Notorious Women of the Bible

The story of Eve opens with a vision of loneliness, companionship, desire and love. It tells how woman, made in the creator’s image, gives up a life of ease in an idyllic setting, along with the promise of immortality, and instead chooses to pursue wisdom and intimacy with her man. We also consider how stereotypes of Eve haunt our societal view of women today.

Samson may have been the classic biblical Israeli strong man, but he was no match for a pretty young Philistine named Delilah. We all think we know this traditional tale, but do we? Was Delilah a pawn, a Judas or a survivor? Hers is a rich, complex story of romance, betrayal and revenge that will bring down the house as we explore this legend from an entirely new perspective.

The setting: a late afternoon in Jerusalem 3,000 years ago. A beautiful young woman bathes on the roof at dusk, spied by the lustful eyes of a hidden admirer. The admirer, King David, is supposed to be on the battlefield with his troops. And the woman, Bathsheba, is married. Her husband is a general in David’s army.

No biblical woman is more reviled than Jezebel. Her name is still synonymous with feminine evil. Jezebel’s story is a rich mix of historical events, allegorical interpretation and metaphorical licence. At the climax of her long struggle to bring pagan worship to the kingdom of Israel, Queen Jezebel paid a terrible price.

The book of Esther tells the story of a beautiful orphan who hides her Jewish identity, becomes Queen of Persia and saves her people from destruction. A controversial figure, Esther has been criticized for being a ‘bad Jew’; flouting tradition, marrying a gentile and being vengeful and bloodthirsty. Still, with great courage, wisdom and imagination, she stops a pogrom.