Reference: Woman
American
Is spoken of in Scripture as the beloved and honored companion and helpmeet, not the servant, of man, Ge 2:23-24, created as the necessary completion of man, Ge 3:16; 1Co 11:3,8-9; 14:34-35; 1Ti 2:11-14, yet specially qualified for that sphere, and as necessary in it as man in his. Man and woman are indeed essentially one, the natural qualities of each so responding to those of the other as to lay the foundation of the most tender and abiding unity. The Bible thus raised the Jewish woman high above the woman of heathenism; and the Old Testament contains some of the finest portraitures of female character. But still greater is the contrast between the women of heathenism and those of Christianity: the former with mind and soul undeveloped, secluded, degraded, the mere toys and slaves of their husbands; the latter educated, refined, ennobled, cheering and blessing the world. Christianity forbids a man to have more than one wife, or to divorce her for any cause but one, Mt 5:32; 19:3-9; declares that bond and free, male and female, are all one in Christ, Ga 3:28; and that in heaven they are no more given in marriage, but are as the angels of God, Mt 22:33. If woman was first in the Fall, she was honored in the exclusive parentage of the Savior of mankind; and women were the truest friends of Christ while on earth. The primal curse falls with heaviest weight on woman; but the larger proportion of women in our churches may indicate that it was the purpose of God to make his grace to man "yet more abound" to her who was the first in sinning and suffering.
In the East, women have always lived in comparative seclusion, not appearing in public unless closely veiled, not mingling in general society, nor seen the men who visit their husbands and brothers, nor even taking their meals with the men of their own family. Their seclusion was less in the rural districts than in towns, and among the Jews than among most to her nations. They were chiefly engaged in domestic duties, Pr 31; among which were grinding flour, baking bread, making cloth, needle work, etc. The poor gleaned the remnants of the harvest; the daughters of he patriarchs joined in tending their fathers' flocks, Ge 29:9; Ex 2:16; and females of all classes were accustomed to draw water for family use, bearing it in earthen pitchers on their shoulders often for a considerable distance, Ge 24:15-20; Joh 7:28.
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Then said Adam, "This is once bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh. This shall be called woman: because she was taken of the man." For this cause shall a man leave father and mother and cleave unto his wife, and they shall be one flesh.
And unto the woman he said, "I will surely increase thy sorrow and make thee oft with child, and with pain shalt thou be delivered: And thy lusts shall pertain unto thy husband and he shall rule thee."
And it came to pass, yer he had left speaking, that Rebekah came out - the daughter of Bethuel, son to Milcah the wife of Nahor, Abraham's brother - and her pitcher upon her shoulder. The damsel was very fair to look upon, and yet a maid and unknown of man. And she went down to the well and filled her pitcher and came up again. read more. Then the servant ran unto her and said, "Let me sip a little water of thy pitcher." And she said, "Drink, my lord." And she hasted and let down her pitcher upon her arm and gave him drink. And when she had given him drink, she said, "I will draw water for thy camels also, until they have drunk enough." And she poured out her pitcher into the trough hastily, and ran again unto the well, to fetch water: and drew for all his camels.
While he yet talked with them, Rachel came with her father's sheep, for she kept them.
The priest of Midian had seven daughters which came and drew water and filled the troughs, for to water their father's sheep.
But I say unto you, Whosoever put away his wife, except it be for fornication, causeth her to break matrimony. And whosoever marryeth her that is divorced breaketh wedlock.
Then came unto him the Pharisees to tempt him, and said to him, "Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for all manner of causes?" He answered, and said unto them, "Have ye not read, how that he which made man at the beginning, made them man and woman? read more. and said, 'For this thing, shall a man leave father and mother, and cleave unto his wife, and they twain shall be one flesh.' Wherefore now are they not twain, but one flesh. Let not man therefore put asunder, that which God hath coupled together." Then said they to him, "Why did Moses command to give unto her a testimonial of divorcement, and to put her away?" He said unto them, "Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, suffered you to put away your wives: But from the beginning it was not so. I say therefore unto you, whosoever putteth away his wife, except it be for fornication, and marrieth another, breaketh wedlock. And whosoever marrieth her which is divorced, doth commit adultery."
And when the people heard that, they were astonished at his doctrine.
Then cried Jesus in the temple, as he taught, saying, "And me ye know, and whence I am ye know: and yet I am not come of myself. But he that sent me is true, whom ye know not.
Now is there no Jew, neither gentile, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither man nor woman: but ye are all one thing in Christ Jesus.
For the grace of God, that bringeth salvation unto all men, hath appeared and teacheth us that we should deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, and that we should live sober minded, righteously, and godly in this present world, read more. looking for that blessed hope and glorious appearing of the mighty God, and of our saviour Jesus Christ: which gave himself for us, to redeem us from all unrighteousness, and to purge us a peculiar people unto himself, fervently given unto good works.
Easton
was "taken out of man" (Ge 2:23), and therefore the man has the preeminence. "The head of the woman is the man;" but yet honour is to be shown to the wife, "as unto the weaker vessel" (1Co 11:3,8-9; 1Pe 3:7). Several women are mentioned in Scripture as having been endowed with prophetic gifts, as Miriam (Ex 15:20), Deborah (Jg 4:4-5), Huldah (2Ki 22:14), Noadiah (Ne 6:14), Anna (Lu 2:36-37), and the daughters of Philip the evangelist (Ac 21:8-9). Women are forbidden to teach publicly (1Co 14:34-35; 1Ti 2:11-12). Among the Hebrews it devolved upon women to prepare the meals for the household (Ge 18:6; 2Sa 13:8), to attend to the work of spinning (Ex 35:26; Pr 31:19), and making clothes (1Sa 2:19; Pr 31:21), to bring water from the well (Ge 24:15; 1Sa 9:11), and to care for the flocks (Ge 29:6; Ex 2:16).
The word "woman," as used in Mt 15:28; Joh 2:4, implies tenderness and courtesy and not disrespect. Only where revelation is known has woman her due place of honour assigned to her.
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Then said Adam, "This is once bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh. This shall be called woman: because she was taken of the man."
And Abraham went a pace into his tent unto Sara, and said, Make ready at once three pecks of fine meal; knead it, and make cakes."
And it came to pass, yer he had left speaking, that Rebekah came out - the daughter of Bethuel, son to Milcah the wife of Nahor, Abraham's brother - and her pitcher upon her shoulder.
And he said unto them, "Is he in good health?" And they said, "He is in good health: and behold, his daughter Rachel cometh with the sheep."
The priest of Midian had seven daughters which came and drew water and filled the troughs, for to water their father's sheep.
And Miriam, a prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women came out after her with timbrels in a dance.
And all the women that excelled in wisdom of heart, span the goats' hair.
And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth judged Israel the same time, and dwelt under the palm tree of Deborah, between Ramah and Bethel, in mount Ephraim. And the children of Israel came to her for judgment.
Moreover, his mother made him a little coat, and brought it to him from feast to feast when she came up with her husband to offer the offering of the said feast.
And Hilkiah the high priest and Ahikam, Achbor, Shaphan, and Asaiah went unto Huldah the Prophetess, wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah the son of Harahas keeper of the robes - which Prophetess dwelt in Jerusalem in the second ward - and communed with her.
My God, think thou upon Tobiah and Sanballat according unto these their works, and of the Prophetess Noadiah and of the other Prophets, that would have put me in fear.
She layeth her fingers to the spindle, and her hand taketh hold of the rock.
She feareth not that the cold of winter shall hurt her house, for all her household folks are double clothed.
Then Jesus answered, and said unto her, "O woman great is thy faith, be it to thee, even as thou desirest." And her daughter was made whole even at that same hour.
And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel of the tribe of Asher: which was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity. And she had been a widow about four score and four years of age, which went never out of the temple, but served God there with fasting and prayer night and day.
Jesus said unto her, "Woman, what have I to do with thee? Mine hour is not yet come."
The next day, we that were of Paul's company, departed and came unto Caesarea. And we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven deacons, and abode with him. The same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy.
I would ye knew that Christ is the head of every man; and the man is the woman's head; and God is Christ's head.
For the man is not of the woman, but the woman of the man. Neither was the man created for the woman's sake: but the woman for the man's sake.
Let your wives keep silence in the congregations. For it is not permitted unto them to speak: but let them be under obedience, as saith the law. If they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is a shame for women to speak in the congregation.
For the grace of God, that bringeth salvation unto all men, hath appeared and teacheth us that we should deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, and that we should live sober minded, righteously, and godly in this present world,
Hastings
WOMAN
1. In OT ('ishsh
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And the LORD God said, "It is not good that man should be alone. I will make him a helper to bear him company." And after that the LORD God had made of the earth all manner beasts of the field, and all manner fowls of the air, he brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them. And as Adam called all manner living beasts: even so are their names. read more. And Adam gave names unto all manner cattle, and unto the fowls of the air, and unto all manner beasts of the field. But there was no help found unto Adam to bear him company. Then the LORD God cast a slumber on Adam, and he slept. And then he took out one of his ribs, and in stead thereof he filled up the place with flesh. And the LORD God made of the rib which he took out of Adam, a woman, and brought her unto Adam. Then said Adam, "This is once bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh. This shall be called woman: because she was taken of the man." For this cause shall a man leave father and mother and cleave unto his wife, and they shall be one flesh.
And the LORD God said unto the woman, "Wherefore didst thou so?" And the woman answered, "The serpent deceived me and I ate."
And the servant took ten camels of the camels of his master and departed, and had of all manner goods of his master with him, and stood up and went to Mesopotamia, unto the city of Nahor.
and of her that hath an issue of blood as long as she is put apart, and of whosoever hath a running sore whether it be man or woman, and of him that sleepeth with her that is unclean.'"
And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth judged Israel the same time,
For when the flame came up out of the altar, the angel of the LORD ascended up in the flame of the altar. And Manoah and his wife looked upon and fell flat on their faces unto the ground.
But his wife said unto him, "If the LORD would kill us, he would not have received a burnt offering and a meat offering of our hands; neither would he have showed us all these things, nor would have told us as he hath of things to come."
There was a man of Ramathaimzophim of mount Ephraim, named Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephraimite:
beside their servants and maidens, of whom there were seven thousand, three hundred and seven and thirty. And they had two hundred singing men and women,
How long wilt thou go astray, O thou shrinking daughter? For the LORD will work a new thing upon earth: A woman shall compass a man.
Because I brought thee from the land of Egypt, and delivered thee out of the house of bondage? Because I made Moses, Aaron, and Miriam to lead thee?
"Ye have heard how it was said to them of old time, 'Thou shalt not commit adultery:'
It is said, Whosoever put away his wife let him give her a testimonial also of the divorcement.
Then came unto him the Pharisees to tempt him, and said to him, "Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for all manner of causes?"
And behold a woman in that city, which was a sinner, as soon as she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster box of ointment,
And also certain women, which were healed of evil spirits, and infirmities: Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils,
Jesus said unto her, "Woman, what have I to do with thee? Mine hour is not yet come."
And even at that point, came his disciples, and marveled that he talked with the woman. Yet no man said unto him, "What meanest thou," or "Why talkest thou with her?"
When Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple standing whom he loved, he said unto his mother, "Woman behold thy son."
These all continued with one accord, in prayer, and supplication with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.
When the fiftieth day was come, they were all with one accord gathered together in one place.
and they were all filled with the holy ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, even as the spirit gave them utterance.
'It shall be in the last days, saith God, of my spirit I will pour out upon all flesh. And your sons, and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions. And your old men shall dream dreams.
'It shall be in the last days, saith God, of my spirit I will pour out upon all flesh. And your sons, and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions. And your old men shall dream dreams.
For this cause, God gave them up unto shameful lusts. For even their women did change the natural use unto the unnatural. And likewise also the men left the natural use of the woman, and burnt in their lusts, one on another, among themselves. And man with man wrought filthiness: and received in themselves the reward of their error, as it was according.
I commend unto you Phoebe our sister, which is a minister of the congregation of Cenchreae,
I suppose that it is good for the present necessity. For it is good for a man so to be.
This say I, brethren: the time is short. It remaineth that they which have wives, be as though they had none: and they that weep, be as though they wept not: and they that rejoice, be as though they rejoiced not: And they that buy, be as though they possessed not: read more. And they that use this world, be as though they used it not: For the fashion of this world goeth away.
Let your wives keep silence in the congregations. For it is not permitted unto them to speak: but let them be under obedience, as saith the law.
Now is there no Jew, neither gentile, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither man nor woman: but ye are all one thing in Christ Jesus.
Women: submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the wife's head, even as Christ is the head of the congregation, and the same is the saviour of the body. read more. Therefore as the congregation is in subjection to Christ, likewise let the wives be in subjection to their husbands in all things. Husbands: love your wives, even as Christ loved the congregation, and gave himself for it, to sanctify it, and cleansed it in the fountain of water through the word, to make it unto himself a glorious congregation without spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing: but that it should be holy and without blame. So ought men to love their wives, as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife, loveth himself. For no man ever yet, hated his own flesh; but nourisheth, and cherisheth it: even as the Lord doth the congregation. For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. "For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall continue with his wife, and two shall be made one flesh." This is a great secret, but I speak between Christ and the congregation. Nevertheless, do ye so that every one of you love his wife truly even as himself: And let the wife see that she fear her husband.
I pray Euodia, and beseech Syntyche that they be of one accord in the Lord.
Even so must their wives be honest, not evil speakers: but sober, and faithful in all things.
Honour widows which are true widows.
For of this sort are they which enter into houses, and bring into bondage women laden with sin, which women are led of divers lusts,
Morish
It is evident from scripture that women were anciently held in much more honour and esteem in Eastern countries than they are now. Solomon, speaking of women, said that such as his soul sought for he did not find one in a thousand. Ec 7:28. This tells of fallen human nature; but the true thought of woman is that she is the glory of the man, his true helpmeet. This is fulfilled in the relationship of the church to Christ.
In the N.T. the true place of the woman in subjection to the man is plainly stated, as indicated in creation; and in the assembly the woman is to be silent, and not to teach. Her bearing and deportment are expressive of what she learns as taught of Christ. 1Co 11:3-15; 14:34-35; 1Ti 2:11. 12. Nevertheless women were greatly honoured in ministering to the Lord, and are accredited as helping on the work of the Lord in the gospel and among the saints. Lu 8:2-3; 23:27,55-56; 6/1/type/mstc'>Ro 16:1,3,6; Php 4:2-3; 2Jo 1:10.
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Among a thousand men I have found one, but not one woman among all.
And also certain women, which were healed of evil spirits, and infirmities: Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils, and Joanna the wife of Chuzaa, Herod's steward; And Susanna; And many others: which ministered unto them of their substance.
And there followed him a great company of people, and of women: which women bewailed, and lamented him.
The women that followed after, which came with him from Galilee, beheld the sepulchre and how his body was laid. And they returned, and prepared odours, and ointments; but rested the Sabbath day, according to the commandment.
I commend unto you Phoebe our sister, which is a minister of the congregation of Cenchreae,
Greet Prisca and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus,
I would ye knew that Christ is the head of every man; and the man is the woman's head; and God is Christ's head. Every man praying or prophesying having anything on his head, shameth his head. read more. Every woman that prayeth or prophesieth bare-headed, dishonesteth her head. For it is even all one and the very same thing, even as though she were shaven. If the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn. If it be shame for a woman to be shaven or shorn, let her cover her head. A man ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God. The woman is the glory of the man. For the man is not of the woman, but the woman of the man. Neither was the man created for the woman's sake: but the woman for the man's sake. For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head, for the angels' sakes. Nevertheless, neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man in the Lord. For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man by the woman: but all is of God. Judge in yourselves whether it be comely that a woman pray unto God bareheaded. Or else doth not nature teach you, that it is a shame for a man, if he have long hair: and a praise to a woman if she have long hair? For her hair is given her to cover her withal.
Let your wives keep silence in the congregations. For it is not permitted unto them to speak: but let them be under obedience, as saith the law. If they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is a shame for women to speak in the congregation.
I pray Euodia, and beseech Syntyche that they be of one accord in the Lord. Yea, and I beseech thee faithful yokefellow, help the women which laboured with me in the gospel, and with Clement also, and with others, my labour fellows, whose names are in the book of life.
For the grace of God, that bringeth salvation unto all men, hath appeared