Here’s a chronological list of key women in the Bible, organized by approximate time period and biblical narrative order. Note that exact dates are debated, and some stories overlap or are symbolic.
Old Testament Women
1. Eve
– First Woman (Genesis 2–4)
– Created from Adam’s rib, mother of Cain, Abel, and Seth.
2. Sarah
– Wife of Abraham (Genesis 11–23)
– Mother of Isaac at age 90; originally named Sarai.
3. Hagar
– Sarah’s Egyptian Servant (Genesis 16, 21)
– Mother of Ishmael; encountered God in the wilderness.
4. Lot’s Wife
– Turned to Salt (Genesis 19:26)
– Disobeyed God’s command while fleeing Sodom.
5. Rebekah
– Wife of Isaac (Genesis 24–27)
– Mother of Jacob and Esau; orchestrated Jacob’s blessing.
6. Leah & Rachel
– Wives of Jacob (Genesis 29–35)
– Leah: Mother of six tribes of Israel.
– Rachel: Mother of Joseph and Benjamin; died in childbirth.
7. Dinah
– Jacob’s Daughter (Genesis 34)
– Her assault sparked revenge by her brothers.
8. Tamar (Judah’s Daughter-in-Law)
– Widow Who Tricked Judah (Genesis 38)
– Ancestor of Jesus (Matthew 1:3).
9. Shiphrah & Puah
– Hebrew Midwives (Exodus 1:15-21)
– Defied Pharaoh to save Israelite babies.
10. Miriam
– Sister of Moses (Exodus 2, 15; Numbers 12)
– Prophetess who led Israelite women in song after the Red Sea crossing.
11. Zipporah
– Wife of Moses (Exodus 2:21, 4:24-26)
– Midianite daughter of Jethro; saved Moses’ life.
12. Rahab
– Canaanite Prostitute in Jericho (Joshua 2, 6)
– Hid Israelite spies; ancestor of Jesus (Matthew 1:5).
13. Deborah
– Prophetess and Judge (Judges 4–5)
– Led Israel to military victory; co-wrote a victory song.
14. Jael
– Killer of Sisera (Judges 4–5)
– Drove a tent peg through an enemy general’s skull.
15. Delilah
– Philistine Who Betrayed Samson (Judges 16)
– Tricked Samson into revealing the source of his strength.
16. Naomi & Ruth
– Mother-in-Law and Moabite Daughter-in-Law (Ruth 1–4)
– Ruth’s loyalty led to her marriage to Boaz, ancestor of David and Jesus.
17. Hannah
– Mother of Samuel (1 Samuel 1–2)
– Prayed for a son and dedicated him to God.
18. Abigail
– Wife of Nabal, Later David (1 Samuel 25)
– Prevented David from shedding blood through her wisdom.
19. Bathsheba
– Wife of Uriah, Later David (2 Samuel 11–12; 1 Kings 1–2)
– Mother of Solomon; involved in David’s adultery.
20. Jezebel
– Wicked Queen of Israel (1 Kings 16–21; 2 Kings 9)
– Promoted idolatry; died violently as prophesied.
21. The Widow of Zarephath
– Fed Elijah (1 Kings 17:8-24)
– Shared her last meal with the prophet; her son was resurrected.
22. Huldah
– Prophetess (2 Kings 22:14-20; 2 Chronicles 34)
– Validated the rediscovered Book of the Law, sparking King Josiah’s reforms.
23. Esther
– Jewish Queen of Persia (Book of Esther)
– Saved her people from genocide; celebrated in Purim.
New Testament Women
24. Elizabeth
– Mother of John the Baptist (Luke 1)
– Miraculously conceived in old age, relative of Mary.
25. Mary (Mother of Jesus)
– Theotokos (God-Bearer) (Matthew 1–2; Luke 1–2; John 19)
– Virgin mother of Jesus; present at His crucifixion.
26. Anna
– Prophetess in the Temple (Luke 2:36-38)
– Recognized Jesus as the Messiah during His dedication.
27. Herodias & Salome
– Queen and Daughter (Matthew 14:3-12; Mark 6:17-29)
– Orchestrated John the Baptist’s execution.
28. The Samaritan Woman
– Evangelist at the Well (John 4:1-42)
– First person Jesus openly declared Himself as Messiah to.
29. Mary & Martha
– Sisters of Lazarus (Luke 10:38-42; John 11–12)
– Hosted Jesus; Lazarus was raised from the dead.
30. Mary Magdalene
– Devoted Follower of Jesus (All Gospels)
– Delivered from demons; first witness of the resurrection.
31. The Bleeding Woman
– Healed by Touching Jesus’ Cloak (Mark 5:25-34)
– Act of faith stopped her 12-year hemorrhage.
32. Lydia
– First European Convert (Acts 16:11-15)
– Purple cloth seller; hosted a church in Philippi.
33. Priscilla
– Co-Minister with Husband Aquila (Acts 18; Romans 16:3)
– Taught Apollos; partnered with Paul in missions.
34. Phoebe
– Deaconess and Patron (Romans 16:1-2)
– Delivered Paul’s letter to the Romans.
35. Junia
– “Outstanding Among the Apostles” (Romans 16:7)
– Early Christian leader; identity debated due to translation issues.
Notable Groups of Women
– The Daughters of Zelophehad (Numbers 27:1-11) – Fought for inheritance rights.
– The Woman Caught in Adultery (John 8:1-11) – Spared by Jesus’ mercy.
– The Persistent Widow (Luke 18:1-8) – Parable about relentless prayer.
– The Four Daughters of Philip (Acts 21:8-9) – Prophesied in the early church.
Key Takeaway:
Women in the Bible span roles from matriarchs and prophets to disciples and leaders. Their stories highlight courage, faith, and God’s redemptive work across cultures and eras. Even unnamed women (e.g., the Syrophoenician woman, the widow’s mite) play pivotal roles in Scripture’s narrative.
Last modified: April 14, 2025
