Why aren’t there very many women in the Bible?
"Then Queen Esther answered, 'King Xerxes, I hope you will show me your favor. I hope you will be pleased to let me live. That’s what I want. Please spare my people. That’s my appeal to you'" (Esther 7:3).
"Here is what I’m asking Euodia and Syntyche to do. I [Paul] want them to agree with each other because they belong to the Lord. My true companion, here is what I ask you to do. Help those women. They have served at my side. They have helped me spread the good news" (Philippians 4:2-3a).
"I would like you to welcome our sister Phoebe. She serves in the church in Cenchrea. I ask you to receive her as one who belongs to the Lord. Receive her in the way God’s people should. Give her any help she may need from you. She has been a great help to many people, including me. Greet Priscilla and Aquila. They work together with me in serving Christ Jesus" (Romans 16:1–3).
The culture in Bible times was different than it is now.During Bible times, men were the leaders in society. The writers of the Bible were probably all men. This is why we don’t read about very many women in the Bible.
Many of the Bible stories tell about leaders, including kings and prophets. Most of these leaders (like Saul, David, and Solomon) were men. A few women led their people as judges (like Deborah), prophetesses (like Miriam) or queens (like Esther), but most leaders were men.
Other Bible stories tell about men God used to do great things (like Noah, Jonah, Abraham, and Moses) or who spread the gospel and began the early church (like Paul, James, and Timothy). But we also read about some women. These women spent time with Jesus (like Mary Magdalene), were used by God to do great things (like Abigail and Hannah) and some cared for early believers (like Priscilla and Phoebe).
Because there are very few women mentioned in the Bible, the ones who are included are very special. God made sure to include important women (like Ruth and Mary) in family trees made up of mostly men. This tells us God loves women just as much as he loves men. Both are very important in his plans!
