are believed, but God knew the truth. God prepared conditions for Joseph’s eventual release from prison and rise to power. Joseph’s continued trust in God and his correct actions were rewarded.

The daughter of Pharaoh
Exo 2:5 And the daughter of Pharaoh came down to bathe at the river. And her maidens walked along by the riverside. And when she saw the ark among the reeds, she sent her slave-girl to bring it.
Exo 2:6 And she opened it, and she saw the child. And behold, a boy wept. And she had pity on him, and said, This is one of the Hebrews’ sons.

The tenderness of women is a great virtue. God’s spirit moved Pharoah’s daughter when baby Moses cried. Her curiosity and tenderness made it possible for Moses to be educated, cared for and prepared for leadership. Her heart feelings and how Moses was reared made a great impact on Israel’s future.

Miriam
Exo 15:20 And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand. And all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances.
Exo 15:21 And Miriam answered them, Sing to Jehovah, for He has triumphed gloriously. The horse and his rider He has thrown into the sea.
Num 12:1 And Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Cushite woman whom he had taken. For he had taken a Cushite woman.
Num 12:4 And Jehovah spoke suddenly to Moses and to Aaron and to Miriam, You three come out to the tabernacle of the congregation. And the three came out.
Num 12:6 And He said, Hear now My words. If there is a prophet among you, I Jehovah will make Myself known to him in a vision, and will speak to him in a dream.
Num 12:7 Not so, My servant Moses. He is faithful in all My house.
Num 12:8 I will speak with him mouth to mouth, even clearly, and not in dark speeches. And he shall behold the likeness of Jehovah. Why then were you not afraid to speak against My servant Moses?
Num 12:9 And the anger of Jehovah was kindled against them, and He moved.
Num 12:10 And the cloud moved from the tabernacle. And behold! Miriam became leprous, as snow. And Aaron looked on Miriam, and behold, she was leprous.
Num 12:11 And Aaron said to Moses, Oh, my lord, I beg you, do not lay upon us the sin in which we have done foolishly, and in which we have sinned.
Num 12:13 And Moses cried to Jehovah saying, Heal her now, O God, I beseech You.
Num 12:14 And Jehovah said to Moses, If her father had but spit in her face, should she not be ashamed seven days? Let her be shut out from the camp seven days, and after that let her be received.
Num 12:15 And Miriam was shut out from the camp seven days. And the people did not pull up stakes until Miriam was brought in.

Miriam made the mistake of speaking against a man of God in support of her brother. As a prophetess she should have known not to put down who God has put in charge. If Moses had done wrong in the eyes of God, God would have disciplined him. As it was, she was the one God disciplined. It was only due to Moses praying for her that she was healed. God also made it clear that Moses was above her in His relationship to God and that he was vindicated in his action to take a woman of his choice.

Rahab
Jos 2:1 And Joshua the son of Nun sent out of Shittim two men to spy secretly, saying, Go look over the land, even Jericho. And they went and came to the house of a harlot named Rahab. And they stayed there.
Jos 2:2 And the king of Jericho was told about it, saying, Behold, men from the sons of Israel came in here tonight, to search out the country.
Jos 2:3 And the king of Jericho sent to Rahab, saying, Bring out the men that have come to you, those who have entered into your house. For they have come to search out all the country.
Jos 2:4 And the woman took the two men and hid them. And she said, Two men came to me, but I did not know from where they came.
Jos 2:5 And it happened when it was dark, at the time of shutting the gate, the men went out. Where the men went I do not know. Go after them quickly, for you shall overtake them.
Jos 2:6 But she had brought them up on the roof, and had hidden them with the stalks of flax which she had laid in order upon the roof.
Jos 2:9 And she said to the men, I know that Jehovah has given you the land, and that your terror has fallen on us, and that all those who live in the land faint because of you.
Jos 2:10 For we have heard how Jehovah dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites that were on the other side Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom you utterly destroyed.
Jos 2:11 And we had heard, and our hearts melted, nor did any more spirit remain in any man, because of you. For Jehovah your God, He is God in Heaven above and in earth beneath.
Jos 2:12 Now therefore, I pray you, swear to me by Jehovah, since I have dealt with you in kindness, that you will also deal with kindness to my father’s house. And give me a true token,

Rahab was a harlot but had compassion on the men sent to her. God had placed her in the path of the spies to encourage them with her great faith (verses 2 & 11) in God to give them the victory over the inhabitants of the land. Her faith and support in hiding them was helpful in God’s plan for preparing the way for Israel to occupy the land God had promised them.

Deborah
Jdg 4:4 And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, judged Israel at that time.
Jdg 4:5 And she lived under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in mount Ephraim. And the sons of Israel came up to her for judgment.

It is an honor from God to be a prophetess and an honor before mankind to be a judge. Deborah was both and effected the lives of many. She helped lead Israel to God and to victory over its enemies.

Delilah
Jdg 16:3 And Samson lay till midnight, and arose at midnight, and took hold of the leaves of the gate of the city and the two posts, and picked them up, with the bar, and put them on his shoulders and carried them up to the top of a hill that is before Hebron.
Jdg 16:4 And it happened afterwards, he loved a woman in the valley of Sorek, whose name was Delilah.
Jdg 16:5 And the lords of the Philistines came up to her, and said to her, Lure him and see where his great strength lies, and by what means we may prevail against him, so that we may tie him to afflict him. And each one of us will give you eleven hundred pieces of silver.
Jdg 16:6 And Delilah said to Samson, Please tell me where your great strength lies, and with what you may be bound to afflict you.
Jdg 16:7 And Samson said to her, If they bind me with seven green cords that were never dried, then I shall be weak and be as another man.
Jdg 16:8 Then the lords of the Philistines brought up to her seven green cords which had not been dried, and she bound him with them.
Jdg 16:9 And the ambush was sitting for her in the inner room. And she said to him, The Philistines are upon you, Samson! And he broke the cords like a thread of tow when it smells fire. And his strength was not known.
Jdg 16:10 And Delilah said to Samson, Behold, you have mocked me and told me lies. Now, please, tell me with what you may be bound.
Jdg 16:11 And he said to her, If they bind me fast with new ropes that have never been used, then I shall be weak and be as another man.
Jdg 16:12 And Delilah took new ropes and bound him with them, and said to him, The Philistines are upon you, Samson! And the ambush was sitting for her in the inner room. And he broke them from off his arms like a thread.
Jdg 16:13 And Delilah said to Samson, You have mocked me until now, and told me lies. Tell me with what you may be bound. And he said to her, If you weave the seven locks of my head with the web.
Jdg 16:14 And she fastened it with the pin, and said to him, The Philistines are upon you, Samson! And He awakened out of his sleep, and pulled out the pin, the hand-loom and the web.
Jdg 16:15 And she said to him, How can you say, I love you, and your heart is not with me? You have mocked me these three times, and have not told me in what your great strength lies.
Jdg 16:16 And it happened because she distressed him with her words daily, and urged him; and his soul was grieved to death.
Jdg 16:17 And he told her all his heart, and said to her, A razor has not come on my hair, for I am a Nazirite to God from my mother’s womb. If I am shaven, then my strength will go from me, and I will become weak and be like any man.
Jdg 16:18 And when Delilah saw that he had told her all his heart, she sent and called for the lords of the Philistines, saying, Come this once, for he has showed me all his heart. Then the lords of the Philistines came up to her, and brought silver in their hand.
Jdg 16:19 And she made him sleep upon her knees. And she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head. And she began to afflict him, and his strength went from him.
Jdg 16:20 And she said, The Philistines are upon you, Samson! And he awoke out of his sleep and said, I will go out as at other times before, and shake myself. And he did not know that Jehovah had departed from him.

Delilah betrayed her country when she helped the Philistines to subdue a very gullible Sampson. He was strong in body but weak against the wiles of this woman who had shown several times that she had lied to him. Apparently, he was a slow learner!

Ruth
Rth 1:3 And Elimelech, Naomi’s husband, died. And she was left, and her two sons.
Rth 1:4 And they took wives for themselves from the women of Moab. The name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth. And they lived there about ten years.
Rth 1:8 And Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, Go, return each one to her mother’s house. May Jehovah deal kindly with you, as you have dealt with the dead and with me.
Rth 1:9 May Jehovah grant you that you may find rest, each in the house of her husband. Then she kissed them, and they lifted up their voice and wept.
Rth 1:12 Turn again, my daughters, go. For I am too old to have a husband. If I should say, I have hope, if I should have a husband also tonight, and should also bear sons,
Rth 1:13 would you wait for them until they were grown? Will you shut yourselves up, not to have a husband? No, my daughters, for it makes me very sad for your sakes that the hand of Jehovah has gone out against me.
Rth 1:14 And they lifted up their voice and wept again. And Orpah kissed her mother-in-law. But Ruth clung to her.
Rth 1:15 And she said, Behold, Your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods. Return after your sister-in-law.
Rth 1:16 And Ruth said, Do not beg me to leave you, to return from following after you. For where you go, I will go. Where you stay, I will stay. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God.
Rth 1:17 Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May Jehovah do so to me, and more also, if anything but death parts you and me.

Naomi was a strong witness for God to her family. She gained the respect and love of her daughters-in-law. Orpah was content to kiss Naomi and leave her, but Ruth was not willing to let her go and clung to her. She vowed to be forever a part of Naomi during life and even accept her God. Ruth’s declaration in verses 16 & 17 shows a strong, tender love for a woman that had greatly influenced her with her love and wisdom.

Hannah
1Sa 1:2 And he had two wives, the name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the second, Peninnah. And Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children.
1Sa 1:4 And the time came that Elkanah offered, he gave portions to Peninnah his wife, and to all her sons and her daughters.
1Sa 1:5 But to Hannah he gave one double portion, for he loved Hannah. But Jehovah had shut up her womb.
1Sa 1:6 And her foe also provoked her grievously, in order to make her tremble, because Jehovah had shut up her womb.
1Sa 1:7 And as he did so year by year, when she went up to the house of Jehovah, so she provoked her. And she wept and did not eat.
1Sa 1:8 And Elkanah her husband said to her, Hannah, why do you weep? And why do you not eat? And why is your heart grieved? Am I not better to you than ten sons?
1Sa 1:9 And Hannah rose up after they had eaten in Shiloh and after they had drunk. And Eli the priest sat on the seat by the side post of the temple of Jehovah.
1Sa 1:10 And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed to Jehovah, and wept sorely.
1Sa 1:11 And she vowed a vow and said, O, Lord of Hosts, if You will indeed look upon the affliction of Your handmaid and remember me, and not forget Your handmaid, but will give to Your handmaid a man-child, then I will give him to Jehovah all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head.
1Sa 1:12 And it happened as she continued praying before Jehovah, Eli noticed her mouth.
1Sa 1:13 Now Hannah spoke in her heart, only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard. And Eli thought she had become drunk.
1Sa 1:14 And Eli said to her, How long will you be drunken? Put away your wine from you!
1Sa 1:15 And Hannah answered, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit. I have neither drunk wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before Jehovah.
1Sa 1:16 Do not count your handmaid for a daughter of wickedness, for out of the abundance of my meditation and grief I have spoken until now.
1Sa 1:20 And it happened when the time had come around, Hannah conceived and bore a son and called his name Samuel, saying, Because I have asked him of Jehovah.
1Sa 1:26 And she said, O, my lord, as your soul lives, my lord, I am the woman who stood by you here, praying to Jehovah.
1Sa 1:27 For this boy I was praying, and Jehovah has given me my petition which I asked of Him.
1Sa 1:28 And I have returned him to Jehovah. As long as he lives, he shall be given to Jehovah. And he worshiped Jehovah there.
1Sa 2:21 And Jehovah visited Hannah so that she conceived, and she bore three sons and two daughters. And the child Samuel grew before Jehovah.
1Sa 3:19 And Samuel grew, and Jehovah was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground.
1Sa 7:3 And Samuel spoke to all the house of Israel saying, If you return to Jehovah with all your hearts, then put away the strange gods and Ashtaroth from among you, and prepare your hearts to Jehovah, and serve Him only. And He will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.
1Sa 7:4 And the sons of Israel put away the Baals and the Ashtaroth, and served Jehovah only.
1Sa 7:5 And Samuel said, Gather all Israel to Mizpeh, and I will pray for you to Jehovah.
1Sa 7:15 And Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life.
1Sa 7:16 And he went from year to year in a circuit to Bethel and Gilgal and Mizpeh, and judged Israel in all those places.
1Sa 7:17 And his return was to Ramah, for his house was there. And he judged Israel there. And he built an altar there to Jehovah.

Hanna continued to have faith in God in the midst of her sorrow. Her trust and continued honor to God and his priest, Eli, even though he falsely accused her of being drunk, pleased God. She even promised that her son would honor God. Indeed, he did! Samuel became a man of God and judged Israel and honored God all his life. Hanna’s life honoring God continued to count through her son.

Bathsheba
2Sa 11:2 And it happened one evening, David arose from his bed and walked on the roof of the king’s house. And from the roof he saw a woman bathing. And the woman was very beautiful to look upon.
2Sa 11:3 And David sent and asked about the woman. And one said, Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?
2Sa 11:4 And David sent messengers and took her. And she came in to him, and he lay with her. And she had purified herself from her uncleanness. And she returned to her house.

Bathsheba should have protested David’s advances and never should have married him. David did wrong also and ended up with the blood of Uriah on him. Their ungodly union caused God to have a prophet point out their sin and their child died. Later, another son, Solomon, was born to them and became a leader of the people like his father. It seems likely that David and Bathsheba never forgot God’s chastising for their sin. Thus, they would have raised Solomon to be very knowledgeable of God. Solomon, however, also did not obey God in that he took wives from other countries. They in turn, brought their god’s idols into Israel and displeased Jehovah God.

Jezebel, the wicked queen
1Ki 16:31 And as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, he also took Jezebel, the daughter of Eth-baal king of the Sidonians, for a wife. And he went and served Baal, and worshiped him.
1Ki 16:32 And he reared up an altar for Baal in the house of Baal, which he had built in Samaria.
1Ki 16:33 And Ahab made an Asherah. And Ahab did more to provoke Jehovah, the God of Israel to anger than all the kings of Israel who were before him.
1Ki 18:4 for it happened when Jezebel cut off the prophets of Jehovah, Obadiah took a hundred prophets and hid them by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water.)
1Ki 19:1 And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and all that he killed, all the prophets with the sword.
1Ki 19:2 And Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah saying, So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I do not make your life like the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time.
1Ki 19:9 And he came there to a cave and stayed there. And behold, the Word of Jehovah came to him, and He said to him, What are you doing here, Elijah?
1Ki 21:23 And Jehovah also spoke of Jezebel saying, The dogs shall eat Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel.
2Ki 9:30 And Jehu had come to Jezreel. And Jezebel heard, and had painted her face and adorned her head, and looked out at a window.
2Ki 9:31 And Jehu came to the gate. And she said, Was it peace to Zimri the slayer of his lord?
2Ki 9:32 And he lifted up his face to the window, and said, Who is with me? Who? And two or three eunuchs looked out at him.
2Ki 9:33 And he said, Throw her down! And they threw her down. And some of her blood was sprinkled on the wall and on the horses. And he trampled her.
2Ki 9:34 And when he had come in, he ate and drank, and said, Go, now see this cursed woman and bury her. For she is a king’s daughter.
2Ki 9:35 And they went to bury her, but they found no more of her than the skull and the feet and the palms of her hands.
2Ki 9:36 And they came again and told him. And he said, This is the Word of Jehovah which He spoke by His servant Elijah the Tishbite, saying, In the portion of Jezreel the dogs shall eat the flesh of Jezebel.
2Ki 9:37 And the dead body of Jezebel shall be as dung on the face of the field in the portion of Jezreel, so that they shall not say, This is Jezebel.

It is true that some women can be scary, but Elijah forgot God’s faithfulness and hid in a cave to escape Jezebel’s soldiers. Thus, God’s question to him “What are you doing here?” Power and greed had gone to Jezebel’s head and ultimately God allowed her to be killed as foretold.

Esther
Est 2:7 And he brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle’s daughter. For she had neither father nor mother, and the young woman was fair and beautiful, whom Mordecai, when her father and mother were dead, took for his own daughter.
Est 2:15 And when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai who had taken her for his daughter, had come to go in to the king, she asked nothing but what was chosen by Hegai the king’s officer, the keeper of the women. And Esther had favor in the sight of all who looked on her.
Est 2:17 And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she rose in grace and favor in his sight more than all the virgins. And he set the royal crown on her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti.
Est 4:11 And the king’s servants and the people of the king’s provinces know that whoever, whether man or woman, shall come to the king into the inner court, who is not called, there is one law of his, execution, except such to whom the king shall hold out the golden scepter so that he may live. But I have not been called to come in to the king these thirty days.
Est 4:16 Go, gather all the Jews who are present in Shushan, and fast for me, and do not eat nor drink three days, night or day. My maidservants and I will also fast in the same way. And so I will go in to the king, which is not according to the law. And if I perish, I perish.

Ester was not just attractive, but brave and God and the king loved her. She became an inspiration for doing what is right, even in the face of personal danger. She also had great faith in God and a reverence for Him as evidenced by her fasting prior to putting her life on the line for Israel. God rewarded her and allowed her enemy to be hung. Her willingness to step out for God resulted in thousands of her countrymen being saved.

Herodias and her daughter
Mar 6:17 For Herod himself had sent out and laid hold on John and had bound him in prison because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife. For he had married her,
Mar 6:18 and John had said to Herod, It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.
Mar 6:19 And Herodias held it against him, and desired to kill him, but she could not.
Mar 6:20 For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just and holy man. And he kept him safe. And when he heard him, he did many things and heard him gladly.
Mar 6:21 And a convenient day came, when Herod made a supper to great men on his birthday, and to the chiliarchs, and to the first ones of Galilee.
Mar 6:22 And when the daughter of Herodias herself came in and danced and pleased Herod, and those who reclined with him, the king said to the girl, Ask me whatever you desire from me, and I will give it to you.
Mar 6:23 And he swore to her, Whatever you shall ask from me, I will give it to you, to the half of my kingdom.
Mar 6:24 And she went out and said to her mother, What shall I ask? And she said, The head of John the Baptist.
Mar 6:25 And immediately going in with haste to the king, she asked, saying, I desire that you give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.
Act 12:21 And on a certain day, Herod sat on his throne, dressed in royal clothing, and made a speech to them.
Act 12:22 And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god and not of a man!
Act 12:23 And immediately the angel of the Lord struck him, because he did not give God the glory. And he was eaten by worms and gave up the spirit.

Herodias desired revenge on John and convinced her daughter to become an accomplice in her sin. They lashed out in spite and Herod did wrong because He valued his word, in pride, over doing what was right in God’s eyes. They all perished without God’s favor.

Mary, mother of Jesus
Mat 1:16 And Jacob fathered Joseph, the husband to be of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ.
Mat 1:18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was this way (for His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph) before they came together, she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit.
Mat 1:20 And as he thought upon these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take to you Mary as your wife. For that in her is fathered of the Holy Spirit.
Luk 1:27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary.
Luk 1:28 And the angel came in to her and said, Hail, one receiving grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women.
Luk 1:29 And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what kind of greeting this might be.
Luk 1:30 And the angel said to her, Do not fear, Mary, for you have found favor with God.
Luk 1:31 And behold! You shall conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call His name JESUS.
Luk 1:34 Then Mary said to the angel, How shall this be, since I do not know a man?
Luk 1:35 And the angel answered and said to her, The Holy Spirit shall come on you, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow you. Therefore also that Holy One which will be born of you shall be called Son of God.
Luk 1:36 And behold, your cousin Elizabeth also conceived a son in her old age. And this is the sixth month with her who was called barren.
Luk 1:37 For with God nothing shall be impossible.
Luk 1:38 And Mary said, Behold the servant of the Lord. Let it be to me according to your word. And the angel departed from her
Luk 1:46 And Mary said, My soul magnifies the Lord,
Luk 1:47 and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.
Luk 1:48 For He looked on the humiliation of His slave woman. For, behold, from now on all generations shall count me blessed.
Luk 1:49 For the Mighty One has done great things for me; and holy is His name.
Luk 1:50 And His mercy is on those who fear Him from generation to generation.

Mary was chosen & loved by God who trusted her with the life of His son. Her great faith and trust in God and willingness to be used in His service resulted in her being greatly blessed. She and The Father both suffered when Jesus was horribly put to suffering and death. She is a focal person for the purity of all mothers. Her son offered salvation and healing for all people. Thus, she influenced the entire world.

Mary Magdalene
Luk 8:2 and also certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities; Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven demons,
Mat 27:54 But the centurion and those guarding Jesus, seeing the earthquake, and the things that took place, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this One was Son of God.
Mat 27:55 And many of the women were there, watching from a distance, those who had followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to Him, watching from a distance;
Mat 27:56 among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee’s children.
Mat 27:61 And Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, were sitting there across from the tomb.
Mat 28:1 But late in the week, at the dawning into the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb.
Mat 28:2 And behold, a great earthquake occurred! For coming down from Heaven, and coming up, an angel of the Lord rolled back the stone from the door and was sitting on it.
Mat 28:3 His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow.
Mat 28:4 And the keepers shook for fear of him and became like dead men.
Mat 28:5 And the angel answered and said to the women, Do not fear, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified.
Mat 28:6 He is not here, for He has risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
Mat 28:7 And go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead. And, behold, He goes before you into Galilee. There you shall see Him. Lo, I have told you.
Mar 15:47 And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where He was laid.
Mar 16:1 And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene and Mary, the mother of James and Salome, had bought sweet spices so that they might come and anoint Him.
Mar 16:9 And when Jesus had risen early the first day of the Sabbath, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had cast seven demons.
Mar 16:10 She went and told those who had been with Him, as they mourned and wept.
Luk 8:1 And it happened afterwards, He traveled in every city and village, proclaiming and announcing the gospel of the kingdom of God. And the Twelve were with Him,
Luk 8:2 and also certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities; Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven demons,
Joh 20:15 Jesus said to her, Woman, why do you weep? Whom do you seek? Supposing Him to be the gardener, she said to Him, Sir, if you have carried Him away from here, tell me where you have laid Him and I will take Him away.
Joh 20:16 Jesus said to her, Mary! She turned herself and said to Him, Rabboni! (which is to say, Master!)
Joh 20:17 Jesus said to her, Do not touch Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father. But go to My brothers and say to them, I ascend to My Father and Your Father, and to My God and your God.
Joh 20:18 Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord and that He had spoken these things to her.

Mary Magdalene was so thankful to Christ for healing her spiritually that she became as a disciple. Her devotion to Jesus and his mother was evident at his death and at his resurrection. She came in tears and went away from the tomb joyous and spiritually renewed again. Her excitement and great news to the deciples about the resurrection could not be believed at first. They were all doubting as did Thomas. Her honor, bestowed by God, of being the first to behold Jesus after His rising and to tell the news to all others greatly blesses all who believe in Him. Jesus loved her as evidenced by His one word greeting “Mary.” Her love for Christ was also evident in her response, “Master.”

Mary of Bethany & sister Martha, sisters to Lazarus
Mar 14:3 And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as He reclined, a woman came with an alabaster vial of pure, costly ointment of spikenard. And she broke the vial and poured it on His head.
Mar 14:4 And some were indignant to themselves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made?
Mar 14:5 For it might have been sold for more than three hundred denarii, and be given to the poor. And they were incensed with her.
Mar 14:6 And Jesus said, Let her alone! Why do you trouble her? She has done a good work towards Me.
Mar 14:7 For you have the poor with you always, and whenever you desire you may do them good. But you do not have Me always.
Mar 14:8 She has done what she could. She has come beforehand to anoint My body for the burying.
Mar 14:9 Truly I say to you, Wherever this gospel shall be proclaimed in all the world, this also that she has done will be spoken of for a memorial of her.
Luk 10:38 And as they went, it happened that He entered into a certain village. And a certain woman named Martha received Him into her house.
Luk 10:39 And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word.
Luk 10:40 But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she came to Him and said, Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.
Luk 10:41 And Jesus answered and said to her, Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things.
Luk 10:42 But one thing is needful, and Mary has chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
Joh 11:1 And there was a certain sick one, Lazarus of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha.
Joh 11:2 (And it was that Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.)
Joh 11:20 Then when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she met Him. But Mary was sitting in the house.
Joh 11:21 Then Martha said to Jesus, Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.
Joh 11:22 But I know that even now, whatever You will ask of God, God will give You.
Joh 11:23 Jesus said to her, Your brother shall rise again.
Joh 11:24 Martha said to Him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.
Joh 11:27 She said to Him, Yes, Lord, I have believed that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who has come into the world.
Joh 11:28 And saying these things, she went away and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, The Teacher has come and calls you.
Joh 11:29 As soon as she heard, she arose quickly and came to him.
Joh 11:30 Now Jesus had not yet come into the town, but was in that place where Martha met Him.
Joh 11:32 Then when Mary had come where Jesus was, seeing Him, Mary fell down at His feet, saying to Him, Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.
Joh 11:33 Then when He saw her weeping, and also the Jews who came with her weeping, Jesus groaned in the spirit and troubled Himself.

This Mary and her sister both believed in and cared for Jesus. Martha was willing to work to please Him, but Mary chose to be in His presence, to learn and reverence Him. Jesus cared for them both, but knew Mary had chosen the better path. Christ even suffered when He saw their suffering for their dead brother. Thus, we know that He cares for our suffering as well and desires to comfort all those in despair and need when they turn to Him for help. Christ rewarded their great faith in Him by answering their hearts desire to be reunited with Lazarus, whom they had lost.

So, now that we are armed with seeing how women were used in scripture to influence men and change the course of history, what have we learned of how God intended women to be helpmates? We must rely on the obvious:

• Men were not created able to independently conceive, give birth and rear children. A good woman in these areas is indispensable. A bad woman gives pain and brings sin. Choose carefully which is desired and act accordingly.
• Women help remind men to consider heart feelings in making decisions and dealings with others.
• Women often are often helpers in color and fashion choices.
• Women teach men about patience and focus while the point of the discussion is reached.
• Women are necessary to remind some men not to be slobs in how they live.
• Women help keep men healthy by periodically increasing their heart rates when what they view with their eyes is translated into amorous ambition.
• Women can also be used to test if men will honor God in their relations.

And what do we find about a godly view of women’s greatest attraction?

1Co 11:15 But if a woman should have long hair, it is a glory to her; for her hair is given to her in place of a veil.

Two lessons are found: The Muslims have it wrong to require veils, except as given below. Keeping some things semi-exposed can be a benefit.

And how did God (through Paul) intend that women influence men?

1Co 7:3 Let the husband give to the wife proper kindness, and likewise the wife also to the husband.
1Co 7:13 And the woman who has a husband who does not believe, if he is pleased to dwell with her, do not let her leave him.
1Co 7:14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband; else your children would be unclean, but now they are holy.
1Co 7:32 But I desire you to be without anxiety. The one who is unmarried cares for the things that belong to the Lord, how to please the Lord.
1Co 7:33 But the one who is married cares for the things of the world, how to please his wife. 
1Co 7:34 The wife and the virgin are different. The unmarried woman cares for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit. But she who is married cares for the things of the world, how she may please her husband.
1Co 11:3 But I would have you know that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.
1Co 11:4 Every man praying or prophesying with his head covered dishonors his Head.
1Co 11:5 But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head unveiled dishonors her head; for that is even the same as if she were shaved.
1Co 11:6 For if the woman is not veiled, let her also be shorn. But if it is a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be veiled.
1Co 11:7 For a man indeed ought not to have his head covered, because he is the image and glory of God. But the woman is the glory of the man.
Eph 5:21 submitting yourselves to one another in the fear of God.
Eph 5:22 Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands, as to the Lord.
Eph 5:23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body.
Eph 5:24 Therefore as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.
Eph 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for it,
Eph 5:28 So men ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.
Eph 5:33 But also let everyone of you in particular so love his wife even as himself, and the wife that she defers to her husband.

Tit 2:3 Let the aged women likewise be in reverent behavior, not slanderers, not enslaved by much wine, teachers of good;
Tit 2:4 that they may train the young women to love their husbands, to love their children,
Tit 2:5 to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, subject to their own husbands, that the Word of God may not be blasphemed.

1Pe 3:1 Likewise, wives, be in subjection to your own husbands, so that if any do not obey the Word, they may also be won without the Word by the conduct of the wives,
1Pe 3:2 having witnessed your chaste behavior in the fear of God.
1Pe 3:3 Of whom let not be the adorning of garments, or outward braiding of hair and wearing of gold, or of putting on clothing,
1Pe 3:4 but let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, the meek and quiet spirit, which is of great price in the sight of God.
1Pe 3:5 For so once indeed the holy women hoping in God adorned themselves, being in subjection to their own husbands;
1Pe 3:7 Likewise, husbands, live together according to knowledge, giving honor to the wife as to the weaker vessel, the female, as truly being co-heirs together of the grace of life, not cutting off your prayers.
1Pe 3:8 And finally, all be of one mind, having compassion on one another, loving the brothers, tenderhearted, friendly.
1Pe 3:9 Never give back evil for evil, or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, giving blessing, knowing that you are called to this so that you might inherit blessing.
1Pe 3:10 For he that wants to love life and to see good days, let him restrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking guile.
1Pe 3:11 Let him turn aside from evil and do good. Let him seek peace and pursue it.