Unveiling the Mysterious Women of the Bible

Sisera's Mother

Sisera's mother is mentioned only once in the Bible, in the Song of Deborah. Sisera was an army commander under King Jabin of Hazor and was defeated in battle with Israel.

In Judges, chapter 5, it states: "Out of the window she peered, the mother of Sisera gazed through the lattice: 'Why is his chariot so long in coming? Why is the clatter of his chariots delayed?' The wisest of her ladies answer her, indeed, she keeps saying to herself, 'Are they not finding and dividing the spoils: a girl or two for each man, colorful garments as plunder for Sisera.'"

Micah's Mother

The Book of Judges recounts an event involving a man from Mount Ephraim named Micah, who built a home shrine. In those days, during the time of Cushan-Rishathaim, Micah stole a hundred silver pieces from his mother. Unaware of the thief's identity, she cursed the thief. Upon hearing his mother's curse, Micah returned the money, and she blessed him. His mother dedicated two hundred silver pieces to craft an idol and a graven image. Thus, Micah's house became a place of idol worship, and the idol was known as 'Micah's idol.'

Jabez's Mother

In Chronicles (I, 4:9-10), it's told that Jabez's mother chose his name, explaining, "I gave birth to him in pain." It states: "Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother named him Jabez, saying, 'I gave birth to him in pain.' Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, 'Oh, that you would bless me, enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.' And God granted his request."

Lot's Wife

Lot's wife is mentioned in the Book of Genesis. Tradition ascribes her the name "Irit" or "Edith." As God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah for their sins, He spared Lot and his family, sending two angels to guide them out. The angels warned them not to look back, yet Lot's wife did and turned into a pillar of salt.

Manoah's Wife

Manoah's wife, the mother of Samson, is mentioned in Judges as being barren. An angel appeared to her in the field, annunciating that she would bear a son who would become a Nazarite to God from the womb. The angel instructed her: "Be careful not to drink wine or other fermented drink and not to eat anything unclean." Though her name is not explicitly mentioned, the Talmud in Baba Batra (91a) indicates that her name was "Tzelalponi."

Job's Wife

Mentioned briefly in the Book of Job (2:9), Job's wife speaks only six words to her husband. When Satan challenges Job's faith, God allows Satan to test Job, including urging his wife to tempt him. Amidst their trials, she says, "Are you still maintaining your integrity? Curse God and die!" Job responds, "You talk like a fool. Should we accept only the good from God and not trouble?"

The Shunammite Woman

Elisha, the devoted disciple of Elijah the prophet, arrives in Shunem, where a "great woman" provides him with hospitality. Recognizing Elisha's holiness, she builds him a small room to rest during his visits. In gratitude, Elisha asks what he can do for her. She replies, "I dwell among my people"—indicating she needs nothing. However, Elisha’s servant, Gehazi, points out the woman is childless. Elisha prophesies: "About this time next year, you will hold a son in your arms," and indeed, she has a son.

Bath-shua

Bath-shua is Judah son of Jacob's wife. After Joseph was sold by his brothers, Judah distanced himself from them and married Bath-shua. In Genesis (38:2), it says, "There Judah met the daughter of a Canaanite man named Shua. He married her and made love to her," and she bore him three sons: Er, Onan, and Shelah.

Daughters of Jethro

Jethro, a priest of Midian and a former idolater, eventually came to renounce all other gods, encouraging his townsfolk to select another priest. Because his townsmen ostracized him, his daughters tended his flocks. As Exodus (2:16) tells us: "Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters. They came to draw water and fill the troughs to water their father's flock." When Moses fled to Midian to escape Pharaoh, he saved Jethro's daughters from shepherds at a well, and later, one daughter, Zipporah, married Moses.

Daughters of Zelophehad

During the journey in the desert, close to the Israelites' entry into the Promised Land, Zelophehad of the tribe of Manasseh dies, leaving five daughters: Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. They fear losing their family's land inheritance, so they appeal to Moses for a portion in the Holy Land. In Numbers, it states: "They came forward and stood before Moses and Eleazar the priest, the leaders, and the whole assembly at the entrance to the tent of meeting and said, ‘Our father died in the desert...’" God tells Moses, "What Zelophehad's daughters are saying is right. You must certainly give them property as an inheritance among their father’s relatives and give them their father’s inheritance." Their request leads to the establishment of a new statute: if a man dies with no sons, his daughters inherit his land in Israel.

Daughters of Job

Job, described in the Bible as a man of integrity and righteousness, faces severe trials but remains faithful to God. After enduring hardships, God restores Job's wealth and status, doubling what he had lost. He later has seven sons and three daughters. Job's daughters are noted for their beauty, and their names are Jemimah (the eldest), Keziah (the second), and Keren-Happuch. The Bible mentions, "In all the land, no women were as beautiful as Job's daughters, and their father granted them an inheritance along with their brothers."

Jephthah's Daughter

Jephthah, one of Israel's judges, leads his people against the Ammonites. Before battle, he vowed to Hashem: "If you give the Ammonites into my hands, whatever comes out of my house to meet me when I return in triumph will be the Lord's, and I will sacrifice it as a burnt offering." Tragically, his daughter, his only child, greets him with timbrels and dances. Heartbroken, Jephthah tells her of his vow. Scripture and commentators debate her fate—whether she was sacrificed or dedicated a secluded life without marriage.

Pharaoh's Daughter (Moses' Time)

Bithiah, Pharaoh's Daughter, was Pharaoh's daughter who raised Moses in the Egyptian palace, giving him his name. Despite many names Moses had, the Torah uses the one given by Bithiah. According to tradition, Bithiah did not perish in the plague that claimed all firstborn in Egypt, due to Moses' prayer. Furthermore, Jewish lore includes Bithiah among those who entered paradise alive.

Pharaoh's Daughter (Solomon's Time)

Solomon had many wives, including Pharaoh's Daughter. Although her given name isn't recorded, she is referred to as "Pharaoh's Daughter," implying Solomon's alliance through marriage to Pharaoh's daughter, which is noted in 1 Kings (1:3): "Solomon made an alliance with Pharaoh king of Egypt and married his daughter." The significance of this marriage is further detailed in various interpretative texts.