Category: Biblical People

Short bios of people in the Bible

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Biblical People

Biblical People: The Mother of Jabez

The Mother of Jabez

Though an entire book was later written about his prayer, we know little about Jabez from Scripture. The Bible only mentions him in two obscure verses, buried in a lengthy genealogy. We know even less about his mother, not even her name.

We do know his birth is difficult, and the name she gives him reflects the physical pain his arrival caused. This is all we know about her.

However, we can infer more of her traits from the character of her son. Jabez is an honorable man, more honorable than others. We also know he has a deep connection with God, for when Jabez prays a bold prayer, God answers it.

We can implicitly connect these qualities with his mother, the woman who raised him. Surely Jabez’s mother is a godly woman who teaches her son how to live an honorable life, follow God, and to pray with effectiveness.

What more can a mother give to her son?

What can we do to raise godly, honorable, faithful children?

[Discover more about Jabez’s mother in 1 Chronicles 4:9–10.]

Learn about other biblical women in Women of the Bible, available in audiobook, e-book, paperback, and hardcover.

A lifelong student of the Bible, Peter DeHaan, PhD, wrote the 1,000-page website ABibleADay.com to encourage people to explore the Bible. His main blog and many books urge Christians to push past the status quo and reconsider how they practice their faith in every area of their lives.

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Biblical People

Biblical People: Orpah

Orpah

Orpah is the widowed daughter-in-law of Naomi and sister-in-law to Ruth. When Naomi decides to return to Judah, her Moabite daughters-in-law start out with her. Naomi releases them both, encouraging them to return to their mothers and find new husbands.

Though Ruth refuses, Orpah does the logical thing and goes home. 

That’s the last we hear of Orpah. We don’t know if she marries again or ever has any children. We don’t know how long she lives. We just know she does the sensible thing. 

However, Orpah’s sister-in-law chooses the path that doesn’t make sense, and God honors her for her loyalty to him and her mother-in-law.

Sometimes the sensible solution isn’t the one God honors. Do we have the discernment to put God first even if it doesn’t make sense?

[Discover more about Orpah in Ruth 1:4–16.]

Learn about other biblical women in Women of the Bible, available in audiobook, e-book, paperback, and hardcover.

A lifelong student of the Bible, Peter DeHaan, PhD, wrote the 1,000-page website ABibleADay.com to encourage people to explore the Bible. His main blog and many books urge Christians to push past the status quo and reconsider how they practice their faith in every area of their lives.

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Biblical People

Biblical People: Naomi

Naomi

Naomi’s name means pleasant. Naomi, her husband, and their two boys leave their home country of Judah and travel to Moab because of a famine. While in Moab, Naomi’s husband dies, and later both of her married sons die too.

This leaves her with two widowed daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth, and little hope. Naomi blames God for her misfortune and grows bitter.

She decides to return home when she learns of food there. Orpah and Ruth start back with her, but Naomi decides this isn’t fair to them.

At Naomi’s urging, Orpah returns to Moab and rejoins her family, but Ruth expresses deep commitment to her mother-in-law and to God, promising to stay with her forever and to worship her God.

After returning to Judah, Naomi develops a plan for Ruth to marry their relative, Boaz. Ruth follows her mother-in-law’s instructions. Soon Boaz and Ruth marry. Ruth has her first child, Obed.

Naomi cares for her new grandson like a son, while the local women celebrate his birth and Naomi’s good fortune.

Like all of us, Naomi’s life contains struggle and disappointment, but God cares for her, providing a loyal daughter-in-law and a cherished grandson to care for.

Even if life goes terribly wrong and we become bitter and blame God, he still loves us and provides.

Will we trust God with our future, regardless of hardship?

[Discover more about Naomi in Ruth 1–4.]

Learn about other biblical women in Women of the Bible, available in audiobook, e-book, paperback, and hardcover.

A lifelong student of the Bible, Peter DeHaan, PhD, wrote the 1,000-page website ABibleADay.com to encourage people to explore the Bible. His main blog and many books urge Christians to push past the status quo and reconsider how they practice their faith in every area of their lives.

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Biblical People

Biblical People: Ruth

Ruth

Ruth, a widow and foreigner (a non-Hebrew), remains faithful to her widowed mother-in-law, Naomi. When Naomi decides to return home to Judah, she urges Ruth to stay behind in her own country, with her own family.

Ruth, however, won’t be dissuaded, clinging to her mother-in-law and pledging her allegiance. The reason behind Ruth’s intense loyalty to Naomi, however, is a mystery.

Having lost her husband and both sons, Naomi is now a bitter woman, so it certainly isn’t her personality that causes Ruth’s devotion.

When they return to Judah, Ruth, at great personal risk, goes in search of grain missed by the harvesters so she and Naomi will have some food to eat. Ruth finds favor with a wealthy farmer, Boaz, who has heard of her devotion to Naomi and sees her hardworking character.

Naomi wants to find another husband for Ruth. Although much older, Boaz seems the ideal choice. Naomi develops a shrewd strategy for Ruth to capture the heart of Boaz, and Ruth dutifully does as her mother-in-law directs.

While it’s unclear if Naomi’s instructions cause Ruth to act in a manner considered chaste or brazen, she does garner Boaz’s attention. 

Boaz immediately sets out to make Ruth his wife, deftly dealing with another relative who could thwart his intentions. When Boaz and Ruth marry, the people bless her and her future children.

Ruth has her first child, a boy they name Obed. Obed is the father of Jesse, the father of David. This makes Ruth the great-grandmother of King David. 

God rewards Ruth’s allegiance to him and loyalty to her mother-in-law, providing Ruth with a husband, saving her from poverty, and giving her a son.

Ruth is one of four women honored by Matthew in his record of Jesus’s family tree.

Do we have a reputation for being loyal and hardworking? Is our godly character affirmed by others?

[Discover more about Ruth in Ruth 1–4 and Matthew 1:5.]

Learn about other biblical women in Women of the Bible, available in audiobook, e-book, paperback, and hardcover.

A lifelong student of the Bible, Peter DeHaan, PhD, wrote the 1,000-page website ABibleADay.com to encourage people to explore the Bible. His main blog and many books urge Christians to push past the status quo and reconsider how they practice their faith in every area of their lives.

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Biblical People

Biblical People: The Mother of Samson

The Mother of Samson

There is a woman, the wife of Manoah. She is barren. Though we don’t know how long she and Manoah have tried to have children, God sends an angel to her with good news. He promises she will become pregnant and have a boy. However, he also requires something of her. 

She must not drink alcohol or eat anything that isn’t kosher. Though we might assume this only applies while she is pregnant, the Bible doesn’t say that.

This might be a lifelong requirement for her, because when she and Manoah later ask the angel how they should raise their baby, the angel repeats these same instructions to her.

As far as their son, he also has restrictions placed on him. He should never cut his hair. They are to raise him as a Nazirite, though Scripture doesn’t explain exactly what this means.

However, the instructions for living a set-apart life are not just for Samson but also for his mom. If she doesn’t do her part, Samson might not be able to do all God has planned for him.

She does indeed get pregnant and gives birth to a baby boy. She names him Samson. 

Unfortunately, Samson grows up to have many character flaws, which eventually lead to his downfall. Despite his shortcomings he accomplishes much for God and the nation of Israel.

The key to his success, however, may have hinged on his mom’s compliance to do what God said. A godly, obedient mother establishes the spiritual framework for Samson to move into his calling and rescue God’s people.

Just like Samson’s mother, many women change their dietary habits when they are pregnant. They do this to give their baby his or her best chance of enjoying a healthy life.

Many moms continue to forgo their personal desires for the sake of their children as they grow up and even after they move into adulthood.

Our sacrifices for others are an expression of our love for them. What are we willing to give up for someone else’s benefit?

[Discover more about Samson’s mother in Judges 13:2–24.]

Learn about other biblical women in Women of the Bible, available in audiobook, e-book, paperback, and hardcover.

A lifelong student of the Bible, Peter DeHaan, PhD, wrote the 1,000-page website ABibleADay.com to encourage people to explore the Bible. His main blog and many books urge Christians to push past the status quo and reconsider how they practice their faith in every area of their lives.

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Biblical People

Biblical People: Delilah

Delilah

Though infamous for her tryst with bad-boy Samson, we know little about Delilah. The Bible says Samson falls in love with her. We assume it’s mutual, though for her it may just be for the sex or out of rebellion. 

Whatever her motivation to hook up with the potent Samson, money soon becomes a more powerful incentive. When the Philistine leaders offer her silver if she can learn the secret behind her lover’s strength, she agrees. Eager to earn her reward, she plies Samson to reveal the source of his vigor. 

Three times he toys with her, giving misinformation, which she accepts as truth. Each time the Philistines try to use this information to capture him, but they are unable to.

Embarrassed over her failures, and no doubt anxious to earn her payoff, she hounds him incessantly. Her nagging eventually wears him down, and he finally breaks. Now knowing the true secret to his strength, the Philistines capture him. Samson later dies in their chains.

Whatever Delilah thinks of Samson at first, she readily sells him out for a few sacks of silver.

What will we do for a paycheck? How far will we go to get money, power, or prestige? 

[Discover more about Delilah in Judges 16:4–21.]

Learn about other biblical women in Women of the Bible, available in audiobook, e-book, paperback, and hardcover.

A lifelong student of the Bible, Peter DeHaan, PhD, wrote the 1,000-page website ABibleADay.com to encourage people to explore the Bible. His main blog and many books urge Christians to push past the status quo and reconsider how they practice their faith in every area of their lives.

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Biblical People

Biblical People: The Mother of Jephthah

The Mother of Jephthah

Jephthah’s father is Gilead. His mother is a prostitute. The Bible doesn’t even bother to give her name. So begins the life of Jephthah. When he is older, his half brothers, sons of his father’s wife, chase Jephthah away. They don’t want him sharing in their inheritance. He leaves, carrying with him the stigma of his bastard birth.

We can only wonder if Jephthah’s mother has an ongoing relationship with his dad or if Jephthah’s conception is the result of a single night of unrestrained lust.

Scripture doesn’t say if Jephthah’s mother has other children or if she ever pulls herself out of a lifestyle of selling her body.

We don’t know if Jephthah’s mother is part of his life after he is born or if she retreats with him when he leaves town. Does Jephthah even know who his mom is? Scripture doesn’t tell us anything about her life or what forced her into prostitution. We only know that she has a son named Jephthah.

However, we do find out what happens to her son. When the townspeople need help, they know who to turn to. They retrieve Jephthah from exile and elevate him to commander over their army.

God’s spirit fills Jephthah. He is empowered. Jephthah leads the army into battle and scores a mighty victory, not only for the townspeople but for the entire nation of Israel. Jephthah is a hero, and he leads the people for the rest of his life.

Like Jephthah’s mother, we may not be living the life we want. We may not even be able to rise above our situation, but our reality doesn’t need to form our children’s future.

With God’s spirit they can rise above their circumstances and succeed. May it be so.

What can we do to help the next generation have a better future?

[Discover more about Jephthah’s mom in Judges 11:1–33.]

Learn about other biblical women in Women of the Bible, available in audiobook, e-book, paperback, and hardcover.

A lifelong student of the Bible, Peter DeHaan, PhD, wrote the 1,000-page website ABibleADay.com to encourage people to explore the Bible. His main blog and many books urge Christians to push past the status quo and reconsider how they practice their faith in every area of their lives.

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Biblical People

Biblical People: The Daughter of Jephthah

Daughter of Jephthah

We don’t know the name of Jephthah’s daughter. But we lament what happened to her. We applaud the steadfast confidence in how she accepts her fate, revealing her deep faith in God.

The elders of Gilead ask Jephthah to lead them into battle against their enemies. He agrees, but then makes a rash vow. He says that upon his successful return he will give an offering to God.

Jephthah pledges to sacrifice the first thing that comes through the door of his house as a burnt offering to thank God for his victory. Jephthah assumes it will be an animal.

He is indeed victorious. 

However, to his dismay, the first thing that walks through the door when he returns home is his daughter, his only child. She dances in celebration for his success. He laments the foolish promise he made to God but feels obligated to fulfill it.

Jephthah’s daughter doesn’t complain about her father’s careless pledge. Instead, she confirms he must follow through. Her only request is a two-month reprieve to mourn her fate with her friends. Then Jephthah does as he vowed.

What is unclear is if Jephthah physically sacrifices his daughter, something Moses prohibited, or if her life is redeemed for service to God, like Hannah’s giving of Samuel to serve God in the temple.

Regardless, it’s clear that Jephthah’s daughter will not enjoy the future she expected, for she willingly accepts the consequences of her father’s impulsive promise to God. We commend her for her pious attitude, all the while being reminded to be careful with what we promise. 

When faced with circumstances beyond our control, do we challenge the injustice or accept it with God-honoring dignity?

[Discover more about Jephthah’s daughter in Judges 11:30–40.]

Learn about other biblical women in Women of the Bible, available in audiobook, e-book, paperback, and hardcover.

A lifelong student of the Bible, Peter DeHaan, PhD, wrote the 1,000-page website ABibleADay.com to encourage people to explore the Bible. His main blog and many books urge Christians to push past the status quo and reconsider how they practice their faith in every area of their lives.

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Biblical People

Biblical People: The Daughters of Job

The Daughters of Job

After Satan’s tormenting of the innocent Job, God restores what Satan took away, which includes all his possessions and his first set of seven sons and three daughters. In fact, God doubles Job’s wealth and gives him ten more kids: seven more sons and three more daughters. Though the sons’ names aren’t recorded in Scripture, the daughter’s names are: Jemimah, Keziah, and Keren-Happuch. The girls are heralded as the most beautiful in the land.

In mentioning them by name, the Bible honors Job’s girls, even at the risk of elevating them over their unnamed brothers. Even more so, Job goes against the conventional practice of the day, giving his daughters an inheritance along with their brothers. 

In doing so, Job reveals his heart and God’s perspective. This is even more remarkable, given that Job lives in a male-dominated society.

May we see things as God sees them. What might we do to further God’s perspective, even if it means challenging the status quo?

[Discover more about Job’s three daughters in Job 42:13–15.]

Learn about other biblical women in Women of the Bible, available in audiobook, e-book, paperback, and hardcover.

A lifelong student of the Bible, Peter DeHaan, PhD, wrote the 1,000-page website ABibleADay.com to encourage people to explore the Bible. His main blog and many books urge Christians to push past the status quo and reconsider how they practice their faith in every area of their lives.

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Biblical People

Bible People: Zilpah and Bilhah

Zilpah and Bilhah

Zilpah and Bilhah aren’t familiar women in the Bible, yet their contribution to the nation of Israel is significant. 

When Laban’s two daughters marry Jacob, Dad gives them each a wedding gift: a servant. To his daughter Leah, he gives his servant Zilpah, while to his daughter Rachel, he gives Bilhah.

These servants should be nothing more than a footnote in history, but that’s not how the story unfolds. Their lives have a distressing parallel to Hagar who preceded them.

While Leah gives Jacob several sons, Rachel has no children. In desperation, she offers her servant, Bilhah, to her husband to make babies in her place. Her foolish husband agrees, impregnating his wife’s servant—twice.

Not to be outdone, Leah does the same thing, offering her servant, Zilpah, to sleep with Jacob. Zilpah also gets pregnant—twice. Eventually Rachel has two boys of her own, while Leah has six sons altogether.

As a result, the two servants produce four sons for Jacob. Of his twelve boys, four are not from his wives, but from his wives’ servants. The twelve boys become the twelve tribes of Israel (Jacob), so one third of the nation of Israel results from Jacob’s relationship with his wives’ two servants.

Zilpah and Bilhah have nothing to say in any of this. As servants, they must obey their mistresses. They are voiceless victims. But as he often does, God rewards the underdogs, with Zilpah and Bilhah’s offspring comprising one third of his chosen people.

Even when we feel like helpless, voiceless victims, God is on our side. Do we truly believe that?

[Discover more about Zilpah and Bilhah in Genesis 29–35.]

Learn about other biblical women in Women of the Bible, available in audiobook, e-book, paperback, and hardcover.

A lifelong student of the Bible, Peter DeHaan, PhD, wrote the 1,000-page website ABibleADay.com to encourage people to explore the Bible. His main blog and many books urge Christians to push past the status quo and reconsider how they practice their faith in every area of their lives.