Here are some fun and surprising facts about women in the Bible that show their unique contributions, bold personalities, and how God used them in unexpected ways:
1. A woman named her own child “laughter.”
Sarah laughed when God said she’d have a child at 90. Later, she named her son Isaac, which means “laughter” (Genesis 21:6).
2. The Bible has two books named after women.
Ruth and Esther are the only books named after women—and both show incredible courage and faith.
3. A woman killed a military commander with a tent peg.
Jael is a hero in Judges 4. She invited the enemy general Sisera into her tent—and then took him out with a tent peg while he slept!
4. The first person to see the resurrected Jesus was a woman.
Mary Magdalene was the first witness of the resurrection and was sent by Jesus to tell the disciples (John 20:11–18).
5. A woman saved her people by winning a beauty contest.
Esther, a Jewish orphan, became queen of Persia and risked her life to save her people from genocide (Book of Esther).
6. A businesswoman helped start the church in Europe.
Lydia sold purple cloth and hosted Paul and others, becoming the first recorded European convert (Acts 16:14–15).
7. A woman named her son “pain.”
Jabez’s mother named him based on her difficult childbirth experience (1 Chronicles 4:9–10).
8. A prophetess led a victorious army.
Deborah was not just a judge, but a military leader and prophet who led Israel to victory (Judges 4–5).
9. A Moabite woman became the great-grandmother of King David.
Ruth, a foreigner, chose to follow the God of Israel—and became part of Jesus’ family line (Ruth 4:13–22, Matthew 1:5).
10. Jesus broke social norms by talking with women.
Jesus spoke openly with the Samaritan woman at the well—something considered shocking in that culture (John 4).
11.The First Female Prophetess
– Miriam (Exodus 15:20), Moses’ sister, led Israelite women in song and dance after crossing the Red Sea. She’s named a prophetess and later challenged Moses’ authority (Numbers 12), sparking God’s rebuke.
12. The Woman Who Anointed Jesus’ Feet
– An unnamed woman (Luke 7:36-50) washed Jesus’ feet with her tears, dried them with her hair, and anointed them with expensive perfume. Jesus praised her act as a profound display of love.
13. The Woman Who Negotiated with Jesus
– A Syrophoenician woman (Mark 7:24-30) challenged Jesus to heal her daughter, even after He initially seemed to dismiss her. Jesus praised her faith and granted her request.
14. The Oldest Woman in the Bible
– Sarah lived to age 127 (Genesis 23:1), making her the only woman in the Bible whose age at death is recorded.
15. The “Most Married” Woman
– The Samaritan woman at the well (John 4:1-42) had five husbands and was living with a sixth man. Jesus used her story to reveal Himself as the Messiah, and she became one of the first evangelists.
16. The First Women to Preach the Resurrection
– After encountering the risen Jesus, Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James (Luke 24:10) were tasked with telling the disciples—making them the first Christian preachers.
17. Bible Women in Jesus’ Family Tree
– Jesus’ genealogy (Matthew 1) includes Tamar (a widow who tricked Judah), Rahab (a Canaanite prostitute), Ruth (a Moabite), and Bathsheba (“Uriah’s wife”). Their inclusion highlights God’s grace and redemption.
18. The First Women to Preach the Resurrection
– After encountering the risen Jesus, Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James (Luke 24:10) were tasked with telling the disciples—making them the first Christian preachers.
19. The First Female Apostle?
– Junia (Romans 16:7) is called “outstanding among the apostles” by Paul. Some translations controversially changed her name to a masculine form, but scholars now widely accept her as a woman.
20. The Woman Who Authored Scripture
– Deborah’s song (Judges 5) is one of the oldest parts of the Bible, possibly written by her. Huldah the prophetess (2 Kings 22:14-20) authenticated the Book of the Law, sparking King Josiah’s reforms.
Key Takeaway
Women in the Bible are portrayed as leaders, prophets, warriors, and faithful disciples—often defying cultural norms. Their stories reveal God’s value for women’s voices, courage, and spiritual authority, even in patriarchal societies.
Last modified: April 14, 2025
