During the many centuries that the Mosaic Law prevailed in ancient Israel, only Aaron and his male progeny were authorized to enter ancient Israelite temples. Although women and men from the other eleven tribes could not enter the temple itself, they had other sacred privileges. With regard to Israelite women during this time period:
(1) Women had access to the temple court area.
(2) Women donated jewelry (earrings, rings, bracelets, jewels of gold) for the maintenance of the temple and for the purchase of items to make the holy garments (see Ex. 35:21, 29).
(3) Women donated their mirrors, which were set in frames of brass, to the temple; the brass was utilized to build the laver of brass (see Ex. 38:8).
(4) Women spun textiles of blue, purple, scarlet and linen (see Ex. 35:25–26) for the priestly vestments as well as the curtains and veils.336
(5) A female could become a Nazarite, one who made sacred vows and was consecrated (Hebrew: Nazarite, “consecrated one”) before the Lord (see Num. 6:1–21). A Nazarite vow permitted non-priests to become consecrated and to have a role that is somewhat similar to that of a priest. At the conclusion of the period of the vow, the Nazarite was presented at the tabernacle, where she or he offered burnt, sin, and peace offerings (under the direction of a priest) together with a basket of unleavened bread and other items. The Nazarite then shaved her or his head at the door of the tabernacle, and burned the hair in the sacrificial fire.
(6) A mother could vow to make her child a Nazarite (see 1 Sam. 1:11–28).
(7) A woman could bring sacrifices to the temple (see 1 Sam. 1:24; Luke 2:24); and according to Rabbi Yisrael Ariel, women were “even obligated to slaughter the Passover offering, unless a family member does it instead. The women would accompany their sacrifices with prayer, confession, repentance, prostration and thanks to God for His kindnesses.”337
(8) Women made vows at the temple (see 1 Sam. 1:11).
(9) Women prayed at the temple (see 1 Sam. 1:10–13). On one solemn occasion many men of Judah, “with their little ones, their wives, and their children” (2 Chr. 20:1–13) gathered to the temple court to pray.
(10) According to ancient, non-scriptural sources, women sometimes entered the court of Herod’s temple to console others who were mourning, downtrodden, or seeking comfort at the temple.338
(11) Women, as well as men, brought firstfruits to the temple, presented them to a priest, and then worshipped the Lord (see Deut. 26:5–10;339 see also entry “Hannah, Anna, and Mary”).
(12) It was a matter of dispute whether or not women could lay their hands on the heads of sacrificial animals (see entry “Hands, Laying on of, on Sacrificial Animals”). Some early rabbinic authorities argued on their behalf while others ruled that they could not do so.340
(13) Women participated in the Passover, including going to the temple as well as partaking of the Passover offering.