The Woman's Bible: A Classic Feminist Perspective

by Elizabeth Cady Stanton

The publication of The Woman's Bible in 1895 and 1898 represented the last crusade of pioneer feminist Elizabeth Cady Stanton to strike at the roots of the ideology behind her gender's subordinate role in society. In the tradition of radical individualism that guided her philosophy, Stanton's attack on religious orthodoxy is more a forceful political treatise than a scholarly work.
This clarion call to action, assembled by Stanton and a committee of prominent feminists, consists of a book-by-book examination of the Bible, placing events in their historical context, interpreting passages as both allegory and fact, and comparing them with the myths of other cultures. Over a century later, it endures as an extraordinary document because of the questions it addresses, the topics it covers, and the still-resonant sincerity of its righteous indignation.
Readers with an interest in theology, women's studies, or American history will find this milestone of religious and feminist literature an ever-relevant source of information and inspiration.

Genres: Feminism, Religion, Nonfiction, History, Classics, Christianity, Christian

384 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1972

About the author

Elizabeth Cady Stanton was an American social activist and leading figure of the early woman's movement. Her Declaration of Sentiments, presented at the first women's rights convention held in 1848 in Seneca Falls, New York, is often credited with initiating the first organized woman's rights and woman's suffrage movements in the United States.

Before Stanton narrowed her political focus almost exclusively to women's rights, she was an active abolitionist together with her husband, Henry Brewster Stanton and cousin, Gerrit Smith. Unlike many of those involved in the women's rights movement, Stanton addressed a number of issues pertaining to women beyond voting rights. Her concerns included women's parental and custody rights, property rights, employment and income rights, divorce laws, the economic health of the family, and birth control. She was also an outspoken supporter of the 19th-century temperance movement.

After the American Civil War, Stanton's commitment to female suffrage caused a schism in the women's rights movement when she, along with Susan B. Anthony, declined to support passage of the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution. She opposed giving added legal protection and voting rights to African American men while continuing to deny women, black and white, the same rights. Her position on this issue, together with her thoughts on organized Christianity and women's issues beyond voting rights, led to the formation of two separate women's rights organizations that were finally rejoined, with Stanton as president of the joint organization, approximately twenty years later.

Reviews

[Book-Bosomed blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

~Happy Women's History Month!~


King Solomon took 700 wives and 300 concubines.

Even stepping away from romantic fiction I still can’t get away from these manwhores! ;-) But, putting my romance reading commentary aside for a moment, I’m going to organize this review much like I did other women’s history texts I’ve reviewed (see Who Cooked the Last Supper?: The Women's History of the World and A History of Women in America). I’m also going to rely more heavily on quotes from the women of the revising committee as their words show the profound thought and insightful analysis they provided on such a renowned text.

What I found most interesting: I found it quite revealing that when a group of women seek to analyze the Bible it causes more alarm than all the men who’ve been “translating” it and “revising” it for centuries. If that doesn’t illuminate the inherent sexism in most societies, I don’t know what does.


What does this book cover?
The Woman’s Bible essentially utilizes feminist and deconstructionist literary criticism to examine the ways women are presented and often marginalized in the portions of the Bible where they are included or referenced. The authors also grace us with some entertaining commentary on the “esteemed” men in these biblical women’s lives as well.


This late 1800’s committee of women also looked at contradictions, omissions, and whether the women and men of these stories should be held as role models.

Relevant background/historical information:

“Thus woman’s strongest foe have been of her own sex; and because her sense of duty and religious sentiment have been operative according to a false ideal, unintentionally women have been and will continue to be bigoted until they allow a higher ideal to penetrate their minds; until they see with the eye of reason and logic, as well as with the sentiment which has so long kept them the dependent class.” —Ursula N. Gestefeld

Published in two parts in 1895 and 1898, this title evolved out of the women’s movement, and representative of this movement, it reflects and addresses the differing schools of thought among women of their time, and in many ways still today. While Elizabeth Cady Stanton might have been the biggest voice of concerns regarding the interrelatedness of religion and women’s oppression, this title is a collection of various views and interpretations by a committee of women, including female reverends, called the Revising Committee. “His Satanic Majesty was not invited to join the Revising Committee, which consists of women alone,” Stanton assures her critics in her often intellectual sardonic tone which keeps the commentary fresh and insightful.

There was no cohesive agreement in the women’s movement regarding the role of religion, and many didn’t want to touch the controversial subject. Those who did tackle the topic approached it from different standpoints, some affirming the Bible was originally the word of God but twisted over years of translation and, in places, conscious misogynist edits by men; others asserted that the Bible was not the word of God, but a historical document.

“…why should the customs and opinions of this ignorant people, who lived centuries ago, have any influence in the religious thought of this generation?” — Elizabeth Cady Stanton

Among these women, there were differences of opinion as to whether the book should be dismissed altogether or analyzed to expose the sexist rhetoric and produce social change.

“The only significance of dwelling on these women and this period of woman’s history is to show the absurdity of pointing the women of the nineteenth century to these as examples of virtues.” —Stanton

Yes, I thought the same thing, particularly when I got to the love triangle of Elkanah, Hannah, and Peninnah, all three seemingly obsessed with having children since that’s how their worth was measured during this time. Dude takes two wives and is miserable when both wives are constantly jealous of each other due to the fact that the first wife isn’t getting pregnant while the second is easily knocked up. Spoiler alert: wife #1 does finally get pregnant after he has sired many children with wife #2. Perhaps his greedy little peen should have stayed focused on the first wife and just gotten the job done instead of pumping away his sperm in wife #2!

Moving along…
There also appeared to be a sentiment among some of the participating women that the Bible was a mixed bag of positive inspiration, allegories, and subjection of women. Some among that line of thought felt that it was not for the masses as it has been consumed, but of an esoteric nature, and thus misunderstood by many societies and civilizations who interpret too literally. Ursula Bright in her letter stresses that it’s “quite misleading to anyone ignorant of its esotericism.”

Controversies: Obviously religion. Even during its [The Woman’s Bible] inception, many fellow suffragettes didn’t dare think or speak to question the role religion was playing in their subordinate position. Responses to this publication are also included. As modern readers, whatever your beliefs, this is a publication worth studying. The authors offer not just interpretation but plenty of food for thought.

“Every religion, says a modern thinker, has curtailed the rights of woman, has subjected her to man’s ruling; in emphasizing the life beyond, the earthly existence became a secondary consideration.” –Clara B. Neyman

Assets of this text: Multiple viewpoints from different selections are presented. It’s a great starting point for insightful discussion as it allows for varying interpretations. It is organized by books of the Bible and the corresponding verses are included.

Shortcomings of this text: I don’t feel this is a shortcoming as it allows the text to keep it’s focus, but it is worth noting that commentary is mostly limited to passages including or referring to women. In essence, it does not cover the entire Bible. While some readers have criticized it for “picking and choosing,” a popular practice among religious followers, the authors aren’t making a sermon or preaching a gospel; they are conducting a critical analysis more akin to a scholarly level where it is customary to limit discussion to the quotes and points relevant to the thesis.

How I felt reading this book:

“How can woman’s position be changed from that of subordinate to an equal, without opposition, without the broadest discussion of all the questions involved in her present degradation?” –Stanton

Accepting anything at blind faith can be risky and dangerous. If nothing else, it’s contrary to how we learn and grow. As a former English lit major, I feel every piece of writing is open to analysis and critique and no work is above reproach. That being said, I think The Woman’s Bible is an often forgotten but valuable publication that has never reached the wider audience it was intended for and who would benefit from it.

“The ideal womanhood portrayed by ancient writers has had by far too much sway. The prevailing type which permeates all literature is that of inferiority and subjections….Ancient literature is wholly against the equality of the sexes or the rights of women, and subordinates them in every relation of life. The writing of the Bible, especially the Old Testament, are no exception to this rule.” –Louisa Southworth

Is this a feminist text?

“We should give to our rulers, our sires and sons no rest until all our rights—social, civil and political—are fully accorded.” —Stanton

Yes. The Woman’s Bible sets out to discuss the far reaching effects that this most widely read, and often revered, publication has had on the rights of and attitudes towards one half of the population.

Why this text is still relevant:

“As long as our religion teaches woman’s subjection and man’s right of domination, we shall have chaos in the world of morals.” —Stanton

Amen Elizabeth!

With churches and religious groups still influencing public policy as well as vast institutions (such as marriage) across the globe, this title is still very relevant.

“The greatest block to advancing civilization all along the line has been the degradation of women.” — Stanton

It’s also worth noting that Frances Ellen Burr includes a discussion on other translations and commentaries in the works and recently published at the time of The Woman’s Bible’s publication. On the eve of a new century, she imparts a hopeful tone and predicts a day of spiritual enlightenment when the Bible is “not above the application of reason and of common sense.” Bright also felt that in due time the future generations will exalt in the good of the Bible while righting the wrongs for “the needs of humanity and the advance of knowledge.” It’s now over 100 years later; have we reached that level of enlightenment?

“When Reason reigns and Science lights the way, a countless host of women will move in majesty down the coming centuries.” —Josephine K. Henry

“So long as they mistake superstition for religious revelation, they will be content with the position and opportunities assigned them by scholastic theology. They will remember to ‘keep their place’ as thus defined. Their religious nature is warped and twisted through generations of denominational conservatism” —Gestefeld

“You would better educate ten women into the practice of liberal principals than to organize ten thousand on a platform of intolerance and bigotry.” —Susan B. Anthony

How I got this book/Why I read this book/My background:
I downloaded a free e-book version of this text from Amazon. The formatting as a result of being a scanned text, was not perfect, but it was still easily readable. I’ve included this publication as part of my children’s homeschool studies curriculum for social studies/women’s history. I have children of both genders and aim to provide a more comprehensive study of history and political science than most textbooks offer. It’s just as important for girls to be knowledgeable of their heritage as it is for boys to learn the value women have provided to societies since the dawn of time alongside the subordination they were thrust into in order for our current society to continue working towards equality of the sexes. I have a background in women’s literary theory.

Genre: Non-fiction/World History/ Women’s History/Political & Social Sciences/Gender Studies/Theology

[Lizzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I first came upon this book, I gasped. The title, "The Woman's Bible: A Classic Feminist Perspective".....


Then the name of the author Elizabeth Cady Stanton....HELL YES!


Before even reading it, I dare say I automatically confirmed it's awesomeness without even reading it. I was right. In the foreword of the book, you will find the history of the making of this book. Elizabeth Cady Stanton and bunch of other women part of the committee joined together to comment about the bible. A lot of women didn't do it cause they were scared of the backlash, and oh indeed was there backlash.

Let me just give you a piece of what this book does:

"We hear the opinion often expressed, that woman always has, and always will be in subjection. Neither assertion is true. She enjoyed unlimited individual freedom for many centuries, and the events of the present day all point to her speedy emancipation. Scientists now give 85,000 years for the growth of the race. They assign 60,000 to savagism, 20,000 to barbarism, and 5,000 to civilization. Recent historians tell us that for centuries woman reigned supreme. That period was called the Matriarchate. Then man seized the reins of government and we are now under the patriarchate (pg 25)."

Let that sink in. Exactly.


From parts of Genesis to Revelation (obviously the whole entire book was not covered, the bible is really big) they take down verses and even put some insightful theological history as insight into it's own content. It is pure Genius. They are bad ass for the most simple reason. Questioning a man made book. BAM.



Look, don't get all pissy or discouraged just because it says "Feminist". This book is beyond any movement, it's about our society as a whole. The women in this book are respectfully intelligent, the only reason people feel insulted is because the truth hurts. They feel they are passing the line by responding to the literary texts of the bible. Get over it.

My mother who is religious (not overly, but still) was stunned and shocked. She was impressed, let me just say, it changed her perspective about the bible. She doesn't like to admit it, but it happened. For a loving God, he sure treats the 'Mother's of the race' like shit. It is a great read, and a eye opener.

[Hillary Hunt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is free on Amazon! Really fascinating to read such a bold piece of feminist work from the 1800's. ECS had some major moxie to take such a taboo position in those times. Being raised in patriarchal religious tradition myself, I was struck by how relevant these concerns still are today.

The introductory portion is short, but my favorite. I'm not interested in the heavy Bible Study aspect of this book. But since the Bible was used as a source of authority by which to oppress women, I appreciate the efforts and risk these women took on by critiquing a book many hold to be untouchable. ECS asserts that the Bible should be judged like any other book; by its merits. Such a simple, obvious idea, you wonder why people are so afraid to apply it.

[Savannah · Rating 1 out of 5]

In a search for a bible for my kindle I was curious to find "The Woman's Bible" by Elizabeth Cady Stanton. So, I figured I would give it a glance over, which I did this morning.

Between the preface and the first few pages, I was aghast from claims that you can take apart the bible and believe which parts you choose. Claims that not only did the "trinity" of the Godhead contain a Heavenly Father, but also a heavenly mother... And that the bible was construed from the very beginning to oppress women and make her a slave to man.

I mean seriously!? I'm all for women having equality under the authority of God, but those who've read the bible with an open heart can clearly see that at no time was woman ever oppressed unjustly because of her sex (save being stoned for adultery, which Jesus clearly made right in his fulfillment of the law). Making wild claims based upon man made religious opinions do not help you to gain any ground as a wise advisor on the subject.

I would encourage any woman to read the bible for herself, to see how women were used by God to save their families, cities, and entire kingdoms; how they were used as prophets and even birthed the Messiah himself. How can you take that as women being oppressed? There's no reason for anyone to change the interpretation of scriptures to fit their needs.

Elizabeth Cady Stanton may have done a few things right, we have her among others to thank for our voice in society and equality in the workplace, but I'm pretty sure I just lost all respect for her after reading this. Every word I read was like listening to someone rant out of anger and bitterness, not someone seeking truth in a humble way.

[Helynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such an interesting and eye-opening look at the Bible! Elizabeth Cady Stanton (1815-1902), an American social activist, abolitionist, wife, mother, and feminist, wrote in 1895 this disturbingly accurate view of the ongoing misogyny in the Bible. Stanton begins with the obvious: "The bible teaches that woman brought sin and death into the world, that she precipitated the fall of the race . . . Marriage for her was to be a condition of bondage, maternity a period of suffering and anguish, and in silence and subjection, she was to play the role of a dependent on man's bounty for all her materials wants, and for all the information she might desire . . she was commanded to ask her husband at home" (7). Analyzing numerous books of the Old and New Testaments chronologically, Stanton continues with many astute observations about injustices toward women. For example, she says Rebecca should have asked for help watering the camels at the well instead of taking on the task herself as a divine sign of her worth. Stanton also criticizes King David for his shameful treatment of Bathsheba. She also points out the absurity of ancient laws that scorn a woman's natural sexuality and biology--for example, the "purification of women," which meant that menstruating women or new mothers were banned from religious sancuaries and ceremonies because of the perfectly normal and natural presence of blood. Stanton notes that such laws not only degrade motherhood but also discriminate against sex, honoring the birth of a son above that of a daughter (95). In fairness to the original authors of parts of the Bible, Stanton notes that certain passages on women's supposed inferiority were inserted later in an attempt to put women in a submissive place. She also asserts that the Apostel Paul could have had more faith in women's ability to do good works and been less concerned about their apparel. "Could Paul have looked down to the the ninteenth century with clairvoyant vision and beheld the good works of a Lucretia Mott, a Florence Nightengale . . . he might have suspected that sex does not determine the capacity of the individual" (162).
Bravo, Mrs. Stanton! Like the determined suffragettes who had to work so hard for their great-great-grandaughters like ourselves to be able to vote, Stanton is worthy of our undying gratitude and veneration for such a courageous work that was remarkable for its time!

[Fiona · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oooh, ECS has some dodgy views going on.

Book looks like fun, though. Anything that gets you ostracised from the feminist movement for being too progressive... She and Anne Bronte should form a club.

--------

The most interesting thing about this book is the appendix, which contains letters of response from ladies in the US and UK, almost all of which are fascinating.

Review to follow.

[Oleksandr Fediienko · Rating 4 out of 5]

Це коментовані уривки з Біблії, які стосуються жінок, жіночих персонажів або очевидної їх відсутності там, де вони мали б бути. Оскільки коментарі писала ціла команда, вони відрізняються рівнем радикальності і ґрунтовності. А от на думку упорядниці, у прикрому становищі жінки винні не так її автори (які самі не завжди були високої думки про жінок), як пізніші перекладачі й інтерпретатори, які трактували священні тексти на догоду патріархальній системі.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

If this had been the first greek and hebrew scripture commentary I'd read, I probably would have gotten more out of it. As it is, the book is conversational and easy to get through. Susan B. Anthony may have been the better politician, Stanton remains my favorite feminist.

Pg. 64 As the Bible is placed in the hands of children and uneducated men and women to point them the way of salvation, the letter should have no doubtful meaning. What should we think of guide posts on our highways, if we needed a symbolical interpreter at every point to tell us which way to go? the significance of the letters? and the point of compass indicated by the digital finger? Learned men have revised the Scriptures times without number, and I do not propose to go back of the latest Revision. (taking the bible as is instead of from scientific, symbolic, apologetic, or other interpretation)

Pg. 138 In enumerating the good things that would come to Israel if the commandments were obeyed, nothing is promised to women, but when the curses are distributed , woman comes in for her share. -Deut. 28:56,64,68

Truth for authority, and not authority for truth. - Lucretia Mott

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think the most important theme of this book, one that Stanton repeats a few times, is: Self development is a higher duty than self sacrifice.

Whether agreeing with all that Stanton and her peers write or not, this theme still rings true for women. Our duty to ourselves, including our own spiritual development, is not a selfish endeavor distracting us from our love for others. Only through self development do we become fully realized beings equal before God and capable of loving ourselves and others to the greatest extent possible.

There is an undercurrent of anti-Semitism throughout much of the Old Testament commentaries that will distract modern readers. And I agree with the summation on the back that this work is more of a political tract than theological argument. But there is much to be gained by truthfully approaching the Bible’s statements on women and wrestling with their import.

Elizabeth Candy Stanton is a household name. Many of the other commentators were unknown to me and I got as much, if not more, from their sometimes contrary opinions.

Other names we should know:
Josephine K Henry
Lucinda B Chandler
Frances Ellen Burr
Ursula N Gestefeld

[Joy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting. The disheartening thing is how women and feminists seem to still be essentially fighting the same battles outlined here.

[Caroline · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is interesting in documenting how far Elizabeth Cady Stanton’s questioning ways took her from conventional thought, and how her path created rifts in the women’s movement. It is also interesting in documenting how the Higher Criticism was perceived and used by laypeople.

Stanton takes no prisoners. She wields a broadly sarcastic sword when she attacks the subjegation of women in old and new testaments, and the roles that women fill in biblical stories. She has plenty of very funny acid comments. But often such a heavy hand misses the chance to really impress by a more nuanced critique.

Her co-authors provide more substantive historical analysis.

There is an interesting section on the Kabbalah and its emphasis on the feminine aspects of God.

The main body of the work consists of sections of scripture that pertain to women (either as actors or subjects of religious precepts/laws) followed by comments from Stanton and her co-authors. After this follow very interesting letters from a wide range of eminent women to whom Stanton sent a copy of the first part and two questions:

1. Has the Bible advanced or retarded woman’s emancipation?
2. Has it elevated or degraded the Mothers of the Race?

Several respondents provide quite eloquent reinforcement of Stanton’s points, often going far beyond her critique of religion to full atheism. But she also includes several women’s responses that repudiate her approach--and then she points to them as examples of how the church has been so effective as to convince women that their own confinement has contributed to civilization.

The final chapter describes the battle at the 28th annual convention of the National American Woman Suffrage Association in January 1896. There was a resolution to condemn The Women’s Bible by denying any connection with it. The speech of President Susan B Anthony decrying the resolution, and arguing that the group must allow a wide range of opinions to be aired, is quite effective.

[Marbeth Skwarczynski · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book of comentary SHOULD have been a great opportunity to correct injustices practiced by the churches of Stanton's time. But instead of using the Bible to prove the false teachings of prominent ministers who claimed that their own prejudices against women were biblically based (when in fact were a result of their own grasp for power), Elizabeth Cady Stanton falls directly into their trap. Her commentary's goal is to PROVE that the Bible and Christianity is anti-woman. In her remarkably sexist, antisemitic, and insulting commentary, ECS purposely skips over multiple important passages to make her points. If a woman is well-spoken of in Scripture, it must be that the writer "overlooked" an opportunity to bring a woman down. She even goes so far as to add some "flavor" to her interpretation. She states that Deborah (a judge and general) did not see herself "fit to lead an army." According to ECS we should feel sorry for Sisera's mother who was "watching and praying...for the return of her only son, while at the same time Jael performs her "deadly deed" overlooking the fact that Sisera had a reputation for kidnapping young girls and dividing them up among his men, a practice his mother both knows of and approves. Manoah, the father of Sampson is praised for his "trustful" relationship with his wife even though, according to the Bible, he did not believe anything she said. ECS even goes so far as to add the color of donkeys or the definite presence of pets even though they have nothing to do with the passages on which she comments. Yet if a woman finds joy, comfort, or instructions in Scripture, ECS concludes that woman to be stupid or simply ignorant .
"Women are so easily deluded that most of the miracles of the Bible are performed for their benefit." (p244)
"Not conversant with works on science and higher criticism...they cling to [the Bible] with an unreasoning tenacity, like a savage to his fetish." (p397).

[Steven H · Rating 5 out of 5]

A CLASSIC OF EARLY 19TH CENTURY FEMINISM

Famous suffragist Elizabeth Cady Stanton (1815-1902) undertook to compile this work after the 1870 revision of the King James Bible was made by an all-male committee. She recruited commentators and essayists (identified by their initials at the end of the article) such as Matilda Joslyn Gage (author of Woman, Church and State), Ursula Gestefeld, Olympia Brown, Mrs. Robert Ingersoll, etc.

The book is divided into two sections: 'the Pentateuch,' and 'Judges, Kings, Prophets, and Apostles.' Stanton herself writes the Introduction to each section. She states in her Preface to the second section, "'The Woman's Bible' is intended for readers who do not care for, and would not be convinced by, a learned, technical work of so-called 'higher criticism.'"

Here are some representative quotations from the book:

"I do not believe that any man ever saw or talked with God, I do not believe that God inspired the Mosaic code, or told the historians what they say he did about woman, for all the religions on the face of the earth degrade her, and so long as woman accepts the position that they assign her, her emancipation is impossible." (V1, pg. 12)
"Accepting the view that man was prior in the creation, some Scriptural writers say that as the woman was of the man, therefore, her position should be one of subjection. Grant it, then as the historical fact is reversed in our day, and the man is now of the woman, shall his place be one of subjection?" (V1, pg. 20)
"Indeed the Pentateuch is a long painful record of war, corruption, rapine, and lust. Why Christians who wished to convert the heathen to our religion should send them these books, passes all understanding." (V1, pg. 66)
"The fifth commandment will take the reader by surprise. It is rather remarkable that the young Hebrews should have been told to honor their mothers, when the whole drift of the teaching thus far has been to throw contempt on the whole sex." (V1, pg. 83)
"It is truly pitiful to see the deceptions that have been played upon the people in all ages and countries by the priests in the name of religion... No other class of teachers have such prestige and power, especially over woman." (V1, pg. 133)
"Is it not astonishing that so little is in the New Testament concerning the mother of Christ?" (V2, pg. 143)
"The best thing about the Catholic Church is the deification of Mary... The cruelty of Jehovah is softened by the mercy of Mary." (V2, pg. 144)
"Until the feminine is recognized in the Divine Being, and justice is established in the Church by the complete equality of woman with man, the Church cannot be thoroughly Christian." (V2, Pg. 173)

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picked this up as it free as an e-book thinking that while it will be interesting it won't be that relevent any more, oh how very wrong I was. While religion may not play as big as a role in daily life compared to what it used, it's influences are still very much alive and well and many of the attitudes towards women at least partially stem from the bible and its interpretation. And this is exactly what Stanton and her colleagues set out to illustrate, assess and try to change. They did the first two brilliantly (sadly the third was out of her hands), taking extracts from the bible where women are mentioned, involved or blamed and breaking these down to what they mean, how they've been interpreted to date and how they could be re-interpreted to reflect the true nature of humanity (I'm refering to equality of the sexes here, in case you didn't realise). Interestingly she refers to different versions of the bible that had different interpretations and to stories that have been overlooked or buried to support certain views. I was particularly surprised to learn that there is an earlier version of the creation story that has man and woman created together, both in the image of god and both equal. Wonder why that one didn't do so well.

This addition also has some interesting extras including an introduction from Stanton detailing why she was doing this and the challenges she faced as well as letters from women from around the world giving their own views with regard to the bible and its impact on women.

While this is a heavy read, it wasn't too difficult to follow and Stanton and her colleagues have done well to give balanced and reasoned arguements for all of their points. And I think that fact that some much of this was all too familiar in my own experiences never mind those of women world-wide shows that even now, over a 120 years after it's first publication, there is still much to be changed.

[Вікторія Слінявчук · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Женская Библия" - первый масштабный проект феминистской библейской критики, идейной вдохновительницей которого была Элизабет Кэйди Стэнтон, женщина, стоявшая у истоков суфражистского движения в США. Она же и написала основную часть комментариев. Тем не менее, это коллективная работа, в которой принимали участие 26 женщин, в основном, американок, но также и представительницы Австрии, Великобритании, Франции.
Книга состоит из двух частей. Первая часть, посвященная Пятикнижию Моисееву, вышла в 1895 году, вторая, включающая комментарии к книгам от Иисуса Навина до Откровения - в 1898-м.
"Женская Библия" произвела фурор, стала бестселлером и вызвала бурную полемику. Многие считали, что критика "священного писания", религии и церкви повредит борьбе за права женщин (кажется, мы это слышим постоянно до сих пор то по одному, то по другому поводу...). Многие соратницы осуждали Стэнтон и пытались от нее отмежеваться - по тем временам ее задумка была слишком дерзкой.
Сама Стэнтон придерживалась мнения, что библейские тексты и основанная на них церковная политика неблагожелательны по отношению к женщинам, поддерживают угнетение и дискриминацию. Многие комментаторки с ней согласны, другие - нет. В целом, не было идеи представить какую-то единственно правильную феминистскую версию толкования библейских текстов, разные критикессы не соглашаются между собой, высказывают различные мнения - одни указывают на то, что те или иные отрывки унижают женщин, другие пытаются их перетолковать в каком-то более благоприятном смысле. Я думаю, это достоинство книги - представлен спектр мнений.
Многие комментарии - весьма смелые, даже еретические. Некоторые критикессы отвергают идею непорочного зачатия, богодухновенности библейских текстов, божественности Христа. Сама Элизабет Кэйди Стэнтон считает, что Троица должна состоять не из Отца, Сына и Святого Духа, а из Отца, Матери и Сына. Фиби Ханафорд предлагает рассматривать Бога не как "Отца", а как "Отца и Мать".
Любопытно, что Стэнтон и некоторые другие предлагают создать некую "очищенную" версию Библии, свободную от сексизма, жестокостей и прочих сомнительных эпизодов. Особенно напирая на то, что Библию, мол, читают дети, малообразованные люди, не знакомые с "высокой критикой", новообращенные язычники - какой, мол, эталон нравственности подает столь кишащий безнравственностью текст? Сомнительная идея, как по мне, однако, по тем временам, оказывается, популярная.

"Бог не дискриминирует; это мужчина создал законы и обрек женщину на подчинение ему. Ветхий Завет и Новый Завет - книги, написанные мужчинами; будущая Библия будет результатом усилий обоих полов и будет содержать мудрость обоих, их объединенный духовный опыт".
Клара Бьюик Колби

В одной из рецензий отмечается, что дамам-критикессам присуще отличное чувство юмора, которого так не хватает библейским критикам мужского пола. Это правда, комментаторки преимущественно остроумны и ироничны.
Например, в предисловии ко второй части Элизабет Кэйди Стэнтон пишет, что после выхода первого тома один священник заявил, будто этот труд - совместная работа женщин и дьявола. Никак нет, - отвечает Стэнтон - его сатанинское величество тут ни при чем, в наш Ревизионный комитет входят исключительно женщины.


Качество аргументов в основном достаточно высокое, однако не все они одинаково хороши.

Встречаются у некоторых комментаторок устаревшие представления, опровергнутые современной наукой, но это неизбежно для текста более чем столетней давности.
Ненаучны ложноэтимологические экзерсисы одной из критикесс, которая связывает Соломона с солярным культом (якобы черезь корень Sol-, но ведь это латинский корень, в иврите же имя царя - от корня שׁ ל ם, то есть, "мир") и считает Sabaoth и Sabbath однокоренными словами (так может показаться только по переводу, на самом деле это слова от разных корней - צבא ("войско") и שבת ("шабат" или "покоиться"). Отмечаю это особо, так как это самые прискорбные ошибки :(


Еще один недостаток книги связан, пожалуй, с ханжеством викторианской эпохи - некоторые очень интересные и важные эпизоды опущены или упоминаются лишь вскользь, вероятно, потому, что писать о таких вещах считалось слишком уж нескромным (занятно, откровенно еретические взгляды высказать не постеснялись, но секс - дело другое). Например, истории о Фамари (невестке Иуды) и дочерях Лота просто сочли недостойными включения в "Женскую Библию", история о Дине, дочери Иакова, упоминается, но без подробностей.


Хотя некоторые толкования могли устареть или изначально были не слишком точными, но книга кажется мне ценной до сих пор и, увы, многое не изменилось по сей день.
Приведу еще одну цитату из Элизабет Кэйди Стэнтон, которая мне очень понравилась, особенно своей актуальностью:


"Когда вы указываете на то, что простым английским языком Библия сообщает нам о сказанном Богом своему народу относительно женщин, и никак нельзя отвертеться от унижающего женщин библейского учения об их положении, тогда они [оппоненты] прячутся за неправильными переводами, интерпретациями и символическими значениями. Им не приходит в голову, что знатоки языков пересматривали эту книгу много раз, но никак не изменили то, что касается положения женщин. Даже будучи знакомыми с "божьим замыслом", обученными библейским исследованиям и "высокой критике", толкователями знаков, и символов, и египетских иероглифов, учеными астрономами и астрологами, они не могут выжать из Ветхого или Нового Завета божью весть о справедливости, свободе и равенстве для женщин 19-го столетия!"

Надо сказать, в 21-м веке я сталкивалась с точно такими же аргументами, и точно так же считаю, что как ни переводи и как ни толкуй Библию, а поддержки женского равенства из нее не выкрутишь.

[lov2laf · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fascinating look into what progressive women were thinking at the time. Despite the commentary being from the late 1800s many of the viewpoints and insights still hold up today. Should be required reading. Loved it.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

I believe her father once told her, " I wish you had been a boy"

[Rachel Jackson · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's interesting to read the background and publication details about The Woman's Bible. Here I am, 120 years since its publication, reading it with the lucky hindsight of being a 21st century woman who has seen some of the advances that Elizabeth Cady Stanton and her feminist, suffragette activists pushed for in the late nineteenth century. But at the time The Woman's Bible was published—the second part in 1898—people were shocked and appalled. It's laughable to me now, having read the book, that people were so up in arms about Stanton's views on women (or lack thereof) in the Bible, but I guess that's partially a credit to the progress women have made in the past century.

Stanton uses her sharp, sarcastic, biting wit throughout the book to criticize the most recent translation of the Bible and comment on why women aren't represented at all, or when they are, they're represented poorly and negatively. I loved some of her commentary, much of it was very true and insightful, asking questions about the portrayal of certain issues that no one questions because they are blinded by religion. It was slightly embarrassing to realize much of these issues are still the same today; men still lord over women in so-called Christian societies today, and they indeed have written and manipulated interpretations of the Bible since it was first written to suit their own needs. Stanton demolishes the men who do that, and reading her smart takedowns of Christianity in 1898 was a delight.

However, all the other contributions besides Stanton's in The Woman's Bible were lackluster and disappointing, and indeed, in some places even Stanton's background on women in the Bible was long-winded and boring. It's clear that this book was published many decades ago, because certainly some of the things Stanton said were out of date. To that end, The Woman's Bible was great for isolated quotes and specific criticisms of a Christian doctrine, but overall it seemed a bit rambling and disjointed and wasn't as impacting as I was expecting. To some degree, although some gems of commentary shone through, eventually I felt like I was reading much of the same thing over and over, which got boring after a while.

[Jared Woods · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Woman's Bible is legendary in the femi-chrispie scene. Written by women's rights activist Elizabeth Cady Stanton (along with a committee of 26 other ladies), its 1895 publication freaked out the church so severely that some condemned it as the work of Satan. Still, it proved unsurprisingly popular within her gender demographic, fast becoming a best-seller thanks to those who agreed that Christianity's position of subservient women was not actually cool, you guys.

Elizabeth's booming personality pushes this text forward, ripping the Bible apart line-by-line and analysing every woman of the Good Book to illustrate her well-made points. For us sitting in a contemporary era, the exercise appears a little pointless as our society is well aware of Christianity's systematic oppression of women, designed to strengthen the patriarchy. But Elizabeth was packing dangerous (albeit repetitive) punches during her day, and many were unprepared for such scrutiny. Ultimately, Stanton's mission may have accomplished more harm than good for the author, and the backlash cut her down the ranks of her community. Even members of the suffrage movement turned their backs, as they viewed her blasphemy as detrimental to the broader campaign. 

It goes without saying that I am on Stanton's side, but that doesn't mean the content isn't riddled with shortcomings. The discrimination found in the extracted verses may be undeniable, but her (and her cowriters') interjected commentary is waffly like a personal essay weighed heavy by assumptions and extreme interpretive bias. From what I understood, Stanton even mentioned the biblical sacrifice of firstborn sons as well as male circumcision as somehow negative exclusions of females, which is challenging to get one's head around. To make matters worse, the formatting of my edition was absolutely fucked, reading like someone had generated a book from a Word document, which is probably the case. 

Nevertheless, with 124 pages of big font size, generous line spacing, and related images, it was hardly a demanding text and was worth the short time it took to complete. I extracted slivers of gold for future use, and that's why we do what we do. 

THIS BOOK IS PART OF THE GREATER LAMB PROPHECY STUDIES, book 2 out in 2026!

[Synful · Rating 4 out of 5]

It actually took me years to finally finish this book. Mostly because I got nearly done with it and then it got lost in my shuffle of books. That's not an indication of the book itself, but it is pretty dense with both the content and the writers' style of writing from the late 1800s. Even as I was originally making my way through it, I kept having to put it down because I needed to think over several of the essays read. A series breaking down by book the contents of the Bible and how it denigrates and is biased against women, it didn't exactly go down favorably with people at the time. While working towards getting the vote for women in the U.S., an endless line of preachers would show up shaking the Bible saying a woman's right to vote was against the word of God. These essays were a rebuttal to them and argued how every book of the Bible was terrible for women and in fact often held women back rather than, as many a preacher argued, being for the good of all women. Cady Stanton was trying to not only get the vote for women but generally to promote liberation theology. However, it was so radical at the time that people from the same committee and group associated with women's suffrage passed a resolution to repudiate the book(s) (as it was put out in 2 parts) to distance themselves from the writings. Despite all the religious people making it a main part of their argument against women being able to vote, they were unwilling to challenge them on this and claimed bringing in the detrimental effects of the Bible on women's rights in general was too broad an argument for them to support. A lot of the writing was well ahead (and yet behind?) its time. Read this and be amazed at how similar the same arguments are still having to be made today.

[Penelope · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is good to know where you come from as a feminist (or anyone for that matter.)

The Woman's Bible is a tome by Elizabeth Cady Stanton, a leader of the early women's rights movement, devoted to showing how the church and state edited the Bible to subjugate women. Verse by verse.

A heavy read but a necessary one. (If you have PTSD from being raised a radical Christian, it may not be for you.)

Another observation from studying the author and early feminism: Many in our day and time want to judge E.C. Stanton and Susan B. Anthony by today's political correctness/mores/values...... You can't. They were in a different era with different morals and beliefs inherent to their social upbringing and station in society. Today's values don't apply to them because they lived in another time and place.

[Ellen Ansok · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stanton and committee take verses in the bible, old and new testaments, that directly refer to women. Greek and Hebrew scholars are responsible for translation from the original work, others are historians and put their talents to use there, and the last of the committee will be "commentators". This is a Women’s look at some of the original text and how they should be interrupted by today’s woman (1900’s). In my opinion, these men and women, really knew their stuff! It was quite interesting to see some of the verses translated from the original text and how the "suppressed" women of the 1800's viewed them.

[Carol · Rating 2 out of 5]

Elizabeth Cady Stanton certainly was opinionated and some of her opinions were thought provoking. Some I agreed with, such as women’s’ rights (or lack there of) & oppression, etc. I like and agree with some of the other reviewers of this book. That said, I couldn’t finish this book. The clippings of Bible text reprinted on the pages were So small they gave me eye-strain. ECS’s trashing of the Jewish Bible and it’s followers was unnerving, even though I’m not a fanatic or close to it. She seems like a fanatic in her views.

I wanted to read to the end, but so many other good books to read I kept passing it by. This title would make a good book group discussion. I may suggest it..

[Genine Franklin-Clark · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm finished with this book, only 15% in. I thought it would be a scholarly examination of women's roles in the bible. Too full of antisemitism and outdated opinions for me to continue. I found myself pausing every half page to figure out why I was so unsettled by what I was reading. It became a chore I was unwilling to continue. So sorry I recommended this as the July selection for my book club.

[Holly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting historical book that took around a year to read, reading a page or two every morning with my devotions. It was interesting to read Elizabeth Cady Stanton‘s take on what the passages in the Bible about women meant to her in her context. The book only includes passages from the Bible about women.

[Jeff Bowen · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is a very argumentive about how women were subjected as mere servants versus strong individuals. In my opinion it's feminist propaganda but it also summarized how important women truly were in the Bible. So that's why I'm giving it three stars.

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Window into feminist herstory

I found The Woman's Bible to be profound and thought provoking. Oh, how I wish I had read it 40 years sooner. Better late than never. Every young woman/girl needs to read it.

[Nola Franzen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Jury picked

Having read the Bible several times I do not need to have it taken out of context by a political hack. Just read the real thing. Save yourself the aggravation & the misrepresentation.

[Charlotte · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is old, from the late 1800s but a good history of how women's rights came to be. The most interesting parts are the reviews of her ideas at the end of the book by other prominent women of her time.

[Francisco Sanchez · Rating 1 out of 5]

Half a star

Those who read the Bible as literally, they will have unanswerable questions. But those who read the Bible for knowledge of God, they will be uplifted or filled with joy and then become hungry for more knowledge of God.