Working on Women of the Bible has been a rewarding experience, far more than I could have imagined. Their lives are rich with beauty in both subtle and significant ways. I can’t help but be affected. They move me profoundly. They touch me spiritually. Because of them I am in greater awe of God as I see the pious faith of most and the tragic failings of a few. My prayer is that, because of their example, both women and men will be encouraged and inspired.
My goal with Women of the Bible is to explore the lives of these remarkable biblical women. Through their stories we can better understand God and faith. While each entry focuses on one of them, some of their storylines overlap so we see them pop up again in other accounts, just like a good friend returning for a visit.
Here’s some background information about Women of the Bible:
Even though these ladies lived long ago, I write about each in the present tense. This helps their stories come alive for us and reminds us that Scripture, though an ancient document, is relevant for us today.
I wish each woman had a different name, but not all do. For example, there are two Jezebels, two Sarahs, and two Susannas. There are three Deborahs and three Tamars. There are at least six Marys, possibly eight. Several less common names also repeat. In each case I added a number after their name to distinguish them (just like on IMDB for actors with the same name).
The ladies make their appearance in approximate chronological order, starting with Eve in Genesis and ending with Jezebel (2) in Revelation.
I used the Bible for my research. I didn’t consult other historical documents or modern works, to avoid confusing the biblical story with other sources.
I tried to note each time I made reasonable assumptions about these women and their situations.
At the end of each section, I list related Bible passages. If you’re not used to reading the Bible, see “For Those New to the Bible” in the back of this book for a quick overview.
Various translations of the Bible spell some names differently. Women of the Bible follows the spelling found in the New International Version (NIV). When needed, I consulted the New Jerusalem Bible. (See “The Full Picture” in the back to learn more.)
Some women shared their names with men. Noah is one example. Yes, there is a woman named Noah in the Bible. She is one of Zelophehad’s five daughters. In other instances, some women’s names are also the names of cities, such as Maakah. In addition to there being six women named Maakah, there are two or three cities bearing that name, in addition to a couple of guys.
The section, “For Further Study” lists even more biblical women not detailed in this book.
This book was a joy to research and write. I learned so much. Part of me is sad it’s over. Another part of me is excited to finally share these words with you. I pray these women’s lives will touch you as much as they touched me.
