Topical Encyclopedia In the cultural and historical context of the Bible, being slain by a woman was often considered a great disgrace for a man. This perspective is rooted in the patriarchal society of ancient Israel, where men were typically seen as the protectors and warriors, while women were expected to fulfill roles within the domestic sphere. The notion of a man being killed by a woman challenged the societal norms and expectations of gender roles, leading to a perception of dishonor.One of the most notable biblical accounts illustrating this concept is the account of Abimelech, the son of Gideon, found in the Book of Judges. Abimelech, who sought to establish himself as king, met his demise at the hands of a woman during the siege of Thebez. As the narrative unfolds, Abimelech approached a tower to set it on fire, but a woman dropped an upper millstone on his head, fatally wounding him. In an effort to avoid the disgrace of being killed by a woman, Abimelech called to his armor-bearer to kill him. Judges 9:54 records his plea: "Draw your sword and kill me, lest they say of me, ‘A woman killed him.’" This incident underscores the cultural stigma associated with such a death. Another significant example is found in the account of Sisera, the commander of the Canaanite army, who was killed by Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite. After being defeated by the forces of Israel led by Deborah and Barak, Sisera sought refuge in Jael's tent. While he slept, Jael drove a tent peg through his temple, killing him. Judges 4:21 describes the act: "But Jael, Heber’s wife, picked up a tent peg and a hammer and went quietly to him while he lay fast asleep, exhausted. She drove the peg through his temple into the ground, and he died." This event was celebrated in the Song of Deborah, highlighting Jael's bravery but also reflecting the cultural shock of a woman achieving such a victory over a male warrior. These narratives reflect the broader biblical theme of God using unexpected means and individuals to accomplish His purposes. The accounts of Abimelech and Sisera serve as reminders of the reversal of human expectations and the divine orchestration of events. They also illustrate the complex interplay between cultural norms and divine intervention, where societal disgrace is juxtaposed with the fulfillment of God's will. In the broader biblical context, these accounts contribute to the understanding of gender roles and the perception of honor and disgrace in ancient Israel. They highlight the tension between societal expectations and the subversion of those expectations through divine action, offering a rich tapestry of theological and cultural insights. Torrey's Topical Textbook Judges 9:54Then he called hastily to the young man his armor bearer, and said to him, Draw your sword, and slay me, that men say not of me, A women slew him. And his young man thrust him through, and he died. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library Thus Has the Question Been on Both Sides Considered and Treated... The Mystery The Adventures of Saint Andrew of Scotland. 1 Cor. xiii. 8 Other Self-Asserting Augustae --Verina, Ariadne, Sophia, Martina ... Cheating and Dishonest Ways of Making Money are Utterly Unfit for ... Whether the Judicial Precepts were Suitably Framed as to the ... The Story of Panthea. A Discourse of the Building, Nature, Excellency, and Government of ... A virgin at Antioch, Having Refused to Sacrifice to Idols... Resources What does the Bible say about being a godly woman? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean to be a woman of God? | GotQuestions.org What can we learn from the woman caught in adultery? | GotQuestions.org Woman: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Woman of Distinction: Fair and Graceful Woman of Distinction: Fond of Dress and Ornaments Woman of Distinction: Haughty in Their Deportment Woman of Distinction: Wore Their Hair Plaited and Adorned With Gold and Pearls Woman of the Poorer Classes Swarthy from Exposure to the Sun Woman were Required to Hear and Obey the Law Woman: (At Ease and Careless) of a State of Carnal Security Woman: (Chaste and Holy) of Saints Woman: (Delicate) of Backsliding Israel Woman: (Foolish) of Mere Professors Woman: (Forsaken) of Israel in Her Captivity Woman: (Gloriously Arrayed) of the Church of Christ Woman: (Lewd) of the Roman Apostasy Woman: Allowed to Join in the Temple-Music from the Time of David Woman: Considered a Valuable Booty in War Woman: Frequently: Active in Instigating to Iniquity Woman: Frequently: Fond of Self-Indulgence Woman: Frequently: Silly and Easily Led Into Error Woman: Frequently: Subtle and Deceitful Woman: Frequently: Zealous in Promoting Superstition and Idolatry Woman: Generally Lived in a Separated Apartment or Tent Woman: Generally Wore a Vail in the Presence of the Other Sex Woman: Good and Virtuous, Described Woman: had a Court of the Tabernacle Assigned to Them Woman: Loving and Affectionate Woman: Often Engaged in Agriculture Woman: Often Engaged in Attending Funerals As Mourners Woman: Often Engaged in Celebrating the Victories of the Nation Woman: Often Engaged in Domestic Employments Woman: Often Engaged in Drawing and Carrying Water Woman: Often Engaged in Embroidery Woman: Often Engaged in Grinding Corn Woman: Often Engaged in Spinning Woman: Often Engaged in Tending Sheep Woman: Often Treated With Great Cruelty in War Woman: Origin and Cause of the Name Woman: Originally Made by God in his own Image Woman: Originally Made for Man Woman: Originally Made: from One of Adam's Ribs Woman: Originally Made: Subordinate to Man Woman: Originally Made: To be an Helpmeet for Man Woman: Originally Made: To be the Glory of Man Woman: Punishment for Injuring, when With Child Woman: Safety in Childbirth Promised to the Faithful and Holy Woman: Salvation Promised Through the Seed of Woman: Submissive and Respectful to Husbands Woman: Tender and Constant to Her offspring Woman: To be Governed By, Considered a Calamity by the Jews Woman: To be Slain By, Considered a Great Disgrace Woman: To Wear Her Hair Long As a Covering Woman: Unfaithfulness of, when Married Found out by the Waters of Woman: Virtuous, Held in High Estimation Woman: Vows of, when Married not Binding Upon the Husband Woman: Young of Distinction, Dressed in Robes of Various Colours Woman: Young: Could not Marry Without Consent of Parents Woman: Young: Fond of Ornaments Woman: Young: Inherited Parents' Property when There Was No Male Heir Woman: Young: Kind and Courteous to Strangers Woman: Young: Not to be Given in Marriage Considered a Calamity Woman: Young: Often Taken Captive Woman: Young: Often Treated With Great Cruelty in War Woman: Young: Punishment for Seducing when not Betrothed Woman: Young: Punishment for Seducing, when Betrothed Woman: Young: Required to Learn from and Imitate Their Elders Related Terms Woman-servant (12 Occurrences) |
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