Also see definition of "Women" in Word Study

Women

Women [nave]

WOMEN
Creation of, Gen. 1:27; 2:21, 22.
Named, Gen. 2:23.
Fall of, and curse upon, Gen. 3:1-16; 2 Cor. 11:3; 1 Tim. 2:14.
Promise to, Gen. 3:15.
Had separate apartments in dwellings, Gen. 24:67; 31:33; Esth. 2:9, 11.
Veiled the face, Gen. 24:65; See: Vail.
Vows of, Num. 30:3-16.
When jealously charged with infidelity, guilt or iocence to be determined by trial, Num. 5:12-31.
Took part in ancient worship, Ex. 15:20, 21; 38:8; 1 Sam. 2:22; in choir, 1 Chr. 25:5, 6; Ezra 2:65; Neh. 7:67.
Worshiped in separate compartments, Ex. 38:8; 1 Sam. 2:22.
Consecrated jewels to tabernacle, Ex. 35:22; mirrors, Ex. 38:8.
Required to attend reading of the law, Deut. 31:12; Josh. 8:35.
Purifications of: After menstruation, Lev. 15:19-33; 2 Sam. 11:4; childbirth, Lev. 12; Luke 2:22.
Difference in ceremonies made between male and female children, Lev. 12.
Religious privileges of, among early Christians, Acts 1:14; 12:12, 13; 1 Cor. 11:5; 14:34; 1 Tim. 2:11.
Domestic duties of, Gen. 18:6; Prov. 31:15-19; Matt. 24:41.
Cooked, Gen. 18:6; spun, Ex. 35:25, 26; 1 Sam. 2:19; Prov. 31:19-24; embroidered, Prov. 31:22.
Made garments, Acts 9:39.
Gleaned, Ruth 2:8.
Kept vineyards, Song 1:6.
Tended flocks and herds, Gen. 24:11, 13, 14, 19, 20; 29:9; Ex. 2:16.
Worked in fields, Isa. 27:11; Ezek. 26:6, 8.
Was doorkeeper, Matt. 26:69; John 18:16, 17; Acts 12:13, 14.
Forbidden to wear men's clothing, Deut. 22:5.
Wore hair long, 1 Cor. 11:5-15.
Rules for dress of Christian, 1 Tim. 2:9, 10; 1 Pet. 3:3, 4.
Ornaments of, Isa. 3:16-23.
Weaker than men, 1 Pet. 3:7.
Are timid, Isa. 19:16; Jer. 50:37; 51:30; Nah. 3:13; affectionate, 2 Sam. 1:26; tender to her offspring, Isa. 49:15; Lam. 4:10; dancing, Judg. 11:34; 21:21; Jer. 31:13; Zech. 9:17; courteous to strangers, Gen. 24:17.
Could not marry without consent of parents, Gen. 24:3, 4; 34:6; Ex. 22:17.
Not to be given in marriage considered a calamity, Judg. 11:37; Psa. 78:63; Isa. 4:1.
Taken captive, Num. 31:9, 15, 17, 18, 35; Lam. 1:18; Ezek. 30:17, 18.
Shrewd, 2 Sam. 20:16-22.
Punishment to be inflicted on men for seducing, when betrothed, Deut. 22:23-27.
Punishment for seducing, when not betrothed, Ex. 22:16, 17; Deut. 22:28, 29.
Treated with cruelty in war, Deut. 32:25; Lam. 2:21; 5:11.
Virtuous, held in high estimation, Ruth 3:11; Prov. 31:10-30.
Fond of self-indulgence, Isa. 32:9-11; of ornaments, Jer. 2:32.
Subtle and deceitful, Prov. 6:24-29, 32-35; 7:6-27; Eccl. 7:26.
Silly, and easily led into error, 2 Tim. 3:6.
Zealous in promoting superstition and idolatry, Jer. 7:18; Ezek. 13:17, 23.
Active in instigating iniquity, Num. 31:15, 16; 1 Kin. 21:25; Neh. 13:26.
Guilty of sodomy, 2 Kin. 23:7; Rom. 1:26.
As rulers, Isa. 3:12; Deborah, Judg. 4:4; Athaliah, 2 Kin. 11:1-16; 2 Chr. 22:2, 3, 10-12; Queen of Sheba, 1 Kin. 10:1-13; Candace, Acts 8:27; Persian queen sat on throne with the king, Neh. 2:6.
Patriotic: Miriam, Ex. 15:20; Deborah, Judg. 5; women of Israel, 1 Sam. 18:6; of the Philistines, 2 Sam. 1:20.
Aid in defensive operations, Judg. 9:53.
As poets: Miriam, Ex. 15:21; Deborah, Judg. 5; Haah, 1 Sam. 2:1-10; Elisabeth, Luke 1:42-45; Mary, Luke 1:46-55.
As prophets: Miriam, Ex. 15:20, 21; Mic. 6:4; Deborah, Judg. 4:4, 5; Huldah, 2 Kin. 22:14-20; 2 Chr. 34:22-28; Noadiah, Neh. 6:14; Aa, Luke 2:36-38; Philip's daughters, Acts 21:9.
False prophets, Ezek. 13:17-23.
In business, Prov. 31:14-18, 24.
Property rights of: In inheritance, Num. 27:1-11; 36; Josh. 17:3-6; Job 42:15; to sell real estate, Ruth 4:3-9.
Sold for husband's debts, Matt. 18:25.
First to sin, Gen. 3:6.
Last at the cross, Matt. 27:55, 56; Mark 15:40, 41.
First at the sepulcher, Mark 15:46, 47; 16:1-6; Luke 23:27, 28, 49, 55, 56; 24:1-10.
First to whom the risen Lord appeared, Mark 16:9; John 20:14-18.
Converted by preaching of Paul, Acts 16:14, 15; 17:4, 12, 34.
Social status of: In Persia, Esth. 1:10-22; Dan. 5:1-12; in Roman customs, Acts 24:24; 25:13, 23; 26:30.
Unclassified Scriptures Relating to
Gen. 2:18, 21-24; Gen. 3:16; Esth. 1:20-22; Psa. 68:11; Prov. 11:16, 22; Prov. 12:4; Prov. 14:1; Prov. 18:22; Prov. 19:13, 14; Prov. 21:9, 19 Prov. 25:24. Prov. 27:15, 16; Prov. 30:21-23; Prov. 31:10-31; Eccl. 7:26-28; Isa. 3:16-24; Isa. 32:9-12; Ezek. 13:17-23; 1 Cor. 11:3-15; 1 Cor. 14:34, 35; 1 Tim. 2:9-15 Psa. 68:11. 1 Tim. 3:11; 1 Tim. 5:1-16; 2 Tim. 3:6, 7; Tit. 2:3-5 See: Widow; Wife.
See also Husbands; Parents.
Good
Instances of:
Deborah, a judge, prophetess, and military leader, Judg. 4; 5.
Mother of Samson, Judg. 13:23.
Naomi, Ruth 1; 2; 3:1.
Ruth, Ruth 1:4, 14-22, and Ruth 2-4.
Haah, the mother of Samuel, 1 Sam. 1:9-18, 24-28.
Widow of Zarephath, who fed Elijah during the famine, 1 Kin. 17:8-24.
The Shunammite, who gave hospitality to Elisha, 2 Kin. 4:8-38.
Vashti, Esth. 1:11, 12.
Esther, Esth. 4:15-17.
Mary, Luke 1:26-38.
Elisabeth, Luke 1:6, 41-45.
Aa, Luke 2:37.
The widow who cast her peies into the treasury, Mark 12:41-44; Luke 21:2-4.
Mary and Martha, Mark 14:3-9; Luke 10:42; John 11:5.
Mary Magdalene, Mark 16:1; Luke 8:2; John 20:1, 2, 11-16.
Pilate's wife, Matt. 27:19.
Dorcas, Acts 9:36.
Lydia, Acts 16:14.
Priscilla, Acts 18:26.
Phebe, Rom. 16:1, 2.
Julia, Rom. 16:15.
Mary, Rom. 16:6.
Lois and Eunice, 2 Tim. 1:5.
Philippians, Phil. 4:3.
Figurative:
Of the church of Christ, Psa. 45:2-15; Gal. 4:26; Rev. 12:1.
Of saints, Matt. 25:1-4; 2 Cor. 11:2; Rev. 14:4.
Wicked
2 Kin. 9:30-37; 23:7; Jer. 44:15-19, 25; Ezek. 8:14; Rom. 1:26.
Zeal of, in licentious practices of idolatry, 2 Kin. 23:7; Hos. 4:13, 14.
Guileful and licentious, Prov. 2:16-19; 5:3-20; 6:24-29, 32-35; 7:6-27; Eccl. 7:26; Ezek. 16:32.
Commits forgery, 1 Kin. 21:8.
Silly and wayward, 2 Tim. 3:6.
Instances of:
Eve, in yielding to temptation and seducing her husband, Gen. 3:6; 1 Tim. 2:14.
Sarah, in her jealousy and malice toward Hagar, Gen. 21:9-11, with vs. 12-21. Lot's wife, in her rebellion against her situation, and against the destruction of Sodom, Gen. 19:26; Luke 17:32.
The daughters of Lot, in their incestuous lust, Gen. 19:31-38.
Rebekah, in her partiality for Jacob, and her sharp practice to secure for him Isaac's blessing, Gen. 27:11-17.
Rachel, in her jealousy of Leah, Gen. 30:1; in stealing images, Gen. 31:19, 34.
Leah, in her imitation of Rachel in the matter of children, Gen. 30:9-18.
Dinah, in her fornication, Gen. 34:1, 2.
Tamar, in her adultery, Gen. 38:14-24.
Potiphar's wife, in her lascivious lust and slander against Joseph, Gen. 39:7-20.
Zipporah, in her persecution of Moses on account of his religious obligations, Ex. 4:25, 26.
Miriam, in her sedition with Aaron against Moses, Num. 12.
Rahab, in her harlotry, Josh. 2:1.
Delilah, in her conspiracy against Samson, Judg. 16:4-20.
Peniah, the wife of Elkanah, in her jealous taunting of Haah, 1 Sam. 1:4-8.
The Midianitish woman in the camp of Israel, taken in adultery, Num. 25:6-8.
Michal, in her derision of David's religious zeal, 2 Sam. 6:16, 20-23.
Bath-sheba, in her adultery, in becoming the wife of her husband's murderer, 2 Sam. 11:4, 5, 27; 12:9, 10.
Solomon's wives, in their idolatrous and wicked influence over Solomon, 1 Kin. 11:1-11; Neh. 13:26.
Jezebel, in her persecution and destruction of the prophets of the Lord, 1 Kin. 18:4, 13; in her persecution of Elijah, 1 Kin. 19:2; in her conspiracy against Naboth, to take his vineyard, 1 Kin. 21:1-16; in her evil counsels to, and influence over, Ahab, 1 Kin. 21:25, with vs. 17-27, and 2 Kin. 9:30-37.
The caibal mothers of Samaria, 2 Kin. 6:28, 29.
Athaliah, in destroying the royal household and usurping the throne, 2 Kin. 11:1-16; 2 Chr. 22:10, 12; 23:12-15.
The sodomites of Judah, 2 Kin. 23:7.
Noadiah, a false prophetess, in troubling the Jews when they were restoring Jerusalem, Neh. 6:14.
Haman's wife, in counseling him to hang Mordecai, Esth. 5:14; 6:13.
Job's wife, in counseling him to curse God, Job 2:9; 19:17.
The idolatrous wives of Hosea, Hos. 1:2, 3; 3:1.
Herodias, in her incestuous marriage with Herod, Matt. 14:3, 4; Mark 6:17-19; Luke 3:19; compassing the death of John the Baptist, Matt. 14:6-11; Mark 6:24-28.
The daughter of Herodias, in her complicity with her mother in securing the death of John the Baptist, Matt. 14:8; Mark 6:18-28.
Sapphira, in her blasphemous falsehood, Acts 5:2-10.
The woman taken in adultery and brought to Jesus in the temple, John 8:1-11.
Figurative:
Of backsliding, Jer. 6:2; Rev. 17:4, 18.
Of the wicked, Isa. 32:9, 11; Matt. 25:1-13.
Symbolical:
Of wickedness, Zech. 5:7, 8; Rev. 17; 19:2.
See: Wife.

WOMEN [smith]

The position of women in the Hebrew commonwealth contrasts favorably with that which in the present day is assigned to them generally in eastern countries. The most salient point of contrast in the usages of ancient as compared with modern Oriental society was the large amount of liberty enjoyed by women. Instead of being immured in a harem, or appearing in public with the face covered. The wives and maidens of ancient times mingled freely and openly with the other sex in the duties and amenities of ordinary life. Rebekah travelled on a camel with her face unveiled until she came into the presence of her affianced. (Genesis 24:64,65) Jacob saluted Rachel with a kiss in the presence of the shepherds. (Genesis 29:11) Women played no inconsiderable part in public celebrations (Exodus 15:20,21; Judges 11:34) The odes of Deborah, Judg 5, and of Hannah, (1 Samuel 2:1) etc., exhibit a degree of intellectual cultivation which is in itself a proof of the position of the sex in that period. Women also occasionally held public office, particularly that of prophetess or inspired teacher. (Exodus 15:20; Judges 4:4; 2 Kings 22:14; Nehemiah 6:14; Luke 2:36) The management of household affairs devolved mainly on the women. The value of a virtuous and active housewife forms a frequent topic in the book of Proverbs. ch. (Proverbs 11:16; 12:4; 14:1; 31:10) etc. Her influence was of course proportionably great.

WOMEN [bridgeway]

The biblical account of the origins of the human race makes it clear that humankind, as existing in God’s image, consists of people of two sexes who are equal in status and worth in God’s sight (Gen 1:27). The male and the female, though of opposite sexes, are complementary to each other. As partners they form a unit (Gen 2:18,23). (For details relating to the role of women in marriage and the family see MARRIAGE; WIFE; FAMILY.)

Wrong attitudes corrected

Through the different physical, psychological and emotional characteristics he placed within the sexes, God equipped men and women for different roles in human society. He gave the ultimate responsibility for leadership to the man, but when sin entered the human race, the man misused his position to dominate the woman (Gen 3:16). As societies developed, men increasingly denied women their rights and exploited them.

Israelite law helped restore the status of women by giving them rights in matters such as marriage (Deut 22:13-21; cf. Gen 24:57-58), divorce (Deut 24:1-4), work (Deut 15:12) and inheritance (Num 27:8). Some women were prophets (Exod 15:20; Judg 4:4; Luke 2:36) and some rose to prominent positions in the nation’s leadership (Num 12:4; Judg 4:4-6; 5:7; 2 Kings 22:14-16).

Both the words and the works of Jesus show that he treated women no differently from men. His openness with women was a surprise and a rebuke to those men who considered women inferior (Matt 15:21-28; Mark 5:25-34; Luke 7:36-50; 10:38-42; John 4:7-27; 8:1-11; 11:5,20-33). A number of women, having become believers in Jesus, travelled with him and the apostles to help look after their everyday needs. During the events surrounding his trial and crucifixion, some of these women were more faithful to him than were the apostles (Luke 8:1-3; Mark 15:40-41; 16:1-2).

Women in the church

Life in the early church demonstrated that there is no difference between men and women in their status as believers (Gal 3:28), their reception of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:17-18), or their possession of spiritual gifts (1 Cor 12:7,12-14).

Women prayed and prophesied publicly (Acts 1:14; 21:9), though the custom was that when they did so they covered their heads (1 Cor 11:5,13,16). This practice was apparently to maintain harmony with what local people considered to be culturally acceptable (1 Cor 11:6,13). Paul saw in it a reflection of the woman’s role in God’s order for church and society (1 Cor 11:3,7-9), though he did not see it as meaning that she was inferior to the man (1 Cor 11:11-12).

Paul was always concerned that public meetings of the church be orderly (1 Cor 14:40). Just as he expected the speaker in tongues to be silent when no interpreter was present (1 Cor 14:28), and the speaker of prophecy to be silent when another person received a revelation (1 Cor 14:29-30), so he expected the women to be silent when they were tempted to question the speaker (1 Cor 14:34-35).

Although Paul permitted women to prophesy (1 Cor 11:4; cf. Acts 2:17; 21:9), he would not permit them to be the authoritative teachers or leaders of the church. He believed that, in general, they were more likely than men to be misled by false teaching (1 Tim 2:12-14; cf. 2 Tim 3:6-7). He considered that women should regard their first responsibility as bringing up their children to know and follow God (1 Tim 2:15; 5:14).

However, not all women have children. This indicates that Paul was not laying down a fixed law to be applied in all cases (cf. 1 Cor 7:34). Rather he was expressing what he considered to be a general principle. He himself acknowledged that at times a woman may have a more prominent teaching role than her husband (Acts 18:2,26; Rom 16:3-4; 2 Tim 4:19). Many women worked with him and used their spiritual gifts in a variety of ministries (Acts 16:13-15; Rom 16:7,12-15; Phil 4:2-3). Women were recognized for their work in the churches (Rom 16:1-2; 1 Tim 5:10) and served alongside men as deacons (1 Tim 3:8,11). But there were times when women were just as guilty as men in leading people astray through false teaching (Rev 2:20).

Also see definition of "Women" in Word Study