Last lessonStatus of women in Old Testament timesScriptural limitationsRoles filled by womenThis lessonHow women were regarded in Old Testament timesWhat changed going into the 1st centuryHow women were considered in Old Testament timesIncluded in the covenant – Deuteronomy 29:9-12Sources of wisdom – II Samuel 14:1-21Wisdom personified as feminine – Proverbs 7:4; 8:1-6Having great prudence – I Samuel 25:23-42Wife is a very good find – Proverbs 19:L14; 18:22How women considered – continued:Life of a women on par with life of a man – Exodus 21:22-29Books of Ruth, Esther, Song of SolomonBook of Judith (uninspired)Apocryphal book that tells the story of a rebel named JudithStatus of women in Old TestamentMarriages were arrangedBetween father and prospective husbandLove was not a factorMaintenance of tribal inheritance wasEmancipated widows free to seek their ownRuth a good exampleWise woman of Tekoa presumably made choiceBeyond that, status was what she made of itCultural changes approaching 1st centuryEncroachment of Hellenism throughout societyEmbraced by someAbhorred by othersUnavoidable by anyNumbness brought about by timeGradual acceptance of cultural “norms”Included many aspects of societyOne change was women’s statusEffects of Hellenization on womenNeither seen nor heardHarem system had roots in HellenismWoman’s place was in the homeWomen not to be educated or to teachWomen to be “hidden” in publicDiminished legal standingCould not testify in courtDisallowed from owning property
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