Vital Biblical Women

Shiphrah and Puah (Exodus 1:15-17) The king of Egypt said to these Hebrew midwives. ‘When you are helping the Hebrew women during childbirth on the delivery stool, if you see that the baby is a boy, kill him, but if it is a girl, let her live. “The midwives, however, feared God and did not do what the king of Egypt had told them to do; they let the boys live.

Miriam (Exodus 15-20) Was first identified as a prophet after the resounding defeat of Pharaoh’s army at the Sea of Reeds. "Then the prophet Miriam took a tambourine in her hand and all the women went out after her with tambourines and with dancing.”

Deborah (Judges 1-31)As prophet and judge, Deborah advised her People, planned a military strategy against the Canaanites, appointed a general and then led the victorious battle.  Men in leadership would seek her counsel.

Ruth (Ruth 1:16) Ruth showed her devotion to her mother-in-law by saying she would follow her wherever she went. Because of this faithfulness, she was rewarded by marrying a rich eligible bachelor named Boaz. She bore a son named Obed, and thus became the great-grandmother of Israel’s great king, David.

Huldah (2 Kings 22:8-13, 23:1-3) A prophet who was one of the few women literally labelled a prophet. When an old scroll was found in the temple by the priest, Hilkiah, the king ordered his servants to get Huldah’s counsel. The royal delegation took the scroll, not to Jeremiah, but to Huldah, who verified the authenticity of the scroll and, as a prophet, spoke God’s warnings to the king.

Esther (Esther 1-10) A great heroine in a time of oppression who appealed to God for strength. The King loved her above all women and found favor with her because of her beauty and intelligence She wisely asked the King to save her people from annihilation while risking her very life.

Judith (Judith 8:2-8, 13:18) A heroine who jeopardized her life for her people and is praised for her asceticism and physical beauty. Judith's initiative, determination and great courage in saving her people are to be commended.  

Mary Magdalene (Luke 8:2. John 2O:17) One of Jesus’s disciples who provided for Jesus out of her resources. She was the first to see the resurrected Jesus. He commissioned her to “Go to my brothers and tell them.”' She is known as the apostle to the apostles and the patron saint of the Roman Catholic Womenpriests movement.

Susanna and Joanna (Luke 8:1-3i) Provided for Jesus’s ministry out of their own resources.  lt was rare for women to have their own money but it is clear that, although they were married, they supported Jesus and were considered his disciples.

Canaanite Woman (Matthew 15:21-28) Asked Jesus to heal her daughter. He refused and said that he only came to save the Jews. She reminded him that even the Gentiles are worthy of being saved. Jesus affirmed her faith and granted her request.  Her daughter was healed at that very moment. Jesus allowed a woman to teach him about love!

Samaritan Woman at the Well (John 4: 7-28) Asked Jesus questions and was told everything she ever did.  She then went back to her town to tell everyone that she had met the Messiah which made her the first evangelist.

Mary and Martha (Luke 10:8-42) Close friends whom Jesus loved with their brother Lazarus. They believed Jesus was the Messiah and grieved him not coming to save Lazarus.  Jesus then resurrected him from the dead.

Phoebe: (Romans 16:1-2) Paul wrote. "l commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a deaconess of the church of Cenchrae. Please welcome her in the Lord, as saints should.”

 Prisca and Aguila (Romans 16:3) Fellow workers with Paul who risked their own lives for him.

Junia (Romans 16:17) Paul speaks about Junia who, as one of his fellow Jews, was in prison with him. He said that she and another apostle were outstanding among the apostles and were "in Christ" before l was.

The four daughters of Philip (Acts 21:8-9) Were unmarried and gave Prophecy. They are described as mighty luminaries and ranked among the first stage in apostolic succession.