Women in Fausset's Bible Dictionary

Enjoyed a status in Israel not assigned to them in the East now. Mahometanism especially has degraded women in Asia and Africa; anciently they had a liberty not now accorded them, veiling was not then required as now: e.g. Rebekah, Genesis 24:64-65; Rachel, Genesis 29:11; Sarah, Genesis 12:14-19; Miriam led a band of women with triumphant song, Exodus 15:20- 21; so Jephthah's daughter, Judges 11:34; the maidens of Shiloh, Judges 21:21; the women meeting Saul and David after victory; 1 Samuel 18:6-7; Hannah, 1 Samuel 2:1; Deborah, Judges 4 and Judges 5; Huldah, 2 Kings 22:14; Noadiah, Nehemiah 6:14; Anna, Luke 2:36. The virtuous matron is admirably pictured Proverbs 31:10, etc. Polygamy transferred power from the wives to the queen mother (called therefore gebiraah "powerful"), 1 Kings 2:19; 1 Kings 15:13; separate establishments were kept for the wives collectively or individually, "the house of the women" (Esther 2:3; Esther 2:9; 1 Kings 7:8); the wives had severally a separate tent (Genesis 31:33); the women were present at table (John 2:3; John 12:2; Job 1:4).