Women Who Were...
The women of the Bible lived through many different experiences. Some waited years for answered prayers. Some struggled with doubt. Some were called to lead and speak God’s truth. Others faced hardship, loss, rejection, or difficult decisions.
By studying these women together, we can better understand how God works through every season of life and how their experiences continue to speak to us today.
Finding Common Threads
The women in these studies are grouped by experiences they shared. Although they lived in different places and times, many faced similar challenges and questions.
Some struggled with infertility. Some wrestled with trusting God. Some were called to leadership and ministry. Their stories remind us that faith is often shaped through real circumstances, real emotions, and real choices.
Women Who Were Infertile
Many women in scripture experienced the pain of infertility. They waited, prayed, hoped, and sometimes questioned God’s timing. Yet their stories reveal God’s faithfulness and remind us that His promises are not limited by human circumstances.
Through the lives of Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel, Hannah, Elizabeth, and Samson’s mother, we see women who trusted God during long seasons of waiting and ultimately witnessed His power at work.
Gen. 11:30; 15:4; 16; 21:1-3
Sarah, wife of Abraham
Her Circumstance:
She remained childless until old age
Her Reaction:
She gave her servant Hagar to Abraham to have a child and Ishmale was born
Her Outcomes:
Later God promised Sarah a child and Isaac was born
Genesis 25:21-26
Rebekah, wife of Isaac
Her Circumstance:
She was married 20 years before the conceived
Her Reaction:
She and her husband Isaac prayed fervently for a child
Her Outcomes:
God answered her husband Isaac’s prayers and twins Jacob and Esau were born
Genesis 29:31; 30:1-24
Rachel, wife of Jacob
Her Circumstance:
She was barren while her sister-wife had several sons
Her Reaction:
She was miserable in her infertility. She gave her servant Bilhah to her husband as a surrogate
Her Outcomes:
God answered Rachel’s prayers and she conceived Joseph and Benjamin
1 Samuel 1-2
Hannah
Her Circumstance:
She was taunted by her sister-wife Peninnah who had children
Her Reaction:
She prayed in the tabernacle and Eli the priest blessed her
Her Outcomes:
Her prayers answered she dedicated her son Samuel to God
Luke 1:5-25; 57-66
Elizabeth, wife of
Zachariah
Her Circumstance:
She was barren into old age
Her Reaction:
The angel Gabriel announced she would have a baby, but her husband did not believe she would.
Her Outcomes:
God fulfilled His promise and she gave birth to John the Baptist
Judges 13
Samson’s Mother
Her Circumstance:
She was childless but an angel came to her telling her she would have a son who would be a Nazarite
Her Reaction:
She followed the angel’s instructions about her prenatal diet
Her Outcomes:
Her son Samson was blessed by the Lord and he defeated the Philistines
Women Who Distrusted God
Even faithful people experience moments of doubt. These women struggled to trust God’s promises, timing, or direction. Their stories reveal what can happen when fear, uncertainty, or human reasoning takes control.
Yet their stories are also reminders of God’s mercy. Again and again, God continued working through imperfect people to accomplish His purposes.
Genesis 18:10–14
Sarah, wife of Abraham
Her Circumstance:
Sarah was ninety years old and had never been able to have children. When she overheard God telling Abraham that she would have a son within a year, the promise seemed impossible to believe.
Her Reaction:
She laughed to herself because she could not imagine having a child at her age.
Her Outcome:
God fulfilled His promise, and Sarah gave birth to Isaac the following year.
Genesis 25:23; 27:5–13
Rebekah, Wife of Isaac
Her Circumstance:
God revealed that her younger son Jacob would receive the greater blessing, even though custom favored the older son Esau.
Her Reaction:
Rather than waiting for God to accomplish His plan, Rebekah devised a scheme to help Jacob receive the blessing.
Her Outcome:
Jacob received the blessing, but the family suffered division, and later Jacob himself experienced deception.
Genesis 16
Hagar, Concubine of
Abraham
Her Circumstance:
After being sent away, Hagar found herself alone in the wilderness. There God met her and instructed her to return and trust His plan for her future and her son Ishmael.
Her Reaction:
She obeyed God’s instruction and returned to Abraham and Sarah, where she gave birth to Ishmael.
Her Outcome:
Though she later returned to the wilderness, God again provided for her and Ishmael, proving that He had not abandoned them.
Genesis 3
Eve, Wife of Adam
Her Circumstance:
The serpent questioned God’s command and challenged what Eve had been told about the forbidden fruit.
Her Reaction:
She listened to the serpent, doubted God’s instruction, ate the fruit, and gave some to Adam.
Her Outcome:
Sin entered the world, and humanity’s relationship with God was forever changed.
Job 2
Job's Wife
Her Circumstance:
Job suffered intensely as he endured painful sores and devastating losses.
Her Reaction:
In her grief and frustration, she urged Job to curse God and die.
Her Outcome:
Job remained faithful to God and reminded her that believers must accept both blessings and hardships. She continued to remain with him through his suffering.
Genesis 19
Lot's Wife
Her Circumstance:
God warned Lot and his family to flee Sodom and Gomorrah and not look back as the cities were destroyed.
Her Reaction:
While escaping, she looked back toward the city despite God’s clear instruction.
Her Outcome:
She was turned into a pillar of salt because she disobeyed God’s command.
John 11
Martha of Bethany
Her Circumstance:
Martha’s brother Lazarus became sick. She called for Jesus, but Lazarus died before Jesus arrived.
Her Reaction:
Although Jesus promised Lazarus would live again, Martha struggled to see beyond the reality of death and the tomb.
Her Outcome:
Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead and demonstrated His power over death itself.
Women Who Were Prophets
God called certain women to speak His truth, encourage His people, and help guide the nation of Israel. These women were entrusted with important responsibilities and used their voices to point others toward God.
Their lives demonstrate courage, wisdom, leadership, and obedience to God’s calling.
Exodus 15
Miriam
Her Circumstance:
Miriam was the sister of Moses and Aaron and witnessed God’s deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt.
Her Contribution:
She became the first woman called a prophet in the Bible and led the women of Israel in celebration after God parted the Red Sea.
Her Legacy:
Miriam used her voice to worship God and encourage His people during one of the most significant moments in Israel’s history.
Judges 4
Deborah
Her Circumstance:
Deborah served as both a prophet and a judge over Israel during a difficult period in the nation’s history.
Her Contribution:
God used her to deliver His message to Barak and direct Israel’s military campaign against the Canaanite army.
Her Legacy:
Deborah remains one of the strongest examples of leadership, wisdom, courage, and obedience among the women of the Bible.
2 Kings 22
Huldah
Her Circumstance:
King Josiah’s officials sought Huldah’s counsel after the Book of the Law was discovered in the temple.
Her Contribution:
She delivered God’s message of judgment and mercy, helping spark a national spiritual renewal.
Her Legacy:
Huldah’s faithfulness demonstrates the importance of speaking God’s truth with courage and clarity.
Luke 2
Anna
Her Circumstance:
Anna was a devoted widow who spent her days worshiping, praying, and serving in the temple.
Her Contribution:
When Mary and Joseph brought the infant Jesus to the temple, Anna immediately recognized Him as the promised Messiah.
Her Legacy:
Anna’s life reminds us that faithful worship and patient expectation prepare us to recognize God’s work when it appears.
Different Stories, One Faithful God
Each category reveals a different aspect of the human experience. Some women waited. Some doubted. Some led. Yet throughout every story, God remained faithful.
As you read these studies, consider what these women teach about your own journey of faith.