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Index of Women

To the reader: This index makes no attempt to list every woman mentioned in the Bible. Rather, it includes those who are portrayed as having an active role in the story of God’s relationship with his people or those from whom readers can learn about the lives of women at the time or in modern days. Women named in genealogies, greeted in letters, or mentioned in passing should not be considered less important because all we know about each one is her name.

Unnamed women are listed in one of two ways:

  1. 1. The most common way of referring to them in the notes and other modern resources. This is often a familial relationship or a place name, e.g., Manoah’s wife or the Shunammite woman.
  2. 2. A descriptor of their situation or story, e.g., Girl Possessed by a Demon or Widow Aided by Elisha.

Scripture references include complete stories, not just the specific verses in which the woman is named or mentioned. While the primary purpose of the index is as a reference tool, it can also be used as a study or reading guide, allowing the reader to explore previously unknown stories.

A

ABIGAIL, wife of Nabal, and afterwards of David

  1. 1 Sam 25
  2. 27:3
  3. 30:5

ABISHAG, ministers to David, cause of breach between Solomon and Adonijah

  1. 1 Kgs 1:1–4
  2. 2:13–25

ACSAH, won in marriage by Othniel

  1. Josh 15:16–19
  2. Judg 1:12–15

ANNA, A prophet

  1. Luke 2:36–38

ATHALIAH, seized the throne of Judah through murder

  1. 2 Kgs 8:26
  2. 11
  3. 2 Chr 22—23

B

BATHSHEBA, wife of Uriah, taken by David

  1. 2 Sam 11:1—12:25
  2. 1 Kgs 1
  3. 2:13–22

BELOVED/BRIDE, see Young Woman

BELSHAZZAR’S MOTHER, advised her son to consult Daniel

  1. Dan 5:10–12

BILHAH, Rachel’s servant

  1. Gen 29:29
  2. 30:3–7
  3. 35:22

C

CHOSEN LADY, recipient of the Second Letter of John

  1. 2 Jn 1

COZBI, a Midianite woman slain by Phinehas for leading Israel into apostasy

  1. Num 25:6–18

D

DAVID’S CONCUBINES, political pawns between David and Absalom

  1. 2 Sam 15:16
  2. 16:21–22

DEBORAH, a judge in Israel

  1. Judg 4—5

DELILAH, seduced and betrayed Samson

  1. Judg 16

DINAH, Jacob’s daughter, raped by Shechem

  1. Gen 30:21
  2. 34

DORCAS, see Tabitha

E

ELI’S DAUGHTER-IN-LAW, died in childbirth from sorrow

  1. 1 Sam 4:19–22

ELIZABETH, mother of John the Baptist

  1. Luke 1

ESTHER, became queen of Persia and saved the Jewish people from genocide

  1. Esth 1—10

EUODIA, a source of discord in the church in Philippi, with Syntyche

  1. Phil 4:2

EVE, the first woman

  1. Gen 2:21—4:2
  2. 2 Cor 11:3
  3. 1 Tim 2:13

EZEKIEL’S WIFE, her death was used by God as a message

  1. Ezek 24:15–27

G

GOMER, the prostitute wife of Hosea

  1. Hos 1:2–8
  2. 3:1–3

GIRL POSSESSED BY A DEMON, healed by Paul

  1. Acts 16:16–18

H

HADASSAH, another name for Esther

  1. Esth 2:7

HAGAR, Sarai’s (Sarah) servant; mother of Ishmael

  1. Gen 16
  2. 21:8–21
  3. Gal 4:24–25

HANNAH, barren woman blessed by God; Samuel’s mother

  1. 1 Sam 1—2

HERIODIAS

Herod’s wife; plans the death of John the Baptist

  1. Matt 14:2–12
  2. Mark 6:17–29

Herodias’ daughter; danced for Herod

  1. Matt 14:6–11
  2. Mark 6:22–28

HOGLAH, one of Zelophehad’s Daughters

HULDAH, Prophet during King Josiah’s reign

  1. 2 Kgs 22:14–20
  2. 2 Chr 34:14–28

I

ISAIAH’S WIFE, called a “prophetess” in many translations

  1. Isa 8:3

J

JAEL, kills Sisera, a Canaanite general

  1. Judg 4:17–22

JAIRUS’ DAUGHTER, daughter of a synagogue leader; healed by Jesus

  1. Matt 9:23–26
  2. Mark 5:22, 35–42
  3. Luke 8:41–42, 49–55

JEHOSHEBA, rescues the infant Joash from Athaliah

  1. 2 Kgs 11:2

JEPHTHAH’S DAUGHTER, sacrificed by her father

  1. Judg 11:29–40

JEROBOAM’S WIFE, consults a prophet about her son

  1. 1 Kgs 14:1–18

JEZEBEL

wife of King Ahab; promoted the worship of Baal

  1. 1 Kgs 16:31
  2. 18:4
  3. 19:1–2 21
  4. 2 Kgs 9:10, 30–37

a supposed prophetess, probably metaphorical

  1. Rev 2:20–23

JOANNA, One of Jesus’ disciples

  1. Luke 8:1–3 24:1–10

JOB’S WIFE, urges Job to curse God

  1. Job 2:9–10

JOCHEBED, mother of Moses

  1. Exod 2:1–3, 8–10
  2. 6:20
  3. Num 26:59

JUNIA, imprisoned for her faith

  1. Rom 16:7

L

LEAH, one of Jacob’s wives; Rachel’s sister

  1. Gen 29:16–26
  2. 29:31–35
  3. 30:9–21
  4. 31:4–18
  5. 33:1–7

LEVITE’S CONCUBINE, raped and murdered in the town of Gibeah

  1. Judg 19

LOT’S DAUGHTERS, offered to the men of Sodom; had intercourse with their father

  1. Gen 19:6–8
  2. 19:30–38

LOT’S WIFE, turned into a pillar of salt

  1. Gen 19:26

LYDIA, a merchant converted by Paul

  1. Acts 16:13–15, 40

M

MAHLAH, one of Zelophehad’s Daughters

MANOAH’S WIFE, visited by an angel; Samson’s mother

  1. Judg 13
  2. 14:3–4

MARA, the name Naomi gives herself

  1. Ruth 1:20

MARTHA, friend and disciple of Jesus (see also Mary)

  1. Luke 10:38–42
  2. John 11:1–44
  3. 12:2

MARY

mother of Jesus

  1. Matt 1:16–25
  2. 2:11–15
  3. Luke 1:25–56
  4. 2:1–24, 27–33, 39
  5. 2:41–51
  6. John 19:25–27
  7. Acts 1:14

friend and disciple of Jesus (see also Martha)

  1. Luke 10:38–42
  2. John 11:1–44
  3. 12:3–8

mother of James and Joseph (or “the other Mary”)

  1. Matt 27:56
  2. 27:61
  3. 28:1
  4. Mark 15:40–41, 47
  5. 16:1–8
  6. Luke 24:1–10

wife of Clopas

  1. John 19:25

hosted a prayer gathering, mother of John Mark

  1. Acts 12:12

MARY MAGDALENE, a member of Jesus’ inner circle of disciples

  1. Matt 27:56
  2. 27:61
  3. 28:1
  4. Mark 15:40–41, 47
  5. 16:1–11
  6. Luke 8:1–3
  7. 24:1–10
  8. John 19:25
  9. 20:1–18

MEDIUM OF ENDOR, summoned Samuel’s spirit for Saul

  1. 1 Sam 28:4–25

MERAB, Saul’s daughter

  1. 1 Sam 14:49
  2. 18:17–19

MICAH’S MOTHER, cast coins into an idol

  1. Judg 17:1–5

MICHAL, Saul’s daughter given to David in marriage

  1. 1 Sam 14:49
  2. 18:20–29
  3. 19:11–18
  4. 25:44
  5. 2 Sam 3:13–16
  6. 6:16–23
  7. 1 Chr 15:29

MILCAH, one of Zelophehad’s Daughters

MIRIAM, a leader of the Exodus; Moses’ sister

  1. Exod 2:1–8
  2. 15:20–21
  3. Num 12:1–15
  4. 20:1
  5. Mic 6:4

MOTHERS IN SOLOMON’S COURT, dispute over an infant

  1. 1 Kgs 3:16–28

N

NAAMAN’S WIFE’S MAID, an Israelite in Aram

  1. 2 Kgs 5:1–4

NAOMI, an Israelite widow; see also Ruth

  1. Ruth 1—4

NOAH, one of Zelophehad’s Daughters

NYMPHA, hosted a house church; greeted by Paul

  1. Col 4:15

O

OHOLAH, Samaria personified as a woman; see also Oholibah

  1. Ezek 23:1–10
  2. 23:36–49

OHOLIBAH, Jerusalem personified as a woman; see also Oholah

  1. Ezek 23:1–4
  2. 23:11–49

ORPAH, Naomi’s daughter-in-law

  1. Ruth 1:4–14

P

PENINNAH, Hannah’s co-wife

  1. 1 Sam 1:1–7

PETER’S MOTHER-IN-LAW, healed by Jesus

  1. Matt 8:14–15
  2. Mark 1:29–31
  3. Luke 4:38–39

PETER’S WIFE, accompanied Peter on his travels

  1. 1 Cor 9:5

PHARAOH’S DAUGHTER, adopted Moses

  1. Exod 2:5–10

PHOEBE, a deacon in the early church

  1. Rom 16:1

PILATE’S WIFE, told Pilate to release Jesus

  1. Matt 27:19

POTIPHAR’S WIFE, attempted to seduce Joseph

  1. Gen 39:6–19

PRISCILLA, a believer in Corinth; with Aquila, hosted Paul

  1. Acts 18:2–3
  2. 18:18
  3. 18:26

PUAH, a Hebrew midwife in Egypt, with Shiphrah

  1. Exod 1:15–21

Q

QUEEN OF SHEBA, visited Solomon in Jerusalem

  1. 1 Kgs 10:1–13
  2. 2 Chr 9:1–12

R

RACHEL, Jacob’s favorite wife; Leah’s sister

  1. Gen 29:9–31
  2. 30:1–8
  3. 30:14–24
  4. 31:4–19, 30–35
  5. 48:7

RAHAB, a prostitute in Jericho

  1. Josh 2
  2. 6:17, 22–25
  3. Matt 1:5
  4. Heb 11:31
  5. Jas 2:25

REBEKAH, Isaac’s wife; helped Jacob steal his brother’s blessing

  1. Gen 24
  2. 25:20–26
  3. 26:7–11
  4. 27:1–17, 41–46

REUEL’S DAUGHTERS, women of Midian helped by Moses; see also Zipporah

  1. Exod 2:15–20

RHODA, a servant girl

  1. Acts 12:13–16

RIZPAH, tended the corpses of her executed sons

  1. 2 Sam 3:7
  2. 21:8–14

RUTH, Naomi’s devoted daughter-in-law

  1. Ruth 1—4
  2. Matt 1:5

S

SALOME, mother of the apostles James and John

  1. Mark 15:40–41
  2. 16:1–8

see Herodias for Herod’s daughter

SAMARITAN MOTHER IN FAMINE, killed and ate her own son

  1. 2 Kgs 6:24–30

SAMARITAN WOMAN AT THE WELL, conversed with Jesus

  1. John 4:1–42

SAPPHIRA, a believer who lied about her assets

  1. Acts 5:1–11

SARAH, a mother of the faith; Abraham’s wife; see also Sarai

  1. Gen 17:15–19
  2. 18:1–15
  3. 20:1–18
  4. 21:1–10 23
  5. Isa 51:1–2
  6. Heb 11:11
  7. 1 Pet 3:5–6

SARAI, Abram’s wife; see also Sarah

  1. Gen 11:29–31
  2. 12:10–20
  3. 16:1–6
  4. 17:15

SERVANT GIRL(S) IN THE COURTYARD, accused Peter of being a follower of Jesus

  1. Matt 26:69–74
  2. Mark 14:66–72
  3. Luke 22:54–60
  4. John 18:16–18

SHALLUM’S DAUGHTERS, helped rebuild the Jerusalem wall

  1. Neh 3:12

SHEERAH, built two towns

  1. 1 Chr 7:24

SHIPHRAH, a Hebrew midwife in Egypt, with Puah

  1. Exod 1:15–21

SHUNAMMITE WOMAN, hosted Elisha in her home

  1. 2 Kgs 4:8–37
  2. 8:1–6

SUSANNA, one of Jesus’ disciples

  1. Luke 8:1–3

SYNTYCHE, a source of discord in the church in Philippi, with Euodia

  1. Phil 4:2

SYRO-PHOENICIAN WOMAN, Gentile healed by Jesus after asking for “scraps that fall” from the table

  1. Matt 15:21–28
  2. Mark 7:24–30

T

TABITHA, a charitable woman raised from death by Peter

  1. Acts 9:36–41

TAMAR

Judah’s daughter-in-law; tricked him into fathering a child

  1. Gen 38:6–30

daughter of David; raped by her half-brother

  1. 2 Sam 13:1–22

TEKOA, WOMAN FROM, convinced David to speak with Absalom

  1. 2 Sam 14:1–21

THEBEZ, WOMAN OF, killed Abimelech

  1. Judg 9:50–54

TIRZAH, one of Zelophehad’s Daughters

V

VASHTI, queen of Persia

  1. Esth 1

W

WIDOW AIDED BY ELISHA, saved from debt

  1. 2 Kgs 4:1–7

WIDOW GIVING AN OFFERING IN THE TEMPLE, poor woman giving her “two small coins”

  1. Mark 12:41–44
  2. Luke 21:1–4

WIDOW OF ZAREPHATH, hosted Elijah; her oil and flour never ran out

  1. 1 Kgs 17:8–24

WISE WOMAN OF ABEL, negotiates with Joab

  1. 2 Sam 20:14–22

WOMAN CAUGHT IN ADULTERY, saved from stoning by Jesus

  1. John 8:1–11

WOMAN HEALED ON THE SABBATH, healed by Jesus

  1. Luke 13:10–17

WOMAN OF EN-ROGEL, saved David’s life

  1. 2 Sam 17:17–20

WOMAN WHO ANNOINTED JESUS’ FEET, forgiven by Jesus; often misidentified as Mary Magdalene

  1. Luke 7:36–50

WOMAN WITH CONSTANT BLEEDING, healed by touching Jesus’ cloak

  1. Matt 9:20–22
  2. Mark 5:25–34
  3. Luke 8:43–48

Y

YOUNG WOMAN, the female member of a pair of lovers; sometimes referred to as the Bride or Beloved

  1. Song 1—8

Z

ZELOPHEHAD’S DAUGHTERS, won inheritance rights

  1. Num 26:33
  2. 27:1-8
  3. 38:1-12
  4. Josh 17:3-6

ZERESH, a Persian woman; Haman’s wife

  1. Esth 5:9–14
  2. 6:13

ZILPAH, handmaid to Leah and mother of two of Jacob’s sons

  1. Gen 29:24
  2. 30:9–13

ZIPPORAH, Moses’ wife; see also Reuel’s Daughters

  1. Exod 2:21-22
  2. 4:20–26
  3. 18:2–6
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