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Biblical stories help us to imagine the relationship of God with human beings. They give us words to describe our own relationship with God. The Bible contains a rich variety of women’s stories and their stories are food for our imaginations. We meet mothers and queens, prophets and warriors, powerful women and victims. Their stories can give us courage and insight.
This short course tells the stories of only some of these women in the Old Testament. It is hoped that the introduction to their stories will encourage participants to search for more biblical women and also to find the story of faith reflected in the stories of their own lives.
Introductory Reading
Genesis chapters 12; 15-17;18:1-15; 21-23.
Brian Purfield, Tools for Reading OT Stories, Notes for Private Use, London Jesuit Centre, April 2024.
For those who wish to read further
Nancy Klancher, The Biblical Mothers Deliver. The Chosen, The Saved & the Disavowed, Cascade Books, Eugene Oregon 2022, pp.10-17.
Joseph Blenkinsopp, “Hagar and Ishmael” in Abraham. The Story of a Life. William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, Cambridge UK 2015, pp.78-95.
Rebekah: Genesis 24; 25:19-34;26:6-11; 27:1-46.
Leah & Rachel: Genesis29:1-35; 30:1-43; 31:14-35; 35:16-20.
Brian Purfield, Rebekah, Leah& Rachel, Notes for Private Use, London Jesuit Centre, April 2024.
You may also wish to look at the story of Dinah (Gen 34:1-7, 24-31) & Tamar (Gen 38:6-30)
Questions for Reflection
1. Why did you choose to sign up for this course on Women in the Old Testament?
2. What do you hope to gain from your study of and reflection on the stories of Women in the Old Testament?
3. What do we learn from these women? What do we learn about the kind of people that God works through? What do we learn about the way that God works?
4. In response to God’s promise, Abram & Sarai left Haran & set out on their life journey. In what way is every Christian’s life a response to a promise from God? The letter to the Hebrews develops this theme; see 10:35-36; 11:8-16. How does your life bear the character of a trusting response to God’s promises? How should it?
5. Did you find anything unexpected, surprising or disturbing in this session? If so, explain what it was and why you found it that way.
Introductory Reading
Exodus1-2; 4:19-26; 15:1-21; 18:1-7; Numbers 12:1-16; 20:1; 27:1-11; 36:1-13; Joshua17:1-6; Micah 6:4.
Brian Purfield, The Birth of Moses, Notes for Private Use, London Jesuit Centre, April 2024.
Brian Purfield, Miriam Challenges Moses’ Religious Leadership (Numbers 17), Notes for Private Use, London Jesuit Centre, April 2024.
For those who wish to read further
Luis Alonso Schökel &Guillermo Gutiέerrez, Moses: His Mission. Biblical Meditations, St Paul Publications, Slough 1990, pp. 12-16.
Kadari, Tamar. “Jochebed: Midrash &Aggadah.” Shalvi/Hyman Encyclopedia of Jewish Women. 20 March 2009.Jewish Women’s Archive.
Kadari, Tamar. “Daughter of Pharaoh: Midrash& Aggadah.” Shalvi/Hyman Encyclopedia of Jewish Women. 27 February2009. Jewish Women’s Archive.
Kadari, Tamar. “Zipporah: Midrash &Aggadah.” Shalvi/Hyman Encyclopedia of Jewish Women. 27 February 2009.Jewish Women’s Archive.
Kimberley D. Russaw, Daughters in the Hebrew Bible. Lexington Books. Fortress Academic, London 2018, pp. 82-84.
Wilda C. Gafney, Daughters of Miriam. Women Prophets in Ancient Israel. Fortress Press, Minneapolis 2008, pp. 76-85.
Questions for Reflection
1. Without the women at the beginning of the Exodus story, we have no Moses. What trait(s) do the women in Exodus 1:1 – 2:10 have in common?
2. In Exod 1:17, what does the word “feared” mean? What was the midwives’ attitude towards God? Towards Pharaoh’s decree?
3. Why do you think Pharaoh’s daughter defied her father’s orders?
4. When Moses’ mother & sister placed him in the basket, they could do nothing more to save him; they could only trust God to act. What situation in your life might God be asking you to place trustingly in his hands?
5. Why do you think God carried out a seven-day punishment for Miriam (Num12:14-15)? Why didn’t he punish Aaron in the same way?
6. Did you find anything unexpected, surprising or disturbing in this session? If so, explain what it was and why you found it that way.
Introductory Reading
Judges4:1-5:31; 11:1-40; 1 Samuel 1-2; Book of Ruth.
Brian Purfield, Hannah and Penninah: Two Wives, Notes for Private Use, London Jesuit Centre, April 2024.
Brian Purfield, Three Widows: Orpah, Naomi & Ruth, Notes for Private Use, London Jesuit Centre, April 2024.
For those who wish to read further
Frymer-Kensky, Tikva & Caryn Tamber-Rosenau. “Deborah: Bible.” Shalvi/Hyman Encyclopedia of Jewish Women.23 June 2021. Jewish Women’s Archive.
Kadari, Tamar. “Deborah 2: Midrash &Aggadah.” Shalvi/Hyman Encyclopedia of Jewish Women. 20 March 2009.Jewish Women’s Archive.
Frymer-Kensky, Tikva & Caryn Tamber-Rosenau. “Yael: Bible.” Shalvi/Hyman Encyclopedia of Jewish Women.23 June 2021. Jewish Women’s Archive.
Kadari, Tamar. “Yael Wife of Heber The Kenite: Midrash & Aggadah.” Shalvi/Hyman Encyclopedia of Jewish Women.27 February 2009. Jewish Women’s Archive.
Lillian Klein. “Hannah: Bible.” Shalvi/HymanEncyclopedia of Jewish Women. 20 March 2009. Jewish Women’s Archive.
Kadari, Tamar. “Hannah: Midrash &Aggadah.” Shalvi/Hyman Encyclopedia of Jewish Women. 20 March 2009.Jewish Women’s Archive.
Phyllis Trible, “Ruth: Bible.” Shalvi/HymanEncyclopedia of Jewish Women. 20 March 2009. Jewish Women’s Archive.
Tamar Meir. “Ruth: Midrash &Aggadah.” Shalvi/Hyman Encyclopedia of Jewish Women. 20 March 2009.Jewish Women’s Archive.
Questions for Reflection
1. Have you seen the typical pattern of the Book of Judges – sin, punishment, crying out to the Lord, deliverance – played out in your own life?
2. Why does the Book of Judges view the characterisation “everyone did ashe saw fit” so negatively? To what sin or weakness does the expression point?
3. With all its gritty & gruesome tales, its less than heroic heroes,& its overt & ugly violence, does the Book of Judges still hold amessage that is worth hearing?
4. Jesus will later teach us to pray: “Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” In what ways is Hannah’s prayer a request that God’s name be hallowed, that God’s kingdom come, that God’s will be done?
5. Did you find anything unexpected, surprising or disturbing in this session? If so, explain what it was and why you found it that way.
Introductory Reading
Michal:1 Samuel 18:20-19:17; 2 Samuel 3:6-30; 6:1-23.
Bathsheba:2 Samuel 11:1-12:25; 1 Kings 1:1-2:25.
Tamar:2 Samuel 13:1-22.
Queen of Sheba: 1 Kings 10:1-13.
Jezebel:1 Kings 16:29-33; 18-19; 21; 2 Kings 9.
Brian Purfield, Tamar, Notes for Private Use, London Jesuit Centre, April 2024.
Brian Purfield, Queen of Sheba, Notes for Private Use, London Jesuit Centre, April 2024.
For those who wish to read further:
J. Cheryl Exum, “Michal: Bible.” Shalvi/Hyman Encyclopedia of Jewish Women. 20 March 2009. Jewish Women’s Archive.
Tamar Kadari. “Michal, daughter of Saul: Midrash & Aggadah.” Shalvi/Hyman Encyclopedia of Jewish Women. 20 March 2009. Jewish Women’s Archive.
Rachel Adelman, “Bathsheba: Bible.” Shalvi/Hyman Encyclopedia of Jewish Women. 23 June 2021. Jewish Women’s Archive.
Tamar Kadari. “Bathsheba: Midrash &Aggadah.” Shalvi/Hyman Encyclopedia of Jewish Women. 27 February 2009.Jewish Women’s Archive.
Athalya Brenner, “Jezebel: Bible.” Shalvi/Hyman Encyclopedia of Jewish Women. 20 March 2009. Jewish Women’s Archive.
Tamar Kadari. “Jezebel: Midrash &Aggadah.” Shalvi/Hyman Encyclopedia of Jewish Women. 20 March 2009.Jewish Women’s Archive.
Questions for Reflection
1. Did any one story attract your attention during this session? Did any words or phrases stand out for you?
2. Michal makes some life-changing choices: she chose to make sure that her father knew of her love for David, & she chose loyalty to her husband over loyalty to the king. This took great courage, for s he knew that her father’s reactions were erratic & what the consequences could have been for her. Have you ever found yourself pulled in two directions by conflicting loyalties or demands?
3. Bathsheba’s motives, intentions & desires are never revealed. She is seen only through the stories of the powerful men who surround her. What do you think of Bathsheba?
4. The rape of Tamar serves as a powerful reminder of the devastating impact of sexual violence & the importance of justice & compassion. It also sheds light on the complexities of relationships & power dynamics within families &society. What are your thoughts on Tamar’s story?
5. Solomon was a blessing to the queen of Sheba: his company uplifted, inspired & challenged her, changing her outlook. Think of people who do this for you. How do they accomplish this? How can we be those who bless others in this way?
6. Jezebel's name has come to symbolize traits such as wickedness, manipulation, & seduction, making it a symbol of female treachery & evil in popular culture. Her story serves as a cautionary tale in religious & moral contexts, illustrating the consequences of disobedience & idolatry. What lessons do you take from the story of Jezebel?
Introductory Reading
The Wisdom Woman: Proverbs 8-9; 31:10-31; Sirach 1; 24; 51; Wisdom 7-9.
Brian Purfield, Wisdom Literature, Notes for Private Use, London Jesuit Centre, April 2024.
For those who wish to read further:
· Judith:Judith 8-16.
· Susanna:Daniel 13.
· QueenEsther: Book of Esther.
Brian Purfield, Judith, Notes for Private Use, London Jesuit Centre, April 2024.
Toni Craven. “Judith: Apocrypha.” Shalvi/Hyman Encyclopedia of Jewish Women. 20 March 2009. Jewish Women’s Archive.
Brian Purfield, Susanna, Notes for Private Use, London Jesuit Centre, April 2024.
Jennifer A. Glancy. “Susanna: Apocrypha.” Shalvi/Hyman Encyclopedia of Jewish Women. 27 February 2009.Jewish Women’s Archive.
Brian Purfield, Queen Esther, Notes for Private Use, London Jesuit Centre, April 2024.
Sidnie White Crawford. “Esther: Bible.” Shalvi/Hyman Encyclopedia of Jewish Women. 23 June 2021. Jewish Women’s Archive.
Carey A. Moore. “Esther: Apocrypha.” Shalvi/Hyman Encyclopedia of Jewish Women. 20 March 2009. Jewish Women’s Archive.
Tamar Meir. “Esther: Midrash &Aggadah.” Shalvi/Hyman Encyclopedia of Jewish Women. 20 March 2009.Jewish Women’s Archive.
“Women in the OT”, annual St Catherine of Siena lecture given by Sister Diane Bergant CSA at Providence College, Rhode Island USA on April 27, 2010.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3U1Ak_I0IoM&pp=ygUaV29tZW4gaW4gdGhlIE9sZCBUZXN0YW1lbnQ%3D
Questions for Reflection
1. In what ways is Wisdom personified as a woman in the Book of Proverbs, the Wisdom of Solomon & in Sirach?
2. What is the main message of the Book of Judith?
3. What is the message of the story of Susanna?
4. What is the message of the Book of Esther for Christians today?
5. What will you take away with you from your participation in this course?
Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Week 5
Brian is a tutor in the theology stream. Originally from Birmingham, Brian studied philosophy and theology at the Gregorian University, Rome and later gained a Masters Degree in Franciscan Studies from St. Bonaventure’s University, New York. He has given retreats and courses throughout the UK and Ireland, North America, the Far East and Australia. He taught at the International Franciscan Study, Canterbury and at Campion House, Osterley before joining the Mount Street Jesuit Team when it began in 2004. Brian also taught at Heythrop College on the Foundation Degree in Pastoral Ministry. His particular interest is in opening up the Scriptures to people, young and old, at a level that they can understand and seek to apply to their daily lives. Brian is married to Deborah who works for CAFOD. They live in Buckinghamshire.
