Chapter 24
Ten Most Influential Women of the Bible
In This Chapter
Looking at the influence of matriarchs
Understanding the influence of brains and beauty
T his chapter looks at the women in the Bible who were most influential. Some of them, through their actions, provided a direct and obvious influence, but others were influential in a more indirect way. No matter what the case, these women altered salvation history, and their stories continue to be told.
Eve
The first woman of the human race is certainly one of the most influential women of the Bible because she is considered “mother of all living” (Genesis 3:20). Eve (discussed in depth in Chapter 5) is considered to be of influence on mankind in two ways:
Spiritually, Eve and her husband, Adam, are the prototype human beings who represent all humankind — for better or for worse.
Physically, according to the Bible, all human beings descend from one woman — Eve.
The original rebel
When Eve disobeys God and eats the forbidden fruit — and her husband does likewise — their rebelliousness becomes what Christians historically call original sin or the sin of Adam and Eve. Because Eve was the first woman representing all human beings, the Bible tells us that Eve’s sin also becomes ours, and all humans suffer the same punishment and guilt she did. This infamous credit also goes to Adam, the first man, because he disobeyed God (by eating the forbidden fruit) as much as Eve did.
So Eve influences human nature by scarring it from the beginning, but humans make matters worse by committing their own sins. Theologians have speculated for centuries about what would have happened if our first parents hadn’t sinned. Without original sin, a Redeemer or Savior wouldn’t have been necessary. So the big question that many religious scholars debated in the Middle Ages was whether Christ would have come to earth if there had been no first sin. This great mystery has never been resolved.
She has a lot of kids
Many people speculate that Eve is the universal mother of the human race, not just spiritually but also naturally. Mitochondrial DNA (something every human being has) studies have shown that every man, woman, and child who lived, is living, or will live, is related to and descended from one human female that scientists affectionately call Eve. Studies like these may help to show that all people actually do belong to one global family of humankind.
As the first source in humanity’s gene pool, Eve (with Adam) passed to her descendants traits such as two hands, two arms, two legs, two feet, two eyes, two ears, and so on. She helped give everyone who came after her the biological capability of walking upright, speaking, using tools, thinking and reasoning, reading and writing, and so on. Had Eve breathed water rather than air, you and I would be living in the sea instead of on dry land. Her digestive, circulatory, and respiratory systems and all five senses were bequeathed to us as a biological inheritance.
Sarah
Sarah (formerly called Sarai), the wife of Abraham (formerly called Abram), is looked upon as influential in two ways:
She was one of the first matriarchs of the Hebrew religion. Not only is she the mother of Isaac, the grandmother of Jacob (later known as Israel), but she is the great-grandmother of his 12 sons (who gave their names to the 12 tribes of Israel).
She is considered the spiritual mother of the Hebrew religion just as her husband, Abraham, is the father in faith. Followers of other religions, including Christianity and Islam, also see Sarah as having influenced their beliefs for the better.
Matriarch matters
Through Sarah and Abraham and their descendants, the Hebrew nation was established, as well as a dynasty that included the likes of King David and King Solomon. She is part of the covenant between God and the Jewish people. Born Sarai, she is the only woman in the Bible whose name is changed by God (to Sarah), just as her husband’s name was changed (from Abram to Abraham), a sure sign of her significance and influence. Although she is barren for most of her adult life, in her twilight years God blesses her with a son, Isaac, who becomes one of the founding ancestors of Judaism.
Respect from the religions
Sarah (see Chapter 9) is influential in the three monotheistic religions of the world: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Judaism owes a debt of gratitude to Sarah for her role in establishing the Hebrew faith, and Christians are equally appreciative. Because Jesus also comes from her lineage, Sarah has influence over Christianity. The Christian Messiah was a Jew and came from the Hebrew faith, as did his early followers. So Sarah is revered as a holy woman by Christians and by Jews.
Sarah even influenced the Islam religion. That’s because in her barren years, she requests that Abraham sire a child with her maidservant, Hagar. Although her choice to promote an Arabic (Egyptian) servant as surrogate mother wasn’t an easy one, she fears that her husband will have no one to establish the dynasty if she can’t have a child. Later, after Isaac is born, bad blood develops between these women, and Sarah requests that Hagar and her son, Ishmael, be exiled. That unfortunate turn of events allows Ishmael to establish his own dynasty, separate from the Hebrew one of Isaac. Muslims (followers of the religion of Islam established by the Arab prophet Mohammed in AD 610) see themselves as children of Abraham via the Ishmaelites.
Although her actions were unintentional and not altruistic, Sarah still influences Islam by being the catalyst that results in Abraham’s fathering a son with an Egyptian servant. Sarah’s initial suggestion that her maidservant Hagar have a child (Ishmael) with Abraham started a chain reaction of events that influenced the future.
Rebekah
Rebekah, the wife of Isaac, has influence much like her mother-in-law, Sarah:
Rebekah, like Sarah, is also considered a matriarch — in her own right — with influence over those around her.
Though her intentions are questionable, Rebekah also influences salvation history by helping her younger son, Jacob, cheat her elder son, Esau, of his birthright. Without her assistance, the 12 sons of Israel wouldn’t have become the foundation of the Hebrew religion, because the lineage (and covenant, the sacred oath between God and the Hebrew people) would have gone through Esau instead of his younger twin.
Rebekah disguises Jacob so he can impersonate Esau and fool the elderly Isaac into giving the birthright to the younger son. Had she not interfered, the sons of Esau would have established the dynasty rather than the sons of Jacob. They could have been Edomites (Edom was the son of Esau) rather than Israelites (Israel was the new name God gave to Jacob), and such influence is not negligible. Although the name of the Hebrew nation (Israelite or Edomite) may not be critical, the actual lineage is absolutely important. It is through Jacob (Israel) and his descendants that King David and ultimately Jesus of Nazareth would come, not through Esau and his son Edom.
Tamar
Tamar is influential in that she is an integral part of the ancestry of King David and, ultimately, Jesus the Messiah. Her significance, however, is also due to her perseverance and her intelligence, which allows her to outwit her father-in-law, Judah. (See Chapter 9 for the story of Tamar.)
Tamar is important for two reasons:
Her maternal abilities (and wants) help to continue the lineage that will lead to Christ himself. Her influence goes beyond her biological reproduction capabilities, however.
The difficult choices she makes influence how the lineage continues. She uses her smarts and guts, thereby eventually changing history.
Her first husband, Er, dies before they have any children. Then, according to custom, she marries his brother, Onan. Unfortunately, he dies just as suddenly — well before any little ones arrive. Only one brother, Shelah, is left, but he is too young to marry at the time.
Tamar patiently waits as her biological clock ticks. She’s in a difficult situation. People in those days depended on their adult sons and daughters to care for them in their old age. Judah, the father of three sons, had promised Tamar his last son when he was of age. But Judah doesn’t fulfill his promise. Tamar is left childless and also a widow two times around. Her fate is bleak until she outsmarts her father-in-law. Pretending to be a prostitute, she lays a trap for Judah, who sleeps with her, thinking she is a common harlot.
After his visit, she wisely keeps some of his personal belongings. And after she discovers she’s pregnant, she uses his possessions as proof that he is the father. Tamar’s plan works, and Judah owns up to his responsibilities. Twins Perez and Zerah are born, the first being a direct ancestor of King David and of Jesus as well.
Bathsheba
Bathsheba (discussed in Chapter 16) is influential for several reasons.
Her tremendous beauty catches the lustful eye of King David.
Her complicity in adultery leads to her illicit pregnancy, which becomes a catalyst for the king, who is her lover, to plot the death of her husband.
Although her first child dies, she has another son after becoming the legitimate wife of King David — a son none other than the wise King Solomon.
She inadvertently exposes the plot of Solomon’s half brother, Adonijah, to usurp the throne after King David’s death. Thus, she eliminates him and secures the crown for her son, Solomon, once and for all.
Second time’s a charm?
Bathsheba is both gorgeous and brilliant, and although she’s no saint, she’s not a demon, either. The Bible doesn’t reveal what, if anything, she knew of David’s successful scheme to have her first husband, Uriah, bumped off while in battle. But it’s certain that Bathsheba’s very presence and beauty are influential on King David, and her later agreement to commit adultery and her subsequent pregnancy lead the king to plot the murder of her first husband. Bathsheba also influences her dying second husband, King David, by making him keep his pledge that their son, Solomon, will become his successor as king of Israel, despite Adonijah’s attempted seizure of the throne.
Mother to a king
Bathsheba has a great influence on her second son — Solomon — as she raises him, and he becomes the wisest man on earth. Bathsheba finally seals Solomon’s fate when Adonijah tries to use her to get Solomon to give over Abishag, the former concubine of David. By making this bizarre request to Solomon on behalf of Adonijah, Bathsheba thus reveals (perhaps unintentionally) the never-ending scheming of Solomon’s half brother to steal the crown.
Bathsheba protects the lineage from King David, her husband, to King Solomon, her son, and through Solomon the line will continue to Jesus of Nazareth. Even though the kingdom will divide into two separate kingdoms — Israel and Judah — Bathsheba’s influence to preserve the dynasty is still successful. Unfortunately, she isn’t able to prevent her son in his later years from breaking the law of God and becoming an idolater, worshipping the false gods of his many wives. She does, however, keep Solomon on the throne, and according to the Bible, that’s enough to continue God’s plan for his people.
Miriam
Miriam, the sister of Moses, affects history in a number of ways. Despite her imperfections, her influence is positive, and she ultimately emerges as a faithful servant of the Lord. Her participation in the life of her brother Moses is influential from beginning to end, which, in turn, changes the history and lives of the Hebrews. (For more details about Miriam, check out Chapter 10.)
Her brother’s keeper
She is sent by her mother to guard the infant Moses as he makes his journey down the Nile River. After the daughter of Pharaoh discovers Moses, Miriam persuades the princess to have the baby nursed by a Hebrew woman — Moses’ own mother, Jochebed — although the princess remains unaware that she is turning the baby over to his rightful mother.
The good and the bad of it
Miriam also influences the Hebrews in two ways (by doing good, as well as by showing her rebellious side) during the Exodus — when the Jews leave the bondage of slavery to escape across the parted Red Sea. Miriam, the prophetess, is able to persuade the fleeing Israelites to joyfully and faithfully obey and follow her brother Moses, who is leading the Chosen People from Egypt into what ultimately becomes the Promised Land. When the people are wandering in the desert, she and brother Aaron complain that Moses has too much power. Her prideful act of rebellion results in a brief state of leprosy, but her sin and its consequence show others the repercussions of mutiny. She is cured when Moses prays to God on her behalf after her brief period of shame.
Zipporah
Zipporah, a daughter of Jethro and wife of Moses, is another influential woman of the Old Testament (see more about her in Chapter 10). Zipporah catches Moses’ eye as he heroically protects her and her six sisters from a bunch of thugs who are harassing them. She soon becomes Mrs. Moses.
Sibling (in-law) rivalry
Zipporah may have indirectly influenced Aaron and Miriam, who complained that she was a foreigner (specifically an Ethiopian). Whether or not she was Ethiopian (the jury is still out), the Bible suggests that Zipporah could have been the scapegoat that Miriam and Aaron needed in their attempted coup against the authority of Moses. Zipporah was perhaps the unknowing and inadvertent catalyst that incites Miriam and Aaron to rebel against their brother. But instead of staging a successful mutiny, Miriam and Aaron fail in their attempted overthrow, resulting in punishment (Miriam’s temporary leprosy) and thus probably discouraging future attempts by other Hebrews to oust Moses.
She’s good with a knife
Zipporah’s greatest influence probably stems from her actions in Exodus 4 — actions that change the course of history for Moses. Because Moses has not circumcised his son, he offends God so much that the Lord is about to smite him (the biblical way of eliminating a problem). Zipporah saves the day by circumcising their boy herself and throwing the foreskin at the feet of Moses. Whether Moses had inadvertently neglected doing this procedure or intentionally refrained from doing it, circumcision was nevertheless the sign of the covenant (the sacred oath between God and the Hebrew people).
Zipporah’s action is so influential that it actually saves Moses’ life that day, enabling him to continue on to Egypt, confront Pharaoh, and secure the release of all the Hebrew slaves.
Rahab
Rahab, the town prostitute of Jericho, gets a spot on the most influential list for hiding the spies of Joshua in the city of Jericho. As these agents are gathering intelligence on the town’s defenses before going into battle, their presence is revealed. Rahab gives them safe passage on the condition that she and her family will be spared when the Israelites attack the next day.
Faith influences her actions; she realizes that the God of the Israelites is the true God and that his people would conquer Jericho. Rahab’s bravery in hiding these notorious fugitives (if they had been discovered, it would have meant certain death for her) influences the outcome of the Hebrews’ battle at Jericho, helping secure their journey into the Promised Land. Rahab also influences salvation history by marrying Salmon. Their son, Boaz, is the great-grandfather of King David. Thus, she saves the Israelites through her act of courage and secures the lineage through her marriage to a Hebrew man. We discuss Rahab in greater detail in Chapter 10.
Hagar
Hagar, the maidservant to Sarah and the concubine to Abraham, makes the cut of influential women because she gives Abraham his first son. Although Hagar (discussed in Chapter 15) gives Abraham a healthy boy, Ishmael, she also begins to treat Sarah rudely. Sarah reacts by abusing Hagar right back.
After Sarah gives birth to her own son, Isaac, her patience wears thin with Hagar. Sarah convinces Abraham to send Hagar and Ishmael into the desert as exiles. God, however, spares them and assures Hagar that her son will be the father of his own nation, the Ishmaelites. Her influence as a matriarch to these people — today called the Muslims — is vast, because they now regard her as an ancestor of their prophet, Mohammed.
Virgin Mary
Mary, the mother of Jesus, is a highly influential woman of the Bible. Not only does she give birth to the Christian Savior and Messiah, but she also provides a great example of Christian discipleship. (We devote all of Chapter 6 to a discussion of Mary.)
The example’s been set
Her influence begins as she reacts to the angel Gabriel’s news that she will soon become a mother, despite the fact that she is a virgin. The heavenly messenger assures her that she’ll conceive by divine — not human — intervention. After Mary finds out that the Holy Spirit will overshadow her (she will conceive by the power of God and without the cooperation of a human father) and the child she is to mother will be called holy, the Son of God, she gives a reply that influences countless future generations: “Be it done unto me according to your word” (see Luke 1:38, King James Version). These can be considered the best words spoken by any disciple of the Lord; she is basically saying let it happen as God wills (and not her will), a sentiment of many people who practice their faith. Although she could have said no — like Eve did in response to God’s request — she instead places herself into the service of God by submitting to his will.
Mary also influences future disciples by her example of humility. Even though she is to be the mother of the Savior, as soon as she learns that her elderly cousin, Elizabeth, is with child, she goes in haste to be of service to her. Rather than stay home and take care of herself now that she is pregnant, Mary instead puts her cousin Elizabeth first; Elizabeth’s needs outweigh Mary’s wants, at least in Mary’s heart. Her example of putting others first serves as an inspiration to all Christians as to what it means to be a disciple today.
Mother knows best
Mary also influences her son, Jesus, as most mothers do. Although he is divine in nature, he is also human. That means that he has to learn how to walk, talk, and tie his shoes, and guess who taught him: mom.
During Jesus’ adult life, Mary influences her son, even if only with a nudge. At the wedding feast of Cana, Mary is the one who mentions to Christ that the wine is all gone. Who but a mother would notice such a detail? Her request is followed by Jesus’ first public miracle, turning gallons of water into vintage, premium wine. After this event, mother and son no longer lead a quiet life, and Jesus begins his public ministry, teaching and preaching for the next three years. Mary’s influence is also expressed at the foot of Calvary as Jesus is dying on the cross on Good Friday. Right before he dies, Jesus tells the Apostle John (also known as the Beloved Disciple), “Here is your mother” (John 1:27), and to Mary he says, “Woman, here is your son” (John 19:26). As his last will and testament of sorts, Jesus leaves his most precious possession, his mother, to the care of John the Apostle, the one whom he loved as a best friend. Some biblical scholars believe that John also represents the Christian church in that the personal relationship Jesus had with his mother would now extend to his mystical body, the Church. Sometimes, you can’t do anything for the ones you love, especially when they’re suffering and you are powerless and helpless, unable to offer any relief. Yet your very presence often is enough in these situations. Likewise, Mary could say or do nothing to lessen the agony of her son, Jesus, but her mere presence at the cross when he needed her most is appreciated and influences Jesus to entrust his mother to John and through him to the entire church.
Pious and always present
Mary is also present, along with the apostles, at the descent of the Holy Spirit 50 days after the Resurrection of Jesus, an event called Pentecost. She is the only one who already “knows” the Holy Spirit, because it was by this power that she conceived a child without the biological cooperation of any human father. The one biological connection to Jesus is his mother, Mary, and the apostles stay close to her at least from the death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus until the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Remember, the apostles didn’t have any photos of Jesus to help them remember him, but they had his mom, who reminded them of her son.
Mary is also believed to have influenced Luke, the gospel writer. Because he wasn’t one of the original 12 apostles, and because his gospel contains much information about her, scholars believe that Luke may have gotten his information directly from her. Jews and Christians consider scripture to be the revealed Word of God, so Christians consider anything and everything Luke wrote in his gospel to be inspired. Luke based some of his writings on what he learned from the mother of Jesus, who thus made an important contribution to Luke’s work as an evangelist (gospel writer). What he in turn wrote influenced those who read and preached those same words in the years (and centuries) to come.
Paint me a picture
Even after her death, Mary’s influence in the early and medieval church is enormous. No other woman is the subject of as many poems, hymns, sculptures, paintings, and other artistic works. She influenced thousands of artists, poets, musicians, and theologians over the past two millennia. Medieval and renaissance artists did more than simply depict or represent the Virgin Mary as the subject in their works. They often sought to also honor her as sons and daughters might try to honor their own earthly mother.
Although Jesus remains the central and essential person of salvation for Christians, the mother of Jesus for centuries has had a special place in the hearts of many poets, authors, composers, and painters. The plethora of different images, poses, and titles of Mary found in these works of art can boggle the imagination. For more on Mary’s presence in the world of art, see Chapter 23.