Reference: Women
Fausets
Enjoyed a status in Israel not assigned to them in the East now. Mahometanism especially has degraded women in Asia and Africa; anciently they had a liberty not now accorded them, veiling was not then required as now: e.g. Rebekah, Ge 24:64-65; Rachel, Ge 29:11; Sarah, Ge 12:14-19; Miriam led a band of women with triumphant song, Ex 15:20-21; so Jephthah's daughter, Jg 11:34; the maidens of Shiloh, Jg 21:21; the women meeting Saul and David after victory; 1Sa 18:6-7; Hannah, 1Sa 2:1; Deborah, Judges 4 and Judges 5; Huldah, 2Ki 22:14; Noadiah, Ne 6:14; Anna, Lu 2:36.
The virtuous matron is admirably pictured Pr 31:10, etc. Polygamy transferred power from the wives to the queen mother (called therefore gebiraah "powerful"), 1Ki 2:19; 15:13; separate establishments were kept for the wives collectively or individually, "the house of the women" (Es 2:3,9; 1Ki 7:8); the wives had severally a separate tent (Ge 31:33); the women were present at table (Joh 2:3; 12:2; Job 1:4).
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And it happened when Abram had come into Egypt, the Egyptians saw that the woman was very beautiful. The princes of Pharaoh also saw her and commended her before Pharaoh. And the woman was taken into Pharaoh's house. read more. And he treated Abram well for her sake. And he had sheep, and oxen, and he-asses, and male servants, and maidservants, and she-asses, and camels. And Jehovah plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai, Abram's wife. And Pharaoh called Abram and said, What is this you have done to me? Why did you not tell me that she is your wife? Why did you say, She is my sister? And so I was about to take her to me as wife. Now therefore behold your wife. Take her and go.
And Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and she saw Isaac. And she dismounted from the camel. For she said to the servant, What man is this that walks in the field to meet us? And the servant said, It is my master. Therefore she took a veil and covered herself.
And Jacob kissed Rachel, and lifted up his voice and wept.
And Laban went into Jacob's tent, and into Leah's tent, and into the tents of the two slave women, and he did not find. And he went out of Leah's tent, and entered into Rachel's tent.
And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand. And all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances. And Miriam answered them, Sing to Jehovah, for He has triumphed gloriously. The horse and his rider He has thrown into the sea.
And Jephthah came to Mizpeh to his house, and, behold, his daughter came out to meet him with timbrels and with dances. And she was his only child. Besides her he had neither son nor daughter.
and see, and behold, if the daughters of Shiloh come out to dance in dances, then you come out of the vineyards and catch you a wife for every man from the daughters of Shiloh, and go to the land of Benjamin.
And Hannah prayed and said, My heart rejoices in Jehovah, my horn is exalted in Jehovah. My mouth is enlarged over my enemies because I rejoice in Your salvation.
And it happened as they came in, as David returned from striking the Philistine, the women came out of all cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul with tabrets, with joy, and with instruments of music. And the women answered as they played, and said, Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.
And Bathsheba came in to King Solomon to speak to him for Adonijah. And the king rose up to meet her, and bowed himself to her, and sat on his throne, and caused a throne to be set for the king's mother. And she sat on his right hand.
And also he even removed his mother Maachah from being queen because she had made an idol in a grove. And Asa destroyed her idol and burned it by the torrent Kidron.
And Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam, and Achbor, and Shaphan, and Asahiah, went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe. And she lived in Jerusalem in the second part. And they talked with her.
My God, think upon Tobiah and Sanballat according to these works of theirs, and on the prophetess Noadiah, and the rest of the prophets who would have made me afraid.
And let the king choose officers in all the provinces of his kingdom, so that they may gather together all the beautiful young virgins to Shushan the palace, to the house of the women, to the hand of Hegai the king's eunuch, keeper of the women. And let their ointments be given.
And the young woman pleased him, and she received kindness from him. And he quickly gave to her purifiers and her portion. And seven young women who were fit to be given her, out of the king's house. And he moved her and her servant women to the best place in the house of the women.
And his sons went and feasted in the house of each one on his day. And they sent and called for their three sisters to eat and to drink with them.
Who can find a woman of virtue? For her value is far above rubies.
And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in many days, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity.
And when they lacked wine, the mother of Jesus said to Him, They have no wine.
Then they made a supper there for Him. And Martha served, but Lazarus was one of those reclining with Him.
Smith
Women.
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.
Jacob saluted Rachel with a kiss in the presence of the shepherds.
Women played no inconsiderable part in public celebrations
The odes of Deborah, Judg 5, and of Hannah,
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.
Ex 15:20; Jg 4:4; 2Ki 22:14; Ne 6:14; Lu 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.
etc. Her influence was of course proportionably great.
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And Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and she saw Isaac. And she dismounted from the camel. For she said to the servant, What man is this that walks in the field to meet us? And the servant said, It is my master. Therefore she took a veil and covered herself.
And Jacob kissed Rachel, and lifted up his voice and wept.
And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand. And all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances.
And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, judged Israel at that time.
And Jephthah came to Mizpeh to his house, and, behold, his daughter came out to meet him with timbrels and with dances. And she was his only child. Besides her he had neither son nor daughter.
And Hannah prayed and said, My heart rejoices in Jehovah, my horn is exalted in Jehovah. My mouth is enlarged over my enemies because I rejoice in Your salvation.
My God, think upon Tobiah and Sanballat according to these works of theirs, and on the prophetess Noadiah, and the rest of the prophets who would have made me afraid.
A gracious woman keeps honor, and the strong keep riches.
A woman of virtue is a crown to her husband, but she who causes shame is like rottenness in his bones.
A wise woman builds her house, but the foolish plucks it down with her hands.
Who can find a woman of virtue? For her value is far above rubies.
And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in many days, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity.