Women in the ScripturesThe Hebrew Bible, The New Testament, and The Qur’an

Gina BelmonteTaylor ChaputKatrina GouldLindsay Smith

Women in the Hebrew Bible

Ruth 1:16-18; 2:11-13; 4:13-17 Esther 2:16-17; 3:5-6; 4:7-9; 4:22-30;

8:3-12 Judges 4--5

Numbers 26:59

Exodus 15:20-21

Roles in the Hebrew Bible Women were portrayed in various ways- victims,

sinners, and leaders wives and mothers/center of household not the social or economic equals of men They could engage in business and trade (Proverbs 31) women of highest status within the Tanakh were

religious married mothers, especially mothers of sons , i.e. prophetess Deborah was both married and a mother Women could own property, and collect inheritance if

there were no sons

Influential Women in the HB

Eve, wife of Adam: original female sinner

Sarah, wife of Abraham: patriarch passed her off as his sister, allowing local rulers to lie with her. At age 90, God told her she would become pregnant and she bore Isaac

Rebekah, wife of Isaac and mother of Esau and Jacob: she conspired with her younger son Jacob to steal his older brother's blessing. Jacob later became Israel.

Tamar, sister-in-law to Judah: After the death of her first two husbands, she seduced Judah in the guise of a prostitute and bore his child. According to the new testament, this began the line that leads through King David to Jesus.

Miriam, sister of Moses: defied the Egyptian law (requiring the death of all male Hebrew children) and watched infant float Moses down the Nile for pharaoh's daughter to find.

Influential Women in the HB Delilah: The Philistine wife of Samson. Tricked him into

revealing the secret of his power and then betrayed him to her countrymen.

Deborah: judge and prophetess.

Ruth: of The Book of Ruth. Moabite woman who married Elimelech and converted to Judaism; great grandmother of David

Bathsheba: married King David, mother of Solomon

Judith: seduced the tyrant Holofernes and then killed him in his tent as he slept.

Prophetesses

7 of the 55 prophets of the Bible were women :

Sarah (Gen 11:29 - 23:20) Miriam (Ex. 15:20-21; Num. 12:1-12:15, 20:1) Deborah (Judges 4:1 - 5:31) Hannah (1 Sam 1:1 - 2:21) Abigail (1 Sam 25:1 - 25:42) Huldah (2 Kings 22:14-20) Esther (The book of Esther)

Sirach 25:12-25

discusses women and portrays them as wicked

26:1-18Summarizes the virtues of women,

and how they should support their families

Women in the New Testament

Luke 1:39-66; 7:36-50; 10:38-42

John 4:4-26

Roles in the New Testament Women are mentioned in all the gospels, but

especially in Luke Women are presented as wives, mothers, and

disciples The earliest and most devout followers of Jesus

(Luke 8:1-3) Often excluded from religious discussion until

the arrival of Jesus (John 4:27) Husbands and wives worked as missionary

teams (Romans 16:1-15) Teachings were directed towards “Brothers

and Sisters”

Influential Women in the NT Elizabeth: Zechariah’s wife, mother of John the

Baptist Herodias: wife of Herod, persuaded her daughter

to ask for John the Baptist's head Mary: wife of Joseph, virgin mother of Jesus Mary Magdalene: disciple of Jesus, first to hear

of Jesus’ resurrection Martha: sister of Mary and Lazarus, disciple of

Jesus Numerous unnamed women, important in

parables and conversion stories. (John 4:4-42, Luke 10:38-42, John 11:1-44)

Luke 1:26-38

The announcement of the conception of Jesus.

7:36-50Forgiveness of the adulterous

woman. 21:1-4

Contribution of the poor widow. 23:26-31

Jesus talks to women on the way to his crucifixion.

Women in the Qur'an

3:35-37, 42-51 19:16-29

21:91 6:12

33:28-34, 50-55 33:35

Roles of Women in the Qur'an Islam states that men and women are equal In many ayahs the revelations are directed to

both “men and women” (Surah 33:35) What truly matters in Islamic morality, is not

whether someone is male or female, but whether or not he or she is a believer who fears and respects Allah (Surah 9:71, 4:124)

Valued as mothers and wives The Qur'an makes provisions for the physical

and financial well-being of women (Surah 2:236, 2:240)

Influential Women in the Qur'an

Maryam (Mary mother of Jesus) is the only woman named in the entire Qur'an.

However, there are numerous unnamed women mentioned such as the pharaoh’s wife, faithful women and the wives of the prophet

Surah 4

19-25:The treatment of wives, and proper courtship

32: Fair treatment of women 34: Roles of husbands in regard to

wives and their loyalty

Major Women Characters in the Hebrew Bible, New Testament and Qur’an

HB: Miriam Older sister of Moses and Aaron Prophetess- she foresaw Moses’ birth as

bringing about redemption for the Israelites

Responsible for well-being throughout the Exodus

Died before reaching the Promised Land Miriam is considered one of the liberators

of the Children of Israel, along with her brothers Moses and Aaron.

Ex 2:1, 15:20-21, Numbers 12:1-15, 20:1

NT: Mary, mother of Jesus Known commonly as Mary of Nazareth “Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Of her was born

Jesus, who is called the Messiah.” (Matthew 1:16) Chosen by God to bear His son because of her great faith and

virtue. Was a virgin and gave birth to Christ,

the Messiah. Present at Jesus’ first miracle, crucifixion,

and resurrection. Important saint often prayed for intercession. Believed to have been assumed into Heaven,

body and soul. Has made many apparitions on Earth, important to many

Christians.

NT: Mary Magdalene “Mary” derived from Miriam, sister of Moses Jesus cured her of seven demons and she

followed him from one town to another as he preached.

Present at the crucifixion of Christ In all of the four gospels, Mary Magdalene is

present at the resurrection of Jesus, one of the first to learn about his resurrection

Qur’an: Maryam (Mary mother of Jesus)

Mary, mother of Christ (3:35-37, 42-47, 19: 16-29) Mary is the only woman named in the Qur’an Virgin conception and role as mother of the “Messiah”

recognized in the Qur’an Chosen by and obedient to Allah There are some references to Elizabeth, cousin of Mary,

wife of Zachariah, though she is never named (3:37-41, 19:1-15)

Numerous ayahs mention the “wives of the prophet” and how they should behave (33:28-34) more on wives. . .

Compare and contrast Rosh Codesh- Women are wives and mothers in all three books,

but they are more independent in the New Testament and not even named in the Qur’an.

“Mary”= “Miriam”=“Maryam” , HB, OT, Qur’an Angel Gabriel’s Appearances Purim and Esther Female Saints and Apparitions of the Virgin Mary

Worksheet Questions1) Compare and contrast how Mary, mother of Jesus, is portrayed, mentioned, or

alluded to in the scriptures of each religion (as usual, cite specific scriptural references)

 Judaism –  Christianity –  Islam –  2) Based on the assigned readings, pick another female character from each

religion (other than Mary, Mother of Jesus) and describe her role in that passage (again, please cite specific references).

 Judaism –  Christianity –  Islam –