Introduction In order to understand the status of women in the Old Testament it is important to first understand the culture of the Old Testament. Many of the laws that were implemented were not necessarily because of women inequality but for the protection of the women. Feminist today may view the scripture as misogynistic because they do not understand the culture of the time or are simply examining and analyzing from a modern perspective. The intentions of God is never to create inequality among sexes. From the beginning of Creation God made man after his own image and then took out of the man to create the woman. Shortly after the passage reads, “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female
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For instance, during the fall of man, God told the woman, “Your desire will be for your husband, and he will “rule” over you." Many commentators agree that women may have started as equal to the men, but Eve’s action caused them to gain inferiority status. Matthew Henry in his commentary believes, “If man had not sinned, he would always have ruled with wisdom and love; if the woman had not sinned, she would always have obeyed with humility and meekness.” Martin Luther was yet another scholar that thought little of woman and used the Old Testament to support such notion. Luther is quoted as saying, “The woman’s weaker nature was inherent in their very being; this inferiority was deepened by Eve’s actions and God’s words in the Garden of Eden.” These scholars believed a division in status and superiority exist within the content of the scripture.
Bible Passages that argue against the Old Testament being misogynistic
While there are those who argue the Old Testament as being misogynistic, there are also those in the other side of the spectrum who argue against. However, “despite the fact that a misogynous attitude towards women was generated in the context of the Judeo-Christian tradition, misogyny is primarily a pathology and a social malady, and was, in no way, a biblically-founded teaching.” All through the Old Testament men like Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and even Moses treated their wives with honor and respect. In some instance taking their advice and suggestions.
Passage 1: Judges
For instance, during the fall of man, God told the woman, “Your desire will be for your husband, and he will “rule” over you." Many commentators agree that women may have started as equal to the men, but Eve’s action caused them to gain inferiority status. Matthew Henry in his commentary believes, “If man had not sinned, he would always have ruled with wisdom and love; if the woman had not sinned, she would always have obeyed with humility and meekness.” Martin Luther was yet another scholar that thought little of woman and used the Old Testament to support such notion. Luther is quoted as saying, “The woman’s weaker nature was inherent in their very being; this inferiority was deepened by Eve’s actions and God’s words in the Garden of Eden.” These scholars believed a division in status and superiority exist within the content of the scripture.
Bible Passages that argue against the Old Testament being misogynistic
While there are those who argue the Old Testament as being misogynistic, there are also those in the other side of the spectrum who argue against. However, “despite the fact that a misogynous attitude towards women was generated in the context of the Judeo-Christian tradition, misogyny is primarily a pathology and a social malady, and was, in no way, a biblically-founded teaching.” All through the Old Testament men like Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and even Moses treated their wives with honor and respect. In some instance taking their advice and suggestions.
Passage 1: Judges