What is the purpose of a woman in the bible and has her purpose evolved with modernization? 

What was the purpose of creating a woman? God created a woman to be a suitable helper or companion for Adam. So this means that the very first purpose of a woman in the bible was friendship and partnership. (Genesis 2:18)

Another bible verse that summarises the purpose of a woman in the bible is Titus 2:3-5 which says, “Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.”

The purpose of a woman has still not changed, even though roles might have shifted. It is important to note that there is a difference between your job and your purpose. 

Never mistaken a job for your purpose. A job helps you live your purpose because you still need money to live. 

The Purpose Of A Woman In The Bible

1. The purpose of a woman in the bible is to be a helper

The very first purpose of a woman in the bible is that she was created to be the “helper” to Adam.

Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.” (Genesis 2:18)

Read more: Bible verse about a good wife.

2. The purpose of a woman in the bible is to be fruitful

Another purpose of a woman is to bear children. That is why when God blessed Adam and Eve He said they should be fruitful and fill the earth. 

God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.” (Genesis 1:28)

3. The purpose of a woman is to safeguard mankind

The purpose of a woman in the bible was to safeguard destinies. Moses’ life was preserved because of the role that women played. 

Even after the king had said that every male child had to be destroyed and thrown into the Nile, the midwives disobeyed the king’s order. 

And even Moses’ mother when she saw that he was beautiful, kept him until she could not hide him any longer, and then put him in a papyrus basket in the reeds along the bank of the Nile.

Moses’ sister constantly watched him when he was in the basket to ensure her brother’s safety. And also when the King’s daughter saw him, she also could not destroy him, she decided to raise him as her own.

Exodus 2:2-4 says “and she became pregnant and gave birth to a son. When she saw that he was a fine child, she hid him for three months. But when she could hide him no longer, she got a papyrus basket for him and coated it with tar and pitch. Then she placed the child in it and put it among the reeds along the bank of the Nile. His sister stood at a distance to see what would happen to him.”

4. The purpose of a woman in the bible is to be a mediator

The purpose of a woman is to be a mediator and bring about peace. In 1 Samuel 25, after Nabal had insulted David, it was Abigail who went to David and plead for mercy. 

David had already decided that he was going to destroy Nabal’s household, but it is a woman who stopped him from avenging himself.

Read more: Power of a woman in the bible

5. The purpose of a woman in the bible is to pray and fast

After Mordecai notified Esther that there was a decree that the Jews were going to be destroyed, Esther arranged a fast. She asked the Jews to fast with her for three days so that she can go to the king and plead for mercy.

The purpose of a woman in the bible is to stand in the gap for her people. A woman is an intercessor and even organizes prayer meetings.

Esther 4:15-16 says, “Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.”

6.     The purpose of a woman in the bible is to prophesy

The purpose of a woman in the bible is to prophesy. This means that God does reveal things to women and women should be attentive to His voice.

The Bible says in Judges 4:4 that Deborah was a prophet. And Acts 2:17 says, “In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams”

Acts 21:9 says, “He had four unmarried daughters who prophesied.”

7. The purpose of a woman in the bible is to be a warrior

There are numerous women in the bible who were warriors. Women have also been called into battle because there are certain battles that men might fail at. 

That is why in the book of Judges 4:21, the victory came through a woman. And even in Judges 9:53, it was a woman who threw a millstone on Abimelech’s head. 

Read more: 10 Names of female warriors in the bible

8. The purpose of a woman in the bible is to offer wise counsel

The Bible in 2 Samuel 20:17-21 talks of a certain wise woman who gave Joab an alternative solution that was better. 

2 Samuel 20:19-21 says, “We are the peaceful and faithful in Israel. You are trying to destroy a city that is a mother in Israel. Why do you want to swallow up the Lord’s inheritance?” “Far be it from me!” Joab replied, “Far be it from me to swallow up or destroy! That is not the case. A man named Sheba son of Bikri, from the hill country of Ephraim, has lifted up his hand against the king, against David. Hand over this one man, and I’ll withdraw from the city.” The woman said to Joab, “His head will be thrown to you from the wall.”

9. The purpose of a woman in the bible was to fund the Lord’s work

Women were meant to be resourceful and not depend on men for survival. The Bible says that Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Susanna, and many other women provided financial support for Jesus and his disciples.

Luke 8:2-3 says, “Also, some women were with him. They had been cured from evil spirits and various illnesses. These women were Mary, also called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out; Joanna, whose husband Chusa was Herod’s administrator; Susanna; and many other women. They provided financial support for Jesus and his disciples.”

Read more: 8 Women of power in the bible

10. The purpose of a woman in the bible is to teach

The purpose of a woman is to teach the younger generation how to live the right life. 

“Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.” Proverbs 1:8

“Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children” Titus 2:3-4

“She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.” Proverbs 31:26 

“He began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him and explained to him the way of God more accurately.” Acts 18:26 

Read more: 30 Bible verses about a good woman

11. The purpose of a woman in the bible is to love her kids

The Bible says that older women should teach younger women to love their children (Titus 2:3-4)

“Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you.” Isaiah 49:15

12. The purpose of a woman is to love and submit to her husband

The purpose of a woman is to love her husband and submit to him.

Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God. Titus 2:4-5

13. The purpose of a woman is to build a home

“The wisest of women builds her house, but folly with her own hands tears it down.” Proverbs 14:1 

14. The purpose of a woman in the bible is to work in the Lord

“Greet those workers in the Lord, Tryphaena and Tryphosa. Greet the beloved Persis, who has worked hard in the Lord.” Romans 16:12 

15. The purpose of a woman in the bible is to give birth and nurse her child

“Yet you are he who took me from the womb; you made me trust you at my mother’s breasts. On you was I cast from my birth, and from my mother’s womb you have been my God.” Psalm 22:9-10 

16. The purpose of a woman in the bible was to be a shepherd

Many women in the bible were also shepherds, including the wife of Moses and even Rachael the wife of Jacob.

“Now a priest of Midian had seven daughters, and they came to draw water and fill the troughs to water their father’s flock.” Exodus 2:16

“Then Jacob asked them, “Is he well?” “Yes, he is,” they said, “and here comes his daughter Rachel with the sheep.” Genesis 29:6

17. The purpose of a woman in the bible was to fetch water

The servant of Abraham met Rebekah at the well because she had come to draw water. Even Jesus met the Samaritan woman at the well because she had come to fetch water.

“He had the camels kneel down near the well outside the town; it was toward evening, the time the women go out to draw water.” Genesis 24:11

“When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” John 4:7

18. The purpose of a woman in the bible was to watch over the affairs of her household

Most of the women in the old testament had maidservants, and even when they got married they went with their maidservants. But the ultimate responsibility of ensuring that the house was in order was the woman’s role. 

“She watches over the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness” Proverbs 31:27

Final thoughts

Have you found your purpose and are you living it? The purpose of a woman in the bible goes beyond just childbirth. A woman is a glue that keeps everything together and brings about order and peace in households.