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8 Lesser Known Women of the Bible

Here are some lesser known but not less important females featured in God’s Word.

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There are 187 women named in the Bible and many more mentioned without names. Learn more below about everyday women, whom God called on to work His will, and in this exclusive Guideposts fiction series Ordinary Women of the Bible.

Joanna was healed of evil spirits and infirmities by Jesus. She later supported Jesus nd his disciples in their travels. Joanna which means “God is gracious” stayed with Jesus through the crucifixion and later was one of the three women who visited his tomb early on Easter morning and found it empty. Angels told the women that Jesus was not here because he was living, not dead.

1 of 8 Joanna (Luke 8:1-3, Luke 21:4-12)

Joanna was healed of evil spirits and infirmities by Jesus. She later supported Jesus and His disciples in their travels. Joanna which means “God is gracious” stayed with Jesus through the crucifixion and later was one of the three women who visited His tomb early on Easter morning and found it empty. Learn more about Joanna’s story in Guideposts’ exclusive fiction series, Ordinary Women of the Bible.


Raising of Tabitha by Masolino da Panicale, 1425.

2 of 8 Dorcas (Acts 9:36-43)

Dorcas (Tabitha in Hebrew) was a beloved woman who was always doing good and helping the poor. When she died, her friends called Peter and showed him the beautiful garments she had made for the widows. Peter was moved by her legacy and prayed at her bedside. Miraculously, Dorcus was brought back to life! As a result,  many believed in the Lord.

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Bellini, Giovanni ~ The Presentation at the Temple, c1459

3 of 8 Anna (Luke 2:36-38)

Anna’s husband died after only seven years of marriage. Instead of remarrying, she dedicated her life in service to the Lord. Anna was rewarded with perfect timing as she arrived at the temple at the very moment Jesus was blessed by Simeon. From that point forward, Anna praised God and told everyone she met about Jesus.


Noah's Ark, 1846. Edward Hicks

4 of 8 Noah’s wife: (Genesis 7:7)

Though the Bible does not give Noah’s wife a name, according to Jewish tradition her name is Naamah. Little is written about her, but we can only imagine that she must have been faithful to God and a loyal wife and loving woman to support and believe in Noah throughout the building of the ark and the seven month journey afloat.


Perugino, Viaggio di Mosè in Egitto

5 of 8 Zipporah (Exodus 2:10-22, 18:1-27)

Zipporah and her sisters were threatened at their father’s well and Moses came to the rescue, defending them. In time Zipporah married Moses and she gave birth to two sons.  “One son was named Gershom, for Moses said, “I have become a foreigner in a foreign land”; and the other was named Eliezer, for he said, “My father’s God was my helper; he saved me from the sword of Pharaoh.” (Exodus 18: 3-4).

David and Abigail by Antonio Molinari

6 of 8 Abigail (1 Samuel 25)

Abigail was the wife of Nabal, which literally translates to fool. Nabal insulted David and Abigail interceded, saving their lives.  After Nabal’s death, she became David’s wife. Abigail’s life shows that a godly heart can react wisely during a crisis.  Learn more about Abigail’s story in Guideposts’ exclusive fiction series, Ordinary Women of the Bible.

Baby Moses Saved from the River. 1654

7 of 8 Shiphrah and Puah (Exodus 1:15)

The midwives, Shiphrah and Puah, stood in awe of God and disobeyed Pharoah’s outrageous order to kill all Hebrew males at birth. They protected the baby boys they delivered. It is believed they may have been the midwives who attended the birth of Moses and saved his life.  Learn more about Shiphrah’s story in Guideposts’ exclusive fiction series, Ordinary Women of the Bible.

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The Kindness of Rizpah, James Tissot

8 of 8 Rizpah (2 Samuel 3:7; 21:8-14)

Rizpah was a victim of vengeance.  She was one of Saul’s concubines and had two of his sons. As restitution for Saul’s slaughter of Gibeonites, David demanded Rizpah’s sons be killed.  Tragically, they were  “hanged on a mountain” and left to rot and be eaten by animals. Heartbroken and determined, Rizpah stayed at the site of their execution for many months protecting their remains “until rain poured down from the heavens” –a sign that God had withdrawn His judgment. Eventually, David was persuaded to allow her sons’ bodies to  be buried.

 

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