4 Powerful Women in the Bible Every Christian Must-Know

Inspiring women who actually exceeded expectations.

Throughout the history of Christianity, men have always been in the spotlight. As for women, they have been someone who played their role in their family and never on a public level, but few women stood up and shifted this paradigm.

For the whole of Christianity's history, women had their spheres of influence in a patriarchal society, and only a few emerged above this patriarchal system. These handfuls of women surpassed all public expectations of Biblical times.

It was never easy to have an influence publicly, especially when the system was against you and the women who rose from this system never had an easy journey. A system favouring men and ignoring women made it very difficult for females to get a breakthrough.

Below listed are some of these women who occupied a position of power and influence, even when odds were against them.

These achievements were such that they were recorded Biblically in the history of Christianity.

1. Deborah, The Only Female Judge In the History Of Christianity

One of the women that the Bible talks about is Deborah — a prophetess and Israelites’ fourth judge. Interestingly, she is the only other person referred to in the Bible, both as a prophet and a judge.

Her story shows us that the Lord calls upon ordinary people to do extraordinary things that can only be accomplished if one has the will and the spirit to achieve greatness.

She is the only Biblical woman that emerged as an exceptional military leader, an obedient and fearless servant of God who led the Israelites to victory and out of the state of slavery.

Deborah marched with Barak, an Israeli army commander and an army of 10,000 against King Jabin’s general Sisera.

After her swift victory, her image in public was greatly improve, becoming one of the reasons for getting to the throne.

According to traditional Jewish Chronology, Deborah lived in the 12th century, and it is believed that her leadership lasted for about 60 years.

Throughout her long reign, she was appreciated and accepted both by the men of all ranks and women — a female ruling at a time when women had almost zero rights outside of her home.

Deborah being a ruler is nothing less than a miracle. Her story is a drastic departure from the standard Biblical theme, in which women are rarely placed in the role of a general or a warrior. These achievements rank Deborah among the great people mentioned in the Bible.

2. Judith A Courageous Beautiful Woman

The story of Judith is of a pious and godly woman who used her brain and her beauty to defeat the enemy of the Israelites, saving thousands of her people from being destroyed.

Judith travelled with her maid to the Assyrian camp, the enemy threatening the Israelites. She risked her life and went into the tent of their leader Holofernes.

While he was drunk and his head rested flat on the table, Judith took the opportunity to sever Holofernes head of his body using her sword.

She took care of the body and hid it somewhere in the tent while concealing and carrying the head of Holofernes out of the Assyrian camp.

Judith rushed to the town of Bethulia, a city which was threatened by the Holofernes’ force. As soon as she reached the gates of this Jewish town, she took out the severed head of Holofernes declared the Assyrian leader dead.

The Assyrian forces in the area were demoralized upon hearing the death of their leader, and thus the Israelites were protected from an onslaught.

3. The Foreign Queen Jezebel

Not all the women mentioned in the Bible are known for the good they did, but some are known for the wicked and evil — one of these women is Jezebel.

Jezebel was a daughter to a priest-king Ethbaal and the wife of an Israeli king Ahab. It is mentioned in the old testament that Jezebel was an idolator, and she even persuaded King Ahab to worship the rival God Baal.

The queen knew about her position and power, using it all to shape the country her way. She had so much influence that it is believed that she was the one ruling the Israelites even when the king was alive.

But even with all that influence and power, Jezebel paid the price of her actions with her life. Her body was thrown out of the window; the dogs fed on it.

4. The Israeli Liberated Queen Esther

A Jewish Queen of Persian King Ahasuerus, Esther was an example of courage, brain, humility and beauty. Esther risked her life selflessly for her people when they were on the verge of being obliterated.

Esther was a brilliant woman, and after being married to the king, she used her power and position to protect her people. Especially after learning about Haman’s plan, she hastened her efforts and devised a brilliant plan.

Haman planned to slaughter all the Jews in the kingdom, and upon realizing this, Esther convinced her husband, the king, to spare the lives of her people.

Upon meeting Esther, the king asked her about what she wanted. Esther asked the king to join her at the banquet that she had prepared, further requesting to bring Haman along.

The king accepted and while the king and Haman were at the feast, the queen secured her one wish from the king. She pleaded to let go her life and the life of her people.

The queen explained the king about she and her people being sold to be eradicated, massacred and decimated, and Haman being the real culprit.

The queen’s efforts were enough for the king to have a change of heart, and he ordered Haman to be killed for his actions and for his lands to be given to the queen — Queen Esther.

Final Words

Extraordinary women have constantly been challenged in setting boundaries for the sexes throughout the history of Christianity. These courageous women defied all odds and left a permanent footprint in history.

Women have proved their capabilities in all the fields, even those only reserved for men.

These women are someone we can look up to, and they confirmed that a woman’s role is not just to take care of the house and little ones but so much more than that.

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