Women in the Old Testament

by Irene Nowell

The women in the Old Testament, too long invisible, have rich stories that are vital to the on-going revelation of God's relationship with a covenant people. Women in the Old Testament introduces readers to some biblical women. Here, readers meet mothers and wives, queens and slaves, prophets and warriors, powerful women and victims; women whose stories offer us courage and insight.

In Women in the Old Testament Sister Irene explores not only the lives of such well-known women as Sarah, Deborah, Ruth, Eve, and Naomi, but also those of lesser-known women such as Michal, Tamar, and Jezebel. Each of these women has unique characteristics; each of their stories is food for our imaginations. In addition, Sister Nowell looks at those Bible stories that tell us what it means to be a woman created in the image of God and that portray God in the image of a woman.

Biblical stories help us imagine the relationship of God with human beings, and they give us words to describe our own relationship with God. This introduction to the lives of biblical women encourages readers - in adult study groups and those who are interested in the many women in the Old Testament - to search for more accounts of biblical women and also to find the narrative of faith reflected in the stories of their own lives.

Sister Irene begins each chapter with suggestions for readings and includes biblical excerpts.

Chapters Women of Israel's Sarah and Hagar;" "More Women of Israel's Rebekah, Leah and Rachel, The Maids, Dinah, Tamar;" "Women of Israel's The Midwives, Moses' Mother, Pharaoh's Daughter, Miriam, Zipporah;" "Women of Israel's Early Rahab, Deborah and Jail, Jephthah's Daughter, Samson's Mother, Samson's Wife, Delilah;" "More Women of Israel's Early Ruth, Naomi, and Orpah ,Hannah and Peninnah;" "Women of Israel's Michal, Bathsheba, Tamar, Queen of Sheba, Jezebel;" "Woman, The Image of Eve, Wisdom/Sophia;" "Women of Courage and Judith, Susanna;" and "Queen Esther." A bibliography is also included.

Irene Nowell, OSB, is the director of community formation for the Benedictine sisters of Mount St. Scholastica in Atchison, Kansas. She is an experienced college and adult education teacher of Scripture and a workshop and retreat presenter. She is the author of Sing a New The Psalms in the Sunday Lectionary, also published by The Liturgical Press. She is also a member of the editorial board for the revised Old Testament of the NAB.

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Genres: Catholic, Biography, Nonfiction

216 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 1, 1997

About the author

Irene Nowell, OSB, of the Benedictine community of Mount Saint Scholastica in Atchison, Kansas, is a member of the translation team of the revised Old Testament of the New American Bible. She teaches Scripture courses at Saint John’s School of Theology•Seminary, Collegeville, Minnesota. Nowell is a member of the Committee on Illuminations and Texts for The Saint John’s Bible and a past president of the Catholic Biblical Association. She is author of Jonah, Tobit, Judith in the Collegeville Bible Commentary; Sing a New Song: The Psalms in the Sunday Lectionary; and Women in the Old Testament, all published by Liturgical Press.

Reviews

[Irene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Catholic scripture scholar Sr. Mary Noel, OSB looks at each of the major female characters and many of those who only get a brief mention in the Old Testament. She gives us the biblical passages along with solid commentary.

[Steph · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was pointless. It started out with the passage of one of the women and then in the next paragraph it reiterated everything it had just said the passage.

[Lola · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved getting to know these extraordinary women. Their strength is amazing. Now these are women we should try to emulate and place on our most influential women list.

[Francine Apollo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I shared this with a women's circle some time ago and now recently to members of my Bible study group.

This is a great little book to use to begin to learn about the women in the Hebrew tradition. Reading this can both inform and inspire the reader.

Recommended

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent study material.