Women in the Old Testament

The Old Testament records God’s dealings with His covenant people and those with whom they interacted. Among these accounts are stories of women who exercised great faith in God and displayed remarkable spiritual strength. The Old Testament also offers glimpses into the significant challenges women faced in the ancient world, where they often experienced oppression, abuse, and other forms of mistreatment. Customs and practices that seem unjust or troubling in most modern societies were shaped by the cultural norms of the time.

President Jean B. Bingham, former Relief Society General President, explained:

“During the time between [the] marvelous beginning in the Garden of Eden and now, the adversary has been quite successful in his goal to divide men and women in his attempts to conquer our souls. …

“… Over the years and around the globe, a full understanding of the divinely interdependent and yet differing contributions and responsibilities of women and men largely disappeared. Females in many societies became subservient to males rather than side-by-side partners, their activities limited to a narrow scope.”

Many readers of the Old Testament wonder why women experienced such hardships. They may also wonder why women’s stories are less common and often shorter than those of men. The following guiding principles can help us as we consider women’s experiences and representation in the Old Testament.

When we encounter difficult questions about the treatment of women in the Old Testament, it is important to think about how our Heavenly Father feels about His daughters. “The Family: A Proclamation to the World” affirms that each person, male and female, “is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents.” Nephi taught that God loves all people and that “male and female … are alike unto God.”

We can also look to the perfect example of Jesus Christ. Elder James E. Talmage taught, “The world’s greatest champion of woman and womanhood is Jesus the Christ.” Although the Savior lived in a time when women were often undervalued, He invited them to be active participants in His ministry. Throughout His life, He consistently treated women with kindness, respect, and compassion. Women were witnesses of miracles and of His Resurrection. The Savior’s example invites us to recognize the importance of all His disciples—both women and men—as valued and contributing members of His kingdom.

The teachings of Latter-day prophets and other Church leaders help us better recognize and value the contributions of women. For example, President Julie B. Beck, former Relief Society General President, declared, “Righteous women have changed the course of history and will continue to do so, and their influence will spread and grow exponentially throughout the eternities.”

Elder Quentin L. Cook taught, “Our doctrine is clear: Women are daughters of our Heavenly Father, who loves them. Wives are equal to their husbands. Marriage requires a full partnership where wives and husbands work side by side to meet the needs of the family.”

President Russell M. Nelson explained, “It would be impossible to measure the influence that [covenant-keeping] women have, not only on families but also on the Lord’s Church, as wives, mothers, and grandmothers; as sisters and aunts; as teachers and leaders; and especially as exemplars and devout defenders of the faith.”

Like most ancient societies and some modern ones, ancient Israel was mostly male dominated. While women played essential roles within the household—particularly in the eternally significant role of rearing and nurturing children—they did not usually occupy positions of religious or political leadership.This is likely a major reason why men are mentioned more frequently in the Old Testament. One writer observed, “The Old Testament is more interested in preserving patrilineal genealogies and priesthood lines than it is with the daily functioning of families and households, where women’s roles were most significant.’”

Another notable aspect of Old Testament culture is that a woman’s social and legal status was typically tied to her role within a family as a wife and mother. That meant unmarried or widowed women often faced poverty and other significant challenges. To help deal with these challenges, the law of Moses included guidelines to protect and support women, especially those who were most vulnerable. These included laws related to inheritances for daughters and the care of widows.

Modern readers of the scriptures may sometimes assume that accounts about women are less relevant to men. Such perspectives can limit readers’ ability to relate to the experiences of all people in the scriptures, regardless of gender. It can also help to understand that biblical Hebrew, like many languages, uses gendered language. Terms like sons, brethren, man, or men in the Old Testament often refer to both men and women. This is also true of the Greek used in the New Testament. Keeping this in mind can help us more fully recognize that the Lord’s words in the scriptures are meant for all people.

There are numerous faithful Old Testament women whose examples offer valuable lessons. President Jean B. Bingham observed, “The Old Testament is a great source of female role models. … Mother Eve, Sarah, [Rebekah], Leah, Rachel, Esther, and others demonstrated their faith through their actions. … Each of them, although their circumstances were unique, demonstrated that their clear priority was knowing and serving the Lord their God. Each one of them chose to make and keep covenants with God. Each of them chose to keep the commandments. Significantly, each one of them chose to follow the prophet of her day.”

Recognizing the challenges that women often faced during Old Testament times can help us feel an even greater appreciation for the faith they demonstrated. For example, when Hagar fled to the wilderness, the Lord gave her a view of who she was, leading her to declare that the Lord is a God who sees people in their afflictions. Hannah’s inability to bear children brought her shame and ridicule, even within her own household. When she poured out her soul before the Lord, He gave her a promise that both affirmed and tested her faith. Ruth faced the challenges of widowhood, poverty, and being a foreigner in a new land. Yet she was willing to worship the God of Israel as her God. Her faithfulness led to her redemption and brought her into a covenant relationship with the Lord. She became a mother within the royal lineage of David and Jesus Christ.

Even when we come across accounts about women that contain very few details, we can reflect on these experiences and ask questions to gain a deeper understanding. For example, Abraham’s account briefly mentions the daughters of Onitah, a man of royal descent from Ham. These three daughters were sacrificed on an altar because of their virtue in refusing to bow down to idols. We can gain insight by asking ourselves what we can learn from the example of these women. What does it mean that they displayed virtue by refusing to worship idols? What does that kind of virtue look like today?

The accounts of women in the Old Testament demonstrate that while women often suffered under the inequity of their time, God still saw them, spoke to them, and worked through them in powerful ways. They remind us that divine worth is not defined by gender—or by social status, culture, or circumstance. God’s love and purposes extend to all His children, both then and now. Their legacy continues in the lives of covenant women today, who likewise serve and sacrifice with faith in God.

Some accounts reveal great faith, courage, and divine purpose, while others show the harsh and painful realities of living in a fallen world. Both kinds of stories invite us to turn to Jesus Christ. Through Him, all injustices will one day be made right, and all wounds can be healed. No hardship is beyond the reach of the Redeemer’s grace.