Part of People of the Bible. Each entry gives the passage where the story is told, so you can read it for yourself.
Some of these women are named in only a verse or two; others, like Ruth and Esther, have whole books built around them. They include mothers, prophets, judges, queens, servants, disciples and church leaders.
Each entry gives the main passage where her story can be read. Where a fuller page exists, the name links to it.
Genesis: the first women and the matriarchs
The women of Genesis stand at the start of the family story that runs through the Old Testament.
- Eve Genesis 2:18–3:24
The first woman, created as a partner for Adam. Her story of temptation in the garden and life outside Eden is one of the best known in the Bible.
- Sarah Genesis 21:1–7
Abraham's wife, first called Sarai, who left her homeland with him. After decades without children she gave birth to Isaac at about ninety.
- Hagar Genesis 16:1–16
Sarah's Egyptian servant and the mother of Abraham's son Ishmael. Alone in the wilderness, she met God and named him as the one who sees her.
- Rebekah Genesis 24:1–67
Isaac's wife, chosen after she generously watered the camels of Abraham's servant. She became the mother of the twins Esau and Jacob.
- Rachel Genesis 29:1–30
The woman Jacob loved and worked fourteen years for. She was the mother of Joseph and Benjamin and died giving birth to Benjamin.
- Leah Genesis 29:16–35
Rachel's older sister, married to Jacob through her father's trick. She was the mother of six of Jacob's sons, including Levi and Judah.
- Tamar Genesis 38:1–30
Judah's daughter-in-law, who was denied the protection owed to her as a widow and took bold action to secure it. She is named in the genealogy of Jesus.
From the exodus to the judges
These women appear as Israel leaves Egypt, enters Canaan and lives through the unsettled era of the judges.
- Miriam Exodus 15:20–21
The sister of Moses and Aaron, called a prophetess. She led the women of Israel in song and dance after the crossing of the sea.
- Rahab Joshua 2:1–24
A woman of Jericho who hid two Israelite spies and was spared when the city fell. Hebrews 11 and James 2 remember her faith.
- Deborah Judges 4:1–5:31
A prophet and judge who led Israel and summoned Barak to battle against the Canaanite general Sisera. Judges 5 preserves her song of victory.
- Jael Judges 4:17–22
The wife of Heber the Kenite, who killed the fleeing general Sisera in her tent. Deborah's song in Judges 5 praises her highly.
- Naomi Ruth 1:1–22
A woman of Bethlehem who lost her husband and both sons in Moab. She returned home with her daughter-in-law Ruth and later held Ruth's son as her own grandchild.
- Ruth Ruth 1:16–4:17
A Moabite widow who stayed loyal to Naomi and married Boaz in Bethlehem. She became the great-grandmother of King David.
- Hannah 1 Samuel 1:1–2:11
A woman who prayed in deep distress for a child and dedicated her son Samuel to serve at the house of the LORD. Her prayer of thanks is recorded in 1 Samuel 2.
Kings, prophets and exile
In the age of Israel's kings and beyond, these women shaped events in royal courts and ordinary homes.
- Abigail 1 Samuel 25:1–42
A wise woman who stopped David from taking revenge on her foolish husband Nabal. After Nabal's death she became David's wife.
- Bathsheba 2 Samuel 11:1–12:24
The wife of Uriah, taken by King David, who then arranged Uriah's death. She later became the mother of Solomon and helped secure his succession (1 Kings 1).
- The widow of Zarephath 1 Kings 17:8–24
A foreign widow who shared her last flour and oil with the prophet Elijah during a famine. Her supply did not run out, and Elijah later prayed her son back to life.
- Huldah 2 Kings 22:14–20
A prophetess in Jerusalem consulted by King Josiah's officials when the Book of the Law was found in the temple. Her message helped prompt Josiah's reforms.
- Esther Esther 4:1–17
A Jewish orphan who became queen of Persia. She risked her life to approach the king and stop a plot to destroy her people, a rescue remembered at Purim.
The Gospels
Women appear throughout the life of Jesus, from the nativity to the empty tomb.
- Elizabeth Luke 1:5–25
A relative of Mary and the wife of the priest Zechariah. In old age she gave birth to John the Baptist.
- Mary, mother of Jesus Luke 1:26–38
A young woman of Nazareth told by the angel Gabriel that she would bear Jesus. The Gospels show her at his birth, during his ministry and at the cross.
- Anna Luke 2:36–38
An elderly prophetess who worshiped constantly in the temple. When she saw the infant Jesus, she gave thanks and spoke about him to others.
- Mary Magdalene John 20:1–18
A follower of Jesus from whom, Luke says, seven demons had gone out. She stood near the cross and was the first to meet the risen Jesus in John's Gospel.
- Martha Luke 10:38–42
The sister of Mary and Lazarus in Bethany, busy hosting Jesus in her home. In John 11 she speaks one of the clearest statements of faith in Jesus.
- Mary of Bethany John 12:1–8
Martha's sister, who sat listening at Jesus's feet. Shortly before his death she anointed him with costly perfume.
- The Samaritan woman John 4:1–42
A woman Jesus met at a well in Samaria, who had one of the longest recorded conversations with him in the Gospels. She went back and told her town about him.
The early church
Acts and the letters name women who hosted, funded, taught and served in the first Christian communities.
- Dorcas (Tabitha) Acts 9:36–42
A disciple in Joppa known for her good works and the clothing she made for widows. Acts records that Peter raised her from death.
- Lydia Acts 16:11–15
A dealer in purple cloth from Thyatira who listened to Paul in Philippi. She was baptized with her household and opened her home to the missionaries.
- Priscilla Acts 18:24–26
A tentmaker who worked with her husband Aquila and with Paul. Together the couple taught the gifted preacher Apollos more accurately.
- Phoebe Romans 16:1–2
A servant, or deacon, of the church at Cenchreae, whom Paul commends to the church in Rome. She is widely thought to have carried his letter there.
Women in the genealogy of Jesus
Matthew's list of Jesus's ancestors is mostly a list of men, but it names five women. Many readers notice that several of them were foreigners or had unusual stories, which seems to be part of Matthew's point.
- Tamar (Matthew 1:3)
- Rahab (Matthew 1:5)
- Ruth (Matthew 1:5)
- The wife of Uriah, Bathsheba (Matthew 1:6)
- Mary, mother of Jesus (Matthew 1:16)
Key verses
“But Ruth replied: “Do not urge me to leave you or to turn from following you. For wherever you go, I will go, and wherever you live, I will live; your people will be my people, and your God will be my God.”
““I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it happen to me according to your word.” Then the angel left her.”
“Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them what He had said to her.”
Verse text: Berean Standard Bible (BSB), public domain.