The Woman’s Place – In the Ancient World and in Scripture

Introduction

This Bible teaching explores the role and status of women in the ancient Near East and how it aligns with scripture. It challenges common stereotypes about women being oppressed in ancient times and aims to provide a more defined understanding of a woman’s place, drawing from historical, cultural, and biblical contexts. This study uses historical accounts and scriptural references to redefine the perception of women, emphasizing their value, respect, and responsibilities in ancient societies.

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Challenging Stereotypes

Many people today view the ancient Near East as a time when women were oppressed, but this teaching challenges that view by exploring historical and scriptural evidence. Some scholars argue that women were considered lesser beings in both culture and scripture, but this perspective contrasts with the concept of the “bride of Messiah.” If the bride was oppressed and not honoured, what does that say about the bride of Christ? The teaching posits that women in the ancient Near East were often respected and held significant roles.

The Tale of Two Brothers

To illustrate the dynamics between men and women in ancient times, Matthew Vander Els uses a story called “The Tale of Two Brothers,” dating back to 1200 BCE. This story, set in the 19th dynasty of the New Kingdom of Egypt, shows a woman’s independent decision-making when she tells Bata to get the corn himself. Despite the expectation that men were in authority over women, this story reveals that women still possessed a degree of autonomy.

Rights and Respect in the Ancient Near East

• Equal Rights: In earlier periods of the ancient Near East, women had equal rights with men, including appearing in public, making legal decisions, and owning property.
• Inheritance: Women could acquire inheritance from their fathers. Numbers 27 tells the story of Zelophehad’s daughters, who successfully petitioned for their father’s inheritance because he had no sons.
• Status: The “pit of death” found in Ur demonstrates the high status of women. When a priestess died, she was buried with ten fully armed men and 68 women, who committed suicide to accompany her into the afterlife.
• Social Class vs. Gender: Respect was often based on social class rather than gender. Rich women were highly respected, while the poor were not.
• Female Priests: In the Near East, female priests, or nuns, were well-respected and spent their lives in temples praying and making sacrifices for their families.

Marriage and Family

• Marriage Age: Girls typically married between 14 and 20 years old, while men married much later, between 26 and 32 years old. This cultural context is relevant to understanding the age of Miriam when she was pregnant with Yeshua.
• Marriage Covenant: The marriage covenant was primarily between the two families, with the father of the bride orchestrating the marriage contract. This contract covered various scenarios, such as childlessness, divorce, and the provision of shelter, food, and clothing.
• Divorce: Women could initiate divorce and were often entitled to significant compensation, especially if they had children. Divorce was considered synonymous with the death of a spouse in oral tradition.
• Bride Price: The groom had to pay the bride’s father, highlighting her value. In ancient Assyrian, the term for marriage signified a relationship between the groom and the bride’s father, with the bride being the most precious object of the transaction.
• Dinah’s Story: The story of Dinah illustrates the value of a woman’s virginity and the shame brought upon her family when Shechem lay with her. The bride price was meant to restore the honor of Jacob, Dinah’s father.

Slander and Protection

Deuteronomy 22 addresses the issue of slander against a wife, particularly regarding her virginity. If a man falsely accused his wife of not being a virgin, he would be punished and required to pay a fine to her father. This highlights the protection afforded to women against defamation and the importance of upholding the marriage contract. Simple dislike was not grounds for divorce.

The Husband’s Responsibility

Psalms 128 discusses the blessings of fearing the Lord, emphasizing the husband’s role. The blessings extend to his wife and family. The husband’s righteousness leads to a trickle-down effect of blessings for his entire household. Men are responsible for taking the spiritual lead in their homes, ensuring their wives and children benefit from their righteousness. Even if a wife is more spiritually inclined, it remains the husband’s responsibility to lead.

The Wife as a Helpmate

Colossians 3:18 instructs wives to submit to their husbands. However, the teaching clarifies that submission should not be seen as a military command but as a voluntary attitude of cooperation, responsibility, and assistance. The wife is a “helpmate,” carrying the burden alongside her husband. The term “azer kinegdo” from Genesis 2:18 describes a helpmate as someone who offers aid, support, and protection in a military sense, an equal counterpart who fights to protect her husband.

Practical Application

• Husbands Praying for Wives: Isaac’s prayer for Rebekah, who was barren, emphasizes the husband’s responsibility to petition God for his wife’s blessings.
• Leading the Household: Men should lead their families in righteousness, setting an example worth following.
• Supporting Widows and Orphans: The community should care for widows and orphans, ensuring they are provided for and protected.
• Honouring Women: Recognising women’s value, offering constant encouragement, and providing unwavering support.
• Wives as Helpers: Women should aid their husbands, carry their burdens, and assist in leading the family.
• Self-Examination: Reflect on personal behaviour and strive to be a helpmate to both spouse and God.

Conclusion

The teaching encourages a re-evaluation of the roles of men and women, urging husbands to take their spiritual responsibilities seriously and wives to support their husbands actively. It is crucial for men to lead their families in righteousness, creating an environment where blessings can trickle down. The goal is to foster a relationship of mutual respect, support, and shared responsibility, reflecting the divine design for marriage and family.

This teaching is brought to you by Founded in Truth Fellowship.

References

• Genesis 25:21
• Numbers 27
• Deuteronomy 22
• Deuteronomy 24
• Psalms 128
• Colossians 3:18
• Genesis 2:18

Resources

• The Bible