WOMEN IN THE BIBLE

Women in the Bible

Our parents are very fond of naming their girl children after women in the Bible. But do we know their backgrounds?

ABIGAIL –(meaning, my father's joy) 1060 BC she gave food to David against her landowner husband's (Nabal) wishes. Actually her marriage to Nabal, a much older man, was arranged by her family. (Some Filipino parents

misspell the name as Abegail.)

In our country, there are many women who are betrothed by their parents to men who have been chosen either because of wealth, debt or their wish for them to have a comfortable life. However, we must remember that love cannot be forced, no matter how long a couple stays together.

ANNA – (means favor or grace, from the name Hannah) a prophetess, ; lived with her husband for seven years from her virginity, became a widow till she was 84. She always prayed and fasted night and day at the temple. One time, she saw Mary and Joseph with baby Jesus inside the temple. She thanked god for having seen him and spoke of him to all who were looking for redemption of the Jews. (from Luke 2:36-38) (Some parents just write Anna with one “n.”

DELILAH – [meaning she who weakened (Samson)]Folks, I think you better read the Bible and find out who she is. Our political scenery is replete with constant mentioning of the name Delilah and her background is quite complicated. It is March 8 and I don't wish to add fuel to the fire.

(Judges 16)

DINAH – (Hebrew name meaning judged or vindicated) the daughter of Jacob by one of his less-loved wives Leah. While on a trip, she is seen by Shechem, the son of a local ruler. He rapes her. The offers to marry her but the sons of Jacob refuse, and they try to get even by killing hi cm and the many men in their tribe through a ruse – they tell him that he would be allowed to marry her if all the men would be circumcised. Shechem agreed; but on the third day, the brothers attacked and killed him and the men.

Accounts say that the opinion of Dinah was never consulted.

JUDITH –(means “woman of Judea”) a very beautiful, brave and scheming woman. She saved her God-fearing tribe from invasion by the forces of Nebuchadnezzar. She uses her allure to deceive the general, Holofernes. (The Book of Judith is part of the Apocrypha / Deuterocanonical scripture and appears in the Old Testament of Catholic Bibles.)

I had an English woman friend named Judith and she was a very strong woman. She married a guy with a different color from hers and they bore a son. To have a spouse with a different color from oneself could raise the eyebrows of ordinary citizens there in the UK.

PRISCILLA (PRISCA, formal; means ancient, venerable) – Taught about Jesus Christ at Ephesus. She was highly influenced by Paul ( Paul was a pioneer in the recognition of the function of women in Christian service – and the women of the time were ready to respond to the call of Christ.) She was the first in the list of loyal advocates of Paul. She and her husband Aquila used their home for spreading the life and word of Christ. (in Acts, Romans, 1 Corinthian, and Timothy)

We had a Filipino sexy star by the name of Priscilla Almeda way back in the 90's.

NAOMI – (means pleasant) the mother-in-law of Ruth. Naomi had an uncanny way of linking up couples. She was able to bring Boaz, a rich man to marry Ruth. (Book of Ruth)

Our Pastora in the choir is named Naomi, and she is very knowledgeable about the Bibl(e and inspiring in making people become believers in Christ and God.WO