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There is no doubt that the Bible is the most widely distributed book in human history. In 1995, the Guinness World Record reveals that over 5 billion copies of the bible have been sold, more than any other known book ever published.
The Bible, believed to be written by men who were inspired by God, contains several amazing stories, stories about creation, about talking animals, about a pregnant virgin, about the dead coming back to life, and so on.
As controversial as the stories above may seem, they are not the subject of this discussion. Instead, I write to address the too many biblical stories which portray women as villains, as architects of their husband's misdeeds.
Too many times, I fear, the Bible wants us to believe that women orchestrated some of the most notorious decisions and mistakes made by men. From the book of Genesis down to Revelation, we see several stories where the weaknesses and carelessness of men were blamed on women, wives. Since I do not intend to write a book, let us briskly consider some of these seemingly chauvinistic stories.
Why Did the Cursed Serpent Deceive Eve not Adam?
In the book of Genesis, the Bible tells us the beautiful story of creation, how the first man, Adam, was created and clearly instructed to never eat the forbidden fruit planted in the garden of Eden.
In weaving the intricate story of the fall of man, the Bible sets up Eve, Adam's wife, to be deceived by a talking serpent while Adam was away (probably drinking some beer). The poor woman would later go on to give the forbidden fruit to her husband.
The consequences of Eve's actions were disastrous, the Bible told us. Man would leave the garden of Eden and would forever have to labour before he feeds himself.
But an important question arises, why did the serpent spare Adam himself and went for Eve? Is Eve more gullible and naive? Let us go on.
Why Was Jezebel, not Ahab, Involved in the Death of Naboth?
In the book of 2Kings chapter 21 we see yet another interesting story about a king named Ahab whose lust for Naboth's vineyard became overwhelming.
Towards the middle of the story, we are told that Jezebel, Ahab's wife, wrote a deadly letter in the name of her husband seeking that Naboth should be executed.
However, a curious question arises, why does the narrator of the Naboth's story suddenly have to involve Jezebel in a murder resulting from her husband's greed? Why didn't Ahab, a king and perhaps warlord, take the decision himself? Let us go on.
Why Was Herod's Wife Interested in the Head of John the Baptist?
One might be tempted to think that these anti-women narratives can only be found in the Old Testament, but this is not the case.
The book of Mark 6:14-21, the Bible tells us the hair-raising story surrounding the death of John the Baptist. We were told that King Herod (who was brave and cruel enough to order the death of all male children during the birth of Jesus) ordered that John the Baptist should be beheaded and his head brought on a platter of gold.
However, the narrator fingers King Herod's inherited wife as the mastermind of the heinous act. We were told that Herod (murderer of children) was exceedingly sorry for his actions but went with the execution, nevertheless, because he had sworn to an oath.
A curious mind would wonder why a woman who had the option of seeking half of a prosperous kingdom would settle for the kinky, old head of John the Baptist. The answer is straightforward. The narrator, like the one we had in the book of Genesis, wants us to believe that a woman had a hand in the death of John the Baptist even though such narratives conflict with logic.
What do you expect when the hunter tells the story of the lion? .......self righteousness. Fallacies. Exaggerations.
Of the 66 books which made it to the bible, none is believed by any reputable scholar to be written by a woman. This is, perhaps, why the men, men who lived and wrote the bible under the climate of patriarchy, set up female characters to fill up the gaps of misdeeds carried out by men's greed and thoughtlessness. Of course, men would generally write to excuse themselves. Perhaps, this is the same reason why there is no single account of the Bible where a man misled a woman.
- Chinua Achebe, African all-time bestselling author.
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Nice work bro it makes sense... please upvote soni can increase my reputation
Hi @gandhibaba I have a different vision .
Among the many women whose imperishable records the Bible possesses there are a few who are conspicuous for their chaste and commendable characters. They are examples of womanhood at its best, and as nothing is said of any failure they might have had, it would seem as if theirs was “the white flower of a blameless life.” In fact, by way of comparison, the women of the Bible come out better than its men. It is satisfying to find very few despicable female characters portrayed in the pages of Holy Writ. In the last days and death of the Saviour, not one woman among those mentioned, acted in any harsh way, hurtful to Him who was born of a woman. Accustomed as they were to pain and sorrow they wept for Him.
The best Bible women are well worth the most careful study as they are the acknowledged trail-blazers for the larger freedom of thought and action.
The chapter on a virtuous woman (Proverbs 31) whose price is far above rubies, is a eulogy unsurpassed in classical or religious literature. In the original form it appears in acrostic form to render the portion more easy for committal to memory. Such a method is characteristic of some of the Psalms didactic in character (Psalms 25; 36; 37; 119). Mystical interpretations of the virtuous woman have been made to signify the law, the church, the Holy Spirit.
Books are not written about their true love, loyalty, sacrifice and uncomplaining days. These precious women are writing their history in the lives of those around them whom they love and serve. Although often weary in their task for theirs is no forty-hour week job they are never weary of their task. They spend their lives unknown by the world in the narrow circle of their home within which they labor unceasingly for God and others, but they will not lose their reward. God’s eye is upon them as they live out their lives in the orbit of His will amid all the cares, trials and sorrows of the home. One day, when the books are opened, their devotion will be commended by Him who sees and knows all.
Have a wonderful night
A hug
Wow! I so much love this.
You practically said all I have to say. Thank you
Hi dear @prechyrukky Thank you very much.
You Know that, the best kind of friends are those that enter your life, and help you to see a blue sky where before there was a cloudy sky. They are the ones that have so much faith in you that you start having faith in yourself. These are the friends we should be grateful for.
There’s nothing better than a good person. They can change your whole day. They can change your whole life.
Have a happy day
A big hug for you
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This is deep. But, don't be mistaken there are also very powerful women in the Bible like Deborah, Esther and so on. I don't think there's any place the Bible ever say women are always the villain. The world today knows women can be very deceitful. It's not about damaging reputation or that men aren't but, it's just the reality. I appreciate your views @gandhibaba
It's foolish to say that women are always the villains in the Bible. You could only find three.
Joseph's brothers sold him into slavery. There were 33 evil kings of Israel and Judah following Solomon. Dathan along with Ibiram and 250 Israelite leaders rose up against Moses and were all destroyed. Joshua and Israel killed 31 Canaanite kings. I could go on and on and on.
The Bible is clear why Herod's wife wanted John the Baptist killed.
(Matthew 14:3-11 NIV) Now Herod had arrested John and bound him and put him in prison because of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, {4} for John had been saying to him: "It is not lawful for you to have her." {5} Herod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of the people, because they considered him a prophet. {6} On Herod's birthday the daughter of Herodias danced for them and pleased Herod so much {7} that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked. {8} Prompted by her mother, she said, "Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist." {9} The king was distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he ordered that her request be granted {10} and had John beheaded in the prison. {11} His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl, who carried it to her mother.
The Bible is real history about real people, places, empires, etc. It details the sins of its heroes as well. Like King David having Uriah the Hittite killed to cover up his adultery with Bathsheba. Or Peter denying that he knew Jesus. Or Noah getting drunk and cursing his son. Or Moses killing the Egyptian who was mistreating his fellow Israelite.
Much of the New Testament is the testimony of eyewitnesses or those who talked to eyewitnesses.
(Luke 1:1-4 NIV) Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, {2} just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. {3} Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, {4} so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.
(2 Peter 1:16 NIV) We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
Paul talks about how many people saw the risen Christ.
(1 Corinthians 15:3-8 NIV) For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance : that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, {4} that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, {5} and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. {6} After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. {7} Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, {8} and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.
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In those stories that you tell, women are indeed the bad protagonists of the story, I could tell you many in which the perverse are men, then it would be to fall into a disjunctive and gender struggle.