Complete List of Women in the Bible

The Bible mentions many women who played important roles in the story of Scripture. Some are well known, while others appear only briefly in the biblical text.

This page provides an organized list of women of the Bible to help readers easily find their stories and learn where they appear in Scripture.

Some women, such as Ruth and Esther, have entire books of the Bible dedicated to their stories. Others contribute to the larger biblical narrative, even if they only appear in a few verses, such as Miriam, who played a crucial role in the Exodus story, and the unnamed woman at the well, whose encounter with Jesus highlights themes of redemption and acceptance.

Below is a guide to many women in the Bible listed alphabetically.

Complete A–Z List of Women in the Bible

A

  • Abigail – 1 Samuel 25
    • Abigail was wise and humble. She stopped David from taking revenge and later became his wife.
  • Abishag – 1 Kings 1:1–4
    • Abishag was a young woman from Shunem who cared for King David in his old age. She served him faithfully and became part of the events surrounding the transition of Israel’s throne.
  • Anna (Prophetess) – Luke 2:36–38
    • Anna was an elderly widow who served God in the temple with prayer and fasting. She recognized baby Jesus as the Messiah and spoke about Him to others.
  • Apphia – Philemon 1:2
    • Apphia is believed to be part of a house church, likely a leader or host. She is mentioned alongside Philemon and Archippus as a fellow believer
  • Abital—2 Samuel 3:4
    • Abital was one of King David’s wives and the mother of his son Shephatiah. She is mentioned in the list of David’s family members.
  • Ahinoam – 1 Samuel 25:43
    • Ahinoam was one of David’s wives and the mother of his firstborn son, Amnon. She shared in David’s life during his years before becoming king.
  • Adah – Genesis 4:19; 36:2
    • Adah was the name of two women in Genesis. One was Lamech’s wife, and the other was Esau’s wife and mother of several Edomite leaders.
  • Aholibamah – Genesis 36:2
    • Aholibamah was one of Esau’s wives and the daughter of Anah. She became the mother of several chiefs among the Edomites.
  • Atarah – 1 Chronicles 2:26
    • Atarah was the wife of Jerahmeel and the mother of Onam. She is mentioned in the genealogies of the tribe of Judah.
  • Athaliah – 2 Kings 11
    • Athaliah was the mother of King Ahaziah and the only woman to rule as queen over Judah. She seized power after her son’s death but was later removed from the throne.

B

  • Bathsheba—2 Samuel 11–12
    • Bathsheba was the wife of King David and the mother of Solomon. She later played an important role in securing Solomon’s succession to the throne.
  • Bilhah– Genesis 29–30
    • Bilhah was Rachel’s servant and Jacob’s concubine. She became the mother of Dan and Naphtali, two of the tribes of Israel.

D

  • Deborah—Judges 4–5
    • Deborah was a prophetess and judge who led Israel with wisdom and courage. She helped lead the nation to victory over its enemies.
  • Delilah—Judges 16
    • Delilah was the woman who betrayed Samson by revealing the secret of his strength to the Philistines.

E

  • Esther—Book of Esther 
    • Esther was a Jewish queen of Persia who bravely risked her life to save her people from destruction. 
  • Elizabeth—Luke 1
    • Elizabeth was the mother of John the Baptist and a relative of Mary. She rejoiced at God’s blessing and recognized Jesus before His birth.
  • Eve—Genesis 2–4
    • Eve was the first woman created by God and the wife of Adam. She became the mother of all humanity.

H

  • Hannah—1 Samuel 1–2
    • Hannah was a faithful woman who prayed earnestly for a child. God answered her prayer, and she became the mother of Samuel, whom she dedicated to the Lord.
  • Hagar – Genesis 16; 21
    • Hagar was Sarah’s servant and the mother of Ishmael. God saw her distress in the wilderness and cared for her and her son.

J

  • Jael—Judges 4–5
    • Jael was a courageous woman who helped deliver Israel by defeating Sisera, the commander of the enemy army. 
  • Jezebel—1 Kings 16–21; 2 Kings 9
    • Jezebel was the wife of King Ahab and promoted idol worship in Israel. She became known for her opposition to God’s prophets and her wicked influence.

L

  • Leah—Genesis 29–35
    • Leah was Jacob’s first wife and the mother of six of the twelve tribes of Israel. God blessed her with a significant role in Israel’s history. 
  • Lydia—Acts 16:14–15
    • Lydia was a merchant of purple cloth and one of the first converts to Christianity in Europe. She welcomed Paul into her home and supported the early church.

M

  • Mary—Luke 1–2
    • Mary was the mother of Jesus and was chosen by God to bring the Messiah into the world. She responded with faith and obedience to God’s calling.
  • Mary Magdalene—Luke 8:2; John 20
    • Mary Magdalene was a devoted follower of Jesus whom He delivered from evil spirits. She was the first person to see the risen Christ and announce His resurrection.
  • Mary of Bethany—Luke 10:38–42; John 11–12
    • Mary of Bethany was the sister of Martha and Lazarus. She is remembered for sitting at Jesus’ feet to learn from Him and for anointing Him with expensive perfume.
  • Martha—Luke 10:38–42; John 11
    • Martha was the sister of Mary and Lazarus and was known for her hospitality. She expressed great faith in Jesus as the Messiah and Son of God.
  • Miriam—Exodus 2:15
    • Miriam was the sister of Moses and Aaron and a prophetess in Israel. She helped protect Moses as a baby and led the women in worship after God delivered Israel from Egypt.

N

  • Naomi—Book of Ruth
    • Naomi was Ruth’s mother-in-law who experienced great loss but trusted God through difficult circumstances. She played an important role in guiding Ruth and became part of the family line of King David.

P

  • Priscilla—Acts 18; Romans 16:3–5
    • Priscilla was an early Christian leader who served alongside her husband, Aquila. She helped teach Apollos and supported the growth of the early church.
  • Phoebe—Romans 16:1–2
    • Phoebe was a faithful servant of the church in Cenchreae. Paul commended her as a helper of many believers and entrusted her with important responsibilities.

R

  • Rachel—Genesis 29–35
    • Rachel was Jacob’s beloved wife and the mother of Joseph and Benjamin. She is remembered for her beauty, perseverance, and important place in Israel’s history.
  • Rahab—Joshua 2:6
    • Rahab was a woman of Jericho who protected the Israelite spies and placed her faith in God. She and her family were spared when Jericho was destroyed and she became part of the lineage of Jesus.
  • Rebekah—Genesis 24–27
    • Rebekah was the wife of Isaac and the mother of Esau and Jacob. She played a key role in God’s covenant family and helped shape the future of Israel.
  • Ruth—Book of Ruth
    • Ruth was a Moabite widow who showed remarkable loyalty to Naomi and faith in God. She became the wife of Boaz and an ancestor of King David and Jesus Christ.

S

  • Sarah – Genesis 11–23
    • Sarah was the wife of Abraham and the mother of Isaac. God fulfilled His promise to her by giving her a son in her old age.
  • Salome—Mark 15:40; 16:1
    • Salome was a devoted follower of Jesus who witnessed His crucifixion and visited His tomb after His burial. She was among the women who first learned of His resurrection.
  • Shiphrah—Exodus 1:15–21
    • Shiphrah was a Hebrew midwife who feared God and refused Pharaoh’s order to kill Hebrew baby boys. Her courage helped preserve the lives of many children in Israel.
  • Susanna—Daniel 13
    • Susanna was a righteous woman who remained faithful to God despite being falsely accused. God raised Daniel to defend her, and her innocence was proven.
  • Susanna – Luke 8:3
    • Susanna was one of the women who supported Jesus’ ministry with her resources. She faithfully followed and served Him alongside other disciples.
  • Sapphira—Acts 5:1–11
    • Sapphira and her husband, Ananias, deceived the early church about a financial gift. She faced God’s judgment after choosing to participate in the deception.
  • Sheerah—1 Chronicles 7:24
    • Sheerah was a woman from the tribe of Ephraim who built several cities, including Lower and Upper Beth Horon. She is one of the few women in the Bible recognized for her achievements in construction and leadership.
  • Shunammite woman – 2 Kings 4:8–37
    • The Shunammite woman showed great hospitality to the prophet Elisha by providing him with a room in her home. God later blessed her with a son and miraculously restored his life after he died.

T

  • Tabitha (Dorcas)—Acts 9:36–42
    • Tabitha was a disciple known for good works and helping the poor. Peter prayed for her and God restored her to life.
  • Tamar – Genesis 38
    • Tamar was Judah’s daughter-in-law who courageously sought justice and preserved his family line. She became the mother of Perez and Zerah, ancestors of Jesus Christ.
  • Tamar (Daughter of David)—2 Samuel 13
    • Tamar was King David’s daughter, known for her beauty and dignity. After her half-brother Amnon wronged her, she suffered greatly and became a tragic figure in David’s family history.

V

  • Vashti—Esther 1
    • Vashti was the queen of Persia who refused King Ahasuerus’ command to appear before him. She lost her royal position after her refusal.

W

  • Woman at the well—the Samaritan woman who spoke with Jesus (John 4)
  • Woman with the alabaster jar – Anointed Jesus’ feet (Luke 7)

Z

  • Zipporah – Exodus 2; 4
    • Zipporah was the wife of Moses and the daughter of Jethro. She protected Moses by performing the circumcision of their son during a critical moment.
  • Zilpah—Genesis 29–30
    • Zilpah was Leah’s servant and Jacob’s concubine. She became the mother of Gad and Asher among the tribes of Israel.

Why the Stories of Women in the Bible Matter

The lives of these women of the Bible reveal many important lessons. Some show courage during difficult moments. Others demonstrate faith, patience, or loyalty.

Even when their stories are short, these female Bible characters help us understand the broader story of Scripture and how God worked through many different people.

Explore the Stories of Women in the Bible

We will continue to expand this page by adding new articles.

Each name will link to a detailed article explaining the story, background, and biblical passages connected to that woman.

By exploring the stories of these Bible women, readers can have a greater appreciation for the people who appear throughout the pages of Scripture.