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What the Bible Says About Women

Overview

The Bible addresses women across 304 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Proverbs, Numbers and Genesis. Closely related themes include Woman, Wife, Adultery and Temptation. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Jesus, Mary Magdalene, Adam and Moses.

Key Bible verses about women

Old Testament

Genesis

Genesis 1:27

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

Genesis 2:18

And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. meet: Heb. as before him

Genesis 2:21

And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof;

Genesis 2:22

And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. made: Heb. builded

Genesis 2:23

And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. Woman: Heb. Isha Man: Heb. Ish

Genesis 2:24

Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

Genesis 3:1

Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? Yea: Heb. Yea, because, etc.

Genesis 3:2

And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden:

Genesis 3:3

But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.

Genesis 3:4

And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:

Genesis 3:5

For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.

Genesis 3:6

And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. pleasant: Heb. a desire

Genesis 3:7

And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons. aprons: or, things to gird about

Genesis 3:8

And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden. cool: Heb. wind

Genesis 3:9

And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?

Genesis 3:10

And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.

Genesis 3:11

And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?

Genesis 3:12

And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.

Genesis 3:13

And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.

Genesis 3:14

And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life:

Genesis 3:15

And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

Genesis 3:16

Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee. to thy: or, subject to thy husband

Genesis 24:3

And I will make thee swear by the LORD, the God of heaven, and the God of the earth, that thou shalt not take a wife unto my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell:

Genesis 24:4

But thou shalt go unto my country, and to my kindred, and take a wife unto my son Isaac.

Genesis 24:17

And the servant ran to meet her, and said, Let me, I pray thee, drink a little water of thy pitcher.

Genesis 24:67

And Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah's tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her: and Isaac was comforted after his mother's death.

Genesis 31:33

And Laban went into Jacob's tent, and into Leah's tent, and into the two maidservants' tents; but he found them not. Then went he out of Leah's tent, and entered into Rachel's tent.

Genesis 34:6

And Hamor the father of Shechem went out unto Jacob to commune with him.

Exodus

Exodus 15:20

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.

Exodus 15:21

And Miriam answered them, Sing ye to the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.

Exodus 22:17

If her father utterly refuse to give her unto him, he shall pay money according to the dowry of virgins. pay: Heb. weigh

Exodus 35:22

And they came, both men and women, as many as were willing hearted, and brought bracelets, and earrings, and rings, and tablets, all jewels of gold: and every man that offered offered an offering of gold unto the LORD.

Exodus 38:8

And he made the laver of brass, and the foot of it of brass, of the lookingglasses of the women assembling, which assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. lookingglasses: or, brasen glasses assembling: Heb. assembling by troops

Leviticus

Leviticus 12:1

And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

Leviticus 12:2

Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a woman have conceived seed, and born a man child: then she shall be unclean seven days; according to the days of the separation for her infirmity shall she be unclean.

Leviticus 12:3

And in the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised.

Leviticus 12:4

And she shall then continue in the blood of her purifying three and thirty days; she shall touch no hallowed thing, nor come into the sanctuary, until the days of her purifying be fulfilled.

Leviticus 12:5

But if she bear a maid child, then she shall be unclean two weeks, as in her separation: and she shall continue in the blood of her purifying threescore and six days.

Leviticus 12:6

And when the days of her purifying are fulfilled, for a son, or for a daughter, she shall bring a lamb of the first year for a burnt offering, and a young pigeon, or a turtledove, for a sin offering, unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, unto the priest: of the first: Heb. a son of his year

Leviticus 12:7

Who shall offer it before the LORD, and make an atonement for her; and she shall be cleansed from the issue of her blood. This is the law for her that hath born a male or a female.

Leviticus 12:8

And if she be not able to bring a lamb, then she shall bring two turtles, or two young pigeons; the one for the burnt offering, and the other for a sin offering: and the priest shall make an atonement for her, and she shall be clean. she be: Heb. her hand find not sufficiency of

Numbers

Numbers 5:12

Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, If any man's wife go aside, and commit a trespass against him,

Numbers 5:13

And a man lie with her carnally, and it be hid from the eyes of her husband, and be kept close, and she be defiled, and there be no witness against her, neither she be taken with the manner;

Numbers 5:14

And the spirit of jealousy come upon him, and he be jealous of his wife, and she be defiled: or if the spirit of jealousy come upon him, and he be jealous of his wife, and she be not defiled:

Numbers 5:15

Then shall the man bring his wife unto the priest, and he shall bring her offering for her, the tenth part of an ephah of barley meal; he shall pour no oil upon it, nor put frankincense thereon; for it is an offering of jealousy, an offering of memorial, bringing iniquity to remembrance.

Numbers 5:16

And the priest shall bring her near, and set her before the LORD:

Numbers 5:17

And the priest shall take holy water in an earthen vessel; and of the dust that is in the floor of the tabernacle the priest shall take, and put it into the water:

Numbers 5:18

And the priest shall set the woman before the LORD, and uncover the woman's head, and put the offering of memorial in her hands, which is the jealousy offering: and the priest shall have in his hand the bitter water that causeth the curse:

Numbers 5:19

And the priest shall charge her by an oath, and say unto the woman, If no man have lain with thee, and if thou hast not gone aside to uncleanness with another instead of thy husband, be thou free from this bitter water that causeth the curse: with another: or, being in the power of thy husband: Heb. under thy husband

Numbers 5:20

But if thou hast gone aside to another instead of thy husband, and if thou be defiled, and some man have lain with thee beside thine husband:

Numbers 5:21

Then the priest shall charge the woman with an oath of cursing, and the priest shall say unto the woman, The LORD make thee a curse and an oath among thy people, when the LORD doth make thy thigh to rot, and thy belly to swell; rot: Heb. fall

Numbers 5:22

And this water that causeth the curse shall go into thy bowels, to make thy belly to swell, and thy thigh to rot: And the woman shall say, Amen, amen.

Numbers 5:23

And the priest shall write these curses in a book, and he shall blot them out with the bitter water:

Numbers 5:24

And he shall cause the woman to drink the bitter water that causeth the curse: and the water that causeth the curse shall enter into her, and become bitter.

Numbers 5:25

Then the priest shall take the jealousy offering out of the woman's hand, and shall wave the offering before the LORD, and offer it upon the altar:

Numbers 5:26

And the priest shall take an handful of the offering, even the memorial thereof, and burn it upon the altar, and afterward shall cause the woman to drink the water.

Numbers 5:27

And when he hath made her to drink the water, then it shall come to pass, that, if she be defiled, and have done trespass against her husband, that the water that causeth the curse shall enter into her, and become bitter, and her belly shall swell, and her thigh shall rot: and the woman shall be a curse among her people.

Numbers 5:28

And if the woman be not defiled, but be clean; then she shall be free, and shall conceive seed.

Numbers 5:29

This is the law of jealousies, when a wife goeth aside to another instead of her husband, and is defiled;

Numbers 5:30

Or when the spirit of jealousy cometh upon him, and he be jealous over his wife, and shall set the woman before the LORD, and the priest shall execute upon her all this law.

Numbers 5:31

Then shall the man be guiltless from iniquity, and this woman shall bear her iniquity.

Numbers 30:3

If a woman also vow a vow unto the LORD, and bind herself by a bond, being in her father's house in her youth;

Numbers 30:4

And her father hear her vow, and her bond wherewith she hath bound her soul, and her father shall hold his peace at her: then all her vows shall stand, and every bond wherewith she hath bound her soul shall stand.

Numbers 30:5

But if her father disallow her in the day that he heareth; not any of her vows, or of her bonds wherewith she hath bound her soul, shall stand: and the LORD shall forgive her, because her father disallowed her.

Numbers 30:6

And if she had at all an husband, when she vowed, or uttered ought out of her lips, wherewith she bound her soul; she vowed: Heb. her vows were upon her

Numbers 30:7

And her husband heard it, and held his peace at her in the day that he heard it: then her vows shall stand, and her bonds wherewith she bound her soul shall stand.

Numbers 30:8

But if her husband disallowed her on the day that he heard it; then he shall make her vow which she vowed, and that which she uttered with her lips, wherewith she bound her soul, of none effect: and the LORD shall forgive her.

Numbers 30:9

But every vow of a widow, and of her that is divorced, wherewith they have bound their souls, shall stand against her.

Numbers 30:10

And if she vowed in her husband's house, or bound her soul by a bond with an oath;

Numbers 30:11

And her husband heard it, and held his peace at her, and disallowed her not: then all her vows shall stand, and every bond wherewith she bound her soul shall stand.

Numbers 30:12

But if her husband hath utterly made them void on the day he heard them; then whatsoever proceeded out of her lips concerning her vows, or concerning the bond of her soul, shall not stand: her husband hath made them void; and the LORD shall forgive her.

Numbers 30:13

Every vow, and every binding oath to afflict the soul, her husband may establish it, or her husband may make it void.

Numbers 30:14

But if her husband altogether hold his peace at her from day to day; then he establisheth all her vows, or all her bonds, which are upon her: he confirmeth them, because he held his peace at her in the day that he heard them.

Numbers 30:15

But if he shall any ways make them void after that he hath heard them; then he shall bear her iniquity.

Numbers 30:16

These are the statutes, which the LORD commanded Moses, between a man and his wife, between the father and his daughter, being yet in her youth in her father's house.

Numbers 31:9

And the children of Israel took all the women of Midian captives, and their little ones, and took the spoil of all their cattle, and all their flocks, and all their goods.

Numbers 31:15

And Moses said unto them, Have ye saved all the women alive?

Numbers 31:16

Behold, these caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to commit trespass against the LORD in the matter of Peor, and there was a plague among the congregation of the LORD.

Numbers 31:17

Now therefore kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman that hath known man by lying with him. him: Heb. a male

Numbers 31:18

But all the women children, that have not known a man by lying with him, keep alive for yourselves.

Numbers 31:35

And thirty and two thousand persons in all, of women that had not known man by lying with him.

Judges

Judges 9:53

And a certain woman cast a piece of a millstone upon Abimelech's head, and all to brake his skull.

Judges 11:34

And Jephthah came to Mizpeh unto his house, and, behold, his daughter came out to meet him with timbrels and with dances: and she was his only child; beside her he had neither son nor daughter. beside: or, he had not of his own either son or daughter: Heb. of himself

Judges 11:37

And she said unto her father, Let this thing be done for me: let me alone two months, that I may go up and down upon the mountains, and bewail my virginity, I and my fellows. go up: Heb. go and go down

Judges 21:21

And see, and, behold, if the daughters of Shiloh come out to dance in dances, then come ye out of the vineyards, and catch you every man his wife of the daughters of Shiloh, and go to the land of Benjamin.

Esther

Esther 1:20

And when the king's decree which he shall make shall be published throughout all his empire, (for it is great,) all the wives shall give to their husbands honour, both to great and small.

Esther 1:21

And the saying pleased the king and the princes; and the king did according to the word of Memucan: pleased: Heb. was good in the eyes of the king

Esther 1:22

For he sent letters into all the king's provinces, into every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language, that every man should bear rule in his own house, and that it should be published according to the language of every people. that it: Heb. that one should publish it according to the language of his people

Esther 2:9

And the maiden pleased him, and she obtained kindness of him; and he speedily gave her her things for purification, with such things as belonged to her, and seven maidens, which were meet to be given her, out of the king's house: and he preferred her and her maids unto the best place of the house of the women. such: Heb. her portions preferred: Heb. changed

Esther 2:11

And Mordecai walked every day before the court of the women's house, to know how Esther did, and what should become of her. to know: Heb. to know the peace

Proverbs

Proverbs 6:24

To keep thee from the evil woman, from the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman. of the: or, of the strange tongue

Proverbs 6:25

Lust not after her beauty in thine heart; neither let her take thee with her eyelids.

Proverbs 6:26

For by means of a whorish woman a man is brought to a piece of bread: and the adulteress will hunt for the precious life. the adulteress: Heb. the woman of a man, or, a man's wife

Proverbs 6:27

Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned?

Proverbs 6:28

Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned?

Proverbs 6:29

So he that goeth in to his neighbour's wife; whosoever toucheth her shall not be innocent.

Proverbs 6:32

But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul. understanding: Heb. heart

Proverbs 6:33

A wound and dishonour shall he get; and his reproach shall not be wiped away.

Proverbs 6:34

For jealousy is the rage of a man: therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance.

Proverbs 6:35

He will not regard any ransom; neither will he rest content, though thou givest many gifts. He will: Heb. He will not accept the face of any ransom

Proverbs 7:6

For at the window of my house I looked through my casement,

Proverbs 7:7

And beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the youths, a young man void of understanding, the youths: Heb. the sons

Proverbs 7:8

Passing through the street near her corner; and he went the way to her house,

Proverbs 7:9

In the twilight, in the evening, in the black and dark night: in the evening: Heb. in the evening of day

Proverbs 7:10

And, behold, there met him a woman with the attire of an harlot, and subtil of heart.

Proverbs 7:11

(She is loud and stubborn; her feet abide not in her house:

Proverbs 7:12

Now is she without, now in the streets, and lieth in wait at every corner.)

Proverbs 7:13

So she caught him, and kissed him, and with an impudent face said unto him, with: Heb. she strengthened her face and said

Proverbs 7:14

I have peace offerings with me; this day have I payed my vows. I have: Heb. Peace offerings are upon me

Proverbs 7:15

Therefore came I forth to meet thee, diligently to seek thy face, and I have found thee.

Proverbs 7:16

I have decked my bed with coverings of tapestry, with carved works, with fine linen of Egypt.

Proverbs 7:17

I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.

Proverbs 7:18

Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning: let us solace ourselves with loves.

Proverbs 7:19

For the goodman is not at home, he is gone a long journey:

Proverbs 7:20

He hath taken a bag of money with him, and will come home at the day appointed. with: Heb. in his hand the day: or, the new moon

Proverbs 7:21

With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she forced him.

Proverbs 7:22

He goeth after her straightway, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks; straightway: Heb. suddenly

Proverbs 7:23

Till a dart strike through his liver; as a bird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not that it is for his life.

Proverbs 7:24

Hearken unto me now therefore, O ye children, and attend to the words of my mouth.

Proverbs 7:25

Let not thine heart decline to her ways, go not astray in her paths.

Proverbs 7:26

For she hath cast down many wounded: yea, many strong men have been slain by her.

Proverbs 7:27

Her house is the way to hell, going down to the chambers of death.

Proverbs 11:16

A gracious woman retaineth honour: and strong men retain riches.

Proverbs 11:22

As a jewel of gold in a swine's snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion. is without: Heb. departeth from

Proverbs 12:4

A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.

Proverbs 14:1

Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.

Proverbs 18:22

Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.

Proverbs 19:13

A foolish son is the calamity of his father: and the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping.

Proverbs 19:14

House and riches are the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife is from the LORD.

Proverbs 21:9

It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house. a brawling: Heb. a woman of contentions a wide: Heb. an house of society

Proverbs 21:19

It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman. in: Heb. in the land of the desert

Proverbs 25:24

It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house.

Proverbs 27:15

A continual dropping in a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike.

Proverbs 27:16

Whosoever hideth her hideth the wind, and the ointment of his right hand, which bewrayeth itself.

Proverbs 30:21

For three things the earth is disquieted, and for four which it cannot bear:

Proverbs 30:22

For a servant when he reigneth; and a fool when he is filled with meat;

Proverbs 30:23

For an odious woman when she is married; and an handmaid that is heir to her mistress.

Proverbs 31:10

Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

Proverbs 31:11

The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.

Proverbs 31:12

She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.

Proverbs 31:13

She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.

Proverbs 31:14

She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.

Proverbs 31:15

She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.

Proverbs 31:16

She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. buyeth: Heb. taketh

Proverbs 31:17

She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.

Proverbs 31:18

She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. She: Heb. She tasteth

Proverbs 31:19

She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.

Proverbs 31:20

She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. She: Heb. She spreadeth

Proverbs 31:21

She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. scarlet: or, double garments

Proverbs 31:22

She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.

Proverbs 31:23

Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.

Proverbs 31:24

She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.

Proverbs 31:25

Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.

Proverbs 31:26

She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

Proverbs 31:27

She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

Proverbs 31:28

Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.

Proverbs 31:29

Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. have: or, have gotten riches

Proverbs 31:30

Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.

Proverbs 31:31

Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

Isaiah

Isaiah 3:16

Moreover the LORD saith, Because the daughters of Zion are haughty, and walk with stretched forth necks and wanton eyes, walking and mincing as they go, and making a tinkling with their feet: wanton: Heb. deceiving with their eyes mincing: or, tripping nicely

Isaiah 3:17

Therefore the Lord will smite with a scab the crown of the head of the daughters of Zion, and the LORD will discover their secret parts. discover: Heb. make naked

Isaiah 3:18

In that day the Lord will take away the bravery of their tinkling ornaments about their feet, and their cauls, and their round tires like the moon, cauls: or, networks

Isaiah 3:19

The chains, and the bracelets, and the mufflers, chains: or, sweet balls mufflers: or, spangled ornaments

Isaiah 3:20

The bonnets, and the ornaments of the legs, and the headbands, and the tablets, and the earrings, tablets: Heb. houses of the soul

Isaiah 3:21

The rings, and nose jewels,

Isaiah 3:22

The changeable suits of apparel, and the mantles, and the wimples, and the crisping pins,

Isaiah 3:23

The glasses, and the fine linen, and the hoods, and the vails.

Isaiah 3:24

And it shall come to pass, that instead of sweet smell there shall be stink; and instead of a girdle a rent; and instead of well set hair baldness; and instead of a stomacher a girding of sackcloth; and burning instead of beauty.

Isaiah 4:1

And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel: only let us be called by thy name, to take away our reproach. let: Heb. let thy name be called upon us to take: or, take thou away

Isaiah 19:16

In that day shall Egypt be like unto women: and it shall be afraid and fear because of the shaking of the hand of the LORD of hosts, which he shaketh over it.

Isaiah 32:9

Rise up, ye women that are at ease; hear my voice, ye careless daughters; give ear unto my speech.

Isaiah 32:10

Many days and years shall ye be troubled, ye careless women: for the vintage shall fail, the gathering shall not come. Many: Heb. Days above a year

Isaiah 32:11

Tremble, ye women that are at ease; be troubled, ye careless ones: strip you, and make you bare, and gird sackcloth upon your loins.

Isaiah 32:12

They shall lament for the teats, for the pleasant fields, for the fruitful vine. pleasant: Heb. fields of desire

Isaiah 49:15

Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. that: Heb. from having compassion

Jeremiah

Jeremiah 2:32

Can a maid forget her ornaments, or a bride her attire? yet my people have forgotten me days without number.

Jeremiah 7:18

The children gather wood, and the fathers kindle the fire, and the women knead their dough, to make cakes to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto other gods, that they may provoke me to anger. queen: or, frame, or, workmanship of heaven

Jeremiah 31:13

Then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance, both young men and old together: for I will turn their mourning into joy, and will comfort them, and make them rejoice from their sorrow.

Jeremiah 50:37

A sword is upon their horses, and upon their chariots, and upon all the mingled people that are in the midst of her; and they shall become as women: a sword is upon her treasures; and they shall be robbed.

Jeremiah 51:30

The mighty men of Babylon have forborn to fight, they have remained in their holds: their might hath failed; they became as women: they have burned her dwellingplaces; her bars are broken.

Ezekiel

Ezekiel 13:17

Likewise, thou son of man, set thy face against the daughters of thy people, which prophesy out of their own heart; and prophesy thou against them,

Ezekiel 13:18

And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Woe to the women that sew pillows to all armholes, and make kerchiefs upon the head of every stature to hunt souls! Will ye hunt the souls of my people, and will ye save the souls alive that come unto you? armholes: or, elbows

Ezekiel 13:19

And will ye pollute me among my people for handfuls of barley and for pieces of bread, to slay the souls that should not die, and to save the souls alive that should not live, by your lying to my people that hear your lies?

Ezekiel 13:20

Wherefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against your pillows, wherewith ye there hunt the souls to make them fly, and I will tear them from your arms, and will let the souls go, even the souls that ye hunt to make them fly. to make: or, into gardens

Ezekiel 13:21

Your kerchiefs also will I tear, and deliver my people out of your hand, and they shall be no more in your hand to be hunted; and ye shall know that I am the LORD.

Ezekiel 13:22

Because with lies ye have made the heart of the righteous sad, whom I have not made sad; and strengthened the hands of the wicked, that he should not return from his wicked way, by promising him life: by: or, that I should save his life: Heb. by quickening him

Ezekiel 13:23

Therefore ye shall see no more vanity, nor divine divinations: for I will deliver my people out of your hand: and ye shall know that I am the LORD.

Ezekiel 30:17

The young men of Aven and of Pibeseth shall fall by the sword: and these cities shall go into captivity. Aven: or, Heliopolis Pibeseth: or, Pubastum

Ezekiel 30:18

At Tehaphnehes also the day shall be darkened, when I shall break there the yokes of Egypt: and the pomp of her strength shall cease in her: as for her, a cloud shall cover her, and her daughters shall go into captivity. darkened: or, restrained

New Testament

Mark

Mark 15:40

There were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome;

Mark 15:41

(Who also, when he was in Galilee, followed him, and ministered unto him;) and many other women which came up with him unto Jerusalem.

Mark 15:46

And he bought fine linen, and took him down, and wrapped him in the linen, and laid him in a sepulchre which was hewn out of a rock, and rolled a stone unto the door of the sepulchre.

Mark 15:47

And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses beheld where he was laid.

Mark 16:1

And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.

Mark 16:2

And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun.

Mark 16:3

And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre?

Mark 16:4

And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great.

Mark 16:5

And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted.

Mark 16:6

And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him.

Mark 16:9

Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils.

Luke

Luke 23:27

And there followed him a great company of people, and of women, which also bewailed and lamented him.

Luke 23:28

But Jesus turning unto them said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children.

Luke 23:49

And all his acquaintance, and the women that followed him from Galilee, stood afar off, beholding these things.

Luke 23:55

And the women also, which came with him from Galilee, followed after, and beheld the sepulchre, and how his body was laid.

Luke 23:56

And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the sabbath day according to the commandment.

Luke 24:1

Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them.

Luke 24:2

And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre.

Luke 24:3

And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus.

Luke 24:4

And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout,2532 behold, two men stood by them in shining garments:

Luke 24:5

And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? the living: or, him that liveth

Luke 24:6

He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee,

Luke 24:7

Saying The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.

Luke 24:8

And they remembered his words,

Luke 24:9

And returned from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest.

Luke 24:10

It was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles.

Acts

Acts 1:14

These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.

Acts 12:12

And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying.

Acts 12:13

And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda. to hearken: or, to ask who was there

Acts 16:14

And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.

Acts 16:15

And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.

Acts 17:4

And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few.

Acts 17:12

Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few.

Acts 17:34

Howbeit certain men clave unto him, and believed: among the which was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.

1 Corinthians

1 Corinthians 11:3

But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.

1 Corinthians 11:4

Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head.

1 Corinthians 11:5

But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven.

1 Corinthians 11:6

For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered.

1 Corinthians 11:7

For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man.

1 Corinthians 11:8

For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man.

1 Corinthians 11:9

Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man.

1 Corinthians 11:10

For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels. power: that is a covering in sign that she is under the power of her husband

1 Corinthians 11:11

Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord.

1 Corinthians 11:12

For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman; but all things of God.

1 Corinthians 11:13

Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered?

1 Corinthians 11:14

Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?

1 Corinthians 11:15

But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering. covering: or, veil

1 Corinthians 14:34

Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law.

1 Corinthians 14:35

And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.

1 Timothy

1 Timothy 2:9

In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; broided: or, plaited

1 Timothy 2:10

But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.

1 Timothy 2:11

Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.

1 Timothy 2:12

But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.

1 Timothy 2:13

For Adam was first formed, then Eve.

1 Timothy 2:14

And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.

1 Timothy 2:15

Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.

1 Timothy 3:11

Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.

1 Timothy 5:1

Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren;

1 Timothy 5:2

The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity.

1 Timothy 5:3

Honour widows that are widows indeed.

1 Timothy 5:4

But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God. piety: or, kindness

1 Timothy 5:5

Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day.

1 Timothy 5:6

But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth. in: or, delicately

1 Timothy 5:7

And these things give in charge, that they may be blameless.

1 Timothy 5:8

But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. house: or, kindred

1 Timothy 5:9

Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man, taken: or, chosen

1 Timothy 5:10

Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints' feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.

1 Timothy 5:11

But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry;

1 Timothy 5:12

Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith.

1 Timothy 5:13

And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.

1 Timothy 5:14

I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully. to speak: Gr. for their railing

1 Timothy 5:15

For some are already turned aside after Satan.

1 Timothy 5:16

If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed.

People in the Bible and women

Biblical figures whose stories intersect with this theme.

In the Bible dictionary

Studying women for yourself

  • Begin with Genesis 1:27, then read the passages below in canonical order.
  • Compare how Proverbs, Numbers and Genesis each treat the theme.
  • Consider the lives of Jesus, Mary Magdalene and Adam and how their stories intersect with it.
  • Widen the study to related themes: Woman, Wife, Adultery and Temptation.

Frequently asked questions

What does the Bible say about women?

The Bible addresses women across 304 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Proverbs, Numbers and Genesis. Closely related themes include Woman, Wife, Adultery and Temptation. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Jesus, Mary Magdalene, Adam and Moses.

How many Bible verses are about women?

The Bible references women in 304 verses (King James Version).

Where does the Bible first mention women?

In canonical order, the first of these passages is Genesis 1:27: “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.”

Which people in the Bible are associated with women?

Jesus, Mary Magdalene, Adam, Moses and Isaac.

Preach & teach

Outline a sermon or build a study series on women.

Preach a series on Women