Challenge: Can you come up with the names of these 36 noteworthy females in the pages of Holy Scripture?
Clues to 36 women in God's story
1. Mary's sister (John 12:2)
4. A dealer in purple cloth who hosted Paul and his missionary team when they were in Philippi
(Acts 16:14, 40)
8. Sarah's servant and mother of Ishmael (Genesis 16:15)
10. Cuza's wife and supporter of Jesus (Luke 8:1-3)
11. This lady married Isaac and became the mother of Jacob and Esau (Genesis 24:67)
13. Sister and helper to Moses (Numbers 26:59)
14. Lady prophetess and judge (Judges 4:4)
16. Mother of Moses (Exodus 6:20)
19. One of those who cared for the needs of Jesus and His disciples (Mark 15:40-41)
20. Protected Israel's spies in Jericho (Joshua 2, 6:25)
21. One of three women whom Paul complimented by saying they "work hard in the Lord" (Romans 16:12)
24. Ananias' wife who sold a piece of property and lied about its sale price (Acts 5:1)
26. Timothy's grandmother (2 Timothy 1:5)
28. Samuel's mother (1 Samuel 1:20)
29. God used Peter to raise her from the dead (Acts 9:36-41)
32. Timothy's mother (2 Timothy 1:5)
34. Mother of King Solomon (2 Samuel 12:24)
1. An angel said to her, "Greetings, you who are highly favored" (Luke 1:27-28)
2. Prophetess in King Josiah's time (2 Kings 22:14)
3. Mother of Isaac (Genesis 21:3)
5. Younger daughter of Laban (Genesis 29:16)
6. Ruth's mother-in-law (Ruth 1:3-4)
7. Her daughter danced for Herod on his birthday (Matthew 14:6)
9. Queen who saved the Jews
10. Esau married her when he was 40 years old (Genesis 26:34)
12. Daughter of Saul and wife of David (2 Samuel 3:13-14)
15. The daughter of Potiphar who became Joseph's wife (Genesis 41:45)
16. She was with King Agrippa when Paul pleaded his case (Acts 25:23)
18. Samson fell in love with this treacherous woman (Judges 16:4)
22, She and her husband Aquila helped spread the gospel (Acts 18:2, 18, 26)
23. Mother of John the Baptist (Luke 1:57-60)
25. Daughter of Leah (Genesis 30:19-21)
27. Pgaul said she was a deacon or servant in the church at Cenchrea (Romans 16:1)
30. Elderly prophetess who rejoiced at the sight of Baby Jesus (Luke 2:36-38)
31. The older daughter of Laban (Genesis 29:16)
33. The mother of Cain, Abel, and Seth (Genesis 4:1-2)
-- Howard Culbertson.
The Bible, particularly in the New Testament, promotes principles of gender equality that challenge the traditional societal norms of its time. Jesus treated women with respect and dignity. He engaged with them as equals in a cultural context where they were often marginalized. Though sometimes interpreted as restrictive, the apostle Paul's writings contain passages that speak of mutual respect and partnership between husbands and wives. In his letter to churches in what is modern-day Turkey, Paul declares that "there is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus," Those words in Galatians 3:28 clearly argue for equality across all societal divisions.
Throughout biblical narratives, women like Deborah, Esther, Mary, and Priscilla are portrayed as strong, influential figures with agency and significance. While interpretations may vary, the Bible's "seeds of gender equality" have been used to campaign for justice and dignity for all individuals, regardless of gender.
W – Worthy vessels of grace, crowned with dignity and strength.
O – Ornaments of wisdom, reflecting God’s beauty and truth.
M – Mothers of faith, nurturing life with love and devotion.
E – Emboldened by God’s Spirit, walking in courage and compassion.
N – Noble in character, called to serve with gentle power.
Like acrostics? Here are more of them
